Pasini's - Bicheno

Oh dear. I've fallen into the classic tourist trap. In a town like Bicheno with lots of accomodation but only one or two dinner options, I picked Pasini. Howeve... read more Oh dear. I've fallen into the classic tourist trap. In a town like Bicheno with lots of accomodation but only one or two dinner options, I picked Pasini. However, the next night, after having dined at The Bay restaurant in nearby Freycinet, I regretted my meal in Pasini very much. $35 got me a main course of lamb shoulder, with some mash and garden salad. The lamb shoulder was really dry and tough. The mash and garden salad were OK. My wife had the pork cutlet $30), which was a single pork cutlet. This was at least cooked well juicy and still tender. The kitchen was overwhelmed when we were there there was a 45 minute wait from ordering to getting our dishes. The kick in the balls? Next night's dinner at The Bay Restaurant, where we got white table cloth dining, with amazing views of the sea, much better food, excellent table service, and for the same price.

This place is truly a gem! When I visited, they provided tips for accessing the wifi, which was crucial for me as a foreigner trying to book my hotel and call m... read more This place is truly a gem! When I visited, they provided tips for accessing the wifi, which was crucial for me as a foreigner trying to book my hotel and call my mom. The establishment was run by a guy from England and another from Nepal. They made fantastic salads, served great wine, and played excellent music. Overall, the atmosphere is filled with positive vibes!

I was passing through Bicheno last weekend and decided to stop off at Pasini's Café Deli Wine Bar, and thinking back on the experience there is one main thought... read more I was passing through Bicheno last weekend and decided to stop off at Pasini's Café Deli Wine Bar, and thinking back on the experience there is one main thought that comes to mind: rude staff. Incredibly rude staff. I came here and ordered two coffees a milkshake, and the whole time I was made to feel like I was inconveniencing them even being there. Inattentive, slow, and when you request something or want to order something more, they handball you off to someone else, or tell you to wait a few minutes until another server gets back from somewhere else. Excluding the staff, the venue appears cosy and comfy, and they have a decent menu to choose from. It also appears to be a popular spot to get takeaway orders, especially wood fire pizzas. The milkshake was extremely disappointing didn't taste much like the strawberry flavour I ordered at all. They also didn't bring it to me in a take away cup even though I clearly and explicitly ordered it takeaway, and when it finally arrived in its correct form it was in a tiny take away cup. See the attached photo would you be satisfied paying $5 for a strawberry milkshake that size? Me neither. I wouldn't recommend Pasini's as the staff are deplorable and their prices are a pathetic joke. Keep on driving.

We had a wood fired pizza and glasses of wine and the meal was excellent! We really enjoyed our meal here and recommend it to others. The wine was excellent! read more We had a wood fired pizza and glasses of wine and the meal was excellent! We really enjoyed our meal here and recommend it to others. The wine was excellent!

Keeping in mind this is mostly a negative review I'd like to comment on how lovely and patient the staff were and I believe my issues lie in the management of q... read more Keeping in mind this is mostly a negative review I'd like to comment on how lovely and patient the staff were and I believe my issues lie in the management of questionable advertising and pricing. Pasini's is advertised as a cafe, deli, restaurant and wine bar; however, I can't speak for their food because I was absolutely reluctant to purchase any of it due to the prices on the menu. I had myself a coffee which was reasonably priced was well made and pretty nice; also, the other people ordered some of their chocolates and such which they said were really nice and worth the money. I wanted to try one of the smoothies (banana and strawberry) they were advertising out the front and decided I would bite the bullet and pay $9, being optimistic I assumed that what I would receive would be worthwhile. I was put off buying a cake with my smoothie because they didn't have prices advertised with the cakes and being reminded of the price I was to pay for the smoothie I wasn't going to gamble again and run the risk of burning two holes in my wallet. When I received the smoothie and had a taste I couldn't taste the banana or any berries and was left with a yoghurt and seed milkshake. A nice location and wonderful staff doesn't compensate for a menu I don't want to order off and sub par expensive goods.