Russo Estate - Hillside

Excellent service but disappointed with the food. Overpriced and Bland. steak was not evenly cooked, parts were rare.

We attended a birthday celebration in the marquee on Friday night and there were quite a number of things lacking. There was a set menu of three courses and we were told to choose two. A waitress took each individual order for the entrees and...when it arrived it was put on the table in groups of the style of Entree e.g. Maracroni and cheese sticks grouped together and calamari grouped together. We had to sort out what Entree belonged to whom ourselves and when we asked about which one belonged to whom we were individually handed it to you instead of placing it down.. The service just for Entree was poor, also when it came to the main meals each person that ordered steak was asked how each guest wanted it done and the waitress noted it down and then came back less than five minutes later and told us that the steaks will only be done one way due to the kitchen was swamped. I guess that was convenience for the chef. The quantity of food on the plates was small-one piece of steak ,a small bunch of broccolini (which was hard literally to eat) and two chips which were more like small roast potatoes-the description on the menu didn't match the presentation. There were a couple of people that ordered chicken and salmon-everyone else was served and those two people were left to watch everyone on our table eat their dinners and finish them before they got their meals. So isolating and embarassing for them. The waitress seemed to have forgotten the two people that ordered the chicken and the salmon. There was no dessert except the birthday cake was going to used as a substitute. The way the cake was served up was poor, it was served on platters with napkins as an individual serve ,so people could pick it up off the platter. This could have been made more presentable by placing side plates and forks in the middle of each table and not have the cake on napkins on the platter. If that wasn't viable then plate up a piece of cake on a side plate and place on an individual place setting with a cake fork. Another thing there was no bread nor rolls on offer or placed on a setting. Some people like to have a bread roll with their meal. Unsure if that was extra or was it just easier not to and cheaper to do .Also there was no salt and pepper shakers n the tables. There seemed to be more interest in serving drinks and to make sure everyone was watered as there was money put over on the bar . The service was amateurish and lacked professionalism for a Vineyard and the way they run their functions.. Such a shame as these are the things that make an impression on people, it helps to add to the experience of the occasion.

I live nearby this restaurant, always go to Russo for any celebration. but last week, we were blown away, the manager that served us. Debbi, she was so lovely and wonderful. She gave us a vibe that we feel welcome. Her smile was all the...way through until we say goodbye. This lovely service made my husband birthday extraordinary. The food was excellent. Hat off for the chef. Highly recommended!

Like many others have mentioned here and on google the owner Joe is not a people person, he argued with me when i called him out on one of the many lie's he said after we paid a deposit to get married there. We pulled...the wedding because of his terrible attitude and I am sure we have saved ourselves plenty of heartache! The food was ok when we went for dinner but not worth the price and the only good wine they sell they don't even make on the property.

Worst experience we have ever had in a restaurant to date. Came here to have Easter Sunday lunch with the family (group of people). Where do I begin. We were asked to pre pay which in itself was odd however no one complained snd...we all pre paid for a set menu. On the day, we were surprisingly told by one of the waiters that one of the tables was offered a la carte. This was only the beginning. We had one special dietary requirement which was initially agreed at time of booking but then ignored on the day. When we raised this with the owner he basically told us the chef had not agreed and insinuated that we were lying. Despicable behaviour from the owner. The poor quality of food began from the moment we got our entrees. Not only did we have to wait hours before being served food but when we got it, it was frozen food. I have eaten better at la porchettas. I was served a prawn cocktail with frozen prawns. I don’t know how they even consider applying for a hat given you’re serving frozen food. With the mains, my lobster was dry snd tasted like it had been sitting around for an hour, the chips served with the steaks were frozen potato fries. How do you charge for frozen food?? At the end one of the desserts wasn’t served but nothing was offered to rectify this. I have to honestly say that this place was one of the worst restaurants I’ve ever been to. The food was late, it was tasteless frozen food and the owners attitude was appalling to say the least. I would give this place 0 stars if that was an option. Save yourself the time and money and don’t go here. None of us will be returning.