Ate one ate - Melbourne

Waiting staff good, but front desk staff member not welcoming...Been here twice, gave them some tips on what could improve on our first dining experience, resta... read more Waiting staff good, but front desk staff member not welcoming...Been here twice, gave them some tips on what could improve on our first dining experience, restaurant was new to Hawthorn. Second time, one person in my group was ill after them meal, ate a crumbed pork dish, perhaps a problem only that night, other meals were good. Lots of restaurants to choose from in Hawthorn...

This restaurant is a welcome addition to Hawthorn. It is well situated and has an open if not a bit of a cafeteria feel to it. My impression is that it is well... read more This restaurant is a welcome addition to Hawthorn. It is well situated and has an open if not a bit of a cafeteria feel to it. My impression is that it is well suited to family dining. The menu is tight as is the wine list with only one pinot offered by the glass. The rack of lamb was well cooked, pink and juicy. This was served with beans and disappointingly tiny olives with pips which were a real nuisance to remove. My friend chose arincini balls. Enjoyed and well flavoured. We then had tiramisu served on a board with coffee iced chips, unusual but enjoyable. Unfortuately they had "run out" of decaf, pathetic and the maitre de and waitress had a major altercation within earshot of diners which is inexcusable and took the shine off our experience. I won't be hurrying back but it may have been an off day!

Pizza heading on the menu lured us in but on studying the menu, the pizza was not for us. Not traditional in any sense at all. But that's ok, plenty more to cho... read more Pizza heading on the menu lured us in but on studying the menu, the pizza was not for us. Not traditional in any sense at all. But that's ok, plenty more to choose from. Lots of seafood and my partner enjoyed his mixed seafood pasta very much. My chicken salad was extremely fresh - almost like they'd just picked it from the garden, but very bland. I'm not a fancy eater at all but the dressing tasted like nothing more than oil and vinegar with a grind of salt and pepper. The wait staff were all over the place, no allocated wait staff in this place. Modern and busy - don't go here if you're looking for somewhere quiet. It's quite noisy and every 2nd person that walked in seemed to be on personal and familiar terms with door or wait staff. Lots of families seated at tables. Not cheap, upper end of a fancy pub prices. Overall, was very impressed with the freshness of the meals served.

I absolutely adore this restaurant! A friend recommended it to me because they enjoy the wine selection, but the food here is absolutely fantastic! I'm a big fa... read more I absolutely adore this restaurant! A friend recommended it to me because they enjoy the wine selection, but the food here is absolutely fantastic! I'm a big fan of burgers and the ones here are top-notch.

It took us several attempts before we were able to enjoy a glass of wine at Cru. Every time we tried to visit, it seemed that our luck was not on our side. The... read more It took us several attempts before we were able to enjoy a glass of wine at Cru. Every time we tried to visit, it seemed that our luck was not on our side. The restaurant either closed earlier than expected or was unavailable when we arrived.