Stokehouse St Kilda

The staff were excellent in discussing my options on the shared menu and offering alternatives as needed. They made our large group dinner much more enjoyable a... read more The staff were excellent in discussing my options on the shared menu and offering alternatives as needed. They made our large group dinner much more enjoyable and stress-free, and the food was delicious!

Only a couple of things on the menu contain gluten and they are the obvious culprits pasta, battered fish etc. The staff were very helpful and guided me through... read more Only a couple of things on the menu contain gluten and they are the obvious culprits pasta, battered fish etc. The staff were very helpful and guided me through the menu. Just watch for the chips that are cooked in a shared fryer. Food was incredible

I used to work at Stokehouse, so I’m familiar with how things operate there. One of my main concerns during my visit was the attitude of the head chef, Jason, w... read more I used to work at Stokehouse, so I’m familiar with how things operate there. One of my main concerns during my visit was the attitude of the head chef, Jason, who stated, "we don't cater to allergies, and it's not his priority to do so." While they offered some "gluten-free alternatives," I often left feeling bloated and unwell. The portion sizes are far too small for the high prices, and the alcohol is outrageously overpriced as well. At the end of your meal, there's always a push for tips, most of which seems to go to the management rather than the actual staff. I would definitely not recommend this place. 10/10, would not return.

We ordered two shared plates of antipasto for our starters. When my husband asked the waiter if we had ordered too much, the waiter confidently replied that we... read more We ordered two shared plates of antipasto for our starters. When my husband asked the waiter if we had ordered too much, the waiter confidently replied that we hadn’t ordered enough and suggested some focaccia. My husband then inquired about what I would have, to which the waiter mentioned they offer gluten-free bread. When the bread arrived, it became clear that this was an oversight. While my family was served a generous portion of fluffy focaccia, I received a single slice of plain white gluten-free bread, which had simply been grilled with no condiments at all. The disparity shocked our table, and the gluten-free slice was promptly sent back to the kitchen. I usually avoid bread at restaurants since gluten-free options tend to be lackluster. However, we felt misled into ordering the bread because we were led to believe that a suitable gluten-free alternative to the focaccia would be available. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. This experience serves as a reminder to be cautious when waitstaff offer gluten-free bread. The focaccia was priced at $16, but they thankfully didn’t charge us for the gluten-free slice. Overall, it was a disappointing meal, and I hope they can improve their gluten-free offerings in the future.

Stokehouse boasts beautifully designed interiors and a wine cellar stocked with selections from around the world. The bar area is particularly impressive and wo... read more Stokehouse boasts beautifully designed interiors and a wine cellar stocked with selections from around the world. The bar area is particularly impressive and worth a visit before you head to your table. It's hard to imagine a fine dining establishment going wrong with their dishes, but providing exemplary service is always a challenge—Stokehouse came quite close to meeting that standard. We ordered the Baby Calamari and a Chicken main dish from their "Celebrating 30 Years of Stokehouse" special menu, along with a Fish main, Roche De Bellene Pinot Noir wine, and Poached Persimmon with Mandarin Meringue for dessert. From the appetizers to the main courses and dessert, everything was flawless. The flavors were well-balanced, the meats were cooked to perfection, and the exceptional hospitality added a touch of grandeur, making my birthday celebration that much more special. The Poached Persimmon with Mandarin was indeed deserving of the title Dessert of the Day, while both the Fish and Chicken mains earned their spot as Dish of the Day. While it may not be the best choice for vegans or vegetarians, gluten-free diners will find plenty to enjoy. Portions were on the smaller side for the price, but the quality was undeniably top-notch. To avoid any disappointment, it's highly recommended to reserve a table at this fine dining spot at least a month in advance.