Johnandpeter Canteen @ Carriageworks

Good food - RUBBISH SERVICE ! I booked this venue for a Sunday birthday lunch after hearing great reviews about the food. When we first arrived we were not exactly greeted with a warm customer service experience, we requested a high chair if available for a one year old to which we received a cold look as if children were not welcome at this venue, after a very long awkward silence waiting for the patron to solve the problem the patron finally assisted us to resolve this issue by adding one extra seat to our booking. Secondly the menu was written using Italian descriptions for some items which my group and I needed clarification on, we asked the waiter to assist us to explain which items were a vegetarian option and what some of the ingredients in specific dishes, with each explanation came an extremely condescending laugh and smirk and blunt and rude come-backs which we did not need to hear - this was extremely disrespectful and unhelpful. One of our guests chose not to eat and just order a light refreshment - The waiter snatched the menu off us and walked away without listening to what we had requested with respect to our drinks order. Thirdly when we asked for clarification on a certain meal following our order, this specific patronising waiter did not ask whether one of our guests requested any parmesan on top of her dish and simply brought the dish to her without consulting with her first. When we requested a new dish to be made because we did not request additional parmesan and the menu did not state additional parmesan, the waiter decided to argue with us and insisted that it was stated in the menu which it was not. To add fuel to the fire, upon leaving we were mocked by this particular waiter to customers sitting opposite our table. Absolutely rude and disgusting behaviour which is a shame this experience has left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Would not recommend this venue to anyone. 07/05/2012

Flavours are nice, as is the wine list however is dampened by the lack of service. Service is aloof and you'd be hard pressed to generate a smile out of the most of the wait staff. Lack of eye contact from one particular male staff member who seemed distracted and too busy to take the time to answer questions about the wine list. Also very rude to be charging $30 for 2 very thin slice of roasted pork belly with a couple of small potatoes underneath. I will not be returning purely based on the service level. 02/12/2011