Much like our national history the National Hotel has a lot to answer for. It has some quirkiness that's kinda likeable, some great beer and an interesting menu with a heavy asian influence.
After dining at the National I felt as if we had successfully managed our way through the multi layers of beaurcatic lasagne and were victors with a sticky date pudding.
The polarising differences in the staff attitude here leaves a confused taste in your mouth. The initial staff we first dealt with on arrival were downright rude and borderline arrogant. Now at 6.30 on a Thursday evening, with barely a half doz other customers in I don't expect tired, cranky and snobbish staff. Our first instance came when the very last dredges of cava were shaken out of the bottle. The barstaff whole heartedly tried to convince me that the Spanish sparkling wine was not flat, just a mishap with a new dishwashing was making the glasses too hot for the bubbles to stay inside. No, it had nothing to do with the old bottle and expired contents. Upon tasting it was evident that the wine had lost all structure and turned acidic. Well and truly past her used by date. A fresh bottle was opened and a glass full of ripe pearl-esque bubbles appeared.
A few of the menu gave us some great options. Edamame, salt and peper calamari, roti bread and a pulled pork banh mi just for starters. As the two ladies we walked up to the bar to order food and had to wait for a staff member, whilst another was polishing cutlery baskets. Clearly management have set some strict boundaries on roles and responsibilities. A very disinterested barman took our order, and handed over freshly polished cutlery basket. Without enough cutlery. With a polite push we ended up with sufficient cutlery but not serviettes.
When the food arrived it was wonderful, fresh, pub quality asian fare. Perhaps on oxy-moron but it really works well here. After relaxing and eating all the edamame we moved onto the private room, as we actually were here to see the Pure movie premiere. A delay in movie screening gave us ample time to make a decision on dessert-Sticky Date Pudding. Words can not adequately describe our confusion or horror when looking at the menu a mere hour after ordering mains to discover that it had changed. Seasonally changed from winter heart warming dishes to lighter spring infused dishes.
A visit to the front bar area and we found the most helpful, lovely and honest staff member. Who happily explained that yes, there had indeed been a menu change half way through service. She walked us through the changes and discussed with the kitchen what options were readily available. The biggest success of our night was when two sticky date puddings turned up. Nothing quite like watching female freeskiers and eating sticky date pudding on a wet Melbourne's eve. This one staff member turned out dining experience from a frown to a glowing smile and a two star review-three star review!
There's a few other small issues here that left me bewildered. Signs at all cash registers No eftpos. Credit Card only. $20 minimum. An odd amount which I am fundamentally against. Whenever I see eftpos limits I'm taken back to the early 90s when this was common practice.
Most of the taps in the ladies room were not functioning. I enjoyed the industrial concrete decor across the venue. read more