Reviews by FairyPenguin

This review is for Rooster Rock, Doncaster East VIC

verified email - 25 Nov 2013

I got Chicken and chips with Gravy at Rooster Rock and was very pleasantly surprised.
Serving sizes were larger than I expected, and the chips and gravy were both DELICIOUS! The chicken was good too, although not the best I have eaten.
The service was good, with minimal wait times. Prices were higher than I am used to (but it is in an expensive area).

Approximate cost: $10

This review is for Barclays Cafe, Heathmont VIC

verified email - 25 Nov 2013

Barclays is a "trendy" cafe in an otherwise less than trendy area! It is ALWAYS busy, and that can be attributed to the good quality food and coffee.
This is definately not a child friendly venue (as it is limited in space) but a great spot for coffee with friends.
Lots of atmosphere, and the staff are friendly. (although very busy).

This review is for Viva Mexico, Croydon VIC

verified email - 12 Nov 2013

I loved Viva Mexico. From the street it doesn't look anything special, but inside it has a very similar feel to Taco Bill, only better. The staff her attentive and very friendly. The first question they asked was if we have any of their discount vouchers (which are readily available in local newspapers), and when we said no gave us a discount on our Margarita's. Yay!
The girl explained all of the items of the menu, and was very helpful towards my friend with food allergies.
The fool was delivered quickly and was served on a sizzling platter. The quality of the food was excellent, and far exceeds that of Taco Bill.
The serving sizes are fantastic, and the food is all very fresh.
At the conclusion of our meal they provided us with our bill quickly.
Overall this was a very enjoyable experience. Living so close I had never been to this restaurant before, but will definitely go again.

Approximate cost: $20

This review is for Peninsula Hot Springs, Fingal VIC

verified email - 18 Sep 2013

I love this place! It is so calming, so relaxing and very clean.
The level of service is dictated by the package ($$) you choose, but the end result is always the same. A relaxing day / night out.
I have been for both the Dine and Bathe and the discounted after 7pm general entry.

Recommend the hot springs to anyone who needs a little R&R

Approximate cost: $50

This review is for Pho Huong Viet, Bayswater VIC

verified email - 18 Sep 2013

I have attempted to visit this restaurant during it's scheduled business hours 4 times and twice they have been closed without notice! Very inconvenient. I could only speculate as to why, but it certainly doesn't evoke confidence.

On my 2 visits to this restaurant I had very different experiences. One I was very happy with, the other not so much!

It is a budget restaurant, the food is generally good and the serving sizes generous but I am left to wonder about the levels of hygiene. I think I would prefer to pay slightly higher prices and for the owners to clean the place a little more thoroughly.

Approximate cost: $10

This review is for Hardy Street Dental Clinic, Lilydale VIC

verified email - 27 Aug 2013

I love this dentist!
This dentist is fantastic. I was never a dentist goer, they were to expensive and I often found myself getting work done that I really didn't think I needed.
My favourite dentist here is Soma! He is fantastic! Annie the dental nurse always provide's a bright and smiling face, and a very caring persona.
This dentist recognised a major dental issue I had (impacted canine) and referred me to a fantastic surgeon.
They followed up on me to ensure I got the surgery before any irreversible damage was done.
Their price's are always very reasonable, and they only do work that really needs to be done. The work that is done is always excellent, and if I have any problems with fillings (within 3 months) they are happy to fix them without additional charge.
I take my son with me (have done since he was 2) and they always give him a chair ride, and balloon. Now he is 4 and visits the dentist also. He is calm, relaxed and has no fear!

I would definitely recommend Hardy Street Dental to all of my family and friends. They are a Members Choice Dentist for Medibank and HCF!

This review is for Buxton Burgers (Igloo Roadhouse), Buxton VIC

verified email - 27 Aug 2013

After driving past the Igloo Roadhouse many times and dreaming of a Buxton Burger, I was very excited to have an empty stomach on Sunday and the opportunity to stop.
I was finally going to enjoy this giant burger I had heard so much about.
The dinner was run down, and there were no tables left inside but we were willing to brave the cold for this iconic burger!
Whilst the men waisted to order us ladies (and the children) made the horrifying trip (through mud puddles) to the dirty outside toilets.
We found a damp outdoor table and continued out wait for this tasty treat. When the men finally emerged 20 minutes later (and to our horror not holding burgers) the advised us they had just made it to the front of the very short queue.
They then advised us that the wait was between 45 minutes and 1 hour for a couple of burgers!
The roadhouse had seemingly recently been sold, and it appears the new owners have no idea how to cater for Sunday lunch rush! He was cooking 4 burgers at a time, on a plate capable of cooking 20!
Were they friendly? I guess so, they weren't rude. Just vague.

I can not speak to whether the burgers are still as delicious as I have so often heard they are, but I can recommend to others that this is NOT a place to make a quick stop on a Sunday afternoon. Either phone ahead of be prepared for a 1.5 hour wait during lunch hour.

Very disappointed! :(

I am sure they will improve with further experience, and I will try again in the future, but I will definitely be sure to call ahead next time.

Approximate cost: $10 for Buxton Burger with Lot

This review is for Mcdonalds, Croydon VIC

verified email - 27 Aug 2013

Terrible! This is easily the worst McDonald's experience my family and I have ever encountered.
After waiting forever for our food, the food was barely edible.
The staff were lazy, rude and completely unhelpful. Instead of serving us, the leaned across the registers half asleep. It took them 10 minutes to make a soft serve (because it took them 9 minutes to ever consider starting).
When we asked for a high chair the staff member pointed to a dirty high chair that was outside in the playground. The staff member asked if we would like it cleaned, but when we answered yes he disappeared and never returned.

When visiting McDonald's like most I go there expecting limited service / quality as it is a fast food venue, but this McDonald's is simply terrible.

We spoke to the manager and he dismissed our complaints and stated "mistakes happen", the lack of service we en-counted were not mistakes, but rather sheer laziness.

I do not recommend!

Approximate cost: $8

This review is for Black Spur Inn Hotel, Narbethong VIC

verified email - 27 Aug 2013

On Sunday we stopped at the Black Spur in for lunch on the way home from the country. We were very surprised by the pretty and classy bistro. We were greeted by a friendly young man who asked if we would like a table. After answering yes, we expected to be seated but instead he vanished. Finally we were seated, and the children were given a colouring sheet / children's menu. I was disappointed however that we were not offered a high chair for my 10 month old.
The menu was surprisingly extensive, however very expensive. There was very little that we could order for lunch under $25. The children's menu however was fantastic menu, and better that average food.
I ordered a bowl of chips for $6 which were tasty, but tiny. Other's on the table ordered Brusheta, Chicken Parma, and Garlic Prawns (They were cheaper items).
Of all of the guests no one complained about the taste of the food, but after speaking $100 between 4 adults and 3 kids, we all left hungry.
I would recommend this restaurant for an evening meal, but definitely not a stop in pub lunch.

Approximate cost: $30pp

This review is for Vue On Halcyon, Chirnside Park VIC

verified email - 18 Aug 2013

We got married at Vue on Halcyon in February 2011, and were among their first Weddings. Both Dean and Renae (The Owners) very fantastic, and very accommodating to our needs.

They were organised, and the food and drinks were just amazing. Unlike many venues Vue offers a choice of 3 main meals, and extra canapé choices.
As the venue is new, it is very modern with simply breathtaking views. All of our guests were amazed that such an amazing venue could exist in a suburban area.

We visit Vue for Breakfast on our anniversary each year and not only do Dean and Renae remember us, they go above and beyond to ensure we enjoy our anniversary breakfast.

Highly Recommended!!

Approximate cost: $130 PH