Situated on Flinders Lane, with such exceptional reviews Grain Store had been on my 'To Do' list for quite some time. So understandably, I was as excited as a kid in a candy store when the day finally arrived that I would be able to try their scrumptious looking eats.
The minute you walk through Grain Store's doors, it's like being whisked a million miles away from the bustling CBD. With its wooden features, homely touches (there's even a fish bowl on one of the tables) and an array of food on display, the venue is reminiscent of a French provincial kitchen. But the magic of the place stops about there.
The staff were down right rude. Not a smile in sight when we were seated, and gosh forbid we try to pour ourselves a glass of water (after having empty glasses for a good 15 minutes) from what looked to be communal water jugs in the middle of the restaurant - a waitress snapping at me "don't touch those jugs, they are for us to fill up your glasses from when we are free". Good to know. Also, don't get in their way when you are trying to pay your bill as you will get a catty "excuse me" as they are pushing past you if you fail to see them coming from a mile away.
And the food was...well...underwhelming! I was one of the lucky ones ordering the asparagus haloumi potato gnocchi with butternut squash, tomato emulsion, toasted pine nuts and pecorino ($24). The gnocchi itself was light, fluffy and cooked exceptionally, and the flavours of the asparagus, haloumi and butternut squash was unsurprisingly a match made in heaven. However, the butternut squash did make up a substantial portion of the dish and overpowered the other flavours.
My friends, however, were not so lucky, ordering the quiche with salad ($19). The quiche was dry and the salad was limp and browning - indeed, one of my friends complained of still being hungry after finishing her meal. Not what you want after spending $19 on lunch.
I will add, however, that the front-of-house host was lovely - warm, friendly and full of smiles. If only the rest of the staff were as lovely as her, because based on the experience we had, I will not be returning to Grain Store.
Food: 2.5/5
Service:1/5
Décor: 4.5/5
Total: 9/15
Verdict: Don't bother.
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