Hayes St Wharf Bistro

We like to try places we haven’t been to by using promotions we find on Lime and Tonic, and Travel Zoo. We saw Hayes St. Bistro had a deal on Travel Zoo for a 6 course dinner for 2 for $ 95. Their reviews on trip advisor give them 4 out of 5 based on 54 reviews, so we snapped up a voucher.
We arrived, to be seated at one of only 2 empty tables in the place. A good sign. The server (a lovely blond woman) gave us menu’s explaining to the available wine pairing, which I typically add on without hesitation. She also brought the wine menu, which we would have ordered a glass of champagne from to have a mini celebration for an event that occurred this week.
To our surprise, a brunet server brought the first course of our meal (a set menu) less than a minute or two later!!! I made a comment like «maybe we wont have the wine pairing then», and she stated, «I’m not sure if we have it or not tonight». We then sat for 5 minutes waiting for anyone to come back. When the brunet came back, she said they didn’t have all the wines for the pairing, and I commented how surprised we were to just have our first course brought out so quickly without the opportunity to order wine or anything, and she said «yeah, we drop the orders right away» (or something close to that). I (admittedly, a bit snotty), asked «are we in a hurry or something».
The brunet attended to the table next to us three times, without looking at us, and finally, the blond came back, explaining what wasn’t available on the pairing menu. We decided to order a 2009 Bordeaux. She came back, smiling, explaining that things weren’t going our way tonight. She said the only bottle of the ’09 was an open one, which she would pour us two glasses complimentary, and we could get a 2010 Bordeaux instead. Her apology and pleasantness (and the free glasses of wine), were the only things that kept us from leaving at that point.
Back to the first course, which had been sitting on the table for over 10 minutes now waiting for a glass of wine to go with it… Barossa chicken liver parfait with cherry marmalade. The marmalade was too sweet, and the pâté was smooth, but bland, tasting under seasoned. The three pieces of toasted brioche where insufficient, and we had to order bread (at an additional $ 2 per person) to go with the remaining parfait. The bread that arrived, was supposed to be sourdough, but looked and tasted to be microwave reheated tiger bread from Coles. The truffle butter was a delicious though.
Next course was listed as Tomato and Crab Bisque on our menu. It was described by the brunet as lobster, scallop, and prawn bisque. It was too watery, salty (but not nice seafood salty), and underwhelming. It appeared to have been whizzed by a stick blender before coming to the table, to appear as if it had a foam on top.
The John Dory was next. It was supposed to be served with Cauliflower, broad beans, and saffron veloute. I didnt see any Cauliflower or broad beans, but there were peas (lots of them) and leek. The veloute was average, not much flavour. I didn’t detect any saffron. However, the fish was cooked perfectly.
The apple sorbet palate cleanser was too sweet, obviously artificial apple, which reminded me of apple flavoured candy. I had one spoonful and put it aside. It wasn’t a fresh palate cleansing dish, it was a sour and sweet, mouth puckering shock to the meal.
Sticky Wagyu beef brisket bourguignon, caramelised shallot (or eshallot, depending if you were reading the degustation or mains menu) and truffled mash was the main. My beef was dry, and chalky tasting. My partners was nice, a bit more moist, tasted like it was an end cut. The truffle mash had a nice flavour, a bit lumpy, but I enjoyed it anyway.
Dessert. Pear tart tatin. My partner makes apple tart tatin for me on special occasions. I love this dessert. It arrived, and looked horrible. Very little caramelisation. Undercooked, awful pastry. Bitter, undercooked pear. And the caramel ice cream tasted like store bought, home brand. What a let down to end the meal.
We usually will order coffee, sometimes a cheese plate and a port or scotch to top off a nice meal out. We just wanted to get out.
We paid the $ 79 of add ons (mostly the wine), and didn’t have an opportunity to add a tip onto the credit card. I would have, as despite the horrible meal, the blond server was lovely and tried her best. The brunet walked out about halfway through dinner, leaving the blond to look after the dining room by herself. If it wasn’t for the polite server of the two, we would have given 1 star.
I was really looking forward to this dinner, and trying someplace new (new to us). What a let down.