Cork at Cooks Corner

My husband and I visited this restaurant today with really no expectation.but we were super impressed with the service, food, wine and ambience. Brett who is manager and owner, introduced himself when our meal was complete.talked to us about the story of Cork and his wines and showed us his amazing veggie garden. Brett we will be back with our tribe from Emerald. Thankyou for a lazy Sunday lunch
Marg and Matt

Very disrespectful customer service never try to go there if you are not an Aussie because the stuffs are racist and use really bad terms against other races.

Corks has just opened for dinner on a Saturday night. It is located at the popular Cooks Corner. Entry from front or car park at rear. Cheese platter contained much more than just cheese with olives, gherkin, pickled onion, and more. We enjoyed potato and bacon soup (of the day), fish tacos, Moroccan lamb, and slow cooked beef cheeks. The generous serve of sticky date pudding and ice cream was delicious. The menu was very varied considering the recent opening. Corks specialise in wine, and you are able to purchase that and other produce at the shops entry. I'd recommend a visit here to sit in the warmth of the open fire. Oh, and they have three toilets (including parent/wheelchair).

Awful experience. Unapologetic owner.

Context: Went on ANZAC day (understandably a busy day). There were two specials available at 12: 30pm when we ordered - beef cheeks and lamb shanks.
3 reasons for the reivew:

1. After waiting 60 minutes for everyone's food, the lamb shank special had not arrived. We ask and they say it's on the way soon. Another 30 minutes - 90 minutes total - and we ask again. They say they printed out the docket but did not fulfill our order, so we have to re-order the lamb shanks. The waiter finally brings the "lamb shanks" - confirmed by the waiter - but it is the wrong dish.

2. After informing the staff of the wrong dish, the owner, visibly grumpy, comes and brings the whole specials menu chalkboard with the lamb shanks removed, saying "we took lamb shanks off the menu an hour ago". We ordered 90 minutes ago. And painted it as our fault the order went through when we weren't notified of the change, even after asking once for an update on our order.

3. NO apology from the owner.

Food was fine, waitress was kind and apologetic and the space was nice, but awful management that cannot manage expectations or take ownership of their mistakes. Disappointing.

I never make bad reviews but unfortunately our experience here was too bad. Not only were we directed to sit out the back (which smelt like sewage) even though we made a reservation, prawn linguine was tasteless and sour because the wine hadn’t been cooked out, portion sizes tiny for the price, an hour for our food to come out; when we told the manager he was completely dismissive.

I told him that they shouldn’t sit anyone out the back due to the smell and he said “I don’t. People just barge out there”. You clearly told us to sit out back. Please don’t lie!

The owner Brett, and staff are absolutely lovely.
Foods always good and the drinks selection is fantastic. They only have a small kitchen so on the busier days you can expect a little bit more of a wait, but given the atmosphere and quality of food it's to be expected.

An amazing place that offers so much. We had a delicious (& very generous) platter, with a glass of wine. So many options to choose from for the food & wine, with a varied menu that caters for everyone. Couldn’t resist buying a few bottles of wine to take home. Brett is a wonderful host, who personally looks after everyone that walks through the door - customers & his staff. Would give 100** if I could.

We have now been here 3 or 4 times, and have been super impressed every visit!
This is a quiet gem in the hills to gather with your precious family.

I love this little heritage building in our local area. Generally good food and prices for Kallista.

We had an early dinner. The owner was a little arrogant and the four of us felt rushed into our wine and drink selection. However, the food was delicious, couldn’t fault it, and the waitress was lovely.

Thankyou to Brett and the team for a lovely Mother's Day lunch. The environment is so warm and welcoming, the staff very friendly and accommodating with dietary requirements. Can't wait to come back

When your cake comes 20mins before your coffee and the waitress denighs she forgot, this is sad. The atmosphere is nice on a cold day. Hopfully better next time.

The Cork at Cooks Corner is a great find. Such a warm and inviting space! Nothing quite like sitting by the fire with a fantastic wine. The wine menu has been hand picked by a sommelier with a carefully crafted food menu to compliment the wine. Definitely a must visit if you are in the Dandenongs. Great food, great wine, warm and friendly service, what more do you want?