The Reserve Restaurant

Fresco Restaurant doesn't stand out particularly well, especially when compared to other hotel restaurants in Melbourne CBD. However, there's one thing that surprisingly does and it's their MSA certified Australian black angus eye-fillet steak. It is always tender, juicy and well portioned. The steak knife just glides through without much effort. You also get a generous serving of their chips and sauce (the brandy and Madagascan green peppercorn cream sauce is easily my favourite). Their pork dishes are quite good as well. There have been changes over the years: the presentation of their grill dishes look a little tacky since they switched from white ceramic sauce cups to coloured plastic ones; and since manager Annie Wohlgehagen left the quality of service varies from professional to graduate (new manager is not great or professional, sadly), but thankfully the steaks have not changed. Make sure you take advantage of their special docket deal. I return here once or twice a year just to enjoy the steak.

Our food was excellent, BUT the waitress who served us, whilst she was efficient, was extremely officious, and completely spoiled our evening. Everything was a difficulty for her, it was never a case of the customer is always right. Food service was slow but I don't think this was the fault of the waitress.