The advert says it all really.
The meet and greet was good. But then the laminated (always a worry) menus and drinks lists were placed upright on the table, the sort of thing you may see at one of those themed family restaurants.
It’s shame because the food is a cut above the run-of-the-mill Mexican and much of the uninspired gloop served around Acland and Barkly Streets.
At least there are specials boards on the walls but I’d still like to see a fresh paper menu which would considerably improve the vibe.
The food shows innovation and the vegetarian dishes are really good – as are the cocktails. But there are signs that the kitchen is slipping. The wine list is short and good value but too focused on Sauvignon Blanc which perhaps says more about the age of the audience Bluecorn caters to.
The service is all over the place but well meaning with the waiters spending more time chatting among themselves and fighting fires than really offering service. The first starter that arrived was wrong. Meanwhile, somebody complained that their dish was cold. And I had to get up and retrieve the wine we had ordered – the waitress was allowing the stemmed glasses to cool down – half way through our main course. But I was happy to drink out of a cheap Duralit glass (which could help cut costs).
What did annoy me is the 2 per cent charged for Eftpos or credit cards (something about it costing $40,000 a year in bank fees which means they take $2 million on cards), the chipped base of one of the cocktail glasses which makes the place seem like it is running on empty.
The food and the wine are good value so maybe it is tough to make a profit and keep the costs low. But perhaps if they got the orders right a little more often it would help. So if you are an experienced waiter and you’re reading this, please please apply to Bluecorn.
