McDougall Street Milton is home to some very well known corporate enterprises, whose associates and employees would be chomping at the bit to have a local, stylish establishment to sip coffee in the mornings and beer in the afternoons.
On the surface, The Patio at The Coro Hotel looks to provide all that and more – their menu is varied and offers daily specials. The alfresco setting is perfect for Brisbane’s climate and the range of imported beers would light up even the greatest of beer snobs (especially at the bargain price of $5 all day Friday). Delve deeper however and you’ll find that The Patio leaves a lot to be desired.
The Patio has the look, but when it comes to service and ambience, it fails miserably. I’m a big believer in second chances and due to the convenient location of The Patio to my work, they’ve had a lot more than that – yet every time I dine for lunch, beers, or just a quick coffee I’m unimpressed. The bar/wait staff are very unsociable. Forgive me for thinking that the hospitality industry was all about customer service! Maybe it’s management’s tendency to employ transient Gen Y-ers? Maybe the staff get paid a pittance? Who knows…but when you’re made to feel guilty for ordering a beverage, or have to do star jumps before someone will offer table service, the venue deserves a NOT. The food and beverages on offer are sound, but it’s over priced. If they offered some service with a smile – or any service at all really – I’d be happier to part with my hard earned cash and might even be inclined to change my opinion.
Finally I must mention the fact that The Coro Hotel is also home to Lure – Brisbane’s best seafood restaurant for pretty much the last five years. Lure, located just above The Patio, is decked out with modern décor, an extensive menu (which includes an eight course degustation experience), attentive staff and a funky bar. One has to wonder why geographical separation via a small set of stairs could lead these two venues to be worlds apart in what they have to offer?
- The Coro Hotel, 28 McDougall St, Milton 4064 +61 7 7 3369 9955
I’ve visited the coro hotel before and the patio is definitely the best part of the place. Brisbane is a wonderful place to visit for those who’d like to travel to Australia.