Fire and Vine owner George Melissourgos says restaurant reviewer saw ‘single worst night of service’ but it was a ‘once-off’ event

A restaurant owner has conceded a food reviewer saw his eatery at its worst – but stands by his food and has implored diners to give the venue a chance.

• A shambolic dining disaster: What made customers walk out

The owner of a restaurant at the centre of a highly critical food review has admitted it was the venue’s “single worst night of service” since they opened their doors eight months ago.

But George Melissourgos said that Friday night was a “once-off" and implored diners to give his steak and seafood restaurant, Fire and Vine in Glenunga, a chance.

“It’s definitely not the experience that nearly every other customer has had. It was definitely a once-off thing,” he said.

“We’d like to prove the article wrong. Our focus is on the food so if the service does suffer sometimes, then we more than make up for it with the quality of the steak.”

The SA Weekend review, by respected Adelaide food writer Simon Wilkinson, described lengthy service delays, including an hour wait for entrees, and a “hostile” atmosphere from unhappy customers who ended up walking out before the end of their meals.

Mr Melissourgos conceded there were issues on the night of the review, with two staff members calling in sick about 30 minutes before doors opened. The pair were unable to be replaced at short notice.

This left just the chef in the kitchen, and Mr Melissourgos on the dining floor, as the only members of staff serving about 30 guests – 20 of whom also booked at the last-minute.

Dining space at Fire and Vine restaurant, Glenunga

Scotch fillet steak at Fire and Vine restaurant, Glenunga

Owner George Melissourgos at Fire and Vine in Glenunga. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mr Melissourgos said staff recruitment was an “on-going” issue for the venue.

“We are trying to find good, reliable, consistent staff that we can rely on and have on-call if we need them. That’s the biggest thing,” he said.

“We are actively recruiting right now. Our regular waitresses should be back next week. They’re both sixth year medical students but they’ve had their internship at the same time. Everyone else was unavailable.”

An IT and finance project manager by trade, Mr Melissourgos said he didn’t blame any of the diners on the night, including a group of eight who walked out without paying after completing their entrees and two bottles of wine.

“They didn’t settle the bill but it’s not their fault. We understand their point of view,” he said, adding that particular group had their entrees served within 30 minutes of ordering.

Fire and Vine in Glenunga. Picture: Supplied

Dukkah crusted tuna on wild rice at Fire and Vine restaurant, Glenunga.

Inside Fire and Vine in Glenunga. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mr Melissourgos, who launched Fire and Vine in late September 2023, said there was an “emphasis on the negatives” in the review.

“It’s to be expected when it’s a food reviewer, it always gets more clicks if it’s negative,” he said.

“If you’re looking for faults, you could justify it, but I wouldn’t say it was fair. There could have been more of an emphasis on the steaks because steaks did come out looking spectacular.

“But it is what it is.”