Bluetrain

I don’t know about you, but my memories of Bluetrain go back to the early 2000’s. It was a great place with an awesome vibe, extensive menu, a casual place to go and hang out before a movie or show. Last night for old times sake, thought I would check out Bluetrain before heading to Hamer Hall. Unfortunately, like many places, it seems that Bluetrain has lost its charm and heart of what was. We were ‘greeted’ by a wait staff, who basically did not even appear to be an employee… dressed so casually - as though he was going to be kicking back at home and his manner came across as aloof and as though we were causing his night to be a chore. Sadly, the menu is now somewhat limited, and of course prices whilst you would expect to have been more expensive than in previous years, they are ‘boutique’ prices - and possibly echo of costs of location and mirror other restaurants in the same locale. Other wait staff were ok, food was decent and timely. So maybe if you’ve never experienced the Bluetrain before, you may enjoy your experience. But from one patron looking to take a trip down memory lane; to Bluetrain I will simply say “thanks for the memories”.

Catching up with friends and Bluetrain great casual place to meet. Dinner for 5. Shared garlic cheese pizza and basil pesto bread with salami. Mains vegetarian linguine, chargrilled chicken, veal burger, pizza with tomato and vegetarian gnocchi. Oh and chips because no meal is complete without a side of chips!! Drinks red wine, sparkling, sprite, coke, flat whites and soy latte. However when arrived ordered soy latte and for reasons unknown it took 20 minutes to arrive. Also am I crazy but when wait staff come to see anything else required etc why do they never take the dirty dishes away?? It is so so inefficient and I never understand it. However food overall was excellent only criticism, aside from service, was garlic cheese pizza lacked cheese and the tomato cheese pizza could have done with bit more tomato. So would recommend as great place to catch up with friends or to go to before you see a show as we were asked that and at 7.30pm the place emptied! But unfortunately it does mean that you do have to wait for your meals so that all the theatre goers can be served first even if they have come after you. Bluetrain is an institution and everyone has to go there at least once. 9.7 4 of us for lunch. Shared garlic cheese pizza which was a big improvement on last one we had here. Mains 2 vegetarians had Nacho Libre burgers, while 1 gnocchi and 1 calamari. Wanted decaf soy latte but no decaf so decided to live on the edge and have normal caffeine!! Note chips were excellent.

One of my favourite places to go, great staff, amazing food and view if southbank is just breathtaking however, this time, they decided to close the kitchen at 1945 and forced us to either order before 1930 or we had to leave. It was a special occasion for me that day and ither restaurants wouldn't take us due to it no reservation so we ended up leaving without eating, and had only drinks and snacks. At this level, we weren't expecting this sort of treatment as they said today its too slow day to keep the restaurant opened.

Nice place that overlooks the river. I will definitely suggest that book a table before you visit as this place is packing. The food menu is nice and wide. Had a good variety of finger food and mains. The pizzas and pastas are great. The variety of mains available makes it a good place for a group of people with a diverse pallet. The house beer brews, the cocktails and the house drinks options are pretty decent. There are different sizes of beer servings that you can choose from. The cocktails are pretty good as well. Overall, a nice place to hangout in the evenings.