Warran Glen Garden Centre & Cafe

The WORST Father’s Day Lunch ever at Warran Glen
I’ve been a Dad for 17 years now and I’ve been to so many venues that I’ve lost count, however I can remember the good, the bad, and the ugly. I rarely post any venue in the ugly — «worst» category.
But since I took my parents from overseas and my «in-​grace» for a Father’s Day lunch with the whole family, I shall make an exception.
From the many times I’ve been here for coffee and breakfast, this venue has now got to be the worst on my list, they just don’t care and get it, even with an Urbanspoon rating of 62%. What a pity when the place got potential with the surrounding garden/​nursery is magnificent for where it is, Warrandyte.
We’ve booked a table for ten, they said 12.15−02.15pm seating. OK, no worries.
When you’ve booked a table/​allocated a time slot, you would expect to be seated within 5 to 10 minutes right?
WRONG! When we got there, there was a line of people waiting to be seated, see photo.
Around 12.40pm we were seated at our table (Table 61); at the very back of the courtyard. Two folding tables put together with some flimsy outdoor white plastic chairs. There was no linen on the table and our table also wasn’t even fully covered by the outdoor umbrella while the sun is blistering down. It was about 21 degrees today.
We had to endured for more than 2 hours this lingering smells from a broken sewerage behind the fence, masked with some floral fragrance, as you would expect from a garden nursery.
And YES, you have to get your own water; glasses and jug at the front.
We must have been on a discounted menu …
After deciding what we are going to have from the very «extensive special menu» (I’m referring to their drink menu), then back to the long queue to order and pay as there’s no table service, on a super busy day like today.
At 1.03pm, we’ve successfully ordered and paid for our food & drinks, HALLELUJAH — see Bill
At 1.11pm, the drinks were served, that was quick … a MIRACLE in the making as we need to get out by 2.15 pm.
Unfortunately, Jesus wasn’t in the house (kitchen), even on a Sunday, only at 2.00pm, food was served (after a complaint, the response was «loss of power»). How come there was no announcement then? Must we complain first? And how come the wait was 49 minutes between the drinks and food?
That’s 1 hour and 42 minutes from arrival to eat on Father’s Day lunch.
I have to wonder what my parents who came from overseas must be thinking, thank God without me knowing my mother in-​law decided to order some cakes, that was served in between drinks and food.
For what they are offering, a very simple menu, food is ordinary and overpriced; $ 26.90 for Fish & Chips, $ 24.90 for a Steak Sandwich; 200 gm of meat, a piece of bacon, cheese, greens and chutney — see our Bill.
I don’t mind overpriced food as long as it’s above average, however this food was below average and took so long to serve. How long does it take to serve pre-​prepared Pasta, Pulled Pork Burger and Steak Sandwiches or fried Fish & Chips?
What kind of hospitality business is this?
I might patronise this place again when I’m desperate to see some greens and lingering smells of flowers (masked sewerage) while having my coffee, otherwise we will give it a miss.

For a nursery, this place has it all. Wander through the scores of plants on sale, and you’ll also notice they stock a great range of pots for the garden. Better than the stock at Bunning’s the colours and shapes are great, and really good quality stuff. Pass this area and you’ll find the outdoor settings, with heaps of great seats, tables and lounges for your balcony or outdoor area.
After testing out the comfort factor on these pieces, you’ll cross a bridge and feel like you’re in the botanical gardens, as most of the plants on sale are here on display and thriving in the crisp Warrantee air. It’s also a good way to gauge just how big that plant you wan to buy may get.
There’s a café up amongst the trees, and this can get quite popular on a weekend or for functions.
Inside is a gift store, and this place stocks some great ideas for presents and ideas for birthdays or Christmas gifts. Although some can be quite pricey, it’s typical of the area.