Name: Cafe San Marco

Location:South Bank, Brisbane, QLD

Website: http://www.cafesanmarco.com.au/

Date visited: Feb 08

Cost: Too much for what we had

Our Rating: 1/2 cracked pepper

Ms OE says: 

If you want pub food at restaurant prices, go to Cafe San Marco at South Bank. Actually I’ve had better steak at pubs on the Tuesday $7.90 lunch special. The MSA steak was tough and did not warrant the almost $30 price tag.  The trio of dips with Turkish bread consisted of slices of Vienna loaf toasted with gobs of three mashed somethings (pumpkin, beetroot, garlic and ?) on the side – definitely not worth the $10+ price tag. My eating companion OE-in law enjoyed his Spaghetti Bolognaise but felt that the portion was a little small.  We left feeling ripped off and rather underwhelmed by the food and service. I expect overpriced food from the South Bank food vendors but a restaurant? I suppose a guaranteed trade from visitors to South Bank mean that restaurants can get away with over priced meals. We’ve had far better meals at Port Side and other suburbs for similar prices, and far better meals at the local tavern for much, much less.

Mr OE says: Nice milkshake, for a greasy spoon!

This place looked nice from the outside, boasted a good view and location. The menu book stuck together by some previous diners slops should really have given me a clue, but at OE hope springs eternal, at a new eatry. However, what gets OE’s goat is false advertising, and this place has it in spades. Check out the website, all things to all people? My Leagues Club  dinners have been far better (and cheaper!). At 6pm, with the place almost empty, they took 30 mins to serve an entree (I left before it arrived). I think this place only survives because it caters to Southbank tourists, not actual Brisbane residents. Thumbs down – to the lions, I say.