On a cool Sunday in May we headed to the famous Grounds of Alexandria. I’ve been to the Grounds of the City previous and honestly, I wasn’t too impressed. I was hoping that the original place would be better and so I headed in with an open mind.
Walking around the Grounds of the Alexandria
Before I visited Grounds I had it in my head that it was just a single restaurant. It turns out to be a huge market-style area with various food outlets including a few animal pens.
We arrived before my friend and were attempting to find the actual Grounds of Alexandria when we ended up bumping into my friend. Finally, we found the grounds and put our name down for a table, which had over an hour wait. So we decided to walk around exploring the grounds which was exhausting. There were so many people around and so many who just didn’t look where they were going particularly when taking photos. Eventually, we found a spot to sit until we received an SMS.
Entry into Grounds
As soon as I got the SMS we headed over. However, it wasn’t clear where we should go. Were we meant to rejoin the booking line or head inside? So we split up and eventually, the guy said to wait inside. The instructions or signage definitely need to be more clear for this aspect.
We were lead to a shared table and provided menus. We all really struggled with picking something. There wasn’t really much that jumped out to me on the menu. Eventually, I choose a burger.
The Food at the Grounds
The food arrived fairly quickly. My partner who ordered the Spiced Lamb Loin found his dish to be quite cold. We’re not sure if it was meant to be like that but I’m pretty sure it should have been piping hot. My burger was also quite cool.
The plating, if it can be called that, for my burger was odd in that there wasn’t a flat surface in the site. They served the burger on bread tin that had baking paper over it so that the burger and fries could rest on top. The plating felt cheap and nasty. I just wanted a real plate or at least a board.
My friend’s salad was just ok and nothing amazing.
For the prices paid you could go elsewhere for much cheaper and tastier food. The only saviour in this was the coffee that was pretty decent.
Overall Thoughts
Overall the service wasn’t the best. When paying it was impossible to get a staff member so that we could ask where we should pay. The food was mediocre and cold with poor presentation. The coffee the highlight of the items we ordered. The coffee is the only thing I would order again if I went back. I’m quite disappointed after all the hype and praise that people give. I can only wonder if they were once a decent cafe and have just become the place to be rather then somewhere with good food.
Given my thoughts, I’m giving a rating 2/5. If it wasn’t for the coffee it would be a 1/5.
For more reviews check out my last food review at the beautiful 360 Bar and Dining.