Buona Sera Restaurant - Mildura

On Saturday night, Buona Sera featured Robbie Burns with a bagpipe band, haggis, poetry, singers, and more.

Went here for a private function and was not impressed. A flat $16 a head for kids who were lucky if they got one party pie, a couple of small hot dogs and a handful of chips, many there complained they were still hungry. $5 for a glass of soft drink. The adults' meals weren't much better: $37 each which comprised a small plate of "antipasto" which was basically everything you can buy off the supermarket shelf, including the crackers, dessert wasn't included in the price either because the hosts provided that themselves). Felt quite embarrassed for the people who organised the event. Give this place a wide, wide berth.

Worst place we have ever eaten overcooked tasteless food slopped on the plates waitress was rude no kids menu no bar service toilets were filthy over all a disgusting meal which wasn't eaten by any of our party totally spoilt Christmas Never to return

Fresh delicious oysters, some traditional favourites on the menu, very attentive host, got a complimentary entrée, the local Azahara sparkling was a spectacular find, so drinkable we had three bottles among our group. Can't believe more people weren't there for dinner that night, what a gem of a find.

Sitting quietly in Deakin Ave in Mildura is the Cottonwood Motor Inn where a two day conference was held in October and the event basically took up the whole place. The hospitality was warm and inviting and the owners could not do enough for the conference organiser and delegates. The conference food was home-style and enjoyable using fresh local produce. The conference dinner was a la carte and everyone enjoyed their meals and drinks. However, there was a new chef on board who did not know where everything was in the kitchen, so our main meal was delayed, but Ivan supplied the tables with extra garlic bread and wine to stave off our hunger. When the meals arrived the comments were very positive but when dessert arrived for me, the Crepe suzette, came flaming to the table and caused a bit of excitement. Such a traditional dessert that seems to have disappeared from menus these days, but the Buona Sera certainly has re-ignited this dessert. The only downside to the two days was the "wildlife" that inhabited the loos and the foyer. But apart from these little spiders, all was brilliant and Ivan and Malcom Baker should be congratulated on their family business that is not pretentious nor glitzy - but down to earth and homely. Welcome, guys.