Sadly disappointed but perhaps my expectations wer...

Sadly disappointed but perhaps my expectations were too high.
Given the price point and the fact they offer a degustation I was expecting fine dining. There were were a few areas that let them down and I know individually they are very minor when they all add up the experience is affected.

AMBIENCE
- my mother described it as a canteen feel. they very much rely on the view which are wonderful but it would have added to have some flowers on the table (even fake would be fine) and perhaps a table cloth. Its just a number of very simple tables and chairs.

SERVICE
- we were taken to our seats and left. I then had to get up after a few minutes to go and get our menus. If this is the way we should do it, it would have been helpful to be told this by the waiter, but it left us feeling forgotten.
- we had to ask for a number of things inc water for the table (it would have been nice for it to be offered), we then had to ask for the glasses not being used on the table to be removed as the number of glasses were building up and cluttering the table.
- table was not wiped down when things removed, so lots of wet marks on the table

WINE
- given they are a winery I think their staff should be able to give you some advice about the wine (they do not need to be a sommelier, but they could know something about their own wines)
- I also think it would be good if they offered a small wine tasting during the meal - perhaps 3 x 25-50ml tasters)
- I feel that the staff should be shown how to pour wine / sparkling wine (so that the bubbles don't fill the glass and over flow - it just doesn't feel very professional)

FOOD
- the food was OK/good but not worth the price tag
- we were there for 2 hours for 2 courses. Timing is important, no one like to feel rushed but at the same time I was just about to ask if our mains had been forgotten when they eventually came. We all had the same thing - duck
- I don't feel the duck lived up to its price tag ($39) in either presentation or taste. esp as this price is for the duck only then extra for any accompaniments, $9 mash and $15 greens. The sharp dried raspberry did not work very well with the fatty more sweet duck and I think this could be improved.

As I said, all very small things but if they are advertising as a close to fine dining experience they have some improvements to make. I would pay these prices happily for a better experience.