Glamorous couple Nick and Rozalia Russian claim their trendy bar is being ‘targeted’ by scathing one-star reviews as they launch legal action against TikTok user
- Bar Bambi, which opened to huge hype last November, got some bad reviews
- It is threatening to take legal action over a series of one-star online reviews
- The restaurant has been a celebrity and sport star hangout since it opened
Owners of a late-night bar and restaurant loved by celebrities and sport stars claims it’s the victim of an ‘orchestrated campaign’ of bad online reviews.
Melbourne‘s Bar Bambi, which opened to huge hype last November, has been hit with one-star Google reviews complaining about its food, prices and service.
The owners, former reality TV star Nick Russian and his wife Rozalia, are threatening legal action over the criticism including that from TikTok user Ruby Scerri, who allegedly referred to Mr Russian as an ‘absolute PIG’.
Bar Bambi has become a firm favourite with celebrities such as Chris and Rebecca Judd, football star Christian Petracca and even state Liberal Leader Matthew Guy.
Pictured are Bar Bambi owners, former reality TV star Nick Russian (right) and his wife Rozalia
But not everyone is happy with what Bar Bambi is providing, or the cost.
Ms Scerri wrote that she felt like she was being judged while visiting the premises and ‘would never recommend Bar Bambi to anyone especially if you like good food and service’.
The owner replied, saying ‘all of our guests are treated with respect and equal, so your insecurities of being judged is rather contradictory whilst you’ve gone to the extent of being so judgmental in your bogus review’.
The reply added that ‘$75 for 5 courses is beyond reasonable but obviously out of your budget’.
Ms Scerri posted two videos to TikTok about her Bar Bambi encounter, including reading out other bad reviews and a screenshot of a message seemingly sent to Mr Russian on Instagram.
It reads: ‘absolute PIG YOU ARE’.
Bar Bambi’s management issued a statement saying it intends to take action against Ms Scerri and others.
‘The lady in the TikTok has called Nick Russian “absolute PIG YOU ARE”.
Rubi Scerri (pictured) took to TikTok to express her dissatisfaction with trendy Melbourne restaurant Bar Bambi
‘This matter is now in the hands of Bar Bambi lawyers who will be taking action against the person who has created the TikTok account as well as the people who have created fake google profile reviews that is an orchestrated campaign against the venue.’
Among the other reviews is one calling the food ‘bland, basic and overpriced’, the service ‘horrendous’ and mentioned how one staff member was ‘judging everyone’.
Bar Bambi took management replied saying: ‘Maybe Smorgy’s will be a better option for you.’
Smorgy’s was a Melbourne chain restaurant that looked like Polynesian barns, serving all-you-can-eat. It went bust about 20 years ago.
Guests at the star-studded opening of Bar Bambi event included Rebecca and husband Chris Judd (pictured)
The cost of the food in Bar Bambi was a common complaint in the poor reviews, with another person writing ‘$75 for a set menu of nothing … took over half an hour to get water to the table and even then one jug for 11 people.’
The reviewer added that they ‘would recommend to stay away. If I could give no stars, I would.’
Management again used Smorgy’s in reply, also adding another long gone restaurant chain.
‘After reviewing your other reviews, it seems as though Sizzler or Smorgy’s may be more suited … thank you for your review,’ they said.
Daily Mail Australia has attempted to contact Ms Scerri for comment.
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