Mietta's Review
There's a dramatic contrast between The Deanery's Generation X sophistication and its location down one of the city's cobbled lanes. It's basically a wine bar where you can cellar your own wine, a lounge where you can indulge in partially public displays in the flimsily curtained booths or try the mediterranean food in the restaurant section. Unfortunately the restaurant doesn't really work. The badly shape room is squashed under a low black painted ceiling that bristles with pipes and an unfortunately prominent air-con unit. Service, after climbing the precipitous steps, is understandably a bit disjointed and the food doesn't inspire. Probably best to stay downstairs.

Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2010

Age Larissa Dubecki, November 24, 2009 Score: 16/20

Gourmet Traveller Michael Harden, October 2009 "The Deanery's food is finally playing to the strength of its impressive wine list by tapping into the whimsical talents of former Interlude chef Robin Wickens"

Herald Sun "This moodily lit hideaway tucked down a CBD laneway stores about 15,000 bottles in its wine reserve ... The Deanery has always been a serious wine destination, but with the arrival of wunderkind chef Robin Wicken, (formerly of Interlude), the food deserves equal billing"

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 13.5/20

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 13.5/20

Age Larissa Dubecki, 26-10-2006

Herald Sun Dining Out, Stephen Downes, 13/6/06 Score: 13/20 "Several CBD brasseries have recently set stupendously high standards. The Deanery is some distance behind them in the food department, even if the service is fine and the ambience cool. And if your pocket is deep enough you can drink dramatic drops."

Age Good Food Guide 2006 score 14/20

Age John Lethlean 11/10/05

Age Good Food Guide 2005

Age (melbourne magazine) Melinda Houston Feb 05

Herald Sun CityStyle Best of Melbourne 04 Best romantic rendezvous "How to charm a date in 60 seconds: walk into The Deanery, where, of course, you have your own wine stored in the cellar."

Herald Sun, citystyle, 25/5/04, Danielle Johnston,'It's not often that the words bar and transcendent religious experience are used in the same sentence,but the swanky Deanery is a bit of a revelation.This place is so evangelical about sharing good times from the vine,it provides climate-controlled wine lockers for locals short on cellar space,and a hyper-stylish setting for after-hours quaffers.'

Sunday Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, John Lethlean 18/5/03

Herald Sun, citystyle, Eat Treats, 6/5/03, Michael Harden

Sunday Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, Dani Valent, 16/2/03

Sunday Herald Sun, sundaymagazine, dining, Sarah Wilson, Score 6.5/10