Ball & Chain Grill 

Was chienne having a bad hair day? I love this place and eat there at least once a fortnight because I really like the buzz and busy atmosphere. The steaks are the best I've had anywhere in the world (duck is good too). I read in the pamphlet on the table that the Ball and Chain serves something like 130,000 meals a year. (I checked again last night) They can't all be wrong. And hey! Anywhere else you pay extra for salads and other bits - you can help yourself to as much as you like in this restaurant. I have never had a problem with staff and a few of them recognise me every time which is nice.

Who came up with the idea to run this place? You have to eat in a rush because they have two sittings, they won't take a booking for 4 or less (so say you have six and then say people bail out). At the end of the early sitting you have to fight your way to get to the loos because people are milling about with drinks waiting for their tables. Pay top dollar for overpriced food and then line up at the Sizzler Salad Bar. Beautiful building and great atmosphere, but the service, or lack of it, leave a bit to be desired. Can't say I'd recommend it, especially on a Friday or Saturday night. A warning - the steaks are usually under done to your request, no one in Hobart knows how to cook a steak properly.

We dined here on 21 June and were impressed by our meals but the staff let the place down and detracted from the overall experience. When we arrived we were surprised there was no way of knowing if the couple joining us had already arrived other than walking through the restaurant.
The good lady did not want to loll at the bar so we were seated and needed to keep an eye out for the other couple. Eventually by accident I found them seated (after us) at another table. When staff were informed, the good lady and I had to move our drinks et al while 3 staff stood, chatted and watched.
Then the waitress started clearing away the entree plates while I was still eating. Not satisfied she came back twice (I obviously paused during the course) to ask if I had finished. I thought there must be a time limit on how long you have to finish each course.
When the mains came the waiter (not the person who took our order) had no idea who had ordered what and was a bit unsure which steaks he had in which hand.
But for a great meal you couldn't go past here. The steaks were perfect; cooked exactly to order, tasty and tender. The venison sausages were a huge serve and the marinated trevalla a mouth-watering delight.
Very good wine list too.