We came here during the Christmas break for dinner, when Auckland is nice and quiet. There were 5 of us and not one of us were happy with our meals. I ordered the seafood risotto which came out drenched in liquid, it was more like a stew than a beautiful creamy risotto. I ate the seafood and left most of the rice, it was drowned in stock and tasted like runny fishy water. I complained to the waiter and he just said "oh well you get that"! Not a good start! The others had steak and lamb, all said they were tough. We didn't want to look at the dessert menu and weren't offered it.
I have been here before and had great meals, I was so angry with the response that I cant recommend SPQR to anyone.
Earlier this month a friend went back for a 40th birthday dinner, they stuffed up the orders, sent out the entrees and a main which was wrong and given to the wrong person, waited up to 2 hours for their food in total, (I would have just walked out). Complained profusely and were ignored!
I don't think I need to rate it!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Espresso Workshop, Owens Rd Epsom
This cafe is on the corner of Owens and Manukau Rd so parking is difficult at times.
I have always admired this cafe, the design is very contemporary. Inside is small but they use the space well. Outside seating is on Manukau Rd, so not the most desirable but its covered with planter boxes.
I came on a Saturday and was impressed with the busy atmosphere. I ordered the Ricotta & Courgette Fritters with citrus tomato salsa, garden salad & honey mustard vinaigrette, $16.50 and a trim cappuccino. The menu is extensive and different and such a refreshing change, it was hard to decide whether to have lunch or breakfast.
The coffee was one of the best I have had in a long time. This truly is where they excel, hence the name of their cafe. My lunch when it arrived was great, the fritters were light and fluffy, the salad was just rocket that was disappointing but the salsa was subtle and complimented the fritters. At first they offered me my neighbours scrambled eggs, which looked great. I did wonder why he received his before me when I had been sitting there 15 mins before him, when I said it wasn't my order and what I did order, they quickly came over to apologise and offered me a free coffee and the option to up size it to a large if I wanted. They were very apologetic and did not make excuses for their mistake. This mistake has not put me off wanting to visit again, their professional service made up for the wait.
This cafe is definitely popular with the locals, especially for their coffee. The cafe is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
http://espressoworkshop.co.nz/espresso_bar.htm
Rating
Service: 4
Food: 4
Coffee: 5
Ambiance: 4
I have always admired this cafe, the design is very contemporary. Inside is small but they use the space well. Outside seating is on Manukau Rd, so not the most desirable but its covered with planter boxes.
I came on a Saturday and was impressed with the busy atmosphere. I ordered the Ricotta & Courgette Fritters with citrus tomato salsa, garden salad & honey mustard vinaigrette, $16.50 and a trim cappuccino. The menu is extensive and different and such a refreshing change, it was hard to decide whether to have lunch or breakfast.
The coffee was one of the best I have had in a long time. This truly is where they excel, hence the name of their cafe. My lunch when it arrived was great, the fritters were light and fluffy, the salad was just rocket that was disappointing but the salsa was subtle and complimented the fritters. At first they offered me my neighbours scrambled eggs, which looked great. I did wonder why he received his before me when I had been sitting there 15 mins before him, when I said it wasn't my order and what I did order, they quickly came over to apologise and offered me a free coffee and the option to up size it to a large if I wanted. They were very apologetic and did not make excuses for their mistake. This mistake has not put me off wanting to visit again, their professional service made up for the wait.
This cafe is definitely popular with the locals, especially for their coffee. The cafe is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
http://espressoworkshop.co.nz/espresso_bar.htm
Rating
Service: 4
Food: 4
Coffee: 5
Ambiance: 4
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Langham Hotel Auckland
I know this is a blog about cafes and restaurants but I wanted to share my experience at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.
New Years eve is always a tricky one, if you leave it too late you cant find anywhere to book a bach to stay, this is what my friends and I had done. Then a light bulb moment happened, why not book a night at a hotel. I had been looking at The Langham's special deals for a few months and the 5 star indulgence package was the one for us! 4 girls, 2 twin rooms, use of the Langham Club rooms, a bottle of Methode Traditionalle, fruit, valet parking, butler service and unlimited ice cream 24 hours a day! Just to name a few of the benefits.
We checked in early so we could relax by the pool LA style all day. It was so relaxing, we had loungers, which was a miracle, this hotel is busy! We swam, read our books and made polite conversation with the lovely overseas guests. The best part of this mini break was we didn't feel like we were in our own city, you could have been anywhere and I think that is what really made our stay so amazing.
Canapes and aperitifs were served in the Langham Club rooms from 5 to 7.30 pm, we arrived at 5.30 to a busy room. The canapes were flowing, sushi, prawn cutlets, cheeses, flat bread, salad, fruit, ice cream of course, and skewers of beef and chicken. The sushi was tasty, light, full of flavour, the right amount of wasabi. The cheeses were Kapiti, and a great range for all. The skewers and prawns were fine too. There was dessert at a later time but we missed that, we had a party to go to.
When we returned to our rooms our bottle of methode traditionalle was waiting for us along with our fruit.
The next morning breakfast was in order, we went down to the restaurant on the ground floor, it was busy. We made our way to our buffet breakfast. I have been to hotel breakfasts before but this one was impressive, for a moment I didn't know where to start. I walked around, there was a crepe and waffle section where your food was made to order. Next eggs bene, next the full english breakfast where your eggs were made to order. A cold section of meats and cheeses, muesli, fruit, yoghurt and cold drinks. It was a big room and I was quite amazed at the precision and efficiency of the staff, but this is a 5 star hotel I should expect nothing less.
We had a late check out of 1 pm so it was back up to the pool for one last relaxing swim and use of the spa facilities, which are amazing.
I did not want to leave, this mini break for New Years Eve was one of my best ideas in a long time. You could escape, even if it was for just 1 night, but it truly felt like a real break in another city or another country. The service is exceptional and you really do feel special staying there. My only regret was I didn't have any ice cream! Don't worry we will be back, we are planning another stay for a birthday.
Check out The Langham's website for their special offers, treat yourself, you wont regret it.
http://auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz/rooms/rooms_special_offers.htm
New Years eve is always a tricky one, if you leave it too late you cant find anywhere to book a bach to stay, this is what my friends and I had done. Then a light bulb moment happened, why not book a night at a hotel. I had been looking at The Langham's special deals for a few months and the 5 star indulgence package was the one for us! 4 girls, 2 twin rooms, use of the Langham Club rooms, a bottle of Methode Traditionalle, fruit, valet parking, butler service and unlimited ice cream 24 hours a day! Just to name a few of the benefits.
We checked in early so we could relax by the pool LA style all day. It was so relaxing, we had loungers, which was a miracle, this hotel is busy! We swam, read our books and made polite conversation with the lovely overseas guests. The best part of this mini break was we didn't feel like we were in our own city, you could have been anywhere and I think that is what really made our stay so amazing.
Canapes and aperitifs were served in the Langham Club rooms from 5 to 7.30 pm, we arrived at 5.30 to a busy room. The canapes were flowing, sushi, prawn cutlets, cheeses, flat bread, salad, fruit, ice cream of course, and skewers of beef and chicken. The sushi was tasty, light, full of flavour, the right amount of wasabi. The cheeses were Kapiti, and a great range for all. The skewers and prawns were fine too. There was dessert at a later time but we missed that, we had a party to go to.
When we returned to our rooms our bottle of methode traditionalle was waiting for us along with our fruit.
The next morning breakfast was in order, we went down to the restaurant on the ground floor, it was busy. We made our way to our buffet breakfast. I have been to hotel breakfasts before but this one was impressive, for a moment I didn't know where to start. I walked around, there was a crepe and waffle section where your food was made to order. Next eggs bene, next the full english breakfast where your eggs were made to order. A cold section of meats and cheeses, muesli, fruit, yoghurt and cold drinks. It was a big room and I was quite amazed at the precision and efficiency of the staff, but this is a 5 star hotel I should expect nothing less.
We had a late check out of 1 pm so it was back up to the pool for one last relaxing swim and use of the spa facilities, which are amazing.
I did not want to leave, this mini break for New Years Eve was one of my best ideas in a long time. You could escape, even if it was for just 1 night, but it truly felt like a real break in another city or another country. The service is exceptional and you really do feel special staying there. My only regret was I didn't have any ice cream! Don't worry we will be back, we are planning another stay for a birthday.
Check out The Langham's website for their special offers, treat yourself, you wont regret it.
http://auckland.langhamhotels.co.nz/rooms/rooms_special_offers.htm
Monday, November 1, 2010
Nishiki Freemans Bay Auckland
We came to Nishiki on a Tuesday and it was packed. We thankfully booked just before arriving, I have heard many times that they dont like you just turning up hoping for a table.
I had the sashimi mori to start, it was fresh, lightly marinated and melted in your mouth, I could have eaten it all night. Next was salmon and avocado spring rolls, these were rolled in rice paper and garnished with that yummy sweet mayo. The salmon was marinated and so tender, there was a hint of wasabi, not too hot which I like and no need for soy at all. JS ordered the oysters and mayonnaise to start these were grilled, hot and a great mix of sweet and savoury. This was followed by Ebi Mayo, deep fried prawns with mayo and tempura veges. They were crisp and lightly battered, not soaked in oil. Every dish comes with 3 different sauces and everything was so fresh and cheap, I now understand why this place is so popular.
Rating:
Service: 2.5 (you do feel like you are being rushed at times, but this is obviously their charm)
Food: 4
Ambiance: 3 (you dont come here for the plush surroundings!)
no coffee but the Japanese beer is good and so is the hot saki
http://www.nishiki.co.nz/english/nishiki_city/index.php
I had the sashimi mori to start, it was fresh, lightly marinated and melted in your mouth, I could have eaten it all night. Next was salmon and avocado spring rolls, these were rolled in rice paper and garnished with that yummy sweet mayo. The salmon was marinated and so tender, there was a hint of wasabi, not too hot which I like and no need for soy at all. JS ordered the oysters and mayonnaise to start these were grilled, hot and a great mix of sweet and savoury. This was followed by Ebi Mayo, deep fried prawns with mayo and tempura veges. They were crisp and lightly battered, not soaked in oil. Every dish comes with 3 different sauces and everything was so fresh and cheap, I now understand why this place is so popular.
Rating:
Service: 2.5 (you do feel like you are being rushed at times, but this is obviously their charm)
Food: 4
Ambiance: 3 (you dont come here for the plush surroundings!)
no coffee but the Japanese beer is good and so is the hot saki
http://www.nishiki.co.nz/english/nishiki_city/index.php
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Long Room, Ponsonby
I grabbed one of the vouchers from "I love deals", how could I refuse a $100 voucher for $49! Fantastic.
We came on a Friday night, the seating is either down the back which transforms into the dance floor later or by the sliding doors and outside in the courtyard. We got a table outside by one of the many heaters strategically placed around the courtyard, it wasn't a warm night so the heating was perfect. I didn't want to eat inside, the tables just look like they are dumped there and uncomfortable and out of place on the dance floor.
We ordered one of the long plates, we had the seafood longplate, tuna tar tare, cured salmon, chili squid, char grilled prawns. The chili squid was like crispy chips of squid, they were JC's favourite. The tuna tar tare was my favourite, lightly marinated with lemon, olive oil and a hint of soy and it melted in your mouth, I could have just had a large plate of this for my entree.
The menu is well rounded and enticing, it makes you want to come back and try more. For our mains I ordered the duck, cashew, mandarin with hoisin & green nam jihm vinaigrette, and JC ordered the handmade tortellini, with creamed wild mushrooms. My salad was a bed of salad greens with a touch of watercress mixed with a great amount of duck marinated in the hoisn and vinaigrette and sprinkled with cashew nuts. The salad was served on a long rectangle plate and the presentation was great. The taste was amazing! The duck was lightly fried in the sauces and full of flavour, there was a hint of coriander but it wasn't overpowering, and it could have been, it was a taste sensation.
JC's main was subtle, not too creamy and the right hint of mushroom, the only problem we both had was the tortellini was a day past its used by date, it was hard, not soft. The wild mushroom filling complimented the creamy sauce and sauteed mushrooms but we both couldnt get past the pasta being hard.
We didn't have dessert but we did have a lovely pinot gris, I think Nautilus, with dinner and it complimented the meals well.
Our waitress was amazing, she was very attentive and friendly, she never hovered, not that you could at this busy establishment, but in saying that we only had to pour our wine ourselves once. There was never a wait for our meals and she complimented our choices like she meant it.
The Long Room is great for dinner, great people watching, great food and of course being a bar as well, great wine and cocktails! It was a pleasant surprise to see they can serve great food in one of the most popular bars in Auckland. Their menu definitely sets them apart from their competitors, its not pretentious and works well.
Rating:
Food: 3.5
Service: 5
Ambiance: 3.5 (the only problem with eating outside and it being a popular bar is you have to sit next to smokers)
Wine: (instead of coffee, cant drink coffee on a Fri night!) 4 great wine list.
We came on a Friday night, the seating is either down the back which transforms into the dance floor later or by the sliding doors and outside in the courtyard. We got a table outside by one of the many heaters strategically placed around the courtyard, it wasn't a warm night so the heating was perfect. I didn't want to eat inside, the tables just look like they are dumped there and uncomfortable and out of place on the dance floor.
We ordered one of the long plates, we had the seafood longplate, tuna tar tare, cured salmon, chili squid, char grilled prawns. The chili squid was like crispy chips of squid, they were JC's favourite. The tuna tar tare was my favourite, lightly marinated with lemon, olive oil and a hint of soy and it melted in your mouth, I could have just had a large plate of this for my entree.
The menu is well rounded and enticing, it makes you want to come back and try more. For our mains I ordered the duck, cashew, mandarin with hoisin & green nam jihm vinaigrette, and JC ordered the handmade tortellini, with creamed wild mushrooms. My salad was a bed of salad greens with a touch of watercress mixed with a great amount of duck marinated in the hoisn and vinaigrette and sprinkled with cashew nuts. The salad was served on a long rectangle plate and the presentation was great. The taste was amazing! The duck was lightly fried in the sauces and full of flavour, there was a hint of coriander but it wasn't overpowering, and it could have been, it was a taste sensation.
JC's main was subtle, not too creamy and the right hint of mushroom, the only problem we both had was the tortellini was a day past its used by date, it was hard, not soft. The wild mushroom filling complimented the creamy sauce and sauteed mushrooms but we both couldnt get past the pasta being hard.
We didn't have dessert but we did have a lovely pinot gris, I think Nautilus, with dinner and it complimented the meals well.
Our waitress was amazing, she was very attentive and friendly, she never hovered, not that you could at this busy establishment, but in saying that we only had to pour our wine ourselves once. There was never a wait for our meals and she complimented our choices like she meant it.
The Long Room is great for dinner, great people watching, great food and of course being a bar as well, great wine and cocktails! It was a pleasant surprise to see they can serve great food in one of the most popular bars in Auckland. Their menu definitely sets them apart from their competitors, its not pretentious and works well.
Rating:
Food: 3.5
Service: 5
Ambiance: 3.5 (the only problem with eating outside and it being a popular bar is you have to sit next to smokers)
Wine: (instead of coffee, cant drink coffee on a Fri night!) 4 great wine list.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Crave, Morningside Auckland
This cafe is just around the corner from Health and Sports Fitness Centre in Morningside so there are a lot of gym junkies or fitness fanatics who frequent it on a Sunday. Be prepared to overhear a lot of conversations regarding calorie intake and the fastest way to get fit. Im not joking that is what the people across from me were talking about while I was eating my Crave Breakfast. In saying that I didnt realise there were that many calories in a frappaccino, they must be talking about the ones with cream on them.
I went out early this morning so I was alone, I couldn't call the tribe too early. There is the usual for breakfast, eggs bene, scrambled eggs, creamy mushrooms on toast and the Crave big breakfast.
I had the big breakfast and when I said this the waitress said, "Oh ok!" I was really taken aback from this, I don't really want to be judged by what I am having. I asked her if it was quite large, she said "no, its great". OK, not a good start. Then I was asked if I wanted anything to drink, I asked for a trim cappuccino, the waitress then said to me, "so you wont want sugar in that then", ah yes please, then I felt that I had to explain why I liked trim milk and not full milk and why I like sugar in my coffee! Oh my god is this lets make a customer feel really inadequate day, why say that!
I received my breakfast which was a good size, the eggs were great, bacon was fine, there was 1 piece of ciabatta toasted, no butter, 2 mini sausages and 2 potato cakes. They were grated potato cakes and they were over done and too hard to eat.
I wasn't really impressed with the coffee either, it was weak, very weak.
Lets just say I we started off on a bad foot so I wasn't really impressed, it's amazing how much a person can really put you off a place.
Rating:
Food 2.5
Service: 1
Ambiance: 2
Coffee: 1.5 ( the creme was good)
I went out early this morning so I was alone, I couldn't call the tribe too early. There is the usual for breakfast, eggs bene, scrambled eggs, creamy mushrooms on toast and the Crave big breakfast.
I had the big breakfast and when I said this the waitress said, "Oh ok!" I was really taken aback from this, I don't really want to be judged by what I am having. I asked her if it was quite large, she said "no, its great". OK, not a good start. Then I was asked if I wanted anything to drink, I asked for a trim cappuccino, the waitress then said to me, "so you wont want sugar in that then", ah yes please, then I felt that I had to explain why I liked trim milk and not full milk and why I like sugar in my coffee! Oh my god is this lets make a customer feel really inadequate day, why say that!
I received my breakfast which was a good size, the eggs were great, bacon was fine, there was 1 piece of ciabatta toasted, no butter, 2 mini sausages and 2 potato cakes. They were grated potato cakes and they were over done and too hard to eat.
I wasn't really impressed with the coffee either, it was weak, very weak.
Lets just say I we started off on a bad foot so I wasn't really impressed, it's amazing how much a person can really put you off a place.
Rating:
Food 2.5
Service: 1
Ambiance: 2
Coffee: 1.5 ( the creme was good)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Mollies Freemans Bay
We came here for a family birthday. My mum has decided that every family birthday we will dine somewhere fabulous and a place we have always wanted to go.
Mollies was mums choice and somewhere she has wanted to come for ages, well it was her birthday! We were told the only time we could come was 12pm which was fine because we got to enjoy the lounge by ourselves until our table was ready. We were seated in the centre of the room, I'm not sure why but I thought the dining room would be bigger, although it is small the tables are well placed and the other table of 3 we could not hear, not sure if that would have been the same for them with our table of 7!
The menu is small but has a great range, EM had the mollies garden salad to start, this was with blue cheese and mixed lettuce and really was just that for $16! R, the boyfriend had the chef’s tempura quail, cauliflower puree, wasabi, aioli, radish, rhubarb as a starter, he said it was quite fatty but wasn't sure what to expect hence why he ordered it. For mains there were only 2 choices fish or steak, the fish was oven baked hapuka, puy lentils, cherry pickle, miso beurre blanc, the grain fed beef fillet was with roast garlic puree and broccolini. I had the steak and it melted in your mouth, the mash was smooth and not overpowering at all with garlic and the broccolini was broccolini. We had potatoes veges and a salad for our sides to share. My sister is a vegetarian so she had the entree spinach risotto for a main. I have a problem with this, why is it every fine dining restaurant we go to, they only have a vegetarian meal on the entree list and there is nothing to offer for mains. Surely these fantastic chefs can make something else rather than risotto. This has now happened at The French Cafe, Cable Bay and now Mollies. Enough ranting!
The wine list is extensive and the service was great, we ordered 2 bottles and they kept them at the bar and not once did we have to wait for a top up. There was a wine glass for every type, the red glass was a huge bulb and almost enticed me to drink red, however the Pyramid Valley pinot gris was too tempting for me.
For dessert I had a selection of house sorbets, ice creams and biscotti. What I was really looking forward to was the chocolate mousse but it had finished. The other two had the panna cotta. They came with home made candy floss whipped and placed around the plate, it looked great.
The setting of this hotel is beautiful and lush, however I did have a problem with the contradiction of antiques and the badly chipped plastic under plate on the dinner table along with the no name dishwasher safe faux Royal Copenhagen dinner plates. It could be classed as eclectic I suppose.
All in all Mollies is an experience not to be missed.
Rating:
Food: 4
Service: 5
Coffee: I didnt have one
Ambiance: 5 (You cant help but want to wander the corridors and poke your nose into every room)
Mollies was mums choice and somewhere she has wanted to come for ages, well it was her birthday! We were told the only time we could come was 12pm which was fine because we got to enjoy the lounge by ourselves until our table was ready. We were seated in the centre of the room, I'm not sure why but I thought the dining room would be bigger, although it is small the tables are well placed and the other table of 3 we could not hear, not sure if that would have been the same for them with our table of 7!
The menu is small but has a great range, EM had the mollies garden salad to start, this was with blue cheese and mixed lettuce and really was just that for $16! R, the boyfriend had the chef’s tempura quail, cauliflower puree, wasabi, aioli, radish, rhubarb as a starter, he said it was quite fatty but wasn't sure what to expect hence why he ordered it. For mains there were only 2 choices fish or steak, the fish was oven baked hapuka, puy lentils, cherry pickle, miso beurre blanc, the grain fed beef fillet was with roast garlic puree and broccolini. I had the steak and it melted in your mouth, the mash was smooth and not overpowering at all with garlic and the broccolini was broccolini. We had potatoes veges and a salad for our sides to share. My sister is a vegetarian so she had the entree spinach risotto for a main. I have a problem with this, why is it every fine dining restaurant we go to, they only have a vegetarian meal on the entree list and there is nothing to offer for mains. Surely these fantastic chefs can make something else rather than risotto. This has now happened at The French Cafe, Cable Bay and now Mollies. Enough ranting!
The wine list is extensive and the service was great, we ordered 2 bottles and they kept them at the bar and not once did we have to wait for a top up. There was a wine glass for every type, the red glass was a huge bulb and almost enticed me to drink red, however the Pyramid Valley pinot gris was too tempting for me.
For dessert I had a selection of house sorbets, ice creams and biscotti. What I was really looking forward to was the chocolate mousse but it had finished. The other two had the panna cotta. They came with home made candy floss whipped and placed around the plate, it looked great.
The setting of this hotel is beautiful and lush, however I did have a problem with the contradiction of antiques and the badly chipped plastic under plate on the dinner table along with the no name dishwasher safe faux Royal Copenhagen dinner plates. It could be classed as eclectic I suppose.
All in all Mollies is an experience not to be missed.
Rating:
Food: 4
Service: 5
Coffee: I didnt have one
Ambiance: 5 (You cant help but want to wander the corridors and poke your nose into every room)
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