as we entered, we had to swerve to avoid two children playing on the floor. we walked past our table because the waiter just kept walking and then apologized because, as he said "i have this mumbling thing." the drinks came out promptly, and we didn't have to wait too long for the meals. we were entertained as we waited by about eight children, from toddler age to about age 8, who continually wandered up and down the restaurant, stopped to play on the floor next to our table, and hopped up and down outside the windows. at one point, 4 of them had been allowed by their parents to go and play in the carpark, next to vivian st, one of the busiest roads in new plymouth. the group of parents sat at their table, opposite ours, and continued their meal and discussion as their progeny milled about. they did look out at the carpark at regular intervals to ensure that none of the children had been run over. meanwhile, thestaffcompletely ignored the children almost as strenuously as their parents did.
when our food came out, it was reasonable, but the $36 steak was very chewy. my companion decided he would like some desert, but the waiters had all disappeared, so he asked at the counter for a menu. he waited so long for attention that he ended up interrupting our waiter, who was polishing serviette dispensers. still we waited. finally the apple pie came, after another reminder. our waiter, by this time, was busy sweeping the floor, even though it was only 8.30pm.
imagine our surprise when one of the parents got up to leave with her brood and got into a "butterfly preschool" car.
the bill came to $82 for the two of us. even if the food had been free, i would still rather have been at home with a pie.