we've searched for the "best restaurants in rotorua" on google and this was on pretty much every single list we found on the internet, so we decided to try it out.
when calling for booking, it was overcomplex to book as many details were required other than phone number and name, which should be enough, but that's fine, except for the fact that the restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived. i'd expect the booking process should have less friction.
our understanding was one of the attactive features of the restaurant was the view and although the restaurant was nearly empty, the staff offered us a table quite far from the window.
it took a while to have someone to take our drinks order. when they did, it took a long time for the drinks to arrive, but only part of it has arrived. one of us ordered a soft drink. we could see the drink sitting on the bar bench and no waiter would bring it to the table, my wife had to walk to the bar and ask if that drink was for our table, than she brought the drink to the table herself.
the second time i've decided to order a beer, no staff would show up, so my wife again had to walk to the bar, order the beer, wait for it and bring to the table herself. again. in less than 20 minutes.
now, finally to the food. as you can notice on their menu, there are many options available, so to be fair, i'll only evaluate the items i've tried myself:
- sirloin, sausages, chicken and other cuts of meat: cold steak is far from what you would expect on a premium restaurant. all cuts, cold. sirloin was well done, like leather.
- fetuccine: overcooked and soggy. think about bad pasta, now this was worse. nearly no seasoning. i've served a very small portion and couldn't eat half of it.
- grilled halloumi cheese: cold. as bad as the meat.
at this point i gave up. the whole experience was so below mediocre and frustrating that i've lost my will to continue.
dessert was ok but mostly way too sweet - for instance: tiramisu and creme brulee, both unnecessarily too sweet.
to finish off the night, the staff was clearly expeling us from the restaurant because they probably wanted to go home as soon as possible, so they've put the drinks bill on the table before we finish eating.
i'm often happy to pay for expensive food, even more expensive than the $72 per person charged at the stratosfare but this time i felt completely ripped off because the service was so frustrating, the quality was so low, the food was so bad, that if i was the chef responsible for that food, i'd change careers.
never coming back.