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Reviews for Squid Row Gastro Bar

by Jacqui B.
5th January 2013

First time and it was so delicious I can’t believe I have never been here before. There were 5 of us and everything we had was wonderful. I had tuna sashimi on grated dakon with wasabi, friends shared the salt and pepper squid and oysters. Oysters were the small ones and the salt and pepper sqid was really good. Mains were swordfish, fish pie, salt and pepper squid, snapper and john dory. All were great. Table next door ordered the whole baby snapper and it looked amazing – I will have that next time. I ordered affogato for dessert – huge scoop of ice cream – yum. Good wine list too. Will be back for sure and will have that squid again – so good!

by Jade L.
5th December 2012

No doubt the best place for squid in Auckland! Nuf said.
Squid Row is our favourite Sunday Squid hangout place. haha..

by Judy L.
3rd November 2012

Great atmosphere, cold wet day but warm and cosy inside, nostalgic viewing on the big screen always entertaining, excellent friendly service, yummy food. All round very pleasant experience which exceeded expectations and we will return.

by Marie S.
3rd October 2012

Very Good, staff were wonderful ,even turned the heater on where we were sitting on a cold and blustery day and when a gust of wind from an opened door blew my paper napkin off the table quickly replaced it. The fish and chips were delicious and there was no problem changing my sons mash to chips with his steak.The place has ambiance with its lighting and choice of old time pictures. In all a great experience. Well recommended…

by Julie
29th December 2011

AMAZING! Went for dinner tonight. Service was great! Lovely staff and very friendly! Food was outstanding! Recommend the John Dori fish and salt and pepper squid and languini! Atmosphere was great and amazing decor. Service prompt. Will def be returning very soon! Highly recommended! (:

by HJM
21st December 2011

I have been a semi-regular cusotmer of Squid Row over the past three or four years. I used to go there with friends for the $6 cocktail happy hour, we liked the decor, the little outdoor area, and it was just a fun new place to go to. But I’m sad to say the quality of the food and the service has declined steadily over time. My last visit will be the last indeed. To put a long story short, I sent my meal back – the first time I have ever sent a meal back in my life! – because I was not about to pay $32 for an inedible plate of food. The staff are plain disinterested. There are much better places to eat and spend your money in Auckland. But the happy hour margarita’s are still pretty wicked.

Comment from Tom W. of Squid Row Gastro Bar 22/12/2011    Hide »

Hi there. Sorry to hear your last experience at Squid Row was…    More »

Hi there.

Sorry to hear your last experience at Squid Row was not up to standard. However without more specifics about your meal ie what meal did you order and what exactly was wrong with it and what night you came in it is hard for us to identify the problem & rectify it. We take any complaints seriously and as you are a semi regular customer it would be nice to know when you came in as I’m not aware of any meals being sent back recently.

Thank you

Tom Wiley
Manager

by Wilson
19th December 2011

Risotto…..my mouth is watering… with one of the superb wine’s on your menu…..heaven

by Verity S.
12th October 2011

I’m actually not that impressed. I have been twice now at lunch time, eating from the $12 lunch menu. The first visit I had spicy bean burritos. Not spicy and not terribly warm either.
So, today I decided to give it another go – try everything twice I say! Again, I’m afraid it wasn’t that great. The waitress was a little self obsessed, the penne carbonara that I had was horrible. The sauce was very thin (not a hint of the white wine it promised) very scant on the bacon and mushrooms and not at all seasoned. The sauce was so thin I actually had to ask for a spoon I was with two work friends, one had the mussel fritters and the feedback was they were quite tasty. My other friend had something from the main menu – Salt and Pepper squid. She is a big fan of squid – feedback, too expensive for what she got, bit bland and the chips were soggy! The man who brought the plates over did slam it down a bit hard and send a squid flying onto the floor! (They did replace it though) I really don’t think that the quality should be compromised just because you have a special lunch menu. Quite honestly I would have preferred a microwave dinner.
Ross Burden was in the room today so I guess they were thinking he was far more important than us!??

I’d go again and give them one last chance outside of lunch hours but only if someone else pays!

by CelesteReviews
28th August 2011

We recently celebrated a birthday with dinner at Squid Row.

It has a great atmosphere, and we really enjoyed the fun decor of old-school surfing photos and memorabilia.

I can highly recommend the mushroom risotto. It was a huge serving, and very tasty.

You can see photos and read more on our experience at http://celestereviews…..

We will definitely be returning.

by leigh b.
11th July 2011

We liked the relaxed warm atmosphere, we had a deal voucher and the squid was devine, cooked to perfection. Great prices. We liked the food and atmosphere so much we have booked a big group lunch for a birthday in a few weeks.

by Jen
28th June 2011

very disappointing, tiny oyster that doesn’t seem that fresh, crowded and noisy, size of meal tiny, flavour too simple. Snobby staff. Not a good experience, will not be back.

[I have just been contacted by the owner of this place and I am impressed with how he dealt with the issue. Hence I will be giving Squid Row another visit when I get back from overseas and update my review accordingly.]

by Tinker
5th May 2011

Service was good, except for the very end when we went to pay. He couldn’t find our bill from the table we were at. Food was average but reasonably priced. The salt and pepper squid was great, would definately go back for the squid.

by Margaret
29th April 2011

Always good value, tasty fresh food, good service. Have been at least six times and we often go for Sunday lunch on the spur of the moment. A great place to take overseas visitors to show them our great seafood.

by Danielle F.
11th April 2011

The food here is gorgeous, loved that it was obviously fresh and made with care.

What a pity that it is let down by the service, the staff seemed completely disinterested in being there and agree with others that there appears to be enough staff to offer table service.

by PMI
11th February 2011

Nice place but could be better with table service

Have been a few times and had Mussels, Calamari & Chips, Salt & Pepper Squid

Pluses:
– All seafood is very fresh
– Szechwan pepper and salt flake on Salt & Pepper Squid is yummy!

Minuses:
– You have to get out of your seat and walk to the bar to order drinks and food even though waiters were free
- Salad is too small

Interesting:
- Each visit we would have spent another $30 on drinks if they would have taken our order at our table

Verdict:
– We will go back again

by tony c.
11th February 2011

most enjoyable experience. salt and pepper squid was really good. Great service, staff and prices. We will definitely be back

by Jessica
1st February 2011

I love Squid Row!! We looked through the entertainment book, and thought we would give this a go. We have been back atleast 10 times since, I even celebrated my birthday there.

The food is amazing, and the service is fantastic!

If your looking for a great meal, great atmoshphere and great service then you wont beat Squid Row!

by David
2nd October 2010

I am a regular at Squid Row for lunch. The food is always consistently good and it is hard to go past the fish & chips.

If planning a lunch make it at 1 when the place starts to become less busy and there is always the option to sit outside. They have a good range on their specials menu.

If you are on foursquare there is a great battle for the mayor and they run a number of events through Twitter.

by Steven B.
5th September 2010

Been here several times and always enjoyed the food.
Nice relaxed evening out.

by Ian
3rd September 2010

Went here for lunch food is well presented and of good quality especially if you like seafood.
Service was good, but we were the only ones there so I would hope so.

by Lillian K.
15th February 2010

Relaxing seafood & surf restuarant. Varying service tho – one time we ordered at the table and another we waited ages to find out we had to order at the bar (both for dinner). Their garlic bread is super awesome and best thing is cocktail happy hour 5 – 7pm for $6!! Food is good but sometimes has an average component (e.g. boring shrimp with a good steak). Good place to hang out casually too.

by Mitch B
8th May 2009

You know sometimes you just want to go for a meal. Not an experience, not an earth shattering moment, just a meal and a beer. With old 50′s style surfy decor this place fits the bill perfectly. We had a beer first at the bar then sat down, setting up a tab was easy, ordering was relaxed from young but smiling girls, and the food was perfect. I had the squid which was amazing, then my son and I shared the platter with all sorts of yummy treats of prawns, mussels, squid, lobster, bread, and dips. You can’t put this place in to a particular category, it’s where I will choose to go when I can’t really decide what I want, but when I know the meal I do get will be fresh, good quality, and the place is cool and relaxed.

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