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Reviews for Totara Restaurant

by Fiona
7th April 2011

This business is a MenuMania SponsorOne of the Business' Favourite Reviews

Fantastic service and devine meal bursting with flavours I had never experienced before. Lovely intimate setting (indoors and outdoors) perfect for romantic night out or small groups 4 – 6 max. Very attentive service and great atmosphere – will certainly be back again!

by Rubygirl
18th May 2013

Very expensive for slow service, attitude and okay food.

They needed another server on the floor, huge delays in between ordering.

One server was nice, the other had huge attitude. He was wrong about many things food related, warming a scotch glass, all red dessert wine being “Port” no matter where it’s from.

My partner’s food was good, mine was very bland. For $35… I expected a little more than bland fish that I had to salt and pepper myself, and I rarely salt my food.

We will not be back. I ordered the Crème Brulée special and there was no Brulée. When my partner inquired, the server responded that it had all the same ingredients as traditional Crème Brulée but it was made differently. Absolutely made differently! That’s like putting fried chicken on the menu, serving oven roasted and then giving your customers attitude when they complain that their meal is not what they ordered.

What I had received was a flan, not a Brulée. It was thick and eggy and stayed up on it’s own with a bit of a wiggle. It was not creamy and silky with burnt sugar on top. When my partner said that I was disappointed the server seemed annoyed and said I should have gotten the one off the menu because that was traditional. And we were to know that how???? No apologies, no remorse, just attitude and disdain.

We will not be going back, due to the inconsistent food and the arrogance of the server. It makes me sad because it’s one of the only nice restaurants in Albany and we have enjoyed meals there before. But it not worth the $$$ to get poor service, poor food and attitude. What happened to pleasing the customer?

by Olivia W.
9th August 2012

Absolutely delightful setting in a villa-style space, with the seating flowing from indoors to outdoors, depending on the weather.

Gorgeous food, we had a fantastic family gathering here, which was full of laughter and good vibes.

The welcome-feel was fantastic, and service excellent. I thoroughly recommend this place for a heart-warming, enjoyable meal out.

by Leanne B.
2nd March 2012

I took my partner to Totara for his birthday after friends recomended it. The decore was pretty dated but the staff were friendly and attentive the food however was very dissapointing, my partners entree was what appeared to be pringles sandwiched together with smoked fish in cold white sauce not what i would expect for $19.00. The steak was good well cooked but not award winning standard by any means. The green beans were positvely horrible and had a taste of rancid oil. We hoped the chefs talents might lie in desserts and chose the lemon tart with the berry sorbet. The tart crust was over cooked yet stale and soggy, the sorbet grainy and the coffee weak stale and luke warm. For $175.00 we were less than impressed and would definately not go back.

by l d.
27th January 2012

Very, very, very expensive. Small quantities of food. No sides. You have to buy that on top of the ridiculous expensive food. The steak is good not spectacular. No children menu. Not worth it for the amount of money you have to pay for the bit you get. Chocolate brownie for desert not recommended at all.

by Sinead S.
17th November 2011

Absolutely brilliant! We went for our birthday dinner not knowing that it was fine dining with my toddler and received a warm welcome, friendly service and DEVINE food! Will be back and better dressed

by Rochelle H.
4th July 2011

TOP NOTCH! Me and my partner dined here a few months back now, excellent food, funny and friendly service! Atmosphere is cosy and romantic. But you do pay the price

by C B.
19th June 2011

Had dinner last night at Totara and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and I especially enjoyed the John Dory with smoked fish dumplings, yum. The others in our party also raved about their meals. The service was friendly and attentive and the restaurant was full with other happy and chatty diners. We would definitely recommend this restaurant and will be going again when the budget allows.

by Louis
25th May 2011

My wife and I, plus a group of friends had dinner at Totara restaurant last Friday evening. What a great night we had. The staff in the restaurant was very friendly and efficient. We all relaxed from the moment we arrived which is very important to me when dining out.

Besides the good service, the food was the highlight of the evening. Within the group we pretty much covered most of the dishes on the menu and everyone around the table was more than impressed.

Great all round performance! Recommended and a must for all food lovers!

by Hugo
24th May 2011

We enjoyed a lovely dinner with friends. Friendly hosts, great service, cosy surroundings (perhaps the heaters could be set slightly cooler or perhaps it was the wine?), and fantastic food. No wonder the chef wins the awards year after year. We had the whole shebang – starters, mains and desserts. Awesome flavours, great presentation and generous portions. We’ll be back.

by Alison B.
12th April 2011

Totara’s food is great. Service is good. The decor is boring and the ambience was not happening. I dont mind noise and buz, in fact I like it when I go out to eat… so to be fair the food is 5/5. Peter Jackson is a very good Chef, it is the ambience and decor that drags the score down with 3/5… I would eat there again just for the food but I found it a bit pricey especially when compared to other places with better ambience.

by Rebekah G.
28th February 2011

We went to this restaurant around August-September 2010 and found it very busy – so obviously popular.
The food was great. The wait staff friendly. I did feel like i was in a restaurant that my mum would like (we are in our early 30s).
Because the restaurant is so small it was very noisy when there were large groups.
Service was a bit slow in regards to removing dirty dishes from the table.
I may return for a lunch sometime but probably not a romantic dinner with hubby as it was too noisy and too closely spaced tables.

by Brad N.
6th February 2011

A spur of the moment dining decision, we were attracted to the balcony dining in the garden.
We were treated to spectacular flavour combinations from an award winning chef (we were to discover)
Friendly, attentive service from the owners helped make this our pick of North Shore’s ‘top-end’ restaurants.

by Marcelo P.
25th December 2010

We had a corporate meal at Totara Restaurant on Friday, December 17 2010.
What a disappointment!!! First of all, we were all cramped inside the restaurant because of the rain. The plan was to sit outside. Inside the noise was unbearable, hence made any type of conversation virtually impossible.
The “breads and dips” for the starter were very plain with the “dips” being 2 miniature containers of pesto and chili sauce…that’s it… very poor.
The first course didn’t get any better… I got the pasta dish that was 3 x cappelletti, just about enough to recognise the flavour, that was acceptable. My fellow dinners didn’t do much better, the liver pate and the samosa plate looked very poor.
The main course (fish of the day) was so small and so dry that I immediately regretted not odering the lamb which looked much better.
The dessert was the only plate that I enjoyed (tiramisu) this was very nice.
The service…well, lets describe it like this, we arrived at 1.30pm and left at 4.30pm without finishing my meal… I don’t expect ever to go back there.

by Alexander
27th November 2010

Simply amazing!
Delicious food, and, more importantly, great, professional service (a rarity in NZ). One of the best restaurants I have ever been to.

by Bev Gordon
31st March 2009

My husband and I have been going to Totara restaurant for the last 5 years and have always found the food exquisite and the service outstanding. Probably the best and most consistent restaurant in Auckland.

by truusje m.
18th March 2009

Well worth the price for a special night out. Food was fantastic and service very good.

by Vicky
4th February 2009

This is one of the loveliest restaurants I have been to on the Shore. It has a serene ambience, surrounded by garden, excellent personal attention, small but not crowded, and top-notch food. It’s a a place to go as a special treat- a bit pricey, but worth it.

by Louise
15th January 2009

I would a hundred percent say that this is the best restaurant I have been to. My husband took me there on our first date and the night he proposed. The food is outstanding, the service is lovely and if you are looking for a small restaurant with a personal touch and welcoming feel this is the place to go. We go on special occassions such as anniversaries or valentines night.

by J & G
16th December 2008

My husband and I went there for our Anniversary. All I can say is Magnifico! We will definitely go back. It’s not that easy to get great food and service in one place.

by Denise
17th November 2008

tried Totara for the first time last week, was fantastic, and the chunky man was very nice! the food was very very good and the atmosphere was cosy and warm. we will be going back, best dinner I have had for ages.

by G Anderson
7th September 2008

exquisite food, warm cosy atmosphere, and great hosts. this is by far my favorite restaurant at the moment!!

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