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Reviews for Zest Bakery, Cafe & Stonegrill

by Kristie W.
10th March 2013

I ordered pancakes off their breakfast menu and a Bundaberg Lemon Lime and Bitters… the food arrived promptly but I was dismayed at how cheap it looked, there were 3 pancakes which looked store-bought and some reheated frozen berries (still partially cold) and a pot of cream on the side… Won’t be going back again.

by john h.
11th January 2013

Called in with family today(11/01/2013) Took over 15 minutes to get coffee to the table by which time had eaten the muffins,staff stood back as i tried to carry 3 plates even though it wasn’t that busy.No idea of what good service is.
It’s a shame as the location is really nice

by Helen L.
29th December 2012

After poor service and rude waiter a few months back, gave Zest another try this morning.
We were not greeted at all, and whilst standing by the counter reading the menu, the overloud and unrefined voice of the “manager’? reverberated through the whole cafe despite the fact that he was apparently speaking to the guy on the till only a metre away. The young man at the till did greet us politely eventually and commenced to take the order.
My companion (who is ill), asked if a smaller portion was available. At this, the “manager” standing at the coffee machine, starting shaking his head and making comments about “orders being orders” etc etc. Rude, disrespectful, and totally unprofessional. I told the till guy to leave the order and we walked out. We then enjoyed a tasty, courteous brunch at Colombus, Gate Pa. So, second chance – blown!
(Add a very inferior, amateurish iced birthday cake from bakery next door earlier in the year. Both businesses owned by same people). Nothing’s changed – we won’t be back, nor will we be recommending either places. Very poor.

by Gail B.
27th September 2012

We went for breakfast a few weeks ago and it was absolutely awful. The coffee was luke warm but the food was shockingly bad. We had the full breakfasts which included a lump of egg! It should have been scrambled but I think it must have been microwaved. Seriously, give this place a wide berth.

by Sharon E.
25th June 2012

Great food, great staff and a nice venue. Can’t get much better than this. Thanks Steve, an awesome night made even better with you as our host.

by Kaysea C.
27th May 2012

Went in with a group of seven. One member asked if she could have bacin and banana instead of the berrys. The waitress said they had no bananas. A man then pipped up and said the purpose of the menu is to be a menu. We then went to le chat noir where they cooked eggs benedict even though it was not on the menu.

by Carla M.
26th March 2012

We used to go to Zest as we felt it was family friendly, but not anymore…..

We were seated in the outdoor area of Zest last weekend with our three school-aged children. They were having fun playing in the communal area adjacent to the public library. Some new customers walked in and the manager apparently pointed to us and said “well there goes business!”. When they pressed him on whom he was referring to he again pointed to us and said “Them, that family!”. I guess he should have checked to see if they were friends of ours before disparaging us.

Would you really want to dine somewhere not knowing if the manager is bad-mouthing you to other patrons? If he had a problem why didn’t he approach us? For the record we try very hard to be good parents and monitor our kids behaviour, they were not and are not allowed to run amok in public places.

Our friends have vowed never to go back and neither will we.

by Mary M.
17th February 2012

I believe in second chances, but after this week I should never of bothered going back to Zest. First experience was terrible, the man behind the counter was incoherent and away with the fairies that it should of been no surprise that the coffee’s ordered came out cold and not what we had asked for. No apologies were offered, and the replaced coffee’s were not any better. Second time round this week was a bitter disappointment, service was rude, yet again coffee was cold and food was nothing to rave about. Myself, family and friends will not be returning.

by Rachel
23rd November 2011

always stop in at zest for breakfast or lunch when we are in tauranga. was last in last thursday and as always food, coffee and staff were great. best we’ve had in town so far, would highly recommend

by Colleen R.
16th October 2011

I went to Zest for Sunday Lunch – my first visit and can honestly say best meal out for a long time – would highly recommend.

by Chad H.
2nd October 2011

Food was very nice, the older blond lady behind the counter ruined the experience totally for her rude, self important behavior!

I ordered a Caesar salad, and my fiancée a platter. she left out the knife and forks.
Maybe by accident I’m not sure.

when i went to ask her for the knife and fork x2 she made issue, asking a co-worker if she should give me one or not. Then handed me one knife and fork, and told me we could share!

She made nothing into a complete scene, and made me feel pretty bad about the whole thing. I was left just short of begging for a second knife and fork for my fiancée!

its no wonder Le Chat Noir a few hundred meters down the road are doing a roaring trade. Great food, Great customer service, great experience!

Boycott this particular lady if you value your dignity! its a shame the food was actually very nice!

Would i go back, yes if they got rid of the older blond lady. If she is the manager, my advice would be to sell an otherwise perfect business to someone who knows how to treat paying customers… with a little bit of old fashioned respect!

Comment from Jack p. of Zest Bakery, Cafe & Stonegrill 23/12/2011    Hide »

We apologise for your bad experience. The staff member mentioned…    More »

We apologise for your bad experience. The staff member mentioned is NO longer employed by us.
We would like to see you return for a more pleasant experience.

by Susan
5th September 2011

Have dined at zest on many occasions, food is always fabulous, took my elderly mother in for lunch today and she loved it also, she had the lamb salad. staff are always friendly and helpful. stonegrills are good fun with the family! and good value for money to would definatly return and recommend to others.

by bella
29th August 2011

went to zest for lunch on the way home from hamilton on sunday, decor was impressive and the food was lovely. service was mainly excellent, except for the older blond woman who seemed to be quite rude. the other waitress who brought our food to our table was very pleasant. overall was a very nice dining experience, would definatly return =)

by gary
27th August 2011

Have now been to zest a few times for breakfast and every now and then just for coffee, excellent service and reasonable prices. would highly recommend. good to see greerton finally has somewhere nice me and my wife can go and relax for a hour or so!

by Kelly S.
14th August 2011

Service was crap! I have not been to a cafe and been treated worse than here. It was very disappointing. The woman behind the counter was rude and obviously hadnt had much experience in customer service. I realise that they were busy, but there is no need to be downright rude.

We didnt even get to eating the food as we left. Will not return.

Comment from Jack p. of Zest Bakery, Cafe & Stonegrill 23/12/2011    Hide »

The staff member mention is NO longer employed by us. Hope to see…    More »

The staff member mention is NO longer employed by us. Hope to see you back for a more pleasant experience.

by Hannah
25th April 2011

Went to Zest today for morning tea. Nice fitout and decor although that was the only nice thing there. The service was dull and not accomodating, there wasnt any labels in the cabinet so you didnt know what was what, the coffee was very average a tad bitter. Now to the food, I have been told it is all bought in and now ive tried it I can say it was very dissapointing. I had a cake that tasted like a supermarket cake if not as good, my partner couldnt even finish his slice he disliked it that much. Sorry Zest but will not be returning.

by Catherine
15th February 2011

I have visited Zest 3 times now, breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food as been excellent every time and the staff were friendly and helpful. The prices are very reasonable.

Its great to have a new place with a great outdoor dining area, and it beats going into town.

by Kat
20th January 2011

At last Greerton has a funky modern cafe – somewhere to sit on Chadwick Road that doesn’t involve canteen chairs and formica tables!. The outside area opens up to a reserve which was handy for the kids. The staff were friendly. The food is good and fairly priced. Give it a go.

by Sally
14th January 2011

A real disappointment really. Yes it was fine dining with nice peaceful music but the atmosphere wasn’t marvellous. The portion sizes of the food were disappointing and overpriced. Not what I would call value for money. Won’t be returning

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