Several readers have complained to me of having to constantly request extra drinks or ask for the dessert menu. Some have said they dislike having to beckon at wait staff or call to them from across the restaurant while others have felt meals delivered to the table did not live up to menu descriptions.
Over the holiday period our “it’s a hit” list included:
• SBF’s seafood buffet at The Langham Hotel. I last enjoyed this feast in the CBD just over a year ago and on returning recently to celebrate a friend’s milestone birthday, I was again impressed by the lavish fare. Though quieter this time round, there was no stinting on the platters of shell fish such as Alaskan king crabs, scampi, mussels, oysters on the shell, prawns and more. The potato-based seafood chowder was delicious (I wanted more but feared it would fill me up) and yet again salmon came prepared every which way. But this time it was the fresh, pan-fried fish that I really enjoyed. In particular, the bluenose cod and the kingfish impressed although hubby rated the groper as superb. Amongst the hot dishes the Thai chilli soft crab was outstanding – I ate five! After several repeat entrees followed by numerous trips to the cooking station and then dessert – panacotta plus profiteroles for me, fresh fruit for the men, chocolate brownie for another and bread and butter pudding too, we were, to put it plainly, stuffed. Our little group had a great time and after our $40 Entertainment Book discount had been subtracted our account with wine and beer for the five of us came to just under $300.
• Chatters Café in Manukau. Not to be compared with the likes of the above but, nevertheless, Chatters in Sharkey St (off Cavendish Drive) has to be my new year find. It was in fact, hubby who discovered this gem and has, on several occasions has brought home for us the Open Turkish, a large, open sandwich stacked with salad greens, tomato and cheese then topped with the likes of Cajun chicken and banana; chicken and apricot, salmon and avocado with aioli, prawns and chilli or made to order. At $5.50 we think these are great value and a meal in themselves. Chatters also offers tasty takeout salads ($6.50) and BIG closed sandwiches too. Now hubby has come home with the café’s platter menu. Daughter’s has a milestone birthday coming up and the pictorial line-up of colourful fares is tempting. With names such as Delhi Delights, Kiwi Carnivore, Oriental Offerings, Planet of Tastes and many more it is easy to start salivating. I note these platters come in a range of prices according to size and content and there is a design a platter option too.
Our miss list included:
• French toast, bacon, grilled banana, maple syrup and fresh fruit at the Esplanade, Eastern Beach. This sounded great but, in our opinion, did not measure up to its promise. We thought one strawberry cut in half hardly constituted “fresh fruit” while the small slice of banana and one over-crisped rasher of bacon was on the skimpy side in a breakfast priced at $18.50.
Fortunately the excellent coffee, new, contemporary interior and the beach location made up for our disappointment.
