Colombo Martinborough — Attraction in Martinborough Community

Friends of mine went to eat here today and had a poor experience with a server. They requested a seat outside and we’re sat no worries. They hadn’t been given plates, cutlery, or water. It then started to rain and they moved over to a table which wasn’t in the rain but still outside. This table was large for a couple but it was free. About 5 minutes later the server returned with a Pākehā couple and asked my friends to move tables so this couple could sit where they were. A couple was asked to move for another couple. It would be understandable if a whānau needed the table, or a large group, but this was a couple with a dog.

When my friends asked if they could have a table not in the rain - the server told them to pull the table which caught rain out of the rain. My friends did this, and then watched as this couple were served with water, cutlery, plates etc. all before them. The food arrived before their cutlery and plates. They then watched as an Indian whānau arrived and asked for a seat outside and the Pākehā couple and their dog were not asked to move. Despite them being at a large table.

My friends were apologised to at the till, but in my experience of working hospitality - you don’t ask people who are already seated to move unless a larger group has arrived. This experience left a sour taste and felt racially based due to being asked to move seats for a party no larger than themselves, as the Pākehā couple did not experience the same treatment when a larger party than themselves arrived. Not really expecting this review to make an impact w the business but perhaps this experience is not isolated. Either...

Very disappointing experience at Colombo. We visited the place few days ago and were very disappointed with the service and the food we received. We were seated and left alone for over 30 minutes without anyone checking on us. So we had to get up and ask for service. We ordered 4 different Pizzas. But we were told that one of the pizzas we had ordered was no available. So we had to choose another alternative. Little bit after, we were told that some of the topping were not available. So again, we were forced to choose alternative toppings for our Pizzas. The pizzas arrived, COLD, TASTELESS and UNPLEASENT. A frozen Pizza from any supermarket would have tasted better. We experienced another bad service when we went to pay. Several Colombo^s employees were hanging out at the cashier desk and loudly were talking, gossiping and making comments about the customets they had served. Very disappointing scene. Overall a below...

The good: Excellent pizza, fresh base and ingredients, well seasoned and well cooked. Nice surroundings and atmosphere.

The not so good: Service (lack of). Not overly busy, lots of staff on so no excuses there. Firstly we heard a waited tell the table next to us when asked if they could get another drink we’re told “I’m only on food” and kept walking. Really!? How about “thank you, I’ll get someone to come right on over” or something like that. Then, 15 minutes after finishing both pizza and wine and wanting more, tables were still being cleared around us. We got up and left. No one said a thing. Good product, service...