Morell Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Ōrākei

I have hesitated to post this, as I usually only post five star reviews. The food was good, although not exceptional at all. The the service was poor. We had to ask repeatedly for missed items such as drinks, starters and salads that were left off when others were delivered to the table. The real kicker for me was that we ordered pasta, but weren't offered parmesan. We asked for parmesan and were two thirds the way through the food when the tiniest dish of parmesan finally arrived - after a reminder. The amount of parmesan supplied was only barely sufficient for two people max, not six. So we asked for more. Then a third. All in all we had a few grams of parmesan. To my surprise they added $9 to the bill for parmesan!!! I don't expect to be charged for parmesan for Italian food. Charging for it three times because we were given such a tiny portion is nickel and diming. I certainly won't be...

Positives: Nice welcome and sit down, one meal of two was delicious. Negatives: We waited at least 25 minutes for our food and drink order to be taken. After we caught someone's attention we got the impression we'd been overlooked. Then someone else came and wordlessly set out cutlery. Another person came with the food, surprisingly quickly. We were about to start when they came back, swept the plates off the table and said they were for another table! Our jaws dropped. They didn't ask if we had started, and we could have coughed or spat on the food in the meantime (we hadn't). Wine glass servings seemed skimpy for $19 and $20. When we left, no questions about were we happy, just how did we want to pay and a friendly farewell. We agreed we'll just vote with our feet and will...

I would give the food a five stars but thats about all I enjoyed. Far too many staff on and most of them look like they have nothing to do because theres too many of them. All the staff seem to run around for no reason on even quiet nights, and it makes a rather stressful feeling throughout. Staff are attentive but haven't got the balance between that and leaving you alone. You will be mid conversation and they will interrupt you to fill your water glass at least 10 times when it doesn't need filling. A jug on the table would be better. Its almost like they take them selves a bit to seriously, in such a relaxed suburban location its a bit too much. I came in for a drink and a small bite to eat and had at least 4 different people come up to me and try to sell me more things, it ruined...