Blue Rose Cafe & Catering — Restaurant in Albert-Eden

Being kiwis who reside in Australia and have known of this place by word of mouth from friends and families. So this was one place on our list of must go to when we return home for our next holiday. We came last year around June 2021 and the customer service was exceptional! It was also fast as well, coffees came out quick which were delicious by the way. And our big group all ordered something different from the amazing looking menu which we all thoroughly enjoyed as it had left us scraping our plates because it was scrumptious! So our first experience was 10/10 for us that we’ve given so much praise about this beautiful hidden gem for all the kiwis living where we are in Australia to add to their places to visit when they return for a holiday!

Now since being back in Akl for another holiday, this place was first on our to do list. Must get pies. I was craving my fav taro lamb and cream cheese pie which they didn’t have, but it was totally fine as they still had the palusami pie available so we got those and boil up pie. One issue we experienced today which kind of made us question whether we should bring our huge family back here again as my partner and I walked in around lunchtime today after our walk and just craving a pie… I honestly don’t know if this staff member was just not having a good day or she must’ve dealt with someone crazy before hand but we instantly went from 100 to zero real quick with our experience there today. I pride myself on giving praise on customer service where it’s due no matter what everywhere we go!! But today was something else, this one staff member and her attitude ruined the rest of our experience there!! We walked in, only for her to shout are you dining in or takeaway?! Not even an acknowledgment or eye contact… Which we proceeded to respond with takeaway please and to then she replies what are you after.. Just the whole Vibe and tone we got was totally poor and negative.. She just looked like she didn’t want to be there or looked unhappy which then made us feel uncomfortable. But because we drove from Glen Eden I wasn’t going to just walk out. Nothing else was wrong but just thought I would comment on the team member you had at the counter or the front door is definitely not someone you want to have on the front line to serve your customers if you want them to return. It’s a beautiful place but having someone with that negative attitude and service is not going to work. Even when someone else had walked in after us and asked her for a specific pie and she replies “Nope there’s no more next time you wanna pie, come early!” And walks off. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Either she’s in the wrong industry or we just caught her...

Me and my partner went here because we had been wanting to try it since they went viral on tiktok.

The vibe was soooo good. Their music is the type of music we listen to at home. The service was top notch. Friendly and very helpful. As soon as we walked we were asked if we wanted to dine in and we didn't plan to but we decided to stay and eat.

We got the:

Boil Up pie: 10/10 can't fault it. Honestly felt like home and also to my surprise the pastry was still crispy. Not soggy at as this was my fear. The meat was tender and the watercress was so soft and easy to chew.

Palusami: 8/10. Pastry was amazing & meat was tender but there wasn't enough coconut cream and taro leaves to my liking. Still a really good pie.

Hangi: 9/10. Sooooo good. Tasted like it was cooked in the ground even though I don't think it was but it was so good. Vege's had a good texture soft but not mushy & the meat? 🤤 so yummy and the pie was seasoned so well.

Hot chips & Aioli: PERFECT 😍 crunchy on the outside soft and pillowy in the middle. The house made aioli? 🤌🏽 amazing. Perfect sauce for their perfect chips.

Koko Samoa Cupcake: 10/10. Perfect size for me. Super moist & chocolaty. The icing was the perfect sweetness 👌🏽

Overall good visit and we were super happy when we left. Also the pie's are HUGE you can maybe do a whole one? But no more than that. $10 a pie I thought was good for the quality and size. Thank you Blue...

Fine, the cashier seated my group today and provided us menus. . After 10mins my daughter approached the waiter to ask if we are to place our orders or wait for a waiter to which we were told by the waiter he could serve us, he took our orders to place. 40 minutes later,, Fine is seen standing in the kitchen eating a pie, we also noticed two couples who were seated after us, having completed their meals yet we had not received our order. When the cashier Fine was asked if our food was ready, she replied “oh, I can check there are pies in the warmer and I’ll go get them”. We decided to pay for our drinks and not wait for the food because the waiter, Fine didn’t seem to care. When I asked why we were not served, she simply replied “oh, we must have forgot”. I asked to speak to her boss, she replied “they are in Sydney”. Fine, was both rude, smirking and not once offered an apology for the bad service we received. Fine was heard saying as I walked away “fat sorry” . We are visiting NZ and Blue Rose came highly recommended by family. Disappointed and shocked at the complete rudeness and disregard for customer service from the cashier Fine! Because there was a group of us, we will be sure to NOT recommend this place to others. Fine, did not represent Blue Rose Cafe professionally or showed she cared...