Ma Maison Restaurant - Akaroa — Restaurant in Banks Peninsula Community

Went for a 6.30pm dinner with my GF on a Sunday, excited by the rave reviews, busy atmosphere, and delicious smells.

We waited for about 15mins before anyone came to even take a drinks order and by that time we had very well decided what we wanted to eat and had an appetite to suit. We ordered the mussels, grilled salmon, courgettes, seared scallops. Nearly an hour after we arrived and we were still waiting for food, with no attention / updates / communication from staff.

At this point we proactively sought an update and were advised it could be up to a further 20mins. At this point I started looking into some alternatives. Just as I was about to step out to organise, our mussels and salmon arrived - followed by our scallops and courgettes about 10mins later.

Mussels: Nothing to shout about. Not bad, but not something I'd come back for. The bread provided didn't have the 'soaking factor' either that you'd want to mop up the tomato and coconut sauce that the mussels were swimming in.

Salmon: This was something we were really looking forward to - Akaroa salmon in Akaroa 😍 Unfortunately, we probably could have saved time and money and delivered a better outcome by going to Countdown and doing it at home. The potatoes had the same taste, texture, and consistency of microwaved potatoes my dad would do when I was a kid.

Courgettes: The best part about this dish was the toasted almonds. The softness of the courgette didn't suit the truffle oil. Probably would have been better with the green beans as per the menu but they had run out.

Seared scallops: Easily the best thing we ordered. But in a pack of mediocrity I'm not sure if that's false praise.

Also had the Ma Maison Lager. Crisp and refreshing, as a lager should be.

Earlier that morning, my kayaking guide told me that the restaurants in Akaroa township weren't worth it. Unfortunately, I'm beginning to think she...

I want to start with saying the food was very good. This is a very cute location and the price point is actually pretty affordable; however, I was very surprised about the lack of hospitality at Ma Madison. I have worked in food service in a tourist town, and I understand the stress of a public holiday, but after being seated and having our drink order taken at around 1:50, we waited about 30 minutes before our waiter even took our food order. In the meantime, we watched multiple tables be sat and served while we waited for our food. It took about 45 minutes to get our mains after that, which honestly would have been fine if we hadn’t already waited 30 minutes to order. We were never offered more water, asked how the food was, or if we needed anything else. When we mentioned our frustrations, what appeared to be the manager didn’t acknowledge our wait at all, and seemed not to be interested in their employees poor performance. I did ask for a discount on our meal, but it really wasn’t about the money. I was frustrated that they wouldn’t even acknowledge the issue and apologize. I felt like we weren’t being heard and were being passed off as rude. It was clear they just wanted us to pay and leave. I’m sure the response we will get will mention that we where only there 45 minutes, because that’s what we kept being told in the restaurant, but that simply isn’t true. Quite frankly, it was incredibly rude for them to insinuate that we didn’t in when we arrived. The help wanted wanted sign said they were in need of hospitality workers, let’s hope they hire someone who...

The worst (deceitful) experience we have ever had. FULLSTOP.

Due to the bad feedback MA Maison had received in the month of Feb we were wondering if we should still go, but we did or at least tried to.

I'd also love to be able to comment on the food but never got the chance...

I would really appreciate the Owner calling me about this incident (since they apparently have our email/phone number). Hey Ben, maybe the recent poor reviews point to a larger problem at Ma Maison?

We had, as had another couple waiting behind us as we arrived, booked a table for dinner at 6.30pm on Sat 18th Feb only to arrive and find the venue booked for a wedding.

The manager indignantly offered up that we had been told via email (no record)and phone call (no record) of the cancellation and that was that, no "sorry",  no "not sure what happened" just go away I'm busy with a wedding. Okay, things happened, poor service but hey not much I could do.

HOWEVER, the couple that had been waiting behind us approached us down the road and told us a similar story with worse treatment and the Manager had told them that we had simply got our dates wrong and were booked for the Sunday nights.  YES an outright lie to save her sorry behind.

Confronting the Manager a 2nd time she immediately became agressive and hostile with a loud swearing match in the street as she accused me of rudeness for interrupting the wedding, which I hadn't - all to deflect being caught in a lie.

I find it unbelievable this woman can hold down a job in hospitality. Come on Ma Masion, surely you're...