Cafe Zest & the Waffle Room — Restaurant in Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community

Firstly, my family and I visit Zest regularly. The Eggs Benedict were okay. The eggs were cooked maybe a little less than ideal as the white was still raw. The hollandaise was good. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed.

We visited this last Saturday morning. My partner attempted to order the waffles. She was informed she could not order the advertised "build your own waffles" as the machine was turned off. Zest advertisers itself as a "waffle house".

The coffee was way to hot and the milk was burnt. The food took around 45 minutes to arrive. As a qualified chef I understand that peak times at a Cafe can result in a longer wait (so long as the food is amazing).

We had waitstaff deliver other patrons orders to our table three times, the hot food was then taken to surrounding tables until the orderer was located.

I noticed a waitress bring food out to customers only to return to the kitchen empty handed, without clearing any dirty plates or tables. During my breakfast I watched three parties look for somewhere to sit, although due to the dirty plates and tables they chose to dine at your neighbour's establishments.

I noticed two more patrons having to ask the wait staff to clear and wipe down a table so they could sit there. Later we walked back past and our plates were still there 20 minutes later. Not only that but two elderly diners were eating their meal with our dirty plates infront of them.

I know that your food has a great reputation, I'm wondering maybe one of your chefs is amazing and the other could use more training. Consistency is important.

We'll of course give Zest another go. We know that 99% the food and coffee is amazing. Yesterday was just a little...

The food looks appealing, and the waffles amazing. Sadly the staff on the coffee machine today were not up to speed, the coffee was horribly tainted. Keep the screen clean please! ... This next bit is added after the Owner's comment. Hmmmm, I see, rather defensive don't you think? "keep the screen clean" is an in-joke for the over-extraction of coffee (which makes it bitter) FYI. I am by my own admission a coffee snob, and do appreciate courtesy from hospitality staff, and I very much appreciate a new barista who asks after the quality of their creation so they know they are on-track in their pursuit of excellence. On the day, the staff member on the machine was not a new barista, nor very polite to my wife when she informed them the coffee was bitter. We did not drink our coffee, nor did we ask for a refund, as it's not about the money. The off-hand response from the barista was not becoming of ANY hospitality provider - a little courtesy goes a long way. Another reviewer would perhaps rate 1 star because of this, but I rate on the overall experience of quality service; That is pleasant staff, reasonable price, and quality of product. I have assessed Zest as "OK" as one person and their attitude should not mar an otherwise excellent venue, nor detract from the other staff who were impeccable. Will we come back? Yes but. The but being, if the same person is on the coffee machine, we...

Today called in to zest. I ordered my food which including green tea , a muffin and toast sandwich with salad. I sit there wait for my food and noticed a lot of flies around the tables and everywhere. I got my tea after I sit there 10 mins. I looked at the cup and there still some mark of coffee on it. I didn't want to drink my tea with this dirt cup.I was still sitting there and wait for my food. After another 12 mins a waiter brought a muffin to my table but I felt lost my appetite even though I was hungry. But I still sat there and expected my main food would get my appetite back. Unfortunately after 30 mins I got a overcooked sandwich ! I told them I am unhappy to eat the overcooked sandwich. The lady (owner or manager not sure) told me that the black colour cos its wholemeal bread. However, everybody knows it should be brown colour instead of Black!!! I I paid for $18 and sat there for 45mins. At the end I got nothing to eat and drink. I asked to refund my toast sandwich $8 and was told nothing wrong with the food. I had to leave the terrible cafe with my empty stomach and awful experience and lost money and...