Rain Bar & Kitchen — Restaurant in Bay of Plenty

Been twice in one week in mid Feb. First time (bout eight of us) great with the exception of one meal (fish and chips) where the fish tasted old (we all tried it and all agreed). Was saved by the amazing desserts, a lot of us got the brownie - came with two brownies and ice cream, some asked beforehand if it was possible to replace the berry compote with more ice cream and they helped us out, but those who got the compote said it was amazing too. Two nights later me and my partner returned just for the amazing desserts. Asked for the brownie as we were starving for the great dessert we had prior, asked for swapping berry compote with extra ice cream for one, normal the other so I could try the great compote, waiter was agreeable no hesitation. They arrived and both desserts only had one brownie, both without compote, same amount of ice cream (so not extra), except one had bits of very stale popcorn scattered on top. We enquired about the portions, the waiter serving us was very confused and had no idea about what it should normally look like. Woman behind bar interrupted us to tell us that they had given us extra the first night (though she didn't serve us then) without telling us and this was normal portions (doesn't explain the compote/popcorn mystery) but there was nothing they would do even though we tried to say we would never have paid so much for a small brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We would have understood if the first time they had told us, but it meant the second time we felt horribly overcharged, embarrassed for bringing it up and too embarrassed for ourselves and the waiter who was out of his depth to even bother asking about the compote/popcorn/'extra ice cream'. Poor communication, confused staff, bad experience. Delicious brownie but not worth the $$ when you only get one and it comes without the correct (or...

Rain rejuvenation! It’s been a long time since I’ve frequented Rain. It used to be my second home for Friday drinks and all manner of social get togethers. It was always a fun time. I don’t really know why or when we stopped coming, but I think it coincided with moving further away. Maybe I got barred for my impromptu dancing? Who knows. Well thank goodness we are back. Let me set the scene. It was a cold, dark, rainy Tuesday so I texted my Favourite Husband and told him the good news … he was taking me out. He’s a lucky man. Firstly, the covered outside area with heaters was toasty warm and nicely private. Because despite it being the most boring day of the week, Rain was busy. Go figure. My wine was delicious, equally delicious was the server didn’t look down her nose in disdain when I asked for ice with my wine. We decided to go with 2 small plates on the basis that I’d sold this impromptu date as “A drink and AN entree …” You’d think he’d know better by now … The tuna with mezcal and lime. This was well seasoned, citrusy, creamy avocado and some texture from the radish and rice paper crisp. The portion size was generous. It was delicious. We played safe with the good old chicken liver pate with an onion jam and other delightful garnishes. We’ve tried pretty much every chicken liver pate, parfait and mousse in the bay. This was up there with the best. The presentation confused the Favourite Husband, but I think that says more about him than the kitchen. I’ll leave that there. These 2 dishes were so good (and because I wanted a second wine) we also ordered the pork belly bites. Fall apart, soft pork, beautiful coleslaw and just a delight. There’s enough of interest on the menu to tempt us back. Many more times. Plus I need to investigate if they still do half price cocktails when it rains. It is...

THE BEST LAMB MEAL I HAVE HAD I SOME TIME!!

Dinner out while in Tauranga with two good friends. We were met at the door by a lovely waiter and shown to a table in a spacious what seemed light dinning area. Wasn't to busy when we arrived but room did fill while we were there. Waitress provided menus and took our drinks order. Drinks arrived soon after and after some discussion re which meat meal was the biggest, big rob went with the 500g bone in rib eye while the 2 light weights went with the hawks bay lamb rump. As per my header this has to be the best lamb meal I have had in ages. That includes my slow cooked falling of the bone never any left effort at home. The confit onion and port wine demi simply took the generous portion of lamb to another level. Every mouthfull was a delight. I, as did the others ordered the duck fat potatoes and to be honest I was expecting crisp crunchy roasted potatoes but we got what I felt were soft steamed spuds that still went well with every mouth full of lamb. Karl also enjoyed the lamb while big rob sweated over cleaning up the 500g rib eye. I'm told that the menu has recently changed to this and it changes often. I wud be disappointed if I went back there and the lamb was available. It was that good. 100% recommend this to all going there and wud even go as far as to say if you're in Tauranga this is a must have for dinner.

Thoroughly enjoyed the night out with two good friends and the food for me was first class. Two lovely young ladies waited on us for drinks and food and as I say I'd go back here in a heartbeat. If I had a complaint it wud be that the menu was hard to read for us old farts that don't carry our...