Ivory Bar — Restaurant in Canterbury

I was visiting a close friend in Rangiora and we decided to go here as we were told it was up market. We arrived quite late at 845 pm and were greeted by a well dressed young man as we walked in. We asked politely the Kitchin was still open and if it was possible to get a table for 2 for dinner. We were assured this would not be a problem and we were ushered to the bar to await a table. We did this and were rewarded with peanuts and water. We ordered drinks.These arrived quickly and we went about waiting for a table to come available. After waiting a period of time we moved to sit in more comfortable seating close to the bar We continued to wait patiently and ordered another round. After a further period of time a waitress came back over and I asked her how long our table was likely to be. We were then told the Kitchin had closed and we would have to order something off the bar snack menu. I explained that we had been told that a table would be available soon, but again we were flogged off with the barsnack menu. We decided to finish our drinks and then leave. Another waitress then came over and asked if we wanted to order off the barsnack menu. I explained to her what had happened and she said the guy who told us a assurance the we could get a table was "only a doorman!". By this stage it was 9 15 PM, and there were no other places serving food around. Ivory bar tries to market itself as a high end venue. WRONG! You dont treat customers like this. You stick to promises you make. This was to be my friends first ever upmarket meal out. We were bitterly disappointed and will not be recommended this place...

Tough running a business, especially a restaurant where a single customer with a 1 star review can do a lot of harm. We all have different expectations, experiences and tastes. My review is written with the hopes of a few improvements. Is it fine dining? No water on the table and at no stage offered any. A bowl of chips is hardly fine dining but having said that, they were actually very good and it is NZ. Chicken nibbles nice. Lamb......it needs to be seasoned, also perhaps a little rosemary, quite bland, or offer seasoning at the table. Lamb with tomato especially needs care with seasoning (would be curious to know if chef smokes). Okay, so I spent 25 years in Asia and like food with flavour. My fault as hadn't read menu carefully to realise it is lamb (shank bits?)and came with nothing. Perhaps waitress could ask if customers would like to order vegetables etc. Salmon.....a few small sushi-like pieces. My friend was hungry when he finished. Service good, friendly. Decor very nice. Live music.....guy singing with guitar - excellent. A nice place to go, for me the food was pretty average. Sounded great but didn't really deliver in quality or quantity. But.....that's just me. Certainly wouldn't take my wife who is a...

Really enjoyed our first visit for a drink after dinner elsewhere. Staff very welcoming and attentive. They have restored the building into an outstanding feature.

Drink prices were not as harsh as we were expecting in fact only average really for an establishment as nice as this. Live music was outstanding. We will be back for a regular visit and to try the food.

July 2019, Further to my review above, we have visited this bar a number of time and found it excellent every time. They do an outstanding platter that we shared with friends which was great value for money. The staff went out of their way to ensure it was what we wanted by mixing different platters together and even added a taste of one of the main dishes. On a recent visit we were delighted to find they have introduced a happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm every night of the week with drink prices that are very reasonable, Heineken $6. Definitely...