The Raspberry Café — Restaurant in Canterbury

On arrival you got the feeling that this place was for the rich and famous or pretentious set! As I parked I saw the 3rd Maserati and then a Porsche pull into the car park driveway.

We got looked up and down by the patrons there walking in and we were both well dressed in Summer dresses. Expecting to order brunch, we were informed that the Brunch menu closed at 11.30am. It was 12.30 when we got to the counter. I commented how odd that was given that Brunch traditionally starts from 11am and how all the other cafe's I dine at in Christchurch have their Brunch menu open till 2pm, that maybe that's something she should pass onto the owners.

There was nothing on the lunch menu that appealed to us because we felt like eggs benedict etc and the only food in the cabinet were cakes. We were so hungry that we opted for a slice of cake, which were delicious and a chai latte.

It was a gorgeous day and we wanted to sit outside and were told that all the tables outside were reserved and we could sit on the porch or inside. Then the waitress told us we could sit at one of the reserved tables as long as we were gone before the reserved time on the table.

Given we were only having cake we found one available until 1.30pm. It was a bit embarrassing walking around all the tables checking the times on the reserved cards. The waitress didn't find one for us. I would recommend applying some insect repellent if you sit in the garden. It's a pleasant setting but it wasn't quaint and you shared the space with many others.

I had the lime, raspberry and coconut cake and my friend had the carrot cake. Mine was moist and divine, heated up with cream. The chai latte was average, bit weak in flavour.

The waitress was very hospitable and attentive.

All in all a disappointing experience. We then proceeded down the road to a cafe in TaiTapu.which was relaxed and friendly but food was...

We went to the cafe yesterday. It was for a birthday, a party of 15 and never again will we go there. We waited for over an hour for just some garlic bread then another hour for our mains for lunch which in the end was our dinner. I ordered a chicken filo which was nice and salad that was dry and with no dressing. Please can someone explain to me why does that take over 2 hours to bring that to the table? Our dessert well what was left of them took another 30 mins to arrive. When we finally got our meals we had to sit and wait for our cutlery to arrive which ment a cold meal. My daughter asked if there where fries on the menu and was promptly told this cafe was to upmarket for fries, Mmmm interesting. Another of our guests asked after 1.5 hours when would our meal be arriving and was told by the owner we had to wait our turn. I think the owner of this place needs a Cafe Mentor to bring this cafe up to standard. We asked for 3 glasses of wine which were $8 a glass and was given a bottle of wine at $40 a bottle. You do the math. The cafe was packed and they only had 2 waitresses and 1 in training. I can excuse the trainee but not the other 2 girls. Definate fault if the management I'd say. I will definately be telling people...

At the last minute we decided to come here for a Sunday brunch with our children. Nice settings when we arrived but unfortunately that was the best part of it. Went to sort a table and order our food and was greeted by a women who obviously didn't want to be there behind the counter. Lets just say she wasn't very enthusiastic. Ordered from the lunch menu. My wife got the lamb salad which she said was ok. I had the BLT, which was marginal. My kids we ordered the platter and toasted sandwich. The platter that came out was terrible! A piece of bread with that much Jam spread on they couldn't actually eat it without half the jam falling off. They got crackers, lollies, old apple and a piece of Ham. Now this is where I wish I had taken a photo. The ham was basically inedible. It was a lump of fat and gristle with actually nothing you could eat on it. I was amazed firstly you could put this on the plate and then serve it! I asked the waitress who took it back and then came back with it still on the plate saying this was the last piece. She ended up replacing it with Chicken. Overall a place I will not be coming back to. I don't normally leave reviews but am still shaking my head on what they served up. Sorry Raspberry -...