Armadillos Restaurant and Islington Tavern — Restaurant in Christchurch

I’ve been to the Islington a few times over the past few months. I’m from out of town and travel a bit for work, this pub is right next to the caravan park I’m staying in. I’ve had Michelin 4 star food in England and Europe, if the chef doesn’t over cook the patty’s the burgers are good pub grub. The bar staff are unhappily friendly and fluent in English. I’ve had many of good conversations and laughs with the clientele (people at the pub). I digest and consider what could make it better…. It’s the pokies and the tab that bring this place down. An open fire and some couches would make the ambience better. Perhaps the drug dealers who thought I was an undercover police officer and felt free to split my lip with no decent camera surveillance would be perturbed about coming to a decent establishment. An establishment that didn’t support the local communities gambling addictions … Regardless about above comments, I have had many good moments at the pub and the atmosphere needs work. Happy to help with suggestions if the owner is...

4 of us went for dinner tonight 10-09-2022 two had hotpot’s which were fine, and two had rump steak, 1medium 1 medium rare when it came out the steak was barely warm and mushroom sauce wasn’t any better, other one had cold vegetables and just warm steak so we sent them back. The waitress kept apologising, should have been the chef apologising, when the steak dishes came back mine was the same one I sent back had nothing different,and the other got a new steak and instead of medium rare it was rare absolutely disgusting. The poor waitress couldn’t...

Really disappointed. Felt like we were ignored when we were seated. Finally the kids got some colourings pencils etc and drinks ordered. Waited for nearly an hour for mains. Meal was not great. Fish ok but vegetables...no way they were fresh. Came out soggy and soft. Def frozen veges...not fresh. Duck fat potatoes had a horrible taste. Had duck fat potatoes before and they did not taste like that. Awlful experience. No empathy from staff. Do not recommend. Better...