The Craft Embassy — Restaurant in Christchurch

Lovely location, nice-ish ambience. The salmon dish under the To Share section was nice and very pretty, but the side of chips was a bit meh. The cocktails weren't great. One drink was virtually untouched at our table (the dark and stormy) - no one wanted it after having a sip. I had the pimms (so-so, nothing special) and the negroni (not great). At our table of 6, 2 of our drinks were forgotten about and we had to remind them. We also had to ask if we could order our food because no one was asking us. We had 3 different people ask us later if our food was okay (are they not assigned tables?). Also, they accidentally sent out a large portion of chips to share instead of the side I ordered - when I pointed this out, the staff member apologised and said I'd only be charged for the side but I could keep the chips. When I paid I noticed they'd charged me for the larger portion even after I said it was the side - I explained what'd happened and they asked if I knew who was serving us. We had 3 different people serve us?? Eventually someone else took over and was rude, "Did you not think to say something when a different size of chips came out-" or something to that effect. I did. That's why I'm here, lady. She was huffy and rude. Maybe a bad day. Ultimately, I think you're better off going to Kaiser Bar - infinitely better staff and wonderful drinks and charming ambience there. Also their food...

Well, if you want somewhere fancy where you can see everyone, and they can not really see you, then the outdoor deck is the place to be.

There are a few meetings that go on here, and they let you have your laptop on the table while you talk to your customer, mistress, receptionist, pa, or other girlfriend.

Drinks are not cheap, and neither is the food, so you are unlikely to be found. I suspectin the Nor West the balcony could become a little exposed to the wind.

You are pretty exposed, and table positions anywhere have a line of sight to any other table. So PDA's will be seen as would the PI or phone taking great shots.

There is also only one way in and out unless you Spiderman to another balcony or jump, but your superhero landing would kill your knees!

We were served and forgotten, and no matter how many waves, arm signals, or sign language one drink and a meal was all we could get for table service.

Ordering more was easy when you stood in front of the bar.

Would be a good perch for a PI to get your best side when you are eating or meeting along the Avon!

Was a nice spot, not a cheap place, so maybe the third date or date and city hotel room after, type place? Where are the old-fashioned relationships?

Well, I am off fishing. At least it smells like a date.

No relationships were harmed in the writing of...

I have taken my time to write this review. On opening night we had the most amazing pork that I have ever had. It was so good that multiple people exclaimed that it was their best ever pork. So after that I wanted to make sure that this place was actually going to stay that good!

We have had work events there, cocktail nights and other parties. Each time the craft beers and CIDERS (my favorite) are all new. One day I would have a turmeric cider which was amazing, another I would have a butterscotch cider (have before a meal) and my favorite the mango cider. This tasted almost the same as a Mango Lassi... Which is very dangerous because you want to drink it all in one hit.

There are two halves to Craft Embassy, one out the front where the bar is, wait times are surprisingly short as well. And the other side is out the back in a glazed conservatory style area. This is perfect for those summer evenings and is well worth a visit.

They have started doing degustation meals now, so that is next on our list to...