The Elmwood Trading Co — Restaurant in Christchurch

Unfortunately due to recent experience I have to change what was quite a positive review.

Since the new year something has changed at the elmwood & the restaurant service is noticeably worse. Both times I've eaten there since the new year, our orders have been gotten very wrong.

The first time my companion ordered the steak (or possibly lamb) and asked if this could be done taking into account his allergies which he provided clearly to the server & we were told would be fine. The dish arrived unchanged containg a couple of things he had clearly stated he was allergic to.....so we sent it back to the kitchen & we eventually got something reasonable.

The second time it was the Caesar salad with chicken. Again we asked if a few things could be removed to accommodate food allergies. We were told this is fine... And the dish arrived without chicken...which we had to get the waiter address and eventually got a side of chicken.

We won't be back. The chef or the wait staff clearly just not trying any more.

My previous review: Have eaten here a couple of times recently and the food and service have been great. Both times they were very accommodating of my friend's dietary requirements, and both times the food was great. This is on of the few places in Christchurch that do crispy hold fries the that are lovely and fluffy in the Middle. Well be bach...

Went out for a family dinner (all adults). Food was generally considered very good except my mum commented that the seafood chowder was extremely skimpy on seafood so did not enjoy it at all. Service was friendly although not overly attentive owing to her being “slammed” with lots of customers to attend to. Unfortunately the biggest issue was with unruly and unsupervised children who thought it would be fun to have a wrestle right next to our table, knock our chairs and generally be a noisy pain! I told them to go away which they did, for a little bit…. But eventually returned to continue their ruckus. Shame that the wait staff or manager couldn’t see what was happening and sort it out. It shouldn’t be be up to patrons to sort that out that kind of behaviour. I don’t think I’ll be in a rush to go back. The place is really noisy on a busy night so it was hard to have a conversation and it looks as though they need more staff which would improve...

I was very disappointed I have always enjoyed my visit to this establishment good choice of Beers and very friendly staff and dog friendly but on this occasion it wasn’t. Outside was full so my guest and I sat at a table by the open door to the outside area. I asked for a water bowl for my dog the young lady said she couldn’t find the water bowl I suggested just a plastic dish of any type. She never returned I ask a Second female staff member and she told me that I shouldn’t have my dog inside. I informed her that I had been many times and had originally asked if it was ok which I was told of course. For a community Bar that has won awards the hospitality was rubbish and I will be asking my friends who frequent this bar not to bother. Maybe a case when the Boss is away. I have had many years in the industry overseas and Nationally this would never happen on my watch. A real sign of the shortage of good quality staff in...