Twenty Seven Steps — Restaurant in Christchurch

Overrated overpriced, and underwhelming

We were so excited for a wonderful last celebratory night dinner in Christchurch to wrap up our vacation. 27 Steps failed to deliver. Firstly, reservations can be tricky as you can’t seem to readily accomplish online and the phone hours are limited. We did succeed in making some for 7.

Good luck finding the place as the sign is comprised of chicken scratch. Despite being in front of it, we still couldn’t find it and had to enquirer at the next door store. We weren’t alone. We helped another couple also searching for it after we left. As our day evolved, we arrived closer to six and the staff seemed perturbed even though I had informed them that we had reservations for 7 and the place was virtually empty.

Our waitress had a weird disposition and actually talked us out of ordering so much even though we told her how hungry we were and had come knowing that proportions would be small. Before placing our bill at the table she actually apologized for how expensive it was. Bizarre.

We found the food below average, especially for a place billing itself as high end. The lamb main was comprised of a measly 3 thin poor quality chops, much less than the many other restaurants that we had been to and even less than others’ appetizers, all of whom were of better quality. The beef was tough and boasted a clashing assortment of sides such as mashed potato vastly overpowered by anchovy butter product. And, we love anchovies. The salmon appetizer was grade D stuff that we could have pulled from the Pac n Save nearby and a far cry from the Ora salmon we had enjoyed earlier for lunch at the downtown riverside coop. On the bacon duck foie gras concoction there were a number of peculiar sides such as a grossly sweet gummy bear like fennel jam and toast which seemed smothered in margarine. The chicken thigh was served nearly cold, seemed to be closer to a half thigh, and it’s associated fruit was so sweet it seemed suspect for being canned.

Customers are smarter than this. I am surprised that this place has received such positive reviews.

Despite ordering two mains and three appetizers with a bottle of wine for the two of us and attempting to order more (thwarted by the waitress), we left hungry and disappointed. We found ourselves eating cereal at the Airbnb afterwards.

The venue is mediocre with small tables despite a fair bit of room in between. It’s hard to hold conversation in the diner-like atmosphere.

This place seems grossly overrated. It’s like sheep following each other talking themselves into something is so great when in fact it’s simply below average with an attitude. A lot of hype without much substance. As for what you can expect on your plate, it will be poor quality ingredients shrouded in a cacophony...

Absolutely appalling management. Completely disorganised restaurant. Shifts blame onto customers.

For Christmas I had purchased a voucher for my parents and booked them in for New Years Eve.

It was only until after my parents expressed how their night had gone and the management’s wording in corresponding emails that I decided to write this review.

When I made the online booking online it gave me two clear options to choose from

1. Upstairs New Years menu
2. Downstairs A la Carte menu

These were the exact words used (if not, they were very close to it).

I choose the second option knowing that my parents would prefer to not have a set menu, and myself knowing what a A la Carte menu is (being that I myself have ran numerous hospitality business’).

The night went ahead, and my parents left disappointed. They expressed their disappointment over emails with management.

And here is my response to those emails;

I do not find the excuse that the downstairs is a “wine bar”/ snack menu area as to the lack of service good enough when it was clearly labelled on your website as an “A la Carte” menu offering. I do not find the excuse that cutlery had not been set up for the booking because it is their practice to not setup downstairs good enough when cutlery had been set up on neighbouring tables. I do not find the excuse of lack of refrigeration good enough as to why warm tap water was served to the table. I do not find the excuse a change in menu format good enough for why the menu wasn’t explained. I do not find the excuse of a sick bartender good enough as to why drinks were taking 30 minutes to get to the table.

If that is how you are going to write emails to customers. Good luck to you and your business.

More than happy to post the email responses from the business. But I am sure you would agree they don’t shine a good light on...

I went to Twenty Seven Steps for dinner on a Saturday night and arrived with already high expectations, but my expectations were well and truly surpassed!

The restaurant has a fantastic location in the heart of New Regent Street, with huge windows looking out over the beautifully illuminated Spanish Mission buildings and all the action on the street below.

Complimentary house bread was quickly served and I started with the "Miss World" cocktail, which expertly paired the bitterness of the gin with sweetness from the Campari, vermouth and pinot noir.

For a starter I chose the tempura harissa cauliflower. Whilst all the dishes were spectacular this would have to be the standout, it was just so surprising! The cauliflower was super crispy and paired well with the peanut chilli oil and almond and garlic aioli.

For my main course it wouldn't be a trip to Aotearoa without venison, so I went with the Tai Tapu venison tenderloin. Served blue, rare or medium rare, I went with medium rare and it was still super tender and flavourful. It paired well with the confit potato and seasonal vegetables. The recommended wine pairing, a Mount Edward Pinot Noir from Central Otago was an inspired suggestion.

For dessert I had the sticky date pudding and a glass of Mazuran's Special Reserve Port, a sweet finish to a perfect meal.

Service was excellent, the staff are all really friendly and welcoming and know the menu well. Didn't feel at all pretentious as some establishments do; it was still casual and welcoming, which was something I noticed when they were describing the specials and went into detail on what some of the lesser known items actually were. Timing on each course was perfect as well, didn't feel rushed at all. All things considered I think the prices were very reasonable.

Would recommend Twenty Seven Steps for visitors and...