Shoreward Gastrobar Orewa — Restaurant in Hibiscus and Bays

3 of us arrived 1235, seated and drinks out in seconds. Waiting for someone else to arrive so decided to order some entrees. Took 15 minutes to get the attention of staff. Food came out quick, polenta chips under cooked and the sauce with them was severely watered down. The bread and dips platter was average, only one little pot of butter to cover one slice and the dips with it were average, one was more a salsa than a dip and one was just oil with balsamic glaze stuck to the bottom of the dish. 4th person arrived at 1.10pm. Drinks order taken within seconds, and entree plates were cleared at the same time, but no offer to order more food was made. It then took until 1.45pm before we managed to get our orders taken. No apology given when we mentioned we had been waiting for service even though the waitress knew we were there for lunch and just waiting on one other. Mains came out fairly soon after ordering and the quality of the meals showed. Seafood chowder was lacking in seafood, more potato and carrot than anything else, lemon pepper calamari lacked lemon pepper and again the sauce was extremely watered down. Smoked salmon salad was nothing but lettuce, 2 cherry tomatoes, half a red onion, 2 small slices of cucumber, half a packet of feta cheese, and a sliver of salmon, no lemon vinaigrette or if there was you couldn't taste it. The only semi decent dish was the Lamb salad which just had a bit of overkill with oil dressing. First and only time we will be coming here. Not worth the price for the meals and lack of...

Items: 1x Chips w/ Gravy 1x Scotch Steak, Rare, Mushroom Sc. 1x Beef Nachos 1x Triple Choc Brownie 1x Shoreward Lager 2x Apple Juice

11am service

Was a little skeptical at first when I saw the prices but as soon as I saw the portion sizes, I can see why it was priced a such. On top of that, the flavor and freshness if everything more than made it worth.

The beef nachos were delicious, was expecting the portion to be smaller but it was huge ❤️ my pregnant wife and just managed to finish it, it was worth every bloated feeling we had.

The steak was delicious too, cooked to my liking, no complaints, and the salad tasted fresh and tasty. Mushroom sauce was on point, a little lighter than some I've had but still no complaints.

Chips and gravy, I wish they offered this at other places, but since they don't, it's another huge reason for me to come here.

Chocolate brownie was delicious as well, raspberry compliments the entire dish as well. The brownie really melts in your mouth and the ice cream gives it that extra indulgent feeling and flavor.

Service was great, the two young ladies that took care of us were very friendly and welcoming, dishes came at great place/timing and we were left feeling like they cared. ❤️

The music playlist was nice and upbeat, felt myself starting to dance on the chair and had to recorrect myself 😂

All in all, great place to be at, will definitely be...

2nd visit to Shoreward today was so disappointing 😣 Waited for 45mins for 2 salads after asking in the end where the food was... Sadly the Calamari Salad was so rubbish it couldn't be eaten. What tasted and smelt like frozen prebattered Calamari was awful, brown old avocado and just generally subpar for a $22 dish. Service was terrible, we observed 1 young waitress who seemed to be serving every patron inside and outside who looked flustered and quite stressed while the others just wandered slowly finding things to do. The "manager" who solely worked behind the bar made no eye contact with any of the customers and seemed in a bit of a grumpy mood which clearly was affecting staff morale as not 1 staff member made eye contact with any patrons. Other people in the restaurant waited more than 30mins just to order a drink... people next to us ordered big breakfast but it came with no bacon so they had to ask for it?!!? I finally attracted the attention of one of the staff after sitting for at least 20mins with a plate of food that was inedible. Told her about it, she was great offered an alternative which I turned down and when we left the only decent thing was not having to pay for it which I would not have done. Attitudes need work, more structure for the staff and more staff required so that the business can run more efficiently. Sadly we will...