Bucks Bistro — Restaurant in Howick

Most disappointing dining experience in years and extremely expensive basic bacon and eggs! 1. Told no tables inside were available by waitress, when there appeared to be ample available and they were empty the whole time we dined - so we had to sit outside. 2. Wrong bread delivered with meal (sourdough) after a specific request was made for wholemeal. 3. The coffee took so long to be delivered, that we had already recived our meal and eaten it! Took at least 30-35 mins for coffee and meal delivered in 15 mins. 4. Zero table service after meal delivery and we were sitting outside behind a ranch slider (no opportunity to have orders corrected etc). 5. $24.50 for basic bacon and eggs (item wasn't on the menu but waiter said they would make for us). Certainly not value for money in any way.

We have been eagerly awaiting a visit to your restaurant - and have come away extremely disappointed. Worst breakfast experience we have had.

As we can't place a response to the bucks bistro response - which appears to be a rant - I have edited our experience to add on our response. We dined at approx 10:45am on Saturday (yesterday) the 25th July. Our receipt will be in the till register with a total spend of $54. 2xbacon and eggs at the extreme price of $24.50 each. Plus a flat white coffee. We were the only couple sitting outside therefore CCTV footage should be incredibly easy to identify. We also emailed via your internet site and included contact details so you could reach out if you wished for specific feedback to allow you to improve your service. Extremely disappointing response from restaurant, but this reflects the...

Today I brought my friends to an earlier dinner and decided to visit this beautifully decorated dining room at Bucks Bistro. At first glance we were surprised that the ambiance is beautifully decorated and we will be happy to enjoy the rest of the day, we ordered our first drink while looking at the menu. Somehow we couldn’t handle the menu because it was vague, and yet we decided to order. Our ladies ordered a burger, I and a friend opted for a seafood platter for two, but there is no price on the menu and the waitress told us $ 90, we agreed and ordered. After two minutes the waitress comes back and says its $ 90 per serving. A little surprising and we refused the order and asked for a return of the menu to choose something cheaper, only then we noticed that the menu says the price in several places.... MP. Only "cheaper" smaller dishes have a price. When I asked why they don’t have a price for other foods like steak and seafood and some other vague names on the menu. I believe the chef came and made it clear that they charge as Market Price (MP) and if we don’t like it we can go to another restaurant. This surprised us and we didn’t respond any further, we got up and paid the expenses and left. Thanks chef, believe it or not we listened to you and went to a restaurant nearby, enjoyed the rest of the day with a lot of banter about the unexpected event. Reading the review here they don’t seem to be in the right direction,...

I had a lunch meeting earlier in the week when I snacked on the squid tentacles which were simply brilliant, tender and a balanced dressing. Accordingly I resolved to return for dinner at the earliest opportunity. The position and ample picture windows allow a terrific view across the Tamaki. Parking is ample and free. Bucks is under new ownership and the new fit out impressed me with the artistic and comfortable treatment totally in tune with its waterfront beachside location. A few days later my teenager daughter, also a foodie, and I returned. A Friday night arriving at around 7:30 and were lucky to get a table as the Bistro was almost full. We were promptly attended to by the young friendly staff and chose a selection of entrees and mains: house made flat bread and baba ghanoush; Burrata tomatoes with basil balsamic and hazelnut praline; Spiced Lamb Roti; Tagliatelle and Truffle shoestring fries with Parmesan . All the dishes were well balanced and innovative and thoroughly enjoyed by both of us. I accompanied my meal with an on tap Tuatara pale ale one from the extensive range of beers. The barman specialises in a wide range of cocktails made with appropriate panache. The atmosphere was pleasant with a live DJ and the music while audible not conversation drowning. The patrons all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Service was prompt and friendly without being obtrusive. I will certainly...