Homestead — Restaurant in Invercargill City

I’ve given an overall 2/5 for a few reasons. I booked a table 1-2 months in advance for a birthday surprise for 8 people. When myself and my brother arrived we were sat at the wrong table (one set for 6 people). I went and asked what was going on they dragged another table over to join the tables we were at to make more room. The table had a bench seat to the side of the room. When the other table was joined there wasn’t enough room on either end to get out of the bench seat, not sure how that’s okay? They moved the table and walked away, didn’t bother to set it. About 10 mins later they moved us to the right table once more of us had arrived (6/8). We got served a little slow but it was a busy time of night so that’s all good wasn’t a problem. When I ordered my meal I asked to have a steak and chips and they said okay. When I was served my plate it was not steak and chips but all the vegetables I asked not to have. I’m not mad they couldn’t change the meal, I’m annoyed because they didn’t bother to tell me till the food came out. When I got the plate they offered me a bowl of chips which I accepted but then I had to pay for it at the end (why they offered it then made me pay for it, I have no clue). Whilst having the meal we weren’t checked on and asked how the meal was going. I found my steak was a bit chewy (I did get it medium well, but it’s not usually that bad). I also found the menu was fairly limited compared to what I saw online (now checking the website it seems to be what’s there but when I booked I swear there was more options). Also the more expensive meals were smaller portions compared to the cheaper meals.

Overall it was okay. The place was super loud and a ton of kids. I booked the place because I had been previously and it was lovely, I didn’t realise how many kids would be there nor did I realise there was an indoor playground (probably should’ve done some more research but too late now). I did really like the cocktail though, had a decent amount of alcohol and only $15?! I’d go back just for the drink. Nothing else...

I'll begin on a positive note; staff were trying their best and the main waitress for our table of 15 was a very lovely, nicely spoken woman who done an amazing job and was the highlight of my first ever experience at The Homestead.

Now to get to the rest of my experience... Portion sizes and the quality of the meals. Portions were really bad, very small especially for the more expensive dishes that are comparably better elsewhere. The chef simply needs replaced. Pork crackling should not be as durable as high density polyethylene. Vegetables (and I like crunchy veggies) were actually really bad, I did notice that the veggies which were par-cooked were all root veggies (carrot, potato, kumara and parsnip), I couldn't eat all my veggies as half of them were covered in likely dairy based sauce, however, cutting them and hearing from the person across from me with the same meal, it's not a leap to discern that these weren't cooked properly. Two meals were fine portion and quality wise being the blue cod meal and the taco and fries meal. Specialty drink sizes also need improved along with presentation.

Dairy Free options need to be made available and wait staff should not need to go away and check for available alternatives. Unlike most who enjoy a vegetarian or GF (except for those who are actually celiac) diet choices, dairy allergies should be catered to and options detailed on the menus and staff fully informed! My meal unfortunately arrived with a sauce most likely containing dairy which was not detailed on the menu (where gravy was) and the kitchen didn't bother double checking knowing the table had someone with a dairy allergy ordering.

We were here for a child's birthday so none of us wanted to complain and have our disappointment witnessed.

Staff are trying their best and from the complaints I could hear from other patrons the problems most certainly lay with the kitchen. I am sorry for my review, however I might in the future consider chancing your establishment again, if only for the waitstaff and due to...

Was here with a group on the evening of Tuesday 17th Jan 23. The last time I was here before this was actually 2 years ago. at this time I gave it a 4 star rating but on this occasion now I am far from doing that. First of all it's fair to say that the menu isn't what it used to be and in my opinion it is not as good. For this visit I cannot fault the table staff. The young ladies we're more than willing to accommodate Pleasant professional and courteous. The Place itself looks a bit shabby and looks like it needs a spruce up as it is looking tired and dated. However my biggest gripe for this evening was the fact that the group of us of which there were about 16 was seated virtually underneath and adjacent to the children's play area. This was a terrible place to be seated on any given day given the noise that comes out of that play area. The thumping and yelling of kids made out I'm here most unpleasant. The food was a long time in coming out and in that time we could hardly hear ourselves talk due to the noise from the children's play area. I ordered the rib-eye steak and to be fair it wasn't too bad and had no complaints about it. It was one of two people who weren't happy with their plates and I don't blame them but I can't really speak them. But there certainly was nothing to Major or enough to walk out on. As stated earlier the worst part was being seated next to that children's play area and I think the homestead management really need to give that some consideration if they want people to have a pleasant dining experience there. It really was that bad. Based on that I am...