Oyster Cove — Restaurant in Invercargill City

Well I was extremely disappointed with what was delivered for the GF meal on Saturday, there are a few things to point out here as follows: The team had 2 x weeks to organise & prepare something as they requested that we email in the menu selections, what I ended up with was a small portion of fish and a side bowl of salad with hair in it. They did not mention in any prior correspondence what food they they going to remove for the GF option. They had plenty of time though to organise and prepare something like potato fritters or another alternative (oven baked chips etc) and pan fry or oven bake these rather than deep fry to replace the deep fried chips etc. They charged me full price for the dish, which is pretty unacceptable for what they delivered, they removed so much from the plate food wise charging full price was a real slap in the face, I compared my plate to the other fish and chip plate at the table, and saw even they had more fish on theirs's and a mountain of chips, tartare & tomato sauce etc. The team said they were going to discount my dish for the hair in the salad but that didn’t happen either at check-out, even stated at the checkout when asked how my meal was, that mine had a hair in which I would of thought would of prompted them to remember what they promised. When they request to pre-order menus weeks beforehand one would expect that they would at least go to the effort to plan a GF meal that would be a fair in comparison to the other dishes at the table, there are sauces out there like Tartare available GF, why did they not do the homework and procure these, sort replacements for the chips etc? Their full price mentality would of allowed for this to happen to this particular dish. I thought I would point this out as this team really needs to work on this and be better, it was for me one of the worst experiences I have faced at a restaurant, with the factor being that they knew weeks before and did not even try to...

3 things: The issue of lots of empty “reserved”tables as stated on previous reviews of the place. Personally, I came here for two reasons: oysters and the VIEW. There were loads of empty “reserved” tables by the window and only 2-3 tables were occupied at the restaurant and we were placed by the door. Like, really?? I would not mind if it was busy. But even after we’ve left, the tables were still empty. Makes me wonder if it’s too hard for them to allow customers to sit by the window, and informing them ahead that the said table is reserved (for example, 5pm) and if they could transfer or leave before that time. Came here knowing bluff oysters were not in season yet, and I was prepared to have fried ones cooked from frozen. However, bluff oysters were not available, they only have pacific ones. Which wasn’t a problem since I love freshly shucked raw pacific oysters with lemon. In fact, what they served us was amazing. 🦪 Just be aware, that you will still pay the same price wether it’s bluff oysters or pacific oysters available in the menu. The service. It was good, but I just wish that they will be more careful in serving guests. One staff initially served our drinks to the other table. I know, coz I saw it and there were only 2-3tables occupied. In this time of pandemic, I am and will be very concerned if another customer had already touched my drink. It was hot (outside and inside) and we enjoyed a cold refreshing drink. On the bright side, they have a good selection of food and drinks- they have beer on tap. They have a cafe too. Make a booking ahead to get the best seats. They have staff shortage so they might limit their guests and/or expect some delays. Toilets are clean, and they have a mini lounge while waiting to be seated. Take note of the entrance and exit. The door you see at the front is actually the exit. The entrance is at the rear side. Vaccine pass...

A truly disappointing and unpleasant experience.

This was what happened: The waiting staff was placing a blackboard at the front door when we called out to him to order. Knowing that the Bluff oyster depends on the season, I was only half expecting it. He said only pacific oyster is available at the moment, which was fine, and we still ordered the oysters. Literally not 2 minutes had passed, I noticed on the blackboard it wrote: BLUFF OYSTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. Quickly I called out and asked whether we could swap, only to be told ours was getting cooked. "Our staff moves very fast." they added for emphasis.

The waiter was untruthful, as when we were ordering, he had already written on the blackboard. Why would you do such a thing? Knowing that after the BLUFF OYSTER sign is out, no one would order the pacific oysters of course. Business needs to make profit but shouldn't resort to dishonesty.

The food was average and overpriced: Seafood chowder of frozen food with too much flour; and the blue cod fish and chips where I could get it in town for half of the cost.

If you are after the view of the ocean, the lookout down below has seats without any obstruction between you and the sea.

I wished I had gone to the other place nearby that was also recommended, which looked far more local and surely would...