Bushman's Grill — Restaurant in Kaipātiki

EDIT:

I shared this review to recount my honest experience and offer constructive feedback the restaurant could use to improve its overall service. Instead of acknowledging any room for improvement, the owner’s reply was filled with sarcasm and excuses. It made clear that they’re not interested in improving the guest experience — only in receiving five-star praise. I’ll leave this up so others can read it and decide for themselves whether this is a place they wish to support.

REVIEW:

Really wanted to love this place but unfortunately service & atmosphere did not hit the mark for us. As other reviewers have mentioned, the prices tag gives: fancy dining but the vibe does not match whatsoever.

Negatives:

Went there to celebrate my partner’s birthday and made a reservation for the two of us ahead of time. We arrived and were ushered to the open seating and told to choose for ourselves and when we expressed interest in the booth, the lady said we couldn’t choose it ‘in case’ a bigger group arrived, which bummed us out.

We ordered a bottle of wine to the table and the same lady (not a server) just brought the bottle and set it down saying a good choice. Didn’t open it, have us taste or serve it for us which we found odd.

The cutlery & napkins are set on the side as a serve yourself (not very hygienic) and having generic Pam’s salt/pepper instead of nice dispensers etc.

The bathrooms are located in the back area, passing a child’s play area and seating which looked unfinished and odd to be at a place that charges $30-$50+ for a main. We sort of felt bad for those that had to sit in the back area.

Positives:

The food tasted great & portions were SO large. My partner ordered steak & ribs w/chips, I ordered fettuccine alfredo & with the garlic sauce added and some onions from his plate it was tasty. The bloomin’ onion is a must starter.

For our birthday they offered boozy/non-boozy icecream dessert (we were so full and couldn’t finish it) as well as a song which was nice of them!

Overall, I think you could find better price for experience dining around...

Medium Rare Scotch Fillet with Garlic Prawns, Blue Cheese Sauce, and Savoury Rice

This restaurant has long been a personal favourite, and my recent visit only reaffirmed why it remains a standout dining destination. The dish in question—a Medium Rare Scotch Fillet topped with Garlic Prawns, accompanied by a Blue Cheese sauce and a side of Savoury Rice—was nothing short of exceptional.

The Scotch fillet was cooked to perfection, a true testament to the kitchen’s precision. I requested it medium rare, and it arrived exactly as ordered—a tender, juicy cut with a beautifully seared exterior and a warm, pink centre. This level of consistency is rare, and it’s a hallmark of a restaurant that truly understands its craft.

The blue cheese sauce was the star of the show. Rich, creamy, and pungent, it elevated the dish to new heights. For enthusiasts of blue cheese, this sauce is nothing short of divine. The savoury rice served as a hearty and well-seasoned side, rounding out the meal perfectly.

While I regrettably only captured a photo of my own dish, our table ordered generously, and every item delivered on both flavour and presentation. The restaurant’s ability to consistently meet expectations is a rare and commendable feat.

Beyond the food, the hospitality was impeccable. The staff were attentive, friendly, and efficient, ensuring that dishes arrived in a timely manner without feeling rushed. This level of service, combined with the exceptional quality of the food, makes this restaurant a must-visit for any steak lover.

In summary, this establishment continues to impress with its unwavering commitment to quality, consistency, and flavour. Whether you’re a fan of perfectly cooked steaks, bold sauces, or simply a memorable dining experience, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. Highly...

Disappointed, spent $460.00. They seemed to be short-staffed, the waitress did not know what she was doing, we waited ages to get drinks and our order taken. The starters were good, mains were appalling! Cheap-grade steaks (tough) not tasty, we had the T-Bone, 600grm Rump, the Sirloin and Scotch Fillet. All steaks were ordered Medium- Rare. The Scotch fillet cooked perfectly, but the sirloin had to be sent back, was more medium, T-bone more medium as did the 600grm Rump, which was Medium, well. When we advised the owner, she said “Oh it's just the edges they can be done medium rare”, Do always slice in the centre to ensure it is cooked, to our liking. She (the owner) then went on to say it's a 600grm we can't just do a new one. So we pushed it to the side, advised the waitress and then the owner came and said “Oh we can redo it if you want”, they took it off the bill at least but left it there for them. Our one daughter ended up throwing up as we left and said it was due to the steak. Oh, not to forget the hair we found in our calamari starter! This is not the first time where the food quality has been bad, the previous time I just thought the first time was due to a change in their chef, but this is not the case. This used to be my go-to place with family, friends and relatives, they had great service and food, now it just seemed to be a quick buck to be made and not worry about the quality. Disappointing and not...