Vantage Bar — Restaurant in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu

Title: Exemplary Hospitality and Cultural Sensitivity at Auckland International Airport

Review:

I recently had the pleasure of being served by Katarina Davis at the Vantage Bar in Auckland International Airport, and I must say that the experience was nothing short of exceptional. Katarina's service went above and beyond, leaving a lasting impression that exemplified true manaakitanga and genuine care.

From the moment we stepped into the Vantage Bar, Katarina's warm and welcoming demeanor immediately put us at ease. Her attention to detail and dedication to providing outstanding service were evident in every interaction we had with her. Katarina's exceptional communication skills were particularly notable, as she seamlessly switched between English and Te Reo Māori while interacting with myself and my whānau members. This bilingual approach showcased her deep respect for Māori culture and made us feel genuinely valued and included.

The drinks that Katarina served us were not only delicious but also refreshing, perfectly complementing the vibrant atmosphere of the Vantage Bar. Her knowledge and expertise in mixology were apparent, as she skillfully crafted each beverage to suit our preferences. Whether it was a classic cocktail or a unique creation, Katarina's attention to detail ensured that every sip was a delight.

In addition to the phenomenal drinks, the food at the Vantage Bar was simply outstanding. Katarina's recommendations were spot-on, and each dish we ordered exceeded our expectations. From the presentation to the flavors, it was evident that the culinary team took great pride in their creations. Katarina's genuine interest in our dining experience and her willingness to go the extra mile truly made us feel like honored guests.

What truly sets Katarina apart is her unwavering commitment to hospitality and her authentic care for her customers. Throughout our time at the Vantage Bar, she anticipated our needs, ensuring that we lacked nothing. Her initiative in providing exceptional service was commendable, and her positive attitude was infectious.

In conclusion, Katarina Davis at Auckland International Airport's Vantage Bar is an exceptional host who effortlessly embodies manaakitanga. Her exceptional service, coupled with her proficiency in Te Reo Māori, left a lasting impression. Whether it was the delightful drinks, outstanding food, or her genuine care, every aspect of our experience was top-notch. I highly recommend visiting the Vantage Bar and having the pleasure of being served by Katarina. She is a shining example of what true...

This will be our "go to" for further episodes of time out during transit stops of overseas travel to international destinations!

After ordering our drinks from a very amicable barman (Alister), we watched the golden sun set to our left, through the far windows across the hall, streaming light beautifully through our Panhead Hazy Pale Ales!

The food was sublime: we wanted something light to tide us over, since having breakfast long ago, and to sustain us before our later evening departure.

We knew our red eye flight to Canada would likely have some meal service after take off, therefore we opted to share the Ceasar Salad (with bacon), and also ordered a shared plate of 2 Beef Brisket Bao buns, expecting both to be a minimal presentation.

We were very wrong: the Bao buns were fully loaded and each were a size surpassing the largest Maccas burger, and of course, with a taste to die for with the flavourful slaw and tantalisingly tangy dressing...not to mention the more than ample Caesar, which was generously presented and could easily feed two people in any case.

All the food was fresh and true to the menu description.

Highly recommended. My husband was so impressed, he was very keen to let the Team know this was an excellent meal, and proceeded to compliment the chef and his Team. And Albi, as our server, was very friendly, approachable, and certainly in the right profession. His whole persona makes it clear to customers that he loves what he does...and he does it well, which is hard to find at some airport hospitality establishments. Bravo,...

Ordered an Americano with pouring cream. Gentleman took my order however when he passed onto the barista she pulled a face and and muttered something along the lines of we don’t do cream. She then proceeded to froth milk and shove it in my coffee. Brought to me with a scowl on her face and then when I questioned whether it had cream in (knowing full well it hadn’t) she shrugged and said no. I understand some places don’t offer cream, but had you said this at the start I would have gone to the cafe downstairs that does. When I asked for a refund she stomped off to get a Manager. The manager came out with the worst body language, defensive and abrupt. When I said that I didn’t get the drink I had ordered she opened it and insisted that I did even though the barista had admitted to trying to fob me off with frothy milk. I don’t normally write crappy reviews as I would generally talk to a manager face to face. I was extremely polite throughout the whole experience given that your team were busy scowling and muttering under their breaths. Not once did any of them smile or apologise. The service is disgusting and your Manager clearly needs to go on some courses or consider a career change. Hopefully they were just having a bad day - this is not representative of Kiwi service or...