Bistro Lago — Restaurant in North Island

Had heard about this place through a friend and were going to be in Taupo so booked in for what we thought would be a great night. Man were we in for a surprise!! Things didn't even start that well. Our wait staff were clearly fairly new and management had given the bare minimum training. We ordered a couple of cocktails while we made some decisions around food and then about 10min later ordered entrees. The wine for entrees turned up before our cocktails...already seeing some issues happening... We had the smoked beetroot w whipped feta and the Skull island prawns as our entree and while the flavours were ok $30 for 3 prawns and a bread roll is a bit over the top and if you're calling something smoked then it should have a smoke flavour. We then ordered our mains, the Pork Belly and the Lamp Rump. Then the problems really began, the mains turned up and my lamp was cooked well to medium well...certainly NOT how lamp rump should be served, I tried one small bite to check then sent it back. 15min later my wife had finished her main and had her plate cleared and my new meal had still not arrived, I retunred from the bathroom soon after to find it waiting, cooked med/rear as it should be but sans cutlery. We sat waiting for a further 5 min (I took note of the time) and still nothing, someone SHOULD have noticed or checked given I had sent the meal back. We stood up and went to walk to the reception then saw a manager and spoke with him. His attitude wasn't great around sounding actually sorry and we were going to pay for our entrees and drinks when the whole thing upset my wife even further, this was our last nice dinner before she is to have major surgery and we were both looking forward to the meal. After my wife left upset I told the manager that based on that I think they can 'comp' the entire meal and I walked out.

My wife and I eat out fairly often and over the last 9 years of or relationship have been to many eating establishments, including top end ones, and we have never had such horrific service nor have we walked out and refused to pay.

Absolutely crap showing and they seem to be just there to fleece tourists both domestic and international with the pricing being WAY beyond the level of the food...we literally got takeaways on out way back to our accommodation.

Go somewhere else...even maccas...at least you will get...

Worst ever Dining Experience I have had in New Zealand!

Take my advice! Avoid this restaurant if in Taupo.

Staff are totally inept, badly trained and "couldn't care less".

The Duck main course was raw (not medium rare as they claimed). I cook and serve Duckling "pink" but this was all var dead minus feathers!

The pork belly was almost as undercooked with the fat certainly not crisp let alone "crackling".

The banana prawn entree was 2 empty shells and eyes plus 3 more intact ones which were very nice.

We had to get up from our table and ask the useless waitress to bring a fingerbowl and napkin

The Calamari entree was excellent however. Not bad eh? One out four ok for the rip off $175.

Never ever again. Thank god we couldnt get a Suite over Easter and ended up going back to Wairakei Resort.

Hilton Taupo need to take a leaf out of Wairakei's Pavillion Chefs and Staff and learn.

They even could not find our booking when we arrived at 7pm Tuesday, despite our having received 2 emails each day from Hilton reminding us and confirming it.

Then sent me an email 25 mins after our arrival, having ordered and whilst sitting in their Restaurant "confirming our cancellatio" ???? - why was this? Extremely concerning!

An absolute disgrace to the Hilton Brand.

I will never return and strongly advise others to avoid...

Best not to call ahead, guy could be trained in communication skills.

Turned up at 8pm. No one at the front desk. One guy on floor more interested in slowly setting up tables in a large restaurant with only 3 tables filled. Got to seat, waiter could not even remember two things, what was the fish of the day or soup.

Menu was basically steak. They did have a buratta and deep fried tomato in the small starter menu. The $28 burrata itself was hard as a boot sole mixed with beetroot likely from a can and lettuce.

You needed sides which were a choice of potatoes, either smash or fries. Carrots or something with lettuce with anchovies.

We got the shared $139 set Beef Tomohawk meal for two which came with the three sides a steak and a large thigh bone. Unfortunately couldn't eat the meat off the bone so didn't quite know why it was there than fill up space. Roast tomatoes where stone cold.

Unfortunately nothing I couldn't have made better at home. Only saving grace was our waiter was changed to a lovely maori girl who at least wanted to create a good experience and be there.

All in all. A sports bar/ steak house.

This added to shocking experience at the Hilton.

Food and wine for 2 $250.

Don't worry, I won't be back. So much better value and restaurants in Taupo.

Didn't take photos as no part of this...