Flames Restaurant, Bar & Cafe — Restaurant in North Island

On the 31.12.23 we all decided to go and have a new years dinner at flames. I ordered the special pate dish $22 and I ordered the pork lion for the main. Very disappointing I ask for another pork lion as the first was dry and rock hard the second was Luke warm like it had been frozen and defrosted in the microwave then popped in the oven?? The mussels had not been cleaned and the hairs not removed. My value 39.50 my main and my pate special was according to staff hand made and I got 2 burnt slices of bread onion chutney the garlic conveit was dryed up that price tag $22. Very disappointing as I have eaten there before. Yes things have gone up I agree BUT I would also like to get my moneys worth and expect quality. I did take it to the manager who after a discussion about the dishes we ordered they took my pork dish of my bill. So the prices were compared to the Quay at the basin there is no comparison. I get quality for the money I spent at the QUEY. There were some Hick ups that night the main...

Oh wow - this is Whangarei's best kept secret! The waiter was friendly and attentive, and the food was absolutely top notch.

The menu is impressive, with a range of delicious options. We chose five different meals, and I honestly don't think there's a bad option on there, because all of them came out not only tasting incredible, but plated and dressed with such care and artistry that it's clear the chef loves their work.

Portion sizes were bang on, and well worth the prices.

I put the atmosphere at four stars, but maybe it should be five, depending on your personal preference. We found there weren't many people there (granted it was a Tuesday night), which seems a bit of a shame considering the quality of the food. That said, table spacing is generous, so even on a busier night it should be easy to have a conversation with your group without needing to yell.

Everyone at the table said they've now got a new favourite restaurant. Thanks, Raewyn and the team, we'll be sure to see...

I had the Pancakes for Breakfast. I found it strange you had to choose from Bacon or Banana. The Maple syrup was only about a teaspoon and was soaked up by the bottom pancake making the rest dry. I think the Chief needs to go into town and see what the rest offer for the same price. What needs to happen is to have both Banana and Bacon, there was no cream or berries there should have been a small pot of syrup to add as I liked. Also when someone asks for a cappuccino you usually ask if they would like chocolate or cinnamon not put both together. Also some of the orders were mixed up and the drinks, perhaps you could supply a larger pad for the waiter to write the orders on instead of the postit note size...