Good Union — Restaurant in North Island

Chose here to dine as we were here from out of town, I didn't want to change out of comfy clothes and we had the dog with us. Read the reviews and settled on here.

When we first arrived, all seemed well. Great outdoor courtyard, plenty of space, good bustling atmosphere, heat lamps on. We were given the choice of tables (always appreciated) and seated, with water bought immediately (none offered for the dog though). Hopeful start.

Unfortunately, that ^ was the highlight of our experience. Service took so long, I wondered if we had to order at the bar. I nearly sprained my neck trying to get anyone's attention - the two team members around were task focussed and looking anywhere but at people.

We eventually managed to order (my standing up to go and order at the bar apparently did the trick) and we ordered; Ahoy (fish) burger for me, the steak and a beer for him. The beer came quickly.

The food, however, was the worst we have had in some time. While the fries with the burger were crisp and hot, the burger was slimey with mayo and thoughtlessly chucked together. Even the skewer wasn't going to keep that together. The steak was definitely NOT $42 worthy - heavy with sauces and butter, the steak itself looked like it had gone three rounds with Mike Tyson before landing on the plate.

Worst place of the night goes to the small side of slaw which had such an unbelievably bitter aftertaste, it had clearly not been sampled by anyone in the kitchen. Either they used EVOO to make the mayo (gag) or the red onion (clearly identifiable in huge hunks) hadn't been soaked - either way, one forkful was enough for both of us to leave it.

It may sound a harsh review but I relied on previous ones to choose this place and it didn't live up to the star...

We received very slow and grumpy service upon arriving, felt like an inconvenience through out, and it only got worse. We enjoyed our entrees even though the calamari was colder than one would expect a fried entree to be, and we enjoyed our lamb main. The wait to order dessert was ridiculous while we sat this lengthy time with our dirty dishes. It wasn’t busy and there was plenty of staff standing around or eating. However the experience worsened even more when I ordered the brownie for dessert and tasted the ice cream to find it tasted of sour milk. I asked my friend I was with to taste it to make sure I was right about its sourness and she assured me I was. The waiter, who was a young man who seemed to being managing the incoming and outgoing of the kitchen food and responsible for ringing up customers, informed me that supposedly my tastebuds are wrong and his are right by stating that he tasted the ice cream and it wasn’t sour or out of date. He informed me that because it’s a nicer brand ice cream it can taste different. I was humiliated as the few other people that were there heard the exchange, in addition he ruined our dining experience. Plus his continued rudeness when paying for our meal will find me not...

Yes:

Was freezing cold as heating was off (many people, including us, eating with coats on)

Requested a booth but when we got there we were told that this wasn't possible as you need to have a minimum of 3 (there were only 2 of us). Why wasn't this told to me before we arrived so we could have changed plans had we wanted? Or why wasn't it mentioned on the online booking form?

Our alternative table was awful. It was tiny, right by the bottom of the stairs, under bright lights and by the toilets

Once we were seated, took us 15 minutes to be served, even for a basic drink

Once meals arrived, not once were we asked if everything was OK, or if we'd like another drink

Blunt knife with the dry and fatty steak

No one cleared our plates

We had to ask for dessert

Very expensive, restaurant not pub prices

No veg with the steak, had to order this as a side despite the $48 price tag!

Left after only one hour and wish we had gone elsewhere

We booked a table early (6pm) in the hope for better service etc, no chance

Few very staff / staff training didn't help - they avoided eye contact at all costs perhaps as they were too busy and didn't have time to offer help / allow...