Jardin Grill — Restaurant in North Island

TL;DR: Check your bills for unexpected items. We were surprised by $40 in charges we didn't incur, or weren't told there was a cost for.

We ate here on Friday for my partner's birthday. Our meals were tasty and filling. We arrived early and ordered an aperitif from the bar: my aperol spritz was a bit flat, a bit sweet, and confusingly, served in a wine glass with a straw. The decor was pleasant, and the ambience was fine despite there being a large party present. I had requested a quiet table, and they held one.

What beggared belief was that the friendly, attentive and well presented staff seemed to stealthily add charges to our bill:

Asked if we wanted still or sparkling water, we chose sparkling. If we'd been told it were $15 per bottle, we'd have gone with tap water. Instead, we discovered an additional $30 on our bill.

I ordered a $15 glass of Shiraz with my main. The server took the wine menu, and then presented with the $17 per glass bottle. I sent it back, but with only two Shirazes by the glass available, it seems like an odd mistake.

During the evening, the server asked if there was an occasion, and we mentioned my partner's birthday. Later, we declined to order dessert. The server brought teaspoons out and inclinated just a wee thing was coming. "Happy Birthday" was written in chocolate sauce on a plate, next to a small macaron and vanilla biscuit.

When paying the bill (with a different server), I queried an $8 charge I didn't recognize. It was the Happy Birthday dessert we didn't order, after actively declining to order dessert. "Someone must have seen it on your table and added it to your bill," she said. I've been a server: the only person adding that to our bill was the server who ordered it.

One of these could be seen as a mistake. Together, they smell of steathily increasing table spend. So, imagine my level of impressed to then be presented with automatic tipping amounts - a practice not common in New Zealand. A cynic would say they're taking advantage of the hotel patrons used to tipping back home, on top of inflating spend.

The $8 dessert was removed but I was still grumpy about the water and the wine mix-up. I emailed the restaurant the next morning, recounting the above and indicating I would leave this review. I received an automatic reply: they work Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm (hilarious, since the email was directed to the front desk of the Sofitel Hotel, which is surely staffed daily). At any rate, it's 6pm on Monday and I have not had a reply.

If Jardin Grill replies, I will update this posting with their response. In the meantime, check your bills closely! Or better yet, dine someplace that acts with integrity and treats guests...

Shocking experience at five star hotel restaurant

Our recent visit to this five-star hotel fine dining restaurant was nothing short of a letdown. The unprofessional service and tiny portions (two entrees, three mains, two sides, three desserts between three people) left us questioning the credibility of their supposed luxury status.

The poorly trained staff showcased their inattentiveness from the start. Despite numerous waitstaff standing around, our water glasses remained dry until we requested refills. We also had to ask for our table to be wiped and plates/cutlery cleared between courses. Even after asking, the table was left with crumbs before we ate desserts. Sharing plates became a logistical nightmare. Massive plates with minuscule portions left us juggling for space. We had to step in and suggest swapping for smaller plates as the staff seemed oblivious to the issue.

We ordered broccolini and was served regular broccoli. The waitress had no clue and had to check with the kitchen, only to come back saying they weren't able to source broccolini. Again, we stepped in ourselves to suggest an alternative side. They offered us crispy potatoes (even though we had already ordered chunky fries because it was the only side remaining on their menu), but what we got were tiny, deep-fried potato cubes. I could've done better with supermarket frozen ones in an air fryer!

Seeking recommendations on sauces for our steak and lamb proved futile as the waiter confessed to having no knowledge of ANY of the sauces on the limited menu.

Desserts were the final letdown, priced between $18-$25 each. We ordered gelato but the waitress didn't even bother asking which flavours we were after. The chocolate gelato was acceptable but the matcha and mango chili flavours were just icy messes – couldn't taste any mango or green tea, just ice and chili. Jardin Grill used to be a favourite place for desserts!

When the manager asked about our meal at payment, we told her we were disappointed regulars. Instead of asking what went wrong, she rushed through the payment, even hitting 'no tip' on our behalf, not bothering to even find out what went wrong. How can you have well trained staff when the manager sets such a bad example? Save your money and find a place that actually cares about...

I went with a friend who’s been to other Sofitel hotels around the world, she’s also a chef so she knows about the standards.

I have to say I was disappointed by the food. For the price point there is nothing exceptional. We shared everything to see about the food recipes. We had oysters and a honeyed fig duck salad as entrees. Oysters didn’t have an ounce of ionide taste and are not fresh unfortunately, for the salad the goat cheese was bland same as the duck. The fig was by far the best part and I loved eating them!!

Then we had cheek beef meal as a main for me and a 55 days aged steak for my friend (plus Brussels sprouts as a side). My slow marinated beef was tender, lovely really, the vegetables presented with that and the marinade was great! I loved it. My friend had the 55 days aged meat. She was not impressed and neither was I. Cooked perfectly. But tasted fresh not aged. The presentation is also mediocre for the steak, it comes with the butter which is great, but is put in a giant plate alone with two tomato’s (that also still had the stem joining them… but that’s an artistic choice I guess). Really No effort made for what is supposed to be a premium steak.

The dessert was all kinds of terrible unfortunately, I was really shocked. It looked good but really… don’t buy it, it’s a friendly suggestion 🙏

The wine selection was great though, as was the ambiance of the restaurant and the staff was friendly (the attire wasn’t what I would call « up to the standards they are trying to promote » as a restaurant though, shirts completely wrinkled and untucked for example).

I enjoyed my main meal, it was great! I always have fun whatever I do, so I can say that it was an enjoyable evening.

I’m just not impressed by the quality we were served considering the price point. There’s a discrepancy.

I would recommend for drinks, the atmosphere and maybe even the cheese...