Picnicka Bar & Grill — Restaurant in North Island

I recently dined at Picnicka for brunch, and while the food was delicious, I had mixed feelings about the overall experience. The restaurant is known for its high prices, and rightfully so, considering the quality of the food. For $41, you can enjoy a satisfying Steak & Eggs dish, accompanied by a pricey $18 Bloody Mary. If you add a coffee to your order, the costs quickly add up. However, I believe that when you choose to indulge in an upscale brunch, you expect something different, and in that regard, Picnicka delivers.

Kim and Noel Cimadon, the owners of the restaurant, have done an impressive job creating an extraordinary ambiance. The attention to detail in the interior design, with its eclectic vintage aesthetic, transports you to a European meadow picnic. It's truly a lovely and unique setting that adds to the dining experience.

Unfortunately, the service at Picnicka left much to be desired. Considering the high prices, one would expect exceptional service to match. I found the service to be slow and lacking in attentiveness. When serving drinks to a table, it would have been more efficient and professional to bring them all at once on a tray, allowing the server to distribute them efficiently and potentially saving trips back to the bar. Additionally, it was disappointing that the staff didn't remember who ordered which dish, resulting in unnecessary confusion and inconvenience for the diners.

The lack of a maître to greet us upon arrival was another letdown. Instead, we had to navigate the restaurant on our own, passing empty tables and making our way to the bar. The bartender's response, while not impolite, could have been more prompt and welcoming. These initial encounters are crucial in setting the tone for the dining experience, and unfortunately, Picnicka fell short in this aspect.

Despite the restaurant's spaciousness, which spans an impressive 387 square meters, the atmosphere felt somewhat lacking in liveliness. With patrons spread out throughout the restaurant, it lacked the vibrant and energetic buzz that one would hope for in such an establishment.

That being said, once our order was finally taken, the food itself was excellent, and I have no complaints in that regard. The flavors were on point, and the dishes were prepared to perfection.

In conclusion, Picnicka offers a unique and enticing dining experience with its delicious food and picturesque ambiance. However, the slow and meandering service, coupled with the initial lack of attention and the somewhat subdued atmosphere, detracted from the overall enjoyment. Considering the high prices, I believe that exceptional service should accompany the excellent food. With improvements in these areas, Picnicka has the potential to be a truly remarkable dining...

I recently dined with my family at a restaurant, and unfortunately, the experience left us dissatisfied. Despite making a reservation, we were seated at a distant table away from other guests, which made us feel somewhat overlooked. The atmosphere was lacking, and the service was subpar, with little attention from the staff. They seldom approached us for refills or to check on our meals, which contributed to our disappointment.

One specific incident occurred when my husband ordered a medium-rare steak, but it arrived rare instead. When he mentioned this to one of the waitresses, she didn't acknowledge the issue and seemed disinterested in addressing the concern. It was a frustrating moment that added to our overall impression of the service.

During the payment process, we took the opportunity to express our feelings about the evening. However, it seemed as though our comments fell on deaf ears, as the staff didn't respond or offer any apologies. It was disheartening to feel like our feedback didn't matter to them.

As customers, we expect a certain level of quality and service from a restaurant that positions itself as high-class. It's essential for the management to invest in proper training for their staff to ensure a consistent and pleasant dining experience for all patrons. Leadership plays a critical role in setting the tone for the entire establishment, and if they lack training, it can be challenging for the staff to excel in their roles.

I sincerely hope that the restaurant takes our feedback to heart and uses it as an opportunity to improve. With some dedicated effort and better training for both the staff and management, they have the potential to enhance their business and deliver the high-class experience they...

Picnicka was new to us. Meeting friends for dinner it seemed like a good location, being kind of halfway between both of us, plus she’s an awkward vegetarian (who eats fish) and there seemed a lot of options on the menu. We had a very warm welcome when we arrived and thought the decor was beautiful. I didn’t really get the whole “picnic” theme that others have picked up, I just thought it was attractive and bonus points for great lighting that enabled us old decrepits to be able to read the menu! Happy hour G&T was ok, it was only when my friend got a full price one later that I realised I should have splashed out. Hers was a spectacular work of art, mine was beige by comparison. We went with sharing small plates and there was plenty to go around. I thought the prawn cocktail looked a little uninspired and the prawns had been frozen. Absolutely loved the chicken liver parfait with beautiful, pillowy, buttery brioche toast. I actually could eat this alone for the rest of my days. Every restaurant offers this, Picnicka’s is the best. But the beef tartare I hated. There was an overpowering taste of vinegar, not a fan. The Favourite Husband had the fish sliders and my friends husband the fried chicken. Two things of note, firstly they got stuck in so fast I wasn’t able to get a picture, secondly - THEY DID NOT SHARE. Unbelievable. So my friend and I had the buffalo cauliflower with a blue cheese sauce. This was the bomb. There’s plenty of other options on the menu to return and try. The staff were friendly and attentive without being intrusive. And we found it really good value for money. It was a great night, thank...