The Quay — Restaurant in North Island

I have restrained from a review of these guys. You have done a lot for the restaurant scene in Whangarei, and invested a lot of money to lift that scene. Unfortunately you have not kept your eye on things. This review has been a few years in the making. Understanding that you have given us not only The Quay, but No. 8 and Loco, I have refrained from being critical.

However, enough is enough.

Last year went to No.8, had to order from the bar as wait staff were non existence. I could go on... maybe a sign that says order from the bar?

Went to Loco, had to order from the bar as wait staff did not approach our table of 6 for 20 minutes , then fininshed drinks and was not offered anything else. We were in town for a big night, we left, thanks for saving us money.

Recently (01/05/25) went to The Quay.

Where to start...

Table of 9, 7pm reservation, initial drink order was taken, drinks arrived, (15 minutes) drinks were finished, 20 minute wait, entree arrived, no refill, asked entree clearer (bus staff) to send waitress for drinks, 15 miniute wait, no wait staff arrived, left my seat,( the opitome of poor service in my mind) ordered from the bar, $$$$, drinks were slow, mains arrived, still waiting on drinks...the entree clearer had asked if the waitress had been by, I said "no I had to order from the bar" he said "perfect", I thought perfect for who....you? Drinks arrived after prompt.

A table of 9 is usually out for a special occassion, we weren't asked if it was a special occassion, (Birthday + going away). Fine, no real problem, but we could have spent a lot more money if our drinks were not neglected.

We finished our mains, drinks were empty accross the table (again), we were not offered more drinks. Again (I waited and waited), I had to get up and order more drinks from the bar staff. We were asked if we would like to pay....WTF. We hadn't even been offered dessert. It was 8:30pm.

3rd round of drinks that I ordered from the bar had arrived, dessert was offered, no thanks. Over it.

Numerous opportunties to recognise we were out for a special occassion, heaps of staff on, however not doing much. Would rather polish cutlery(go home) than get on the floor and take care of empty glasses (dead soldiers in my day).

Food was OK, a little lazy in parts, definately not delicate or cared for.

There are better restaurants in Whangarei, these two blokes have taken their eye off things.

Get the basics right, a welcome, intro drinks, entrees, top up drinks, main, top up drinks, offer dessert or cocktails if a big table, never, ever, let a glass be empty.

The best customer service we got from The Quay was a cheerful good-bye.

Perhaps employee a skilled Kiwi to manager your businesses instead of a myriad of foriegners who simply don't care. Either that or get back...

This was the only disappointment in a wonderful trip to Whangarei. We arrived in time for a 2.30pm lunch and picked the Quay because they had shady outdoor tables with a bit of a breeze and a lovely outlook. We were told it was bar menu only and that was fine. I chose fish and chips and a sugar free Mojito and my husband ordered a pizza and a beer. Drinks were ok but we were very disappointed with the food for the price. The pizza ($28) was very average and no where near as good as the hand crafted one of the same size we get from our local cafe in the Waikato for $18. But the fish and chips were truly awful. I could not believe they would let such a bad plate of food out of the kitchen. The fish was so over cooked the batter was dark brown and the fish was dry and over cooked. And the salad was really limp and old looking. I really should have sent it back but we had spent 10min looking for cutlery and time was really starting to get away on us. And I was really hungry! I did not learn that we had been overcharged for this underwhelming feed until the price comparison was made between a very similar but far superior meal at the Parua Bay Tavern. Our lunch and drinks should not have come to more than $80 but we were charged $104. I wanted to go back and complain on our way home, but the rest of our trip had been lovely and we will just never visit the Quay again. Plenty of better choices...

Came for our 15th wedding anniversary and our experience could not have differed more from.our previous. Was a busy Saturday night, but our waiter was out of his depth. We had mains arrive before entrees were finished, drinks just not arrive at all. But when my wife said her steak was overcooked, he took the meal, came back and stipulated "you might think I'm shitting you but it looks medium rare in the kitchen light". The irony was, my lamb varied between blue to well done, so under the same light, it was definatley medium well, not rare. Anyhow, he had another large group that he was swearing at. I've never heard wait staff swear, I worked as a waiter when I was younger and would never. The food was not great, drinks weren't delivered, and the service was sub par, bordering on rude. Very dissapointing for a special occasion when we had been previous times when it was great. Only giving it 2 stars as previous was good.

Previous : Glad we booked as it was busy. Service was very friendly and we were quickly seated. They were very accommodating of our celiac needs. Ww had the lamb, beef and fish. Each dish was well presented and well cooked. Thoroughly enjoyed, and the flavor combinations were excellent. Varied but not extensive wine...