Smiths - Matakana — Restaurant in Rodney

This restaurant has potential, but it’s like watching a bad episode of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. The food holds its own, but the service and organization need a serious overhaul. Booking is essential, and if you do, aim for an early table before the chaos kicks in.

Pros: • The food was quite good, came out quickly (likely thanks to our early booking), and was well-presented. Portion sizes were massive, reasonably priced, and left no complaints. • The waitstaff were lovely—smiley, approachable, and did their best to make the experience bearable despite the challenges. • Huge shoutout to the bartender, who was an absolute machine, powering through a mountain of drink orders with speed and precision.

Cons: • The “manager” appeared disengaged, contributing little to the overall operation. Effective leadership was noticeably absent, leaving the team scrambling. • The team appeared either understaffed or poorly managed (or both). It was clear they were constantly behind, chasing their tails, and looking unsure of what to do next. At times, it felt like no one was in charge, and the stress was palpable. • The two-sided A3 menu is far too ambitious for the number of tables they’ve crammed in. Simplifying the menu or incorporating QR codes for ordering could streamline the process and improve efficiency. • If you’re fully booked, a sign outside would prevent walk-ins from wasting time and help staff avoid repeating the same spiel to every table. • Allowing large groups to book and order all at once is hospitality suicide. Staggering reservations would make a world of difference. • The music didn’t suit the vibe of the restaurant and only added to the disjointed experience— having someone walk up your table and sing you an amateur version of Frank Sinatra Fly me to the moon felt like a poorly curated soundtrack for Gordon Ramsey Kitchen Nightmares. • Some of the food runners couldn’t have looked more disinterested if they tried. Hospitality may not be their calling. • With so many tables crammed into a small, unventilated space during the height of summer, investing in air conditioning or fans is a no-brainer. Leaving drenched in sweat isn’t how any guest wants to end their meal.

All in all, it was an average experience marred by disorganized service and a lack of management. The food and portion sizes were the saving grace, along with the hardworking waitstaff and bartender who did their absolute best under pressure. With proper leadership and a focus on improving operations, this place could be so much better.

EDIT - Yes, well done, I used AI to make sure my points came across better. However, my points still stand. Perhaps you could take on this constructive feedback as opposed to replying with ...

It didn't start that well. Lunch, four seniors, two with severe hearing issues, music blaring from dozens of speakers with no apparent way to avoid them. Molly, our chatty young waiter, was very gracious in offering to attend to it - if only she could work out how. Initially it went from 8 to 10 on the loudness scale, then settled back to a perfect 5, so we, and all those around us, could enjoy our conversation. Some restaurants and bars simply don't listen though and they don't get our custom a second time. This restaurant also piqued my curiousity by asking, when I booked online, if we would be accompanied by doggy friends. We weren't, and we're not dog people, but I was fascinated that they would apparently welcome canine pets. And indeed at least one did make an appearance and was no trouble at all. It was a hot summer day and I had selected to sit in the Rock Garden, assuming it was a covered outdoor section. Well it was open-topped but the tables had generous umbrellas, so it was the best of both worlds. I can't say the seats are especially comfortable, but we did sit there for about 2 hours, so they can't have been too bad. Generously sized table for 4, could easily accommodate 6. Bao buns, delicious, and generous for the lady who chose them. In fact she shared them and was still well satisfied. Hawker roll for a large gent, equally delicious, and while it didn't look very large it was actually a good meal, even if he did steal a few fries from another plate as well. The burger was way too big to eat in the hand and needed to be opened and eaten with knife and fork. The accompanying pile of very crisp and tasty fries spilled over the huge wooden platter. Sad to report, the fourth meal was not quite the same success. Roast beef, yorkshire pud and all. The lady was pleased to find she was allowed to order the child-sized one, and wow it was generous enough for most adults anyway. But the meat was not great - much of it too tough to eat happily. Molly apologised and immediately said she would not charge for that one, taking the sting right out of it, as she had over the music. Dessert was a "team plate"of churros. If there are more than 2 of you and you all like churros, this is the plate to take - only twice the price of a single person serving but with many more than twice the churros. Maybe they were a little on the heavy side, but the dips were great and they all got eaten. Nice beer, cold too. Coffees were good. We'll be back. There's more on the menu to try yet. And next time we might even get to see horses in the arena! We did take the time to tell the boss how good Molly is - she's a keeper. Good wait staff are darned hard to find, great ones...

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Smiths Matakana, and it was an extraordinary culinary experience! From the moment we walked in, we were captive by the warm and inviting ambience, which perfectly set the stage for an unforgettable meal.

The prawns were impressive - juicy, plump, and cooked to perfection. they were seasoned just right, with a hint of garlic and herbs that enhanced their natural sweetness, making each bite a delightful experience.

The Korean fried chicken was another stand out. It had a crispy exterior with a succulent and flavor inside, coated with sauce that balanced heat beautifully.

We also sampled the calamary, which was impeccably prepared. It was tender, lightly battered, and fried to perfection served with an aioli.

The pork bao was an another flavorful dish, the pork fried perfectly and over all combination of the bao was great and tasty.

Lastly the Indian curry was a comforting and aromatic dish that showcased the chef's mastery of spices. It was rich, creamy, and packed with bold flavors that lingered pleasantly on palate.

Overall, Smiths Matakana exceeded all our expectations with its innovative menu and impeccable execution. The service was great and staff were very attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone looking for a delicious...