Monsoon Restaurant — Restaurant in South Island

Waited for 1.5 hours after ordering, then was told the order was not entered. Poor attitude in dealing with this from the staff.

Rather I would recommend The Landing where staff have excellent attitude and good food including some vegan and GF options too.

Edited (based on response). I am glad to know despite having 100s of visitors to eat every day and very busy overworked staff, the owners remember only the convenient details about my particular case from 9 days ago. Let me share the full details so future customers get the full picture.

On 27th December, I had ordered full dinner (some main dishes and side dishes) for 3 people and 2 soft drinks at 6.30PM. The drinks were served to me promptly. I was aware of staff shortages everywhere in NZ so I did not bother them till 8PM.

At 8PM I inquired about the status of our order. I was rudely dismissed saying " it will take time". I was very irritated with the tone of the reply and said " it should not take 1.5 hours". Apparently they checked the status of the order after this and it was discovered that there was "computer error" (there was no error about the drinks so go figure). I was asked to repeat my order again at 8PM. No apology was offered neither verbal nor was it evident in any body-language clue. Since it was late and no guarantee that things will be different next time. I told them to bring the bill for the drinks. I said I do not wish to have dinner any more just give me bill for the drinks. The restaurant did not charge for 2 soft drinks we had. I told them to bill it to my room. I offered to pay for the 2 soft drinks. The restaurant did not provide ALL the order FREE or charge as their reply implies. They just did not charge for 2 soft drinks after keeping me waiting for 1.5 hours.

When someone orders dinner at 6.30 and inquires about the food at 8PM I expect the staff to reply courteously. A polite word goes a long way in my book, longer than 2 free drinks with rude attitude. The attitude of the staff however put me off so much that we did not eat breakfast at this place. We had pre-paid for breakfast (I included in the room) for 3 people for 3 days. I don't know what compensation owners are talking about.

The time element is quite important in Franz Joseph where restaurants need prior booking (except The Landing) and most close by 8 or 9. So it was a choice to trust the rude serving staff again or go hungry.

I traveled all over NZ over last few weeks (and this is my 3rd holiday in NZ) and experienced shortage of staff and delays. A few times restaurants made mistakes with the orders or took longer than normal but we understood because they were really trying or at least they said things politely. I understand mistakes and delays. I do not understand the rude attitude.

From 8PM on 27th Dec 2022 I haven't heard the word "Sorry" even once, not even in the reply to my review.

I hope you train your staff to reply courteously. Most people understand...

We have been staying at the rainforest retreat for the past two nights and decided to pay a visit to the Monsoon restaurant as was recommended to us by the check in staff at reception at the start of our stay…

When we arrived, we were told all tables were reserved until we spotted one that wasn’t. We asked could we sit there and she said yeah. We weren’t escorted to the table with menus. I had to get up from the table to retrieve two menus myself.

10 mins later I approached the girl at the reservation desk to ask if it was table service or go to the bar to order. She came down to take our order and I asked if the table could be cleaned and restocked with cutlery etc.

A little while after the order was took, I approached the bar to ask if there was any drink orders for our table number. (I wanted to make sure the actual order was put through)

Food arrived pretty quick (which indicated that the kitchen seemed pretty switched on and knew what they were doing). My chips did arrive cold, however.

A table facing us, hosting an older couple, arrived the same time as us and were still waiting on putting through their food and drinks orders after we’d finished eating our meals!! The woman had to wave down a server.

As I was still eating, a waiter approached our table and took my partners empty plate. We’ve worked in hospitality for over 10 years ourselves and have always been told to never clear a table unless everyone has finished eating.

The fire had went out at this point and the woman close to the fire went to it, adding two large wood logs herself. As she done this, two separate members of staff walked past her, completely oblivious as to what was going on around them (surely this is some sort of health and safety concern for the woman in question incase of an accident?)

We decided to wait to see if anyone would come to take an order for dessert. (I was still finishing my drink at this time)… so we waited for approximately 20 mins before giving up. This is a table service restaurant and tables should be taken care of. From seating the customer, right down to the handling of the bill. For that mistake alone, the restaurant has lost out on $30 for two desserts so god knows how much they’re losing out due to careless wait staff.

The restaurant wasn’t that busy to warrant such lack of service. I am not one to complain and/or even leave a review but this experience has definitely put a damper on our experience here. As I mentioned, myself and my partner have worked in the industry that long, we could have got up and done a better job ourselves.

May I add that a simple “how was everything for you guys?” wasn’t even asked when it came to paying our bill. Just shows how unbothered the staff are. Please train your staff....

Disappointed! Booked online and arrived at our dine in time and there was no booking. Accomdated us with seating. Order was taken by a very rude woman who has no people or hospitality skills. Takes my name but does get it right and when corrected obviously didn't care cos got it wrong again, so why takemy name??? Ordered food and drinks, drinks came, wrong order. Meals which we ordered to all come out together, nope all came out at different time and then one meal didn't even come but when asked told us that we didn't order it, um it was the first meal we ordered. Hadn't even finished our meal and asked to take away our food and plates. Food was ok nothing to rave about and our order was simple 2 pizzas and a salad and bowl of veggies. Edit- yes made booking on wrong day, my bad and it was great that they accomodated us. In response to the owners response. I know we ordered my son's pizza and even heard the young male waiter say to the other young female waitress ask if we had more food as my son had none and she said I don't know I didn't serve them. The lady that served us was rude and didn't read back thr order, she did ask if the meatlovers was gluten free in which it wasn't. It was only rectified after I asked if my son's pizza was coming out. To use it was busy excuse is terrible after 15 years in the hospitality industry and seeing at the time we ordered there was only a few tables it is a our excuse. The order was stuffed up and the older female waitress was...