Half and Half — Restaurant in Waikato

We dined here this evening 30/7/22 to celebrate my husband’s birthday. We had read reviews and felt it was a match for the celebration. The restaurant has an intimate setting with leadlight windows and a relatively informal feel. We were welcomed by Ajid (my apologies if I have misspelt your name 🙏) and we were seated at a nice, spacious table. The menu is very appealing and we both were attracted to the Beef Wellington given it’s not something you see on menus much these days. We sat and talked over a nice glass of Chardonnay whilst our meal was being prepared. They offer glasses of wine in 150ml or 250ml options or a bottle of wine if you prefer. Our Beef Wellingtons were exceptional. The quality was first class and the presentation and portions very good. I couldn’t eat all of mine so I was able to take half home in a take away container. We enjoyed dessert of affogato and crème brûlée which we both enjoyed. The crème brûlée was especially delicious with chunks of Whittaker’s chocolate covered with the passionfruit crème deliciousness and topped with a berry compote. The music was great too and all elements combined to make for a very enjoyable evening. The bill was $180 which we felt was in line with the quality of the food, nice wines and the type of establishment. We spent time chatting with the owner and his wife, which was most welcome and adds a personal touch. We were also given complimentary glasses of Baileys in recognition of my husband’s birthday which was a lovely touch. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would highly recommend this delightful restaurant. Do stop to chat to the owner too - you will get to know a very lovely gentleman who is genuinely focused on providing a culinary experience which is what old fashioned hospitality is all about. ...

Look we all know times are tough in the restaurant business but there’s no excuse for horrible service. Hardly anyone there when we dined there mid week for the first time. The waiter was sullen, unwelcoming ( hey we are contributing to your wages), totally unknowledgeable about anything on menu and effectively threw our plates down. Enough said but really it was a very unpleasant experience.

Food passable - our food was not as described on menu. Fries were very good but they were … fries… the highlight!

I think this place may have seen better days and had the remnants ( ie most selections unavailable) of a very good selection of wine. Having said that a couple of the drinks tasted weird.

It’s a sad situation but really not worth the effort to try and support this business again from our...

The restaurant's cozy yet sophisticated ambiance made it the perfect setting for both a casual lunch or a romantic evening.

The menu is a masterful blend of bold flavors and innovative dishes, each prepared with meticulous attention to detail. I started with their signature appetizer, which was a delightful tease to the palate, perfectly setting the stage for the main course. For my entree, I chose one of their house specialties, and it did not disappoint! The ingredients were fresh, the flavors well-balanced, and the presentation was nothing short of artful.

Half and Half is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey that I highly recommend to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to add this gem to your...