Pavilion Restaurant — Restaurant in Waikato

Was quite underwhelmed based on the rave reviews. Definitely seemed to have a focus on quantity over quality, which I guess makes sense as it primarily ran buffets on weekends but probably can't with covid-19 restrictions. So now they've put the same mass-produced buffet food on plates as a three course banquet. It was all pretty average. Service was good.

I was excited to try the "New Orleans inspired" buffet since I'm from the U.S. south, and I wouldn't expect it to be perfectly authentic or just like home. It's fine if things have a kiwi twist. But it should still make sense or at least taste good, and unfortunately it really didn't. Biscuits and gravy is a specific dish. You can't call it that but serve dinner rolls and English brown gravy. That's not a thing. People don't eat that. And brisket with pesto? I wish more care and thought had put it into it.

Last thing: maybe unsurprising with the buffet/banquet specials but it was full of families with small children and the room's acoustics create an echo chamber. It sounded like we were in a busy McDonald's to be honest. Not the peaceful or upscale vibe...

During the quiter months the bar becomes the restaurant for dinner with a similar / the same menu.

If you're vegetarian or vegan and don't like cauliflower then don't come here for dinner as there isn't any other choice, and you'll pay a pretty penny for it.

We got both vege/vegan options available on the menu, both cauliflower, the small side dish was actually reasonably substantial and tasty. The main cauliflower dish was quite small and even though it was tasty it was very far from filling and I would not call it a main course. For the price there should have been much more to the meal.

Staff were friendly and helpful with finding out what on the menu we could eat but that could have easily been avoided if the menu was properly labled. Some stuff was labled well and other dishes that looked clearly vegan were not labled at all, which just led to confusion, so the menu could be tidied up and made much clearer.

We left hungry and for the price of the meal (nearly $100 for 2, not including drinks or desert) that should not have been the case.

Would not return again or...

Fantastic restaurant. I took my wife there for her birthday and it was lovely. Live ambient music from a very talented musician. The wait staff very discrete but acutely aware of our tables needs and cleared plates instantly when we indicated we had finished (well dobe) The food was devine and the portion size was just right. Wine was excellent and well priced. Lastly the restaurant staff surprised my wife with a lovely birthday desert dish that was on the house. We left very satisfied and will certainly return. A+++++...