Bodega Eatery — Restaurant in Waitākere Ranges

(Response to Bodega below)

Average food at best.

Scotch steak was cooked med rare as requested however the beef quality is low, so it was dry and chewy, Sauce was heavy and clumpy, served with chips made for a heavy dish.. really felt it needs a salad to balance the heavyness of the sauce and chips.

Pasta gambo had the overly strong taste of wine, was not cooked off enough and just a bit bland overall.

Kids chicken bites were very dry, kids didn't like them, recommend they marinate the chicken bits or use thigh instead of breast.

Overall just a bit sub par.

Service was ok, nice location.

In response to Bodegas reply:

1. The beef was dry and chewy, its really that simple. The beef quality is low. Typically beef quality is graded on its fat content. yours has none. Doesn't matter what farm or company you get it from.

2. Yes I chose chips, however as per my review above if you read it, I felt that the dish needed a salad to go with the chips to balance the heaviness of the dish. The portion of chips was large, could easily of been halved with a small salad with a nice vinaigrette, this is just my opinion.

3. The wine in the pasta really needed to be cooked down longer to not only concentrate the flavor of the wine but to cook out the alcohol taste. The pasta had the strong taste of alcohol with the wine. Perhaps this is normal for your dish, but was something we both noticed immediately and shared our dislike for.

4. Yes I was asked how everything was, the service was good hence 5 stars, however I am entitled to not make a scene and give your establishment a rolling review while I eat lunch with my family.

Our plates were empty, that doesn't mean your food was very good and I am making this up to offend you.

Personally I don't waste any food. Unless its inedible I will finish the plate.

At the end of the day, our family (including our children) felt your food was average. I made some constructive recommendations that could have given us a...

We had booked a 'ladies lunch' 15 of us ate 2 others came later for drinks only, while the service was great and the food was amazing our waitress was 'alittle bully'ish'. We had a set-menu and unfortunately one of ladies could not attend because her husband was in a serious condition at Nth Shore hospital the waitress Sara demanded we pay for her meal even though she could not attend. We had 2 extra ladies turn up who also ordered from the set menu which would had more than enough to cover the meal of the person that could not make. We had booked the table for 12:30 the farmers market was closing down at 1pm so the traffic flow was alittle congest for people wanting to get into Bodega, Sara kept pestering our table where are the rest of our party?? this didn't just happen once it happened twice by this stage I had become alittle annoyed with her demands i explained to her our friends were stuck in the congest traffic leaving the farmers market that it was congesting the traffic coming into the entrance and that the ladies concerned thought it would be better if they got out at the entrance and walk to the restaurant along the long drive way. Our booking party spent a bit cash on the bar as well as their appointed 'set menu' which was a 2 course at the price of $46. Sara was also tipped $20 for the service which i wish we had given to the other staff member assisting her. If it wasn't for the amazing food and the younger staff being so accommodating to our needs I wouldn't be returning to this restaurant again. Sara was very helpful at times but her demands to pay for the person that did not show etc. could had done without considering the amount of money spent by our booking. This one person and her attitude reflects on all staff. I hope she shared the tip. Like i said the food...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bodega Eatery, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Here are some highlights that made my visit memorable:

Ambiance: The ambiance at Bodega Eatery is both elegant and cozy, creating the perfect setting for a relaxed meal. The warm lighting, tasteful decor, and comfortable seating made me feel welcomed and at ease the moment I walked in.

Service: The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were quick to offer recommendations and ensured that all our needs were met without being intrusive. Our server was particularly outstanding, making sure our dining experience was smooth and enjoyable.

Food: The food was the star of the evening. Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. We started with the Breads and dips & Gamba, which was a delightful combination of chilli and savory. The main course was a highlight - I had the Mixed Platter, perfectly cooked and served with a delicious dips, while my companion enjoyed the tender and flavorful Filleto Scotch Steak. Both dishes were accompanied by salad which was fresh and perfectly seasoned.

Dessert: For dessert, we shared the Tarta De Chocolate, which was a decadent and satisfying end to our meal. The cake was rich and gooey, with a luscious molten center, complemented perfectly by a scoop of vanilla gelato.

Overall Experience: Bodega Eatery exceeded my expectations in every way. The combination of exquisite food, top-notch service, and a welcoming atmosphere made for a truly memorable dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a tapas dining. I will definitely be returning soon to explore more...