Baha Betty — Restaurant in Waitematā

UPDATE - 06.04.2021

A quick note to say thanks to Darren from Baha Betty for contacting me on March 25th to discuss my experience and to open up a chat about it, with empathy for my response and understanding of what I was feeling about it. I look forward to returning to Baha when I'm able to. Kate

Hi team. Really disappointing experience with your staff tonight. I'd booked a table so that guests could meet me there for my 40th birthday this evening; however guests were turned away prior to the 9pm table booking time and told that you were closed - despite there being a table of around 8-10 people still seated; and the Westfield Website and the sign outside your establishment stating that you're open till 11:59 this evening, Tues 23rd March.

I understand what it's like in hospo, if it's a quiet night, you want to close up early but unfortunately, I think it's very poor form to turn people away for a booked table that's 3hrs prior to your stated closing time.

While I agreed with staff at the time of booking that if numbers changed I would call and advise; but numbers did not change, yet my guests were turned away and my birthday event effectively cancelled without any indication or call to let me know.

On entering Baha Betty to claim my table booking at the agreed time, rather than being greeted with a hospitable manager, I was met with a surly, rude staff member with her face in her phone while behind the bar who immediately said "We're actually closed, we're not taking any more people tonight." I explained that I had a table booked, they quite rudely said "Yeah, remember I told you, you had to call and let us know if you're coming because we close early." Really disappointing that this staff member had turned people away and advised you were closed before the table booking time - especially as guests had organised babysitters and made special effort, only to be turned away. Pretty upsetting and embarrassing really.

Feeling disappointed and to be honest, a bit upset that this birthday event was now cancelled without my knowledge and that guests had been turned away, this staff member went back to their very important business on their phone but offered an insincere "Yeah, sorry" as I walked away, to which I said, "No you're not. You just want to close up and go home."

Roughly about 30mins later, this staff member with their face glued to the safety of their phone; scurried past myself and my guests, who were standing around outside, now at a loss of what to do.

Really disappointing effort, very rude interaction and poor form Baha Betty I really enjoyed my previous visit to your establishment and have been giving positive word of mouth about it online and in person with people since; but unfortunately now, I'll be telling people about the incredibly rude staff I encountered and uninviting experience that my guests and I were met with.

Can't say I'll be rushing to come back or to recommend...

We came to Baha Betty when they first opened and we’ve been meaning to come back since. This time, however, some of the food we had was subpar. I thoroughly enjoyed the Buffalo Wings, you simply cannot go wrong with this spicy and tangy dish. The best dish we ordered tonight was the fish taco, every bite was full of intense flavour. The concept for the other dishes we ordered would have been spectacular, but this was unfortunately not executed. My main issue with tonight’s meal was the horrendously fishy tuna found in both dishes- the raw market fish and the niçoise salad. I completely understand that fish is meant to be a little fishy, but this was an unfathomable and unacceptable level of fishy. I can only compare this ammonia taste with that of a century egg (search it up and give it a try). Otherwise, the salad would have been a hit. The raw fish was also questionable in terms of flavour and texture. I didn’t see a connection with the sauce and the seaweed salad- slimy on slimy is not a go. The Steak Po’ Boy was underwhelming- the bread was not the right pairing, and was quite soggy. Subjectively, it had too much mayonnaise. The Loaded Fries were quite delicious and the menu definitely wasn’t lying when it said LOADED. I hate when I order loaded fries, but when I get to the middle it’s just plain fries. Fortunately, this was not the case. What would elevate the dish is to incorporate a second type of cheese, such as cheddar. The mozzarella used gave it the perfect stringy texture, but it lacked...

This place looks promising, but the food is pretty trash.

We visited on a busy Saturday, and seemed to arrive at just the right time as many others were turned away after we arrived. The head server/maître d who was looking after our table was an absolute piece of work, and seemed palpably displeased that we had chosen her place of work for dinner that night.

Anyway, I ordered the grilled havarti po 'buoy' (huh??), and my partner ordered the nachos.

The nachos were underwhelming and had absolutely no cheese, otherwise fine and fresh, but just totally plain/bland.

The po boy I take real issue with--when you call an item a 'grilled havarti po boy' one does expect the hero ingredient to be havarti cheese. I had visions of gorgeous melted havarti cheese over a sumptuous po boy sandwich.

What I got was a plain hot dog bun, filled with salsa, drizzled with balsamic dressing, with 3 paltry crispy 'chip' type things made out of havarti cheese. What gives?! I felt so cheated.

My partner mentioned this to the server when he settled the bill, and she laughed and shrugged it off saying they 'get the same feedback about that dish all the time'....WELL CHANGE IT THEN??? Don't call it a grilled havarti po boy, or actually include more dang cheese! It was a massive rip off.

Wouldn't recommend this place overall, and we certainly...