Chandelier Lounge at Cordis, Auckland — Restaurant in Waitematā

The Chandelier Lounge is absolutely beautiful! I had high tea here recently and was amazed by the hotel, the chairs were super comfy and every direction I looked, I was met with stunning decor!

The service here was pretty 50/50 though. A couple of women served us early on and seemed a little disengaged/disinterested, asking multiple times if "we had ordered drinks yet" or "asked for our scones yet". I may seem nit-picky but this could be something they should ask each other before asking us?

More on the experience of the high tea, I really enjoyed that we got two drinks each, a chance to try more than one tea or have a tea and a coffee is super cool. We did receive our food before our tea, which was odd, and when our food was presented, nothing was really explained? When I'm eating from a set menu and don't get to select each dish, I appreciate when components, or even just the name of each item, is explained to me. Instead we kept referring to the menu through the high tea which didn't exactly add to the experience.

While I wish the sandwiches were a little less simple, I did really like all the food! I'm more of a sweet tooth so the little treats towards the end were extra yummy. I do want to point out that we got a mini pavlova (was delish), a cream and berry thing, and a berry sorbet with burnt meringue... all of these items had the exact same flavour profile/components which was nice but too much of the same thing. I'm always excited when it comes to scones during a high tea, though these scones were a little disappointing. They were quite bread-y and we only got one small ramekin of jam and one of cream to share between three of us. Overall, nothing from the savoury section stood out to me.

The man who served us toward the end was lovely and seemed more interested than the other waitstaff. Making sure we had everything we needed, checking in periodically, and clearing empty our dishes.

I had a nice time at the Cordis, though I think to be able to meet the price point I expected a little more from the...

Went to the high tea today with my Mum, Nana and sister. Had come all the way from Australia to take our nana out for a special Christmas present. Unfortunately we were incredibly disappointed. The food came out and to be completely honest it was incredibly underwhelming. The savoury plate tasted sweet. A goats cheese panacotta that at first sounded incredible however after trying it we were speechless (and not in a good way). The asparagus tart was again completely inedible, tasting so beyond sweet. The sandwiches were dry and the flavours were incredibly strange eg pea and goats cheese. The egg roll was the best thing on the plate as well as the crab and grapefruit mousse. The deserts were okay, nothing special at all. The scones were delicious although mine originally had to be sent back as it tasted multiple days old. I tried my sister’s one and it was so wonderful and moist so I knew mine either had been overcooked to the point of dryness, or was just simply an old batch. My Nana also didn’t eat hers, stating afterwards that it was too dry to consume. I felt terribly that she didn’t tell me sooner so they could also replace hers. After paying the hefty bill, I informed the manager of my thoughts. I also told him about the wonderful service from the waitresses. They were kind and incredibly helpful and bubbly. The Cordis hotel was my nanas favourite hotel from her numerous trips to the restaurant there. She normally adores the hotel but we have been left now feeling slightly...

The high tea here is such a fun day out.

Not only is the food delicious and ambiance perfectly curated but the service is fantastic too.

I was very well catered too with a gluten free high tea. On booking you can specify and allergies you have - they have an extensive list. My waiter confirmed when I arrived that I was coeliac. They also confirmed the food was prepared coeliac every time they placed food on the table, a small but comforting touch which not many other places offer.

When you walk in, you're greeted and then seated at a table which has already been pre set for you to dine at.

Your waiter will leave you to read over the menu before coming back and answering any of your questions. They will then bring your high tea over. Once you've finished the savoury section they'll serve your scones and also sort out your tea.

There's an extensive tea menu which means you can find something to fit your tastes. Then, you'll be left to enjoy the rest of your food.

Despite it all being small portions, most of the tables I observed did takeaway a box with remaining treats in it.

Highly recommended whether it's just you or if it's a larger group to...