KOL Restaurant Auckland — Restaurant in Waitematā

I booked a spot for dinner at the kitchen bar so that my mother and I could have the added entertainment of watching the food be prepared. Arrived early and were seated at the bar, ordered cocktails and starters to have while waiting. Cocktails are very flamboyant. After our entrees were taken away we basically had to beg for service, it was ridiculous. I spent about 15 minutes with empty glasses. The staff weren’t busy either, a couple on their phones and chatting to each other. Finally I get someone over to ask when we will be able to sit where we had booked but they say no, the people at the kitchen bar aren’t finished yet.. at this point it was half an hour after our booking time. Everyone knows that you have limited time at tables in restaurants if there is another booking. They tried to talk us into just having our meal at the bar or standard dining area and I pressed that I had intentionally booked for kitchen seating. We continued to wait for another HOUR of the waitstaff trying their very best to avoid and ignore us. It was appalling. Can’t help but think that they favoured the four businessmen sitting in our seats over two women.

By the time we finally got to sit where we had booked for the kitchen was starting to pack down and we were rushed through our courses.

The food was amazing and the kitchen team seemed like nice people, especially the lady chef who talked us through each dish. However the waitstaff and management lets them down atrociously.

I complained to management and they offered me a $100 voucher (our bill was approximately $400) and I accepted however I have come to realise I just can’t bring myself to go back there. Have never felt so degraded in a restaurant in my life. Chauvinism and misogyny is well and truly alive here and they clearly did not appreciate all their clientele...

The food was delicious, different and very tasty. The selection of sidhes is fairly small but covers all that you could want. Particular favourites of mine were the pork skewers, the chicken tandoori and the goats cheese kulcha but everyone (6 of us) enjoyed all we had.

The waiter was very helpful and helped us select the right quantity and dishes. Unfortunately he was let down by poor bar management and practice, hence the lower service rating. We initially ordered three of the guest tap beers but he had to tell us that there was only one left in the barrel so we had to choose something else - no-one wanted the last one left in the barrel for obvious reasons!! Poor bar management. We decided on a second round of the beer we had chosen only to be given a different beer - the cans looked similar but the wording was very different. When advised the waiter immediately arranged for a fresh set of the beer we ordered and there was no charge for the wrong beers (they'd been opened by the waiter and we'd poured a couple before realising they were wrong, so that was good.

We were in the room upstairs which was very comfortable but somewhat lacks any atmosphere. There is also the (apparently well-known) toilet on the landing from which I am surprised no-one has (yet) fallen down the very steep stairs, and equally surprised the council permits it. We navigated it carefully!

All told absolutely excellent food but the bar stocking and service needs work. Although the dishes seem well-priced the portions are modest so it ends up being more expensive than you might think - 6 of us emerged well fed and watered for...

Since this changed hands Ive been wanting to get back and try it. I loved the original concept and enjoyed my meals there. I am truly delighted to say, things are still fantastic. My Son and I stopped by for lunch on a Saturday and after some consideration decided on their set menu which consists of lamb tacos with an Indian spices twist, and a choice of Tandoori Paneer, Charred Fish or Chicken. We went with the Chicken and Fish.

The tacos were something different, but entirely In a good way. Tender lamb cigars on some beautiful naan and a balanced but delicious mix of sauces.

I can honestly say that the flat breads (naan) and fries with truffle oil and a mix of Indian spices, served with a chilli mayo, were some of, if not THE best I have had in years. My mouth is watering remembering the fries in particular. The fish had a lovely coconut sauce with Indian spices, the fish was a decent portion and was nicely cooked. It had a component of acidity I didn't love but overall it was a nice dish. The chicken was done with a sauce I am unsure how to describe but my son and I loved the combination of gently charred chicken cooked and still tender, with the sauce.

Service was attentive and it's a nice place to spend an hour. It was a shame it wasn't busier, it certainly deserves to be.

It was an excellent lunch and I'll be back at some stage, great value at...