Pearl Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in Waitematā

It was our first time visiting this restaurant today, and I only wish I had read other online reviews before leaving home. We decided to visit because it was rated in the top ten for yum cha restaurants in Auckland by metro magazine, however after visiting, I have no idea why this was. We booked a table for 2 pm. the website for this restaurant advertises yum cha from 11am-3pm. We arrived shortly before 2 and after waiting near the till for 10 minutes were seated on the pleasant balcony area. we ordered drinks (not tea) which did not arrive until we waved down a waiter. The waiter we waved down told us, (in very broken English) "I don't know how to take drinks orders." We were offered 3 or 4 yum cha dishes of very bland dumplings before another waiter arrived to take our drink order, and this waiter was the one to deliver our drinks about 5 minutes later. after our drinks arrived, anout 15 minutes after being seated, the food stopped arriving. so at about 2.20pm no more food was served to us in the manner of yum cha, we were very suprised, the yum cha was advertised untill 3? No one had said anything about the food finishing early when we rang and booked our table. When we asked the waiter she said no more food unless we ordered from the menu. We got up to leave, feeling very hungry and angry. This feeling was worsened when we complained to the lady at the till. She made no apology for the food finishing early and was very flippant about the fact, saying "Nothing I can do, I am too busy." I was furious at this remark, and was just about in tears, I felt as though they had completely ruined my Sunday afternoon. (I myself work in hospitality and I am completely aware of the pressures of working in a busy restaurant, however I feel there is no excuse for not communicating properly with customers.)

I stormed out of this place in tears and will not return for any reason. AVOID AT ALL COSTS, plenty of other BETTER restaurants just...

Pretty disgusted at our experience last night. Was our first time here and met some friends after seeing some good online reviews.

We found the service very slow, an o would say the food was ok, nothing special which is fine, although quite expensive for just average food..

The problems started not long after we arrived when a large group on a table pretty close became quite loud, and were standing up cheering while taking turns downing full glasses of red wine. As you can imagine it was never going to end well! One guy was absolutely wasted and was bumping into people as he staggered past (including our friend who was eating).

He then starting laying on seats behind a family with a young boy, who looked a bit concerned. The staff complete ignored what was going on, even after the family asked to take their food home because they were disgusted!

The guy was then sick all over the table and the smell (and sight) was terrible!

Again, the staff were not too bothered and he was moved back to his group where he was slumped asleep in a chair. The sick was left on the table for a good 5 minutes before it was cleaned, all with a pretty full restaurant of people eating!

Eventually he woke up by being sick all over himself! At that point we left and told (what seemed to be the owner or manager) how disgusted we all were. She didn’t seem concerned in the slightest and offered no apology what so ever. As we were paying the guy staggered up to the counter and slumped over the till, covered in sick... I have to say, if this was me or my group of friends, we would have been asked to leave very early on in the evening but it was pretty clear that the guy and the group were all allowed to behave how they liked...

Worst restaurant experience I’ve had anywhere in the world!! Would not...

Worst service in Auckland, second to none!  Had the most awful experience ever in life and a day totally spoiled. Booked a table, couldn't find a park and was end up 10 mins late. When got there, the reception completely ignored me even after I spoke to her for 3 times that I have reservation and needed help with a table. I pointed to her my name on the reservation list, but she only turned her face away more without even uttering a word. I stood and waited for at least another 10 mins, then a waitress turned up so I asked again, her first line was absolutely horrible "WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? YOUR TABLE IS GONE?" And even gave me a look from her angled eyes. I was startled by the blame and couldn't know how to react and tried to explain the parking issue. I thought she would at least try to sort me out. But more ridiculously, the waitress wasn't even apologetic and went on "I DIDN'T DO WRONG" and left me alone after that.

I was there to pay and get service, not to be blamed! You could have called if you decide not to hold a table for just 10 mins. And drove the customer out the door with a blame, excuse me?? This is sickening, too arrogant and extremely disrespectful to customers, I still can't believe it! Shame on you if you thought you're boss. I havent even spoken to my employees like that.

You are not the only Cantonese yum cha place in Auckland, and to be honest, your  food is just fair speaking from my own cultural background! Not the fitst time here, but definitely the...