The Store — Restaurant in Waitematā

Terrible.

Two different occasions went there to have brunch with my first visit here at New Zealand. The first time was quite ok and thought going back again today. What a mistake!!

Ordered the “Grill” and “Long Black coffee, double”. Soon after the coffee and my “meal” was served by a waiter who I need to suggest to tidy up his ethical manner that is poorly presented.

Thereafter having just gone through few bites of my “meal”, the waitress who took my coffee order says to me, “ Sorry, that’s not what you have ordered, should I pop it on your bill?” Given no option since I have already worked on it, I had to agree.

Eventually the right meal I’ve ordered was served, I was curious with why the wrong meal was served initially? Having asked the same waitress who took my coffee order, the first response I was given was that, “Have you not read the menu to what you have ordered?”

Excuse me?!? What?!?

Continued explaining to this waitress that I have read what I ordered but it’s the first time, I’m not sure what was I getting and having further explained that I have no issue paying for the wrong meal, but just wanted to know why was it served to my table at the first place? Again, the answer given was simply shocking. “Well, it’s a mistake and people makes mistakes!”

Excuse me?!? What?!?

As it’s the first time I have ordered the “Grill”, I’ve no idea what was I getting, as the menu has wordings only, no pictures. Anyhow, I made a “mistake” with just to have to accept whatever was served to my table without have making sure it’s indeed what I have ordered.

Suggestion to the Store. Please tidy up your waiter and waitress? Poor, extremely poor manner shown with both waiter and waitress not doing anything, but believe to be the junior waitresses that are spinning around majority of the time. Make things worse, why is the waiter messing around with the waitress, where it’s clearly seen with the waitress doesn’t like it but have to just accept it?!

Long review, but just want to share this so maybe the owner will...

I've tried The Store on two separate occasions now, as a colleague is a big fan of it. The first time with my partner, the second with my elderly mother.

The first visit, my partner and I were astonished by how bad the service was. A nice enough girl just couldn't seem to wrap her head around the fact that once seated we needed water, and we needed menus, and then we needed our orders taken--I had to go and ask for her help for all three things. The place was not busy, and when I went to place our orders, I found this server idly polishing the coffee machine...? The avo on toast I had sounded great on the menu but was incredibly bland, and I didn't end up finishing it as although it was advertised as having dukkah etc etc with it, those other components were so sparing it was just like massive globs of plain avo with each bite. Not nice.

The second visit, yesterday, with my elderly mother who has some health problems... we approached The Store and were looking at the menu at the entrance, when a male server came over, looked my mother up and down with disdain, and asked 'are you alright...?'. I have never felt so insulted by treatment from someone in a service position. I tried to gloss over this and asked if we could just 'nab' the empty (dirty) table we were standing next to. The server could not comprehend what I was trying to say, despite us standing next to this table and clearly moving to sit at it. We eventually just ushered ourselves to another empty table.

We looked over the menu and water was promptly bought over, to which we both said 'thank you', but the server apparently could not physically bring himself to respond. So unbelievably rude. He didn't return to take our orders for some time, so we thought we'd save him the trouble and just leave.

Hideous service. Absolutely shameful to treat two polite customers, one of whom was a sick old lady, like they were lepers. Get your...

Upon entering 'The Store,' you are greeted with a cozy ambiance and a delightful selection of cabinet food and freshly prepared meals. The sound of waves crashing against the nearby beach adds a soothing backdrop to the dining experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere.

One of the standout features of 'The Store' is its versatility as a venue. Beyond its day-to-day operations as a café and restaurant, it can easily transform into a function centre for special occasions and celebrations. This flexibility makes it a sought-after destination for hosting memorable events against the backdrop of the beautiful coastal scenery.

Following a satisfying meal, you can take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque beach, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The proximity of a camping ground adds another dimension to the experience, allowing visitors to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area.

While 'The Store' offers a delightful experience overall, there are some aspects that could be improved. One notable concern is the venue's temperature control, particularly during colder months. Some guests, including myself, have reported feeling chilly and uncomfortable while dining, despite efforts to warm up by the fireplace. Addressing this issue could significantly enhance the dining experience for patrons, ensuring their comfort throughout their visit.

Additionally, access to the parking lot from the motorway may pose a challenge for drivers, especially during peak traffic hours. Improved signage could help mitigate this issue and enhance the overall convenience for guests arriving at the café.

With its stunning location and serene beachfront setting, it remains a compelling option for travellers in this picturesque region of...