Wynyard Grill Steakhouse and Wine Lounge — Restaurant in Waitematā

First. The vibe. The restaurant is a bit smaller than expected, the way that the tables are organised, the feeling that you get when you enter the steakhouse, aren’t like usual steakhouse, it more gives you a feeling that you are entering a café, or a bar, or a pub. The manager I assume, said that it was meant to be a cafe, however, covid meesed it uo so they have converted into aa restaurant. Fair enough. Surprisingly, the restaurant was very empty apart from some customers (I assume) who were here for some beers. (It was weekdays, Wednesday) At the back of the restaurant, there was a empty couch with a very little of lighting from the ceiling, a person was sleeping on the couch. I genuinely was curious for what was happening there. Also, it is fair enough since the restaurant seems like it doesn’t have it’s independent space, the end if the restaurant is opened, and connected with ASB bank. Just couple of plants to block the sight but it’s still visible to see escalators from the end, and gives me a feeling that I’m in a food court. Also the lighting is kind of bright for a steakhouse. Also, the kitchen is a bit opened, and can see from the customer’s tables.

Second. The table. The tables setting was flawless. Every cutleries were perfectly organised, the wine lists, serviette, fancy but modern looking candle is moody, table is covered with a black coloured tablecloth. Doesn’t really match with the whole restaurant vibe since the restaurant is more bright, and opened.

Third. The staffs Staffs here seems very customer friendly rather than them treating you like a boss, which is also a very great hospitality from them. Couple of the staffs here seems like they are French, and of course who wouldn’t like French people? Nice, friendly, even funny! staffs 2.1 Their skills of serving is amazing. They know what they are doing, they are pros. They have flawless interactions with their customer while they serve their customers, with full eye contact, which makes their customers to trust them. staffs 2.2 They know when is the right timing. Obviously, it’s steakhouse.

Fourth. Foods.

The quality of the food is top tier. Honestly, I can’t really criticise about their food quality, or designing, honestly I would believe if Gordon Ramsay was here as a chef. I ordered chateaubriant, a glass of hawkes bay, and a corn cream brûlée. What can I say more? Honestly chateaubriant can be a bit expensive, over sixty dollars for 180 grams, nevertheless, worth it, medium rare, with some blue cheese and green sauce, breads and a brown butter for an entree, sparkling water with lemon or lime (your choice), best corn crème brûlée I’ve ever had in my life. Vegetables are very fresh, spending money on it? Worth it. VERY!

Overall. Even though it didn’t seem like a restaurant at my first sight so I did have a slight disappointment however voila. French people never cease to amaze me. The foods were like a roller coaster but with joy only. If you would like to enjoy the food only, definitely recommend. Now I get why people say it’s the best steak house...

MAGIC THURSDAYS! There is a note of theatricality, of extravagance, of excess to Wynyard Grill. The temperamental sliding doors reveal this offbeat experience, and you will feel part of a members-only club. With friends stuck on the damaged Auckland motorway, you settle into a dangerously comfortable barstool and observe the scene..

A guest approaches and a bottle of red is discussed with the spectacled French mixologist. The perfect vintage is fetched from the shelves, tested and poured, full-bodied, and bilious. The doors behind me jerk open and in drift curly-haired jazz musicians. They quickly set up in the corner as more diners arrive. Flames rise in the open-view kitchen and the orders roll in.

If you happen to be here on a Thursday, a smiling man in a dark pin-striped suit jacket and purple silk scarf will stride through the doors and set to work. Andy Kean performs old-fashioned magic tricks! Sipping my French chardonnay, for a few split seconds I see a table of 20-something Korean friends watch magic at their table. Childlike smiles and a soft patter of applause ripple across the restaurant.

The engine room powers up around 5.30 pm. Rich aromas rise from the highest quality ingredients. Customers come back for the ribeye in bone steaks with horseradish sauce. Heads turn, you hear the sound of cooking and laughter as the plates arrive and conversations simmers.

Some people have lingered over beers past happy hour. Andy Kean approaches and politely asks a guy two empty seats down from me to cut the deck, choose a card, show me, then replace it on the pile while he has his back turned. Jack of Clubs. The Laurel and Hardy card trick unfolds from 1967 and 2 minutes of shuffles and subterfuge later the Jack is back.

I wonder if this was what an old speakeasy would feel like in the 1930s, maybe somewhere in downtown New York – but with perfectly cooked Australian Wagu steaks? Small bunches of flowers wink at me from the dark table clothes. No, this place was just an anomaly, here and now, to be believed for the sake...

Extremely rude male waiter and discriminatory service experience I went to Wynyard Grill Steakhouse and Wine Lounge today with my friends to celebrate a birthday. Due to heavy rain and traffic delays, we arrived slightly late, around 1:15pm From the start, the experience was completely unacceptable. My friend, whose birthday it was, immediately apologized to the male waiter for our late arrival.

Instead of responding professionally, the waiter ignored us and immediately looked at his phone. When he saw it was a First Table reservation, his attitude abruptly changed to cold, dismissive, and arrogant. When we politely asked if this was our table, he snapped:“Can’t you see I’m setting up the table for you? You guys are late, and I still let you sit in.” I asked why he spoke that way, and he became even more aggressive:“You can go to First Table! You don’t have to eat!”Feeling extremely frustrated and humiliated, I left briefly to calm down, but returned to confront him and express how inappropriate and unprofessional his behavior was.As someone with over twenty years of experience in the hospitality industry, I can confidently say this is the most arrogant, rude, and unprofessional waiter I have ever encountered. The treatment felt targeted, as we were the only Asian group in the restaurant, treated noticeably differently from other guests. For a restaurant that claims to be high-end, this behavior is unacceptable. A high-end restaurant should provide courteous, attentive, and respectful service to all customers, regardless of reservation platform or background. Instead, we experienced a hostile and discriminatory environment, completely ruining what was meant to be a joyful birthday celebration.We came with high spirits, ready to celebrate, and left feeling disrespected and humiliated. I do not recommend this restaurant. If you are looking for professional service, respect, and a welcoming environment, choose another establishment. A celebration should leave positive memories, not feelings of anger and...