1947 eatery — Restaurant in Waitematā

1947 Eatry is an Indian restaurant that takes you on a nostalgic journey back in time, celebrating the flavors and essence of India's rich culinary heritage. As soon as I stepped inside, I was transported to a bygone era, and the attention to detail in their theme left me in awe.

The interior of 1947 Eatry is simply mesmerizing. The decor is reminiscent of the pre-independence era, with vintage posters, antique artifacts, and traditional Indian artwork adorning the walls. The dim, warm lighting added to the ambiance, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that made me feel like I was stepping into an old-world Indian bistro.

The seating arrangements were tastefully done, with comfortable chairs and booths, providing an intimate setting for both couples and groups. The soft instrumental Indian music playing in the background further enhanced the dining experience, setting the perfect mood for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

As I perused the menu, I was delighted by the diverse selection of dishes, showcasing the regional flavors of India. The menu featured a delightful mix of classic favorites and lesser-known regional specialties, catering to both those well-versed in Indian cuisine and those eager to explore its nuances.

For starters, I opted for the classic samosas and the tangy chaat platter. The samosas were perfectly crispy on the outside, with a deliciously spiced potato and pea filling. The chaat platter was a burst of flavors, combining crispy papdi, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, and yogurt, creating a delightful explosion of sweet, tangy, and spicy tastes.

For the main course, I couldn't resist trying the Butter Chicken, a signature dish that many rave about. The tender pieces of succulent chicken were generously coated in a luscious, creamy tomato-based sauce, infusing the dish with a velvety richness that made it simply irresistible. Accompanied by fragrant basmati rice and freshly baked garlic naan, the meal was a true indulgence.

Additionally, I explored the regional specialties, ordering the fiery Andhra Chicken and the aromatic Kashmiri Rogan Josh. The Andhra Chicken was a spicy delight, with a perfect balance of heat and flavor, while the Rogan Josh featured tender chunks of lamb simmered in a delightful blend of spices, leaving me enchanted by its aromatic allure.

The service at 1947 Eatry was top-notch. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about their cuisine, making the dining experience all the more enjoyable. They were happy to provide recommendations based on individual preferences, which added a personal touch to the overall experience.

What made my visit to 1947 Eatry truly unforgettable was the surprise they had in store for me. As it happened to be my birthday, they brought out a beautiful cake adorned with candles and sang the heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday" as everyone in the restaurant joined in. It was a heartwarming moment that filled me with joy, and I will always cherish the memory of that special celebration.

To conclude, 1947 Eatry is a hidden gem that offers an unforgettable dining experience. The carefully crafted theme inside takes you back in time, immersing you in the charm of India's past. The food is a true reflection of India's diverse culinary landscape, with each dish prepared to perfection. The attentive service and warm ambiance make it a perfect choice for any occasion, whether it's a romantic dinner for two or a gathering of friends and family.

If you are a lover of Indian cuisine or are simply curious to explore its treasures, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting 1947 Eatry. This restaurant's dedication to authenticity, impeccable flavors, and outstanding service will undoubtedly leave you with cherished memories, like my unforgettable birthday celebration, and a desire to...

Cocktails were fun...and it was all downhill from there.

I went with a group of 7 for a restaurant month promotion that was being run....was told after we arrived that was only for even numbers (their promotional material simply said minimum two people) and one of us couldn't partake. Considering it was a four-course set with tasting wine match, that was very disappointing, to begin with. No effort was made to find a solution - just being told one of us would have to order from the menu and miss out. It turned out the only reason it was for equal numbers was the first dish was shared between 2 - but was simply a two-portion dish (so one could easily have been added, but anyone).

After all ordering cocktails (which was screwed up three times, with only half being ordered, then the wrong ones), the separate non-restaurant month order came out ... so that person had their dishes ordered to be eaten with the others all in front of them 15 mins before the group even had their starter.

Staff were all over show, hadno idea what was going on, being asked three times if we had drinks or wanted more in the space of a few minutes, yet the 'matching wine' for the special menu was only brought out with the third course (so 3 rounds almost in a row). Rather useless and pointless since it was intended to match the food.

The circus finally ended with three desserts being placed on the table, and being told the rest would be out shortly. So three consumed their desserts, and then a separate staff member came 10 minutes later and sai 'oh no, those were to be shared (this was not indicated on the menu unlike started,' and then another waiter interrupting the first one to repeat word-for-word the same thing...

It was really a complete joke, totally unorganized, overpriced ($24 for very average cocktails), and extremely disappointed. Its a shame as most of the food was delicious, but we would never return ever again - and after I've asked around since I have heard similar stories from most who have been. Maybe try to go with two people and just order a main?

Finally - as a cherry on it all, I got four emails the following day asking me to confirm my...

We dined here after emaiing this restaurant beforehand to make the kitchen aware of my daughter’s allergies who was joining us, and if they could accommodate her. We were told this was possible .

However, this evening when we attended, we were most disappointed with the service, lack of effort to accommodate us and the poor quality of the food we were served.

The waiter who was looking after us basically said to us that the only food my daughter could eat was okra chips and some chutneys and salad. I asked him to please check with the chefs if it was possible to please make a dish for her without her allergens – this was addressed before we went to the restaurant so should have been possible to be done.

Multiple times, the waiter went back and fro to the kitchen to check with the kitchen staff, yet the same answer was received i.e. “it can’t be done, these are the only things she can eat”.

After a whole hour of negotiation, another waiter was finally able to help us, who spoke to the kitchen about making an eggplant dish without her allergens.

Remainder of dishes, rice was not served with. You have to order and pay for rice separately . Who serves butter chicken without rice? And 5 pieces of chicken floating in gravy for $30?!

Shocking service, poor choice of menu, for a top restaurant I would save my money and go elsewhere, and support a local struggling Indian restaurant where I would get better service and who would be more accommodating.

How can a top restaurant that has so many excellent reviews not be able to accommodate a guest with multiple allergies in an allergy- prone world we live in today?

A top restaurant which have “chefs” should be able to provide a meal from scratch-no excuses-that’s what chefs do.

After a massive meal that cost us nearly $500, we all walked away still hungry, feeling angry, ripped off, and sure never to return to 1947...