Archie's Restaurant & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Waitematā

I visited the restaurant as a solo diner without a reservation today. I used to came here with my friends but it was a rush today. The weather was bad so I asked to see if I could possibly sit inside.

The first two staffs kindly informed me that a reservation was coming at 7pm and offered me the table as long as I could finish by then. I agreed, as it was only 5:42pm and I didn’t mind a quick dinner.

Service was quick at first — I was seated at 5:42pm and found someone to take my order at 5:50pm, then I received my meal within 10 minutes. I finished eating at 6:23pm, which felt like good timing considering I usually eat slowly due to a past stomach issue. The food was good, and I appreciated the efficiency in the kitchen.

However, I had a disappointing interaction just after finishing. The moment that I finished the last spoon of my plate, one of the staffs took away my plate and asked me if I want any dessert. Considering the timing, I kindly said it is okay but perhaps he could refill my water for me, which been nearly empty for some time. About two three minutes later, while I was still seated and waiting for water (my glass had been nearly empty for a while), another staff member — possibly the manager or owner — came abruptly to my table looking a bit angry and told me in a loud voice without any smile " Hey! You must leave now!" because the reservation was arriving. I was shocked by the tone and suddenness, especially since I was told I could stay until 7pm, and it wasn’t even 6:40pm yet. Maybe like 6:28pm. I had just been asked if I wanted dessert and had requested some water. I was shock and scared a little not knowing what to speak for a moment.

This made me feel extremely rushed and uncomfortable, and unfortunately overshadowed the rest of the experience. I was pretty shock like I mentioned. I had been living in NZ since I was 14. This is the first time I been feeling like I did something really bad while I just being a normal customer. And it is the restaurant that I often go for with my friends. It definitely gave me bad memory.

1. I was being respectful by agreeing to leave before 7pm.
2. I finished my meal ahead of time (around 6:23pm), so I was well within the agreed window.
3. I was still waiting on water and had just been offered dessert — so the sudden shift felt abrupt and confusing.

I didn’t overstay, and I wasn’t being difficult — I was simply dining. So I think the approach was unnecessarily rude, even if this staff had a logistical reason.

Even though the restaurant had a reservation coming, it’s reasonable to expect a polite communication.

Instead of saying, ‘ Hey! You must leave the table now! ” — especially in a sharp tone — is poor hospitality. It’s not just about clearing a table. It’s about how people are treated.

Another details during the meal— when the cheese powder was taken from my table.

The same staff member (the gentleman with the glasses) didn’t look at me or ask if I was still using it. He simply said, “Hey, may I take this from you?” and immediately took it to another table, without waiting to hear my answer. I still have food in my mouth. It made me feel like my presence or needs weren’t really considered, even for something as simple as a condiment. Later the table next to me say to me sorry they actually want the sauce (salad dressing) not cheese powder and they return the cheese to me.

I think better communication is needed in the serving team and definitely customer service too. If there is any miscommunication within the team it is highly appreciated not to take it on the customer. If you tell me there is no seat, I will just rather spend my money elsewhere with better caring. This whole experience had just ruined my night. And it was kinda a special night for me. I came here to celebrate myself. But it might been a wrong decision...

We visited this restaurant based on its strong reputation and 4.5 star rating, but unfortunately the experience fell short of expectations.

From the start, service was shocking. Inattentive and cold. None of the floor staff showed any personality, they were just like robots but not very well functioning ones. Disengaged and unapproachable. One male waiter even had a bit of an attitude, like us being there was an inconvenience to him.

Sat for 40 minutes drinking water before we were even asked about drinks order, despite looking at the drinks menu as soon as we were sat.

Another 20 minutes before we were asked about any food. We got starters and said please come back in 5 minutes for our mains as still deciding. 15 minutes later we had to waive someone down.

Drinks, even ones ordered as singles, would take upwards of 20 minutes to arrive. Drinks were also forgotten, and no apologies given.

Once we had food, no further checks were done. No drink refills, no meal checks, no offers for desert. Took a million years before table was cleared and we found the lack of space quite uncomfortable, as the tables were really small and occupied by empty plates and glasses most of the night.

We had to get up and find our own desert menus.

Food was okay but definitely missing ALOT of love. Medium rare steak was medium well, pasta was well past al dente to the point where it was just mush. It lacked the care and refinement we’d expect from a restaurant of this standard. Every single plate was also bulked up with a ridiculous amount of undressed mesclun.

With such a small venue and 6+ floor staff working, it makes you wonder what on earth they are doing the whole night. We had anticipated attentive, polished service to match the restaurants rating. Instead my group left feeling disappointed, feeling that both the service and food quality did not reflect...

I am unsure about what is going on at this establishment. Staff must not be trained at all, management should jump on that quick if they want to give customers an enjoyable experience.

Staff did not greet my table as we sat down, over half an hour came multiple times to my table to fill up glasses of water but was never asked if were ready to order anything to drink or eat. Eventually has to ask to order drinks, which came out all at different times over a span of 20 minutes.

Unsure of the system they have going on in the bar as we would have 1 drink come to our table, then 2 drinks to a table next to us, then maybe 5 minutes later another drink come to us. Does not seem like a proper system is in place with order of drinks.

After drinks there was again, no service received from staff asking if we were ready to order, which we probably only got our order through an hour after sitting down and again, a staff member had to be waved down to take our order.

when the food come it was unfortunately completely average, pasta was overcooked causing it to be soft and mushy which isn’t enjoyable. Strange way of presentation with olives being served in a wine glass..? was quite taken a back by that, something i had never seen before! Every plate that wasn’t a pasta or a pizza also had a huge dumped pile of sad looking lettuce on it, quite odd.

Again, there was no staff member to come over to the table to ask how the food was going, or ask if anything else was wanted.

i felt really dissatisfied given the high reviews of this restaurant. Staff definitely needs training in customer service as they are absolutely clueless on how to make an enjoyable customer experience, i really hope management can adress that concern with their team immediately.

there are far better italian restaurants in Auckland with better service and properly...