Reviews for Buffalo Bar & Grill

by Rachel
11th May 2012

Wow such different reviews. We also brought 2 vouchers but had a good night and we were all happy with our food. We had two vouchers on our table and one full paying couple. So not sure if that made a difference but we all enjoyed our meals. One of the waiters was quite hard to hear and a fraction rushed with us which we did notice. It was very busy and there was a big groups drinking outside on our arrival.

by Jen
20th April 2012

One of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in Auck. We had purchased a voucher in a promotion by the resturant entitling us to 2 entrees, bottle of wine and the seafood platter- so, not full price(far,far too high BTW) customers, but still paying good money, THEIR promotion etc so entitled to pleasant service and a good night out, right? WRONG! From the moment we arrived, the waiter (owner?) snapped “Voucher”, then proceeded to seat us at a table right in front of the swinging kitchen doors, slapped two menus down and left. Another equally rude waiter brusquely informed us exactly what we were allowed on the menu (apparently the pizza entree was out).Two dreary entrees duly arrived (soggy chicken salad for me, buffalo wings a la dominos for him) We escaped outside with our glasses of wine inbetween courses,(mainly to get away from the slamming doors) and when we returned found our half-full bottle of wine had vanished. We politely pointed out we had not quite finished with it, received a stony stare, he stomped to the bar, plonked it back down without a word. The seafood platter was mainly steamed mussels, deep fried fish and squid(?) rings. We did not finish. Needless to say we shall NOT be returning.

by Liu G.
17th March 2012

This place is……..! I run out my word, I am not rude guys, but I can’t stand on this anymore, its bullshit! I bought this voucher from groupon, when I went into the restaurant, this manager, I gave him my voucher, him take me to the table, give me the Menu, everything seem fine, but the things turn around when we try to make order.
when I told him I want to make a order, he said ok, then went straight away, and come back 15 minutes late, fine, maybe they came before me, I accept that, but can you just say, ” yes, I will serve you soon, but I need to serve others first, because them came before you”, is that hard to said a word? you really do believe you are T.C?
then finally, when this manager came to my table, I told him I want to confirm the details on the voucher, then him looks so surprised, said he never get anything from me! and I told him I gave him the voucher, then he call me a lier, Fxxk, even the other guest confirm that he watch me give the voucher to this manager, ok, then this guy change his word, say I gave a voucher to him, but is the one with value $123, but I gave him one valued $135, at that 20 minutes, only we went into the shop, how can you just forget? I try to find my voucher on the iphone, then he start to fight with my girl, I put my finger on my mouth try to tell them sounds down, and him just explode, say I didnt show him respect, however, my girl intend to explain, but him just tell us to get out! she is a little girl, I never ever seem any service like this!, you want people respect you, but where is yours!!!

by Jim
6th March 2012

We went to this restaurant and dined 6/3/12 as my friend bought a voucher from grabone site. We were entitled for 2 mains, 2 dessert and 2 drinks.

We sat for about 20 minutes without being attended to. Restaurant was a little busy but they had 2 waiting staff and both appeared to be running around delivering food to tables.

After getting some attention, we finally got our menu and again waited another 10 minutes before we could place our drinks order. I felt both waiters were rude and didn’t pay any attention to people on the tables.

When we finally got our food, meals were very average. We ordered Angus Rump Steak, Buffalo Chicken and Pork Ribs. All meals were somewhat pre-cooked, heated up and served. Nothing really special about their meals.

Also, when our meals were being service, rude waiters came and literally dumpted our meals on our table. I felt that these staff had absolute no idea of customer service and were rude and arrogant.

After finishing our meals, once again we waited for another 15 minutes for them to clear our table. For some unknown reason, waiters were too busy clearing a table which people had left already. Why wouldn’t you take care of your dining customers first? One waiting staff was gay and the other one was often going out to have a smoke. Once again, why would you smoke where customers can see you? I also didn’t see this staff member washing his hand which raises further questions on their hygiene level.

As mentioned above, food was average but this restaurant was totally let down by their service. Waiting staff needs some serious customer service training (or even basic common sense training!!).

Do not eat here unless you have to!! I would never return and I warn you of their average food and shocking service!!

by Dave
31st January 2012

Took our three-course voucher along tonight and had a great time. It was pointed out that any dish from each category was eligible and only pizzas shown at the end of the entree page were classed as mains.
We both had the eye fillet for a main and it was cooked exactly as requested and delicious.
Entrees and desert were also good.
The waiter was attentive but not pushy.
Overall, a great al fresco meal and very good (voucher) value.
It is hard to believe that reviews can vary so much.
We will be returning.

by Edwin K.
15th January 2012

I only rated 1 star coz there is no -5 star. This is by far one of the worst restaurant with the worst customer service ever!! the one in Takapuna!! the gay waiter and the old grumpy manager ! to you both … please do smile more and be more attentive to your customers!!!

We had a booking but had to wait for a seat for 20 minutes… we ordered and waited for 1 hour till our Entrees came in … our cup had dirty stain from coffee on it….. they did not refill our water…… they did not give us a menu even tho we specifically asked for one…..

I’ve been to many restaurants .. esp in asia where they have no customer service at all in some rural areas.. however this was way beyond my tolerance … I will never go back unless the staff changes …. so to be specific .. its that gay waiter and the old moody manager

by Tim
13th January 2012

I signed up to this website just to give a review on Buffalo Bar & Grill (Takapuna), so other unsuspecting patrons can be duly warned.

My girlfriend and I had a Groupon voucher for a meal for two valued at $121.50, but we couldn’t understand where that figure came from…you could get better food at Denny’s for half the price.

The establishment was dirty.

Both our mains were microwaved – I had the Venison and she had the Salmon. Salmon was very dry (and actually crunchy at one end!), and the Venison was the smallest piece of meat I have ever seen…sorry…two pieces at 4cm x 2cm x 1cm. I could fit each piece in my mouth without being gross.
The Venison dish included ‘sesame scented bacon’ – this was bits of ham in sesame oil (the same kind of ham you can buy in the budget 500g for $7 value packs at the supermarket).

The dessert was extremely disappointing. We ordered the chocolate mousse and my all time favourite – the Creme Brulee. The mousse was cheap supermarket “mix with milk” powder that was poorly presented, and the Creme Brulee was something that can only be described as curdled and split play doh. Both desserts were covered with Hersheys chocolate sauce – probably to cover the taste of the desserts.

I have reasonable service standards, but their service was abhorrent. We walked in the door and were greeted with “We’re fully booked” even though we had a booking. No “hello”. I’m not kidding!
We ordered our food and beverages which were taken by a waiter who seemed very disinterested in us (no eye contact or smiles whatsoever) and then plonked the drinks and food in front of us – like we were a kitchen bench or something.
When we had finished our meal (mains and desserts in no more than 30min!!) we got up to leave and waited by the cashiers exit expecting a ‘thank you, come again’ or something – nope. We were left standing there for a while so we just walked out (not needing to pay for anything due to the voucher).

To summarise: Poor food, poor service – and I highly recommend you stay away from this place…or go and visit if you want to experience the worst Takapuna has to offer.

Be warned.

by Tania
12th January 2012

Where do I start? Hugely disappointed and would never go back. Pizza bread? You’re kidding me! floury and tasteless. Buffalo Chicken (Chicken breast with apricot) was so dry, I had to get my partner to cut it up with his steak knife, there were (I think) sandflies around the tables, mashed potato was so microwaved it was dangerously hot to eat.

Sticky Date Pudding was doughy and microwaved once again, searing hot. Overall horrible experience and the dinner for two via Groupponz valued at $121.50 Value was nowhere near this. There have been enough shocking comments that a critic should go in and write a huge “beware” article and let everyone know to not waste a cent there. The entire restaurant experience was unbelievably offputting, yet they still continue to operate. Will let all our friends and family know to stay away!

by raj
11th December 2011

went to dinner with partner at Buffalo bar grill Takapuna Friday 9th DEC with groupon voucher. Worst meals and service ever. the way this place is advertised is so wrong. waited so long for drinks and meal, did not even get water till we asked for it. scallop and salmon mousse in filo parcels did not even have any scallop flavor. for mains ordered eye fillet but got a sirloin with tough sinew. they probably thought i didn’t know my cuts of meat. restaurant and kitchen was very dirty. it has a open kitchen so could see everything, very dirty, meats sitting on the bench through out the night. i could c the eye fillet aswell. desserts were very poor, menu says vanilla ice cream but we get chocolate, sticky date pudding so dry and heavy, could see them heating it up in the microwave. waiters were very unfriendly.

to much going on with the menu for a small team, not very well executed.
Not worth it at all.

by Foodie
24th November 2011

Called this place twice to book a table. We like to have late dinners so wanted a table for post-8.30. Both times I was told the kitchen is closing at 8, even though the grouponnz voucher for this place said its open till late. Moreover in the ‘fine print’ there were no conditions about them declining to serve based on being busy, etc.

Was told very rudely by some staff member that all kitchens close around 8 and that I didn’t know anything about restaurant kitchens (I’m a waitress!). Said it didn’t matter what the voucher said.

Don’t need to even go to this place to know it is going to be a terrible experience.

by Thomas
23rd November 2011

Went here with my partner for a nice night out with a Groupon voucher. Overall I was impressed! The staff were friendly and did a great job balancing the orders on a very busy night. The eye fillet was delicious, thank you!

by Christy
15th October 2011

We had a spreats voucher. We were warmly greeted at the door and seated at a nice table at the back by the kitchen. The owner/manager was friendly, made sure we had a drink while waiting. Meal was lovely and service we couldn’t fault. The place is rugged be cause it is supposed to be that way, its a bar and grill. It was clean and tidy. We will be going back for more. Thank you for a nice night out.

by Julie W.
22nd August 2011

I would never go back.
It was terrible service. There were bugs flying around your plate while trying to eat. Everything tasted like it had been reheated from frozen eg fish. one of us had a BLAT and the bacon was not even real bacon and the turkish bread wasnt even toasted. It was all covered in this watery aioli. The music screeched in your ear.

Worst experience

by Richard L.
18th August 2011

Worst dinner all year! Denny’s food at top end prices, very poorly presented for the price. Got a spreets voucher and when we got there half the items on the menu were excluded (nothing about this was detailed in the fine print) will be following this up with the commerce commision. Service was abrupt. Waiter kept leaving the door open to a freezing wind and the reception phone is the loudest and most awful noise I have ever heard, and im a builder! Poorly lit and uninspiring atmosphere.

by vikram
16th August 2011

Awesome place for dine in.. I went for dinner on last saturday with my family. I had buffalo chicken wings in entree and pork ribs in my mains,,, It was delicious and excellent cooked…The service was really good and friendly.. This place is really nice and cozy in winter… I will definitely visit again…

by Dmitry
8th August 2011

Bought a pizza voucher from GrabOne. By the way, it was a very good deal. Unlike others where you are allowed to use one voucher for 2-3 people and the voucher does not cover even two hot meals.
Here it was very good: two big pizzas and two glasses of wine. Pizza was good and fresh. I liked thin crusty base with lot of topping. Especially I liked a vegetarian pizza. Service was very good.
Prices are very reasonable, quality is good. Two guys who served people were very friendly.

I wish all the best to the place.

by Olympin
16th July 2011

I am happy to say this place has a few clues for keeping afloat. Using the discount voucher sites they keep very busy and the food is very good. Have booked if for a return visit on my birthday with family group they were so good. A big thumbs up to their Chicken nibble entree and the Beef marinated in Jalapeno sauce pizza both were so great.
Thanks for a great night .Keep it up ..

by sharon
29th June 2011

Came with a voucher for 2 pizzas and wine for lunch. Didnt need to book, was pretty quiet mid week. Pizzas had plenty of flavour and nice thin base which had a real home made rustic look to them, not uniformed in shape which we loved. Service was good, not in your face and whether pizza was any less than what we would have got without a voucher is hard to say. Only thing I did notice was the main man did quietly mention to one of the others that we had a voucher, why the necessity I dont know, but maybe for him to not go out of his way?? However that said, we enjoyed our lunch and did notice they have specials running quite often which certainly seemed worth considering. So best of luck guys, hope it all works out for you.

by Venza
27th June 2011

JUST AWFUL!!! All the bad reviews are true!! And on top of that we were over charged 23$, he claimed he got the wrong table… But the was only people at two other tables..and still eating, bit hard to get mixed up if you ask me. Also as we waited for our food I saw The guy micro wave most things which really put me off!! I’d rather go to Denys if I wanted nasty food

by michelle h.
16th June 2011

I agree … we got these voucher from Spreets and I was worried after the reviews.. However I have now been there twice because I enjoyed the food. .. We went there for my Birthday last night and had steak, Salmon, Pasta, Lamb and the ribs between us. All were fantastic and the whole family loved their meal. We got a mystery dessert for the table and have to say it was great as well.. My husband love the chocolate mousse. No complaints here it really was a great night out with the relaxed atmosphere. If I was going to complain…. Everything comes with mash potatoes and mixing it up a little with chips or baked potato would have been better…

by Scarmander
15th June 2011

I’m really surprised by the other reviews on this website. I eat here regularly becuase it’s just across the road from my work. I’ve never had a bad experience at Buffalos, ever. The service is prompt and friendly, the food is great – I’ve never had anything that wasn’t freshly cooked and delicious, and even during the lunch time rush we’re always greeted with a smile.

by Tanna
4th March 2011

The most disgusting dessert I’ve ate in any restaurants! For my many years of dining experience this has got to be the WORST! I paid $24.50 for a 2 people “Mystery” dessert, and received a dry microwave-hard date pudding with “chocolate mousse” (as they claimed it to be) that seemed like to be made from people’s saliva mixed with cocoa powder to make it look chocolate-coloured. My plate of fruit also had a surprise for me, with a piece of hair hidden underneath the fruits. It was terribly disgusting and inedible, if there is a -1 for a star rating, they would definitely deserve one.

by poobie
25th November 2010

Terrible. Heat and serve food. Nothing made fresh. Even mash was reheated. Pasta was microwaved. Nice location – but terrible food. Please keep walking – pay a little more but enjoy fresh food.

by Terri
24th September 2010

My boyfriend and I had dinner here the other night. We had a 2 for 1 voucher to use. I asked a question about it as I saw something on the website that there were a couple of mains we couldn’t use vouchers for. Turns out that according to the waiter we could only actually choose from 3 meals. As the rest weren’t mains. I even asked him ‘so these are not mains’ he said no. I thought to myself then what the hell are they?
So that aside we decided to stay and order from the poor and lock of choice of mains. My boyfriend had the Salmon which was nice and I had the Eye fillet which was dry, the sauce was bland, the Pomme Frits were under cooked and hard and there was some kind of weird dressing on the salad that actually looked liked someone had thrown it up. It was very disappointing and the service was good apart from being told we could actually order the mains we really wanted to as they were mains in the 2 for one.

by P.E. N.
28th March 2010

My two brothers and I visited for lunch today and were appalled. The service had three strikes against it before the food even arrived – no welcome to the restaurant or smile from the waitress, a glass of red wine was brought to the table instead of a pinot gris that was asked for, and almost 10 minutes after taking our orders, she came back to query my order of a ‘seasonal salad’ which ‘isn’t on the menu’. That’s because I ordered a Caesar salad. Maybe it was her first day, but I had the distinct impression she really didn’t care, or else she would have queried this when taking the order.

The chicken and bacon salad and caesar salads were delivered after about 15-20 minutes. The chicken bacon salad had no olives at all despite being stated on the menu, and the Caesar had perhaps a total of two anchovies mulched in with the rest. Suffice to say that the salads were otherwise very ordinary.

I am quite dubious about the one other review for this cafe.

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