Reviews for Pumice Bistro & Deli

by Shane B.
3rd February 2012

Went to Pumice for the first time 1 Feb 12.

Service was great and friendly, though felt a little rushed, we went for Wednesday Lunch and restaurant was nearly empty it only seemed minutes after we ordered our meals arrived, we had ordered a bottle of wine and were looking forward to a leisurely lunch, it felt rushed.

Food was okay to good, I had pork belly and salt and pepper squid the squid was over salted to the stage that’s all you could taste remainder was good. My wife had a scallop dish which she enjoyed.

Pricing was okay

We would go back

by Jono
13th December 2011

I have given this Cafe/Restaurant several opportunities to Wow me and make me change my opinion.
But alas they haven’t
Ordered an open steak sandwich medium rare
after waiting what felt like a longtime it finally arrived
only to discover its Well Done and poorly butchered
it had more gristle than meat

Shame on you Pumice

by Michelle
14th June 2011

I to had high expectations for this place that’s why i gave it a second go after not enjoying the first time, all i can say is average. Food and drinks i thort were very over priced, food was nice tho but not much to select from. Found the tables were way to close together and you could hear everything the neighbour was talking about even with a group of us talking. Once we were given our food it was impossible to get any service for drinks. Got the feeling after a while they were waiting for us to leave, which they were. When we finally got some attention for another drink they told us they were closing and this was only 9ish on a sat night. So we took our money down the road.

by Helen S.
26th May 2011

Thanks for the good food, can’t be dismissed, but struggling with service, since you have been opened we have been their twice, both lunch time visits, not sure why we have to ask for everything, especially with the prices that you think we have to pay.. sorry, but when ordering a coffee and ask if anyone would like a sugar, and I say yes, and ask if one or two, and I say one, get given one sachet, and I have to get up and ask for a teaspoon, and told they are all in the dishwasher, and get given a dessert spoon, sorry, and we have had to ask for cutlery, and drinks through the whole experience, you need to teach you staff.. not going back unless someone else is paying.

by Karen M.
4th May 2011

My friend and I arrived quite late for lunch – around 2pm, so understandably the food was a bit picked over in the Cafe side of Pumice – so we decided to eat in the restaurant.
Our meals were both delicious with interesting flavours and were a good size for lunch.

My only disappointment was having to watch a cockroach sit on the wall beside us. It actually provided us with considerable entertainment watching each member of the wait staff, spot it, look at us then scurry away, unsure of how to deal with it or us. We would have appreciated being given the option of switching to another table. It was one of those situations that just got funnier and funnier – the longer the staff avoided dealing with it. I understand that cockroaches sometimes just can’t be helped…..but by the same account it is kind of gross eating and simultaneously hoping that it doesn’t fall into your meal.

by Nick N.
3rd May 2011

What a wonderful meal. Well served, and oh so tasty.

The Chicken Pot Pie was full of chicken and mushrooms with the gaps filled in with a delicious sauce, not the other way around.The lemon donuts were delectable. The rest of the party (four of us ate there) really enjoyed their steak (succulent), pork ribs and chowder, and their chocolate dessert.

We’ll be back.

by Charlie L.
28th April 2011

We had high expectations of this place, and boy were we disappointed. First of all, the service was excellent, as has been pointed out by most people who gave this place a decent rating. That would be fine except for I go to a restaurant to eat, so the quality of food is the most important criterion. On this however, the restaurant failed miserably (considering the price). The food is not bad in absolute terms, and the presentation is decent, but none of it meets what one expects from the price. Many restaurants on Victoria St offer much better cooking at half to two thirds the price. Having said all that, if all you want from a restaurant is to feel fancy and good atmosphere, it’s above average. On the other hand, you should pass if you’re hoping to give your palate a treat.

by juliee
7th May 2010

Have dined here before and enjoyed it but had a disappointing experience when I went there with a couple of colleagues for lunch today. To be fair my friends thoroughly enjoyed their meals which looked amazing! Sadly I ordered the beetroot & feta tart which I have to say was below average. This on it’s own would be fine, except for the way my very polite comment was dealt with after they’d asked me if I enjoyed my meal. Did they want me to lie and say it was nice? I told her that I thought the feta might be off as it tasted really bad.If I was going to be completely honest it tasted putrid! It actually smelt and tasted like vomit and tainted the whole meal which I could not finish. The pastry was very hard, and the whole thing was lacking in flavour. The others at my table tasted it and agreed. After I’d passed my comment on (while settling our bill and in full view of the chefs) the waitress immediately went off and told them – to which the response was that it was goats feta and that was why. Then the whole time we were standing there paying for our meals the chefs talked and laughed amongst themselves (right in front of us) about what we expected it to taste like. They were rude, unprofessional and condescending, when I’d actually been quite nice about it – I thought they’d want to know. Next time I’ll say nothing and just tell all my friends how awful it was instead of doing the right thing and passing my comment on. I eat feta a lot, and have had goats feta before and it never tasted like bile! I dine out a lot and was made to feel like I was stupid or unsophisticated and don’t know what good food tastes like. One thing I do know is that good food doesn’t taste like vomit.

by Ian
15th October 2009

This is a good restaurant, not fantastic as I think it is trying to be to much to to many with the Cafe, Shop and Restaurant in one. Service was ok, we had a trainee for our meal and not enough support was given by senior staff. Food wad good, well cooked but quite expensive for what is was, the menu online is nothing like the current menu (Their own web site as well as here..) Nice surroundings but being a cafe as well they were not outstanding.. Would I go back, yes for coffee and cake but not likely for dinner

by Lisa and Tash
1st September 2009

OMG…
“Star one” is for making us feel welcome on our arrival and glad to see us.

“Star two” This is for the waiter who took us to our great table and pulled the chairs out for us to sit down.

“Star three” is for waiters professionalism and mannerisms top class.

“Star four” Starters and Mains were served in a timely fashion one would expect.

“Star five ” This is four the presentation, quantity and the divine taste of our meals. Tash had the Fettuccine with smoked chicken and I had the Eye fillet steak…utterly superlicious…fantazmic…


And 1 more star for the loo’s and the range of grog at the bar….
OR-SUM PUMICE..
We have already sent by word of mouth 6 more couples to dine at Pumice which they also loved ,

by Trevor Spencer
22nd August 2009

We had a very enjoyable night on Friday 22/08/09. The Location & Decor is first class.We where seated as a group in the top room , the Service was first class and the Meal was very good, I had the Soup of the Day Pumpkin & Bacon very good and then the Pork Fillet my Wife had the Chicken & Bacon Roulade.Both Both Mains where well presented & enjoyable.

by Janet
20th July 2009

Took my Mum to lunch at Pumice restaurant. The service was delightful – attentive but not hovering. The food was beautifully served, just the right amount and tasted divine. I am a fussy eater and am sometimes disappointed when the description doesn’t match or unexpected ingredients are added. None of that here! Excellent menu descriptions help your choice. We sat on the lovely balcony in the Winter sun. Gorgeous.

by Jessica
12th June 2009

The service and food is always excellent whether it be brunch, lunch or dinner!

by Sharon
24th May 2009

Pumice certainly makes up for what Hamilton lacks, exciting tasty fare and excellent service from all their staff. Dishes created with obvious care not like the humdrum produced by most of the CBD restaurants. Devinne kebabs, and Creme Brulee a wonderful brunch experience. Pumice is a destination and one I will make on a regular basis.

by Donna b.
24th February 2009

We went there for Valentines Night dinner.
Totally spot on from the service to the meal and the selection of drinks..everything!

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