Reviews for Renton’s Restaurant

by Nathan S.
10th March 2012

This business is a MenuMania SponsorOne of the Business' Favourite Reviews

My friends and I go there very regularly. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious. A lovely wee place to have a quiet meal with friends with prices that won’t break the bank

by Ian P.
3rd May 2012

I can only hope this was their “bad day”!
$9.50 lunchtime roast was edible, but not enjoyable. Waiting over 10 minutes may be ok for evening dining, or fancy dishes, but never for a lunchtime roast.
When it arrived I was surprised to find the delicious looking corn was cold – but when I also found the pile of peas was stone cold too I was aghast. The mashed spud was mainly piping hot, but then a corner of THAT was stone cold too – must have been left over from breakfast !?
Presentation wasn’t great either – gravy sploshed everywhere. If you don’t like your cold peas embedded in gravy – tough.
The roast? potatoes were greasy, and water lapped around the plate.
The 2 (only) staff seemed rushed off their feet – in fact at times when the chef came out to take orders, he RAN! Needless to say, there won’t be a return visit. :-[

by Rod
30th April 2012

Recently went to Renton’s and couldn’t have been happier with my meal. Great ambience, great menu, my steak was well cooked to my liking and could tell it was a good cut.

Service was wonderful, the young and good looking Maori chef was a pleasure to watch and the new ginger waiter is very fun to chat with! Overall had a great experience and will definitely head back for a second visit.

by Karen B.
12th April 2012

Went here for a lunch after reading some of the reviews on MenuMania. The chef and waitress were very friendly and helpful The food was well presented and tasted great. I was impressed with being able to choose from a small or a large portion of most things on the menu. The prices were very reasonable with a roast of the day being $9.50, steak sammie (lge) $16.50 just as an example. I’ll be back

by Mark N.
1st April 2012

Had a great meal. I had the chicken and got what I ordered – nothing more and nothing less. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the salad and fries were as good as you’d get anywhere. The staff were helpful and very friendly. My wife had the calamari and found it very satisfactory – it was freshly crumbed – soft and delicious. Would happily dine there again

by julie h.
11th March 2012

Well were do i begin,
I went to Rentons restaurant last night for dinner with my family (Sat 10The march 2012) I had an amazing meal and so did my children and husband who i might add is rather fussy!! it was nice to see such a diverse menu with a healthy alternative for children.

The young Maori chef cooking our meals was a blast to watch on the television he was spinning the sauce bottles and flipping things making flames when he char-grilled the chicken it was great like watching the food channel at home but getting to eat a meal once the shows over.
When my son went up to ask him what he was doing he came out from behind the counter got down on his knees and talked to him which made my sons night. The waitress that was serving us was absolutely incredible we could have a joke with her and she made us feel at home she explained that there was going to be a little wait because they were busy and had a large table getting there meals and we did not mind at all it was well worth the wait!!.
Will definitely be going back excellent food excellent staff.

by Richard A.
11th March 2012

My wife and I went there for lunch on the 10th of March.
We had the roast of the day, which was pork.
It was a fair price, a good helping, well cooked, and tasty.
The place was neat & tidy and and thanks be, not noisy.
We’re going back.

by Alicia
3rd March 2012

So went out for a nice meal with my partner on Saturday night, ordered a chicken breast that was wrapped in bacon salad n fries. First off all they cooked it in the oven but seared bacon on outside of chicken in a extremely hot pan to the point it was on fire so chicken was dry n tuff on outside and had shrivelled up to a very tiny size not worth 25.00$!!. And my chips very over cooked and sittng in alot of oil whch had either come from chkn or chips themselves my salad had no dressing was dry and not eatable. People beside us were not happy either as you could tell by their face as we talked to them after my partners steak 300g was atleast 150g worth of grissle n fat n he also had same salad! When we mentioned to them when paying about this they knew it was a bad batch from supplier they said so in our response if u knew why did u serve it and make us pay full price! When customers walked in the waitress cursed as she couldnt be bothed doing her job! Between times was out in kitchen whole time chatting to cooks n eating at the hot plate myself and my partner eat out alot at many differnt restaurants and I would not recommend here at all very disappointed I had a table booked for a week after for 12 people and cancelled that wen I payed for our meal full price even though was not at all enjoyable or cooked well advice for waiter customers come in for a enjoyable nite out not to over hear your personal chats in kitchen to other staff we felt like we were in a kareoke bar radio beaming loud with them singing along to it. Have been here months before and really enjoyed not now what a let down!

by Sonya B.
24th February 2012

Just been to Rentons for dinner as I had a craving for Blue Cod and our local The Commercial was all out of Blue Cod. We have been to Rentons twice recently with friends and had outstanding meals which is why we ended up deciding to go there again. That was where the mistake began and I don’t complain lightly. The water glasses were filthy, the Battered Blue Cod had no batter to speak of and the chips were so salty none of the four of us could eat them. My lips are still burning from the salt. The mushroom sauce that accompanied one of the meals tasted burnt and the peppercorn sauce was more like gravy containing all of about 3 peppercorns. All in all it was not a pleasant experience and certainly one I wont take the chance of repeating sadly (especially after having two great meals here.) I told the waitress when I went to pay and she was very apologetic but unfortunately that doesn’t make it all good. She did say that I wasn’t the first to complain lately and now she would speak to the boss – I suggested that was a very good idea.

by Amy
22nd August 2011

I had a meal with my husband and my mother here back in June 2011.
I found the service and food to be fantastic! My steak was cooked just as ordered and the hostess was really lovely.

I have certainly recommended this restaurant to all my friends and family and will be back again very soon.

Well done – its great to have another restaurant option in Mosgiel that lives up to the quality of the rest!

by Jenny
17th April 2011

Had a roast meal here a few weeks ago and it was delicious and very good value for money. Went back a couple of weeks later and the meal was cold, tasteless and really disappointing. We were given a free desert as compensation it was a cheesecake that looked sad and tasted of gelatine but not much else.

by Adam H.
25th September 2010

Tried Rentons for the first time last night, and wasn’t let down. I love my food, I’ll be back. My advice is it’s money well spent, well worth the drive.

I had the chicken breast, the wait time was quite painless and I gotta say things just taste better when you know they’re not out of a jar. The venue itself doesn’t take itself too seriously, thankfully it hasn’t been Aucklandized, just nice and relaxed. The girls on the tables are very pleasant so it looks like a fun place (they’re not actually ON the tables, I was hoping that would be the case next door).

Was going to give four stars, but thought what the hell? Not really into the whole commenting on the internet thing but read a couple of comments here beforehand that seemed a out of context with my experience. Like Theresa complaining about a $9 roast? Nice one, try and eat food one fifth as good at McD’s.

by nofam
18th September 2010

I think Rentons is doing a great job at finding the balance between quality & price. I’ve been there twice in the last few months (once for lunch, once for dinner) and the food has been great. The pub-style menu is concise, but perfectly executed, and watching Murray cook these dishes effortlessly is a foodie’s joy! As a Mosgiel local, I’m proud to have Rentons here, and I hope everyone continues to support it.

by Steve D.
11th September 2010

My wife and I popped along on a Friday nite and were immediately greeted by a very friendly waitress. We had drinks within a couple of minutes and a very solid garlic bread entree within 10 minutes. Enough to feed 3-4 people for only $9.
The restaurant is part of a TAB + Pub but the restaurant is well sectioned off, providing a pleasant yet non-spectacular atmosphere.
There are about 10-12 options for the mains which average between about $17 (Burgers) to $39 (Protein Meat-Fest or something). My wife ordered the chicken breast wrapped in bacon with fries and a salad for $30 and i ordered the 300g Ribeye (included choice of roast spud or fries, plus a sauce of my choice plus a salad + 2 fried eggs) for $35.
My wife’s chicken breast was solid, well cooked, fries were yummy, mushroom sauce was particularly nice.
My steak was really well cooked to my preference and it was a good 300g. The over-abundance of sauteed onions ruined my dish slighty. Plus roast potatoes were burnt.
Both of our salads were OK but covered with excessive mayo. Remind them “no dressing” if you eat here!
No room for dessert as both meals were very hefty.

All in all, a pleasant night out, ok food, great and speedy service. Good pub meals in a more formal atmosphere.

Added 16/09/2010: Manager messaged me in regards to this post. Thought I would add it as it explains things:
Thats the worst review ive had in 20yrs Steve Ive used the herb mayo at the rabar ,bennu ,alibi ,southern cross and the lonestar to name a few, never anything but compliments.As for the burnt potato,s if you dont complain or let the staff know we cant rectify it or offer discounts ,complimentaries if we don,t know (and haven,t seen it ,to judge).We use alot of expensive fresh ingredient and good quality meats and my food costs are 10% above where they should be eg your mushroom sauce real cream ,mushrooms ,whitewine ,fresh herbs thickened by reduction ,not cornfour or the chicken breast real jus , a mascapone spinach stuffing .Steve it costs more .I personally have lost 80000$ this year, this is peoples livelyhood ,please remember that before your next atempt at being a critic .Cheers ps Good bacon cost up to a dollar a rasher and theres 2 round each chicken breast

by Jo
16th July 2010

What a neat little find…not me, we were told about it from a friend. Delicious and generously portioned meals with a child friendly menu as well.
I LOVE THE CREME BRULEE!!!!! One of only 2 restaurants I’ll eat at and, to tell you the truth, the other guy is starting to miss me:-)

by Amanda
15th July 2010

I live in Australia,I have been to New Zealand once and I have eaten at Renton’s three times.
The Owner/Head Chef Murray is so friendly and funny. He, as well as his staff, made the dinning experience very relaxing and enjoyable.
I would definately go back there if I end up in Dunedin again. Even if it is just for the Blue Cod and the Garlic Bread.
Thanks for everything Murray.

by David
15th July 2010

I love expertly cooked dishes and a welcoming venue, so I’ve made a point of visiting Rentons every time we visit Dunedin over the last year. The food is far better than anything I’ve eaten at the Sky Tower in Auckland.

by kylie f.
11th June 2010

My family and I make the trip out to Rentons on a weekly basis and find it fantastic! Our two children (11 & 7) love to go and talk to Murray and find him a funny man and to be able to take the kids somewhere that they feel at home is great which make our dining alot more comfortable and never a stressful evening. Thank you Rentons!

by chris
11th March 2010

My family and I have eaten at Rentons a dozen times since we found it,it is seriously good value for money,classed as a gastro pub which in the UK are very popular as they are finding the balance of up grading pub food and down grading fine end dining to equal a great sized meal with top fresh produce at competitive prices.
My family loves going here well worth the drive,we are food lovers and believe this delivers what it says.
Great seafood and fast service,there needs to be more food establishments like this.

by dawn
15th February 2010

This has to be my favorite restaurant in Otago, great service and great food at a price that won’t break the bank.
The Owner/Chef Murray has a menu that will appeal to all.
I found the atmosphere relaxing and the decor of the restaurant very upmarket and love how I can watch my meal being prepared via the TV on the wall,great idea.
I have been back many times and taken friends and have tried nearly all the dishes , to me great food with good atmosphere is a winner.

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