We visited Boat Quay for dinner on Saturday, we had been to Clarke Quay before so decided to try this little dining hub. It’s quite different, much quieter and not as ‘clubby’, the music in Clarke Quay seems to just compete with itself…
We did the right thing and wandered from one end to the other to help make out choice and to not miss anything. Lots to pick from, first we stopped at RedDot Brewhouse for a beer or two. Not a bad place, good range of beers and food looked ok although we didn’t eat here.
As we wandered we found a place called Wakanui, a Japanese place using NZ produce. Saw NZ meat and wines and thought we were on a winner…
Once we selected the tap water over the bottled option the staff lost interest. From here things went south..
We then decided on just an entree and a glass of bubbles, in a flash our cloth napkins vanished and we were given wipes in plastic pack. The calamari was tasty and the bubbles good but staff attitude left a lot to be desired. We became maybe not invisible but in the way. With so many options to pick from they need to keep service up as many will bar/restaurant hop and they seem to not like this…
We then wandered along to Sahara, a Persian restaurant, From the moment we stopped to look at menu till the moment we left we felt relaxed and welcomed. Service was prompt and very friendly, all the staff had a smile and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The food was tasty with good variety as well as being well priced for the area. Drinks were cold and didn’t have to wait in between. Had a shisha pipe after eating and commented that we had one at home but couldn’t get it to draw like theirs. Guy looking after us gave an impromptu lesson in packing and tending the pipe, very handy. View over the river was great, they even moved us to river side table when one opened up without having to ask.
Will go back again…
Have to add that we did the following night, went to Clarke Quay to eat but the noise was just crazy, all the bars competing with each other so after dining we walked along the river to Boat Quay and found ourselves back at Sahara, even got our riverside table back.