+64 3-315 7031+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Mon
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Tue
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Wed
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Thu
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Fri
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sat
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$17.00 – $41.00
CUISINES
European, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?
Details
About
The former "Laurels" Restaurant re-opened its doors in May 2012, as "No.31 Restaurant & Bar", an A la Carte Restaurant specializing in modern European/New Zealand Cuisine. The restaurant is set in a quaint character cottage on the main street of Hanmer Springs. French doors open out to a lovely courtyard for alfresco dining and an outside bar leaner for pre-dinner drinks/cocktails in the warmer months. Inside the restaurant it is very homely, with an open fire, wooden floors and candle-lit tables. Award winning chef/owner, Michael van de Wiel ( previous chef/owner at "The Old Post Office Restaurant", Hanmer Springs, for 12 years). Fully Licensed and NOT BYO. Reservations Recommended.
PRICE RANGE
$17.00 – $41.00
CUISINES
European, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
1,290 reviews
Excellent
1,040
Very good
157
Average
52
Poor
23
Terrible
18
tonka347
Christchurch12 contributions
Jan 2025 • none
We went with family members, 4 in total, to No. 31 for dinner on Saturday, after a busy day in the area. We were presented with a relaxed environment, a very helpful staff member, and a delicious, broad-ranging menu and wine list.
The committed carnivore, two omnivores and a firm vegetarian enjoyed wonderful shared entrés, perfectly prepared mains and could not skip sharing desserts to die for. The wine we selected matched our various meals excellently and was very reasonably priced.
To complete a memorable evening out, we chatted at length with an Icelandic/Canadian couple (who were in awe of what NZ presented for them) on the way out.
What more could one ask for?
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 18 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spraggbj
Christchurch164 contributions
Dec 2024 • business
I visited on a work ‘retreat’ with some colleagues. It was a very warm evening so we asked to be reseated out on the deck. The waitress was very accommodating and we joined a few tables together. The menu was extensive and interesting. I went for the pork fillet wrapped in bacon and it was delicious. My colleagues ordered a variety of meals; fish, steak, and venison. Every diner was glowing in their praise. The presentation was exceptional too. We decided to have desserts as well. My tiramisu was beautifully presented in a dainty teacup with ice cream and chocolate sauce on the side. We left feeling very satisfied and impressed. The warm,outside setting embellished a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommended.
Written 12 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate A
3 contributions
Aug 2024 • none
We enjoyed a wonderful meal at this Hanmer Springs gem. The meal time was early for us but all we could get a booking for so took it and did not regret it at all! The service was warm and engaging, finding out about the way they are growing their own produce and using environmentally sound practices was very interesting. Then backed by the delicious food and a great wine selection what more could one ask. Portion sizes were just right with melt in your mouth food including all my favourite vegetables - Brussel sprouts - done as they should be!! A really enjoyable evening that we will definitely repeat with pleasure.
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 24 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John T
3 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
We ordered the duck breast entre and they said there would be a delay. They brought it out straight after this and it was severely overdone and hard to cut with a knife and grey. We tried it and it also tasted awful. We didn’t eat it and told the server it was well overdone, she just said ok and then ignored us. Upon paying I mentioned to the staff that we couldn’t eat it and the waiter went and talked to the chef. He returned saying the chef said it was a little overdone because it was a little breast? He clearly knew it was cremated and we think the ‘delay’ was then deliberating wether to send it out in the first place. Don’t like to Karen but clearly very poor customer service. Shouldn’t have to pay for duck with the consistency of an old shoe. Went to the pub next door for desert. What a waste of a ducks life.
Written 16 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Kia ora john,
Thank you for your honest review and your feedback on our duck breast entre. We're sorry that you had a bad experience with our food and service. We'd like to explain a bit more about our duck breast dish, as you may have misunderstood how it is prepared and served. Our duck breast is smoked from before which doesn’t removes the pinkish texture of the dish and then we just sear it while sending it out. It's more of a cold dish than a hot one, and it has a different texture and flavour than a regular duck breast. We're sorry that we didn't meet your expectations and that you didn't enjoy it.
We're also sorry that we weren't there yesterday and that our staff didn't handle the situation well. After consulting with our team, we found out that it was a small breast and they might have overdone it. That's no excuse for serving you a dish that was hard to cut and tasted awful. We apologise for that and we take full responsibility for our mistake. We also apologise for the delay and the lack of communication from our server. She should have explained the dish to you and checked on you more often. We'll make sure to train our staff better and improve our customer service.
We appreciate your feedback and we hope you'll give us another chance to make it up to you. We value your loyalty and support and we want to make you happy. Please come back and try some of our other dishes, which we're sure you'll love. We have a variety of options for every taste and preference. We also have some delicious desserts that you can enjoy after your meal. We promise to do our best to provide you with a memorable dining experience at No.31 Restaurant & Bar. Cheers! 🍷
Written 17 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Roy&Pat
Norfolk93 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
Having read other diners reviews, we expecting to have a good meal but for us it was a disappointing evening.
We both had the pork wrapped in bacon, for our main course. It was bland and the bacon was hardly cooked, so we did not eat it. When we came to pay the bill we were asked what was wrong with our meal, so we explained it was poorly cooked. It was cooked Sous Vide we were told. After declining a free desert we were offered a discount on our bill which we accepted.
Poor interaction with our server, who just failed to engage with us.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Thank you for your feedback and for dining with us. We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your meal and your service. We always aim to provide high-quality food and friendly service to our customers, and we apologize for not meeting your expectations.
We would like to explain to you how we prepare our pork wrapped in bacon, which is one of our most popular dish. We cook the pork sous vide, which is a method of cooking that ensures the meat is tender and juicy. We then sear it and finish it in the oven, which gives it a nice crust and flavor. The bacon is not supposed to be crispy from the inside, as that would ruin the texture and the taste of the pork. However, we understand that different customers have different preferences, and we would have been happy to cook your pork more if you had told us before or during your meal. Unfortunately, you only told us after you had eaten most of your food, and by then it was too late to do anything.
We appreciate that you declined our offer of a free dessert, but we still wanted to make it up to you by giving you a 10% discount on your bill. We did this because we value your patronage and we did not want you to leave unhappy. We also tried to engage with you and ask you about your meal, but we felt that you were not interested in talking to us. We are sorry if you felt that our interaction was poor, but we assure you that we did not ignore you or neglect you.
We hope this clarifies some of the issues you raised in your review. We are not trying to argue with you or justify ourselves, but we are trying to explain our side of the story and help you understand our vision and values as a restaurant.
We would love to have you back and show you a better time. Please contact us at [info@restaurant-no31.nz] to make a reservation and mention this review.
Thank you for choosing our restaurant and we hope to see you again soon.
Sincerely,
No.31 team
Written 3 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lola
New Zealand26 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
We ordered one octopus entree to share and the lamb main which serves two. One glass of beer and one wine, total meal was $139.
The octopus was nice, hardly any octopus on the plate. We are used to small dishes at fine dining restaurants but this was way overpriced for the quantity and quality of what was served.
The lamb portion was large and we couldn’t finish it. It was served with what seemed like a supermarket mint jelly and gravy. It had 6 pieces of roast potato. The side of vegetables that came with it was a mix of broccoli, beans, pumpkin, parsnip, beetroot and asparagus. It sounds like a lot but it was a small amount of each vegetable and they were all either boiled or steamed as there was a pool of water in the bottom of the dish. This dish was just a plain roast like you would expect at home. The meat was well cooked but there was no real flavour to the dish.
I would not come back on the basis of this meal as it was very expensive for the standard of food. There was nothing terrible it was just average but the service was good.
Written 12 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Dear valued guest,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate your comments and regret that your dining experience fell short of expectations. We understand your concerns regarding portion sizes, and we want to clarify that our octopus dish is designed as an entree portion which was clearly mentioned in menu, using a rare ingredient that incurs additional costs and logistical challenges. It was on the special menu for our guests to enjoy something different than other places in hanmer and the price was also set according to that which was 28 dollars after counting cost of food, 6 hours of cooking, miscellaneous etc.
Our lamb main, indicated on the menu as suitable for two people, involves a meticulous 7-8 hour cooking process. The accompanying sides, including duck fat potatoes and a variety of veggies, contribute to a labor-intensive preparation that incurs additional expenses. We strive to offer a unique and high-quality dining experience, and we regret that the value for money did not meet your expectations.
We genuinely appreciate your feedback and hope you may consider giving us another chance in the future. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we will take your comments into consideration as we continue to improve our offerings.
Best regards,
The team at no31
Written 13 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thaimusic
1695 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
After coming to Hanmer on many occasions and understanding that bookings were required as it was always hard to get into. We booked for 7pm on Saturday for four adults. We had read great reviews and the menu sounded cleaver. On arrival there were a few tables outside and I think 3 tables of two people inside. The menu sounded great although there was no chicken on it and fish was fish of the day which we thought they would tell us about. We were shown to our table and had time to browse the menu. The waitress seemed to vanish into the background for some time and when she came out we ordered a cocktail, a wine and two beers. These took quite some time to come out and we went looking for the drinks to find them sitting on the bar. The waitress came out and showed me the wine and I indicated all was well but did mention that we had waited quite a long time to get the drinks and she just laughed. One of our diners decided it was looking to be a bad night as something was just not flowing so he decided to leave and we made the decision we would finish our drinks and go also. There was no mention of any detail of the meals or what specials ie fish of the day was. The next stage of our service was "were we ready to order". I explained we didn't know anything about specials so she came back with a A4 page in plastic and put it on the table, no explanation of anything. We politely told them we were going to leave as we felt things were not great. We paid the bill of $56 for our drinks and left. No apologies...nothing. It was not busy at all so I am not sure why things seemed so disjointed. The couple sitting beside us chatted to us before we left and expressed there disappointment at the lack of service we received. We had been told by two different locals that number 31 had changed hands and was not what it used to be. We tried to get into another option we liked the sound of and the owner was so helpful to try and fit us in but did not have any space left, the place was thriving. We ended up at Fire and Ice even though we had been there the night before. Exceptionally friendly staff and attentive. So for us Number 31 was just a one.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Dear Guest,
I am the owner of the restaurant, and I sincerely apologize for the experience you had at No. 31. Your feedback is invaluable, and we deeply regret any inconvenience during your visit. We appreciate you bringing these issues to our attention as it helps us address and improve our service.
Concerning the delay in service and communication, upon investigation, I learned that while processing your drinks in 10 mins One individual in your group approached our staff using inappropriate language and abusive behavior, even after our team explained that we would attend to the order shortly. When another staff member approached your table, we were informed that you wished to pay for drinks only and leave. Unfortunately, the same individual banged the door upon leaving. While we understand your right to complain as a customer, such behavior, especially the use of abusive language towards our staff, is unacceptable. Our team works hard to maintain the standards of this establishment.
The same individual also confronted our staff about the beer glass not being full, despite being explained that it was a 330ml can as we do not serve tap beers. I personally witnessed this and observed his intoxicated state, leading me to instruct our staff not to serve him any more alcohol. We do not tolerate such behavior, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
We acknowledge the importance of clear communication regarding specials and menu details and are taking steps to ensure our team provides this information more effectively in the future. Additionally, we are actively working to resolve recent staffing issues.
We regret the disruption caused by one of the individuals in your group and are committed to learning from this experience to enhance both service and atmosphere at No. 31. If you would be open to providing more details about your visit, we welcome the opportunity to address your concerns directly.
Thank you for your honesty, and we hope to have the chance to regain your trust in the future.
Best Regards,
The No. 31 Team
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karissa A
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • couples
This was our first time visiting Hanmer Springs and No.31. The food was so delicious and beautifully presented. The sauce with the venison was super tasty. The staff and waiters were very friendly and attentive. We made mention it was our anniversary and our dessert came out with a 'Happy Anniversary' topper. It was a very thoughtful touch, and we would highly recommend No.31.
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Kia Ora Guest,
Thank you for your glowing revied. we are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the venison and like the service. see you at your next visit.
regards,
No31 Team
Written 8 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trudy B
6 contributions
Sept 2024 • none
The new owners at No 31 are doing a fabulous job. We have been regular visitors to this restaurant for 9 years now, and this time was the best meal we have had. The sauces on the Venison and the Duck mains were so delicious, the presentation was excellent on all courses. The Yuzu Nojito was delicious too. Excellent service too. Highly recommended. Thanks for a great evening.
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 8 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Kia Ora Guest,
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your meal and appreciated our service and presentation. It’s wonderful to know that the Venison, Duck mains, and Yuzu Nojito were memorable for you. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Warm regards,
No31 Team
Written 22 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Valerie D
Christchurch9 contributions
May 2024 • none
We had a very beautiful meal at this restaurant. I had the venison which was cooked to perfection and my partner had the pork, which he said was absolutely delicious. The presentation of the meals was also really lovely and made them even more appetizing. We ordered wine by the glass and were very appreciative of this being poured at the table rather than just been brought to us. We were also offered a tasting of the wine prior to it being poured which I have never been offered before when selecting a wine by the glass. I think that this is actually an outstanding practice, and I wish that all restaurants would do this. The entire experience was certainly extremely pleasant and I would highly recommend this restaurant!
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 24 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula Kristianty
Dear Valerie,
Thank you for your wonderful review on both Google and Tripadvisor! We’re thrilled that you appreciated our attention to detail, from the perfectly cooked venison and delicious pork to the lovely presentation of our meals. Our team takes pride in providing exceptional service, and we’re delighted that you enjoyed the wine tasting—a practice we believe enhances the overall dining experience.
We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another delightful meal at No.31 Restaurant and Bar. Cheers!
Warm regards,
Paula
Written 22 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cheldaly
Christchurch21 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
We had a great experience at this fine dining Restaurant 18 months or so ago. Not sure if it has changed hands but not so good this time.
My entree size main consisted of three floury scallops for $24, e.g. eight dollars per scallop.
My chocolate orange fondant ended up being a very hot dry chocolate cake in a bowl with absolutely no liquid chocolate anywhere inside or out, with the ice cream being the only saviour.
I have emailed back and forth with an employee/manager with not a great degree of success, they don’t seem to be able to grasp what the problem is.
So sadly we won’t be going again and we won’t be recommending this restaurant in future, although we have in the past.
Written 29 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Dear Cherry,
Thank you for your feedback on TripAdvisor. I understand there was some confusion during your visit to No.31. Our menu is designed for guests to enjoy a 2-3 course meal, and we informed you that an entrée alone might not be sufficient as a main course. And later on the emails you’ve told me that you asked scallop entree as a main course. Even with the change of words in your email it’s not possible because choosing a scallop entrée as a main course may not provide the same satisfaction as a full-sized main, given that scallops are a delicacy meant to stimulate the appetite rather than serve as the centerpiece of a meal.
Regarding the fondant, I recall our previous emails where there was a misunderstanding about the dessert. I would like to clarify that our fondant is indeed a hot dessert which you was claiming to be served cold or hot sometimes. So never have i ever in my life i had fondant which is cold. I might be wrong please let me know the name of the place which serves it cold would love to try. In our restaurant It is baked to a precise timing, ensuring the inside remains liquid and gooey while the outside forms a crust. Had we been aware of your concerns during your visit, we would have been more than happy to address them as we take full responsibility of what we cook, however, while checking two times you’ve said it was good and later on sending emails with complaint is confusing itself.
I also attempted to explain the various costs involved in designing our menu, which include not only labor and food but also freight, maintenance, rates, rent, waste management, gardening, insurance, and procurement, among others. Procuring materials is a complex process, and dismissing it as ‘not your problem’ in the email overlooks the challenges all the businesses face, especially during a difficult year for businesses in New Zealand. Imagine we’re going to buy a service and we’re asking them no no your costs are not my problem i’ll just give you what i want to pay then how will they manage and survive. So Each aspect plays a crucial role in our operations, particularly in a challenging economic climate for New Zealand businesses. Understanding and respecting these elements are crucial for mutual support and sustainability in the hospitality industry.
Lastly, I am the chef you spoke with, and I’m proud to share that I was recently featured in Cuisine Magazine. I invite you to read the article to learn more about our culinary philosophy and dedication to quality.
https://linktr.ee/madenorthcanterbury?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZDDOnHx5f4NoA7p-dTDCerlHklMFZHSmtA_A7V0S-fH3vpgbWGKvtdfeM_aem_AasyO9I0fk9uLtHmJVi3-Z-7cQWV-IB5Qjw1oteVxQHAUXlRWD7N4Uh4ASKY8bFCn31RlExAWAJ1f5eOT8ovEcWk
Best regards,
Written 1 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tony B
Christchurch23 contributions
Mar 2024 • family
We had booked for a 75th birthday party in advance.
22 people had a wonderfull night, the food was outstanding on all levels.
Everyone present was extremely happy with their pre ordered choice of food which was served in a timely and organised way.
I was the bill payer for the evening the wine list was also to everyone satisfaction.
Highly recommended for groups and couple dinning,
Written 31 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivek Rawat
Kia ora Tony,
Thank you for choosing No. 31 Restaurant & Bar for the significant occasion of a 75th birthday celebration. We are delighted to hear that the evening was a success and that the culinary experience was enjoyed by all.
Your support as a regular patron is invaluable to us, and we are grateful for the trust you place in our team to deliver an outstanding dining experience for groups and couples alike. It is our commitment to excellence that drives us to provide not only exceptional food but also a wine list that complements every palate.
We appreciate your high recommendation and look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for future celebrations.
Warm regards,
The Team at No. 31 Restaurant & Bar
Written 10 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jones1913
Blenheim1 contribution
Jun 2024 • none
Food was excellent but a little overpriced for what it was due to the overall experience. Restaurant was cold, with a number of diners sitting in jackets/coats. The service providers need training if aiming for a fine dining experience. The waitress reached across the table numerous times, passed plates to diners instead of placing on the table, seemed disinterested, was slow to bring drinks and clear spare glasses etc. The manager was friendly. This was our third visit, two visits were with the previous owners. Unfortunately we wouldn't rush back. Hope these comments help.
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 14 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula Kristianty
Dear Jones,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We’re delighted that you found our food to be excellent.
Rest assured, we make every effort to create a comfortable dining environment. Our firepit and heat pumps are switched on well in advance to combat the chilly weather, especially since our historic building is over 100 years old and can sometimes retain the cold.
However, appearances can be deceiving. Recently, some guests have even commented that it’s too warm inside, reaching temperatures of 30°C.
We apologize for any inconvenience you experienced during your visit. On that particular day, the waitress assisting our manager was not part of our regular staff and lacked front-of-house experience. We appreciate her help nonetheless. Sometimes, even with our best efforts, things don’t go as planned. Unfortunately, three of our own staff members were unable to work that day, and both of us, the working owners, were also unavailable. We hope this explanation sheds light on the challenges we faced that day.
Thank you for your understanding, and we sincerely hope you’ll give us another chance in the future. 🙏🏼
Warm regards,
Paula
Written 22 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Judith R
43 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
We’ve traveled around the South Island and we’re tired of paying $30+ for very ordinary meals. We decided to splash out whilst in Hanmer Springs and are glad we did. Service was excellent. The following are little annoyances. Both of our cocktails were sickly sweet. I ordered the seared scallops as an entree. They were served in a nice ‘sauce’ which I was unable to properly appreciate because there was no spoon to scoop it up. We shared a slow cooked lamb shoulder which was absolutely devine.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula Kristianty
Kia Ora, Judith!
Thank you for sharing your experience at Hanmer Springs. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the service and the lamb shoulder. 😊
I’m sorry to hear that your cocktails were too sweet and that you didn’t have a spoon for your scallops. That sounds frustrating. 😞
We will take this as a boosting criticism to make a better staff training. Indeed we are giving a spoon for the guest who’s having scallops ( the little nice “sauce” you can’t missed out! ). We had a new staff whom joined us for a few days on that day.
I appreciate your feedback.
Have a wonderful day.
Written 3 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
55Steelman55
North Berwick196 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
Good produce, cooked well by a team of chefs who could have just stepped out of a kitchen in France.
Between us we had their 'signature ' lamb shoulder, confit duck and fish of the day, all well cooked and presented.
Good selection of wines by the glass and it's poured at the table with a 'try before you buy' approach, nice touch and first time I've seen that.
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paula Kristianty
Kia Ora, 55Steelman55!
Absolutely! It sounds like our chefs have mastered the art of culinary excellence. 🍽️🇫🇷
We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the ‘signature’ lamb shoulder, the confit duck, and the fish of the day—all prepared with finesse. And yes, our wine selection is a delightful adventure, especially with the ‘try before you buy’ approach. It’s like a French twist on wine tasting! 🍷😄
As for our chefs, rumor has it they’ve secretly attended the École de Cuisine Fantastique in a quaint French village. Their culinary prowess? Unbeatable! 🎩👨🍳
Thank you for dining with us, and we look forward to serving you more deliciousness soon! Bon appétit! 🥂🇫🇷
Written 29 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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