North Island
Big Dogs On Blair
Cuisine: New Zealand, Pizza, Gastro Pub Food, Tapas
9-11 Blair St
Wellington Central
Wellington City 04 384 9777
Wellington Central
Wellington City 04 384 9777
Hours:
- Mon – Wed 4:30pm – 10pm
- Thu – Sat 11:30am – late
- Sun 11:30am – 10pm
-
Facilities/Features:
- Children's Menu
- Private Functions
- Private Parties
- Romantic Dining
- Price Range: Moderate, $15 - $25
- Dress Code: Casual
- Alcohol: Beer, Wine, Spirits, Cocktails
- BYO/Corkage: No BYO
- Good For Groups: Yes
- Good For Children: Yes
- Takeaways: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian, Dairy-free, Gluten-free
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
- Wi-Fi: None
All seven days a week we are serving up freshly made gourmet pizzas, tapas, salads and gastropub style cuisine such as steak, burgers and fish of the day, made with fresh local produce from Wellington. All our oven baked dishes are lovingly made in-house. With our oven placed just right outside the kitchen you can enjoy the sweet aroma of freshly made bread while you relaxed in the warm and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. We also have selections of luscious desserts that will never fail to satisfy as a final course to finish off the dining experience.
We also have variety of beverages that are sure to satisfy. Our range varied from delicious cocktails, organic wines, and Tuatara tap beers, to Café L’affare espresso coffee, fruit smoothies, (even)spiders, and much much more.
If you are looking for a casual atmosphere restaurant with serious food Big Dogs on Blair will gladly be at your service.
Set Menu for groups of 10 or more available.
Children’s menu also available
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22 Reviews for Big Dogs On Blair
2
13th May 2013
Big Dogs are one of the few establishments in Wellington who make commendable, full bodied hearty pizzas, bringing a good variety of different options in contrast to several vested pizzerias who make the light bodied style of gourmet pizza. On our visit this week we had a group of 5 who ordered 3 Medium sizes and a Large to share between 2 of us. These pizzas were a good change of pace and vogue, the ingredients and toppings on them were well arranged and worked wholesomely together such as; Caramelised onions and steak strips on one or Bacon, chorizo sausage with sundried tomatoes on another.
One of us had dietary restrictions and needed a Gluten-free option, and it was nice to see that Big Dogs had provided us with an option for a gluten-free/ vegetarian pizza, and after the mains all the guests were happy. The waiters were friendly, mature and experienced and made sure our dining experience was first rate.
In the end we all had positive responses, I was happy to have been a customer, and have recommended Big Dogs to some more pizza-lover friends of mine to try. Thanks.
One of us had dietary restrictions and needed a Gluten-free option, and it was nice to see that Big Dogs had provided us with an option for a gluten-free/ vegetarian pizza, and after the mains all the guests were happy. The waiters were friendly, mature and experienced and made sure our dining experience was first rate.
In the end we all had positive responses, I was happy to have been a customer, and have recommended Big Dogs to some more pizza-lover friends of mine to try. Thanks.
1
5th May 2013
Staff did well on a particularly busy night. As for our meals, we ordered chunky fries for the entree. It was served with liberal gravy, I’d say for starters they were a decent choice. The mains were the Fish of the Day & Pasta of the Day as well as a Chili Chicken pizza to share. Both mains were well cooked, well presented with good hearty portions. Both went well with a Tuatara Hefe . Afterwards no room was left for dessert but a pair of dessert wines sufficed. All in all a I’d rate this highly and would recommend.
25th April 2013
Visited for a mate’s birthday.
We were promptly seated and service was fast.
Entries came quickly and orders were placed efficiently.
I ordered a pizza (something like ‘bulldog’ I believe.) Tasted great and really filled me up.
Staff were friendly and drinks were constantly being checked.
Overall nice experience from this place.
We were promptly seated and service was fast.
Entries came quickly and orders were placed efficiently.
I ordered a pizza (something like ‘bulldog’ I believe.) Tasted great and really filled me up.
Staff were friendly and drinks were constantly being checked.
Overall nice experience from this place.
1
22nd April 2013
I can’t believe what a bad meal we had!! This use to be a favorite place to eat but since change of name and owners it’s gone down hill and I will never go back. The table and chairs are cheap and uncomfortable, the cheap fairy lights does nothing for the place, also bathrooms dirty and smelly.
Then the meal!!! Spicy buffalo wings what a joke, only spice was the Asian five spice!! No dipping sauce for the dry blue cheese wontons, and the pizza should have been named the red pepper pizza!!…Left behind 70 bucks and no happy and will never go back or suggest this place to any one!!
Then the meal!!! Spicy buffalo wings what a joke, only spice was the Asian five spice!! No dipping sauce for the dry blue cheese wontons, and the pizza should have been named the red pepper pizza!!…Left behind 70 bucks and no happy and will never go back or suggest this place to any one!!
2
14th April 2013
To start I will admit I had some good times here when it was One Red Dog. It seems the red dog has gotten fat and lazy, which is why the name has changed.
Past positive experiences aside, last night out Thai exchange student chose this establishment because she was hungry, and Monsoon Poon was a 45 minute wait.
We walked in to find a half empty restaurant and at 8:30p on Saturday, it could be because Pizza lovers are watching the Hurricanes. It turns out many people knew of the level of food and service here.
Ordering was fine, we asked our exchange student what she wanted and she chose a pizza with no onion. My son was salivating at the pork spare ribs. My wife and daughter go vegetarian with the Pasta. My minted lamb pizza sounded good.
What we got to experience was, very dry spare ribs. My son couldn’t finish what was dry and smothered in a burnt tasting glaze. Our Thai student will think we have idiots in the kitchen as she removed layers of onion from her pizza. And to top it off, and I have to admit. It maybe a small thing, but when waiting staff say they’ll bring water for the table, I expect it to arrive without having to intervene after 10 minutes of no service.
A positive was the big dog delivered good pasta, so my girls walked away fulfilled. I had to be calmed down and was given $5 off a $100+ bill. Yay, 5% off for an evening of ineptitude and disorganization. Well I suppose that’s why the red dog got fat and lazy.
Past positive experiences aside, last night out Thai exchange student chose this establishment because she was hungry, and Monsoon Poon was a 45 minute wait.
We walked in to find a half empty restaurant and at 8:30p on Saturday, it could be because Pizza lovers are watching the Hurricanes. It turns out many people knew of the level of food and service here.
Ordering was fine, we asked our exchange student what she wanted and she chose a pizza with no onion. My son was salivating at the pork spare ribs. My wife and daughter go vegetarian with the Pasta. My minted lamb pizza sounded good.
What we got to experience was, very dry spare ribs. My son couldn’t finish what was dry and smothered in a burnt tasting glaze. Our Thai student will think we have idiots in the kitchen as she removed layers of onion from her pizza. And to top it off, and I have to admit. It maybe a small thing, but when waiting staff say they’ll bring water for the table, I expect it to arrive without having to intervene after 10 minutes of no service.
A positive was the big dog delivered good pasta, so my girls walked away fulfilled. I had to be calmed down and was given $5 off a $100+ bill. Yay, 5% off for an evening of ineptitude and disorganization. Well I suppose that’s why the red dog got fat and lazy.
7
22nd March 2013
In December we came here with 18 people for a Christmas staff function. We inquired about a set menu beforehand and the manager was very prompt in providing us with ideas for the menu. So we booked for the night and ordered several large pizzas and pizza half splits. The bulldogs had tender strips of steak on top. Another set were seafood pizzas, and the salmon tasted fresh like day catch. We had no problems with the food, and everyone had their meals on the table all hot. The only gripe would be that the seafood basket had too many fried potatoes and was too big to be an entree. To top the night off everyone shared fondue which was sweet and classy. Even gents can appreciate the finer things. We were given a round of drinks as a Xmas present from the big boss, so cheers
1
2nd March 2013
After eating here I felt like I had to sign up & write a review.
Had a terrible eating experience here. They clearly use cheap & nasty ingredients, which seems unnecessary considering the prices.
Don’t ever get the olives, they are clearly straight out of a can. The blue cheese wontons were pretty bad also. Had the Lamb salad as a main which was yummy, but the mandarins were foul & tasted like they were also from a can. We had to pick them all out before continuing to eat. Won’t be going back. Ever.
Had a terrible eating experience here. They clearly use cheap & nasty ingredients, which seems unnecessary considering the prices.
Don’t ever get the olives, they are clearly straight out of a can. The blue cheese wontons were pretty bad also. Had the Lamb salad as a main which was yummy, but the mandarins were foul & tasted like they were also from a can. We had to pick them all out before continuing to eat. Won’t be going back. Ever.
5
15th February 2013
Came to Big Dogs on Valentine’s Day as we spotted the free garlic bread with the meal~ We were seated pretty quickly and were greeted with a Valentine’s menu. We chose to order the pizza and kebabs instead which were fantastic. Kebabs were beautifully done. The drinks came quickly and we actually ordered a few more rounds and spent the better part of our night here, letting the atmosphere soak in. Good value, would recommend+
3
10th February 2013
Fantastic cocktails and good beers guys. Well done. The burgers and fries were decently made. Entrees, which were tapas and garlic bread were sweet too. It was a good place for an evening summer feed. I dig the nice interior decoration.
12th December 2012
Went there on a Friday evening. Drink order was initially forgotten.
Garlic bread arrived needing seasoning, which I’ve never experienced before.
The blue cheese promised on one pizza appeared to be replaced with feta. The salad with roasted vegetables had overcooked bits.
Pizzas arrived tasting bizarre – greasy and tasteless. I suspect the kitchen staff had not sampled their meals in a long time and had chosen to substitute ingredients for the cheapest alternatives. Very poor when quality ingredients for an excellent pizza are far less than the 27-32 dollars we were charged per pizza.
A very below-par experience that left us feeling nasty for a couple of days afterwards. We were asked whether the meal was good by two wait staff and reluctantly provided the same feedback. To be honest we were very surprised by the bill which was not adjusted after our feedback, so I guess this kind of feedback isn’t unusual.
I wouldn’t want to pay to eat the quality of food we were served on that night, regardless of price and I feel foolish for not disputing the bill. We will not be returning and do not wish to be offered any inducements to do so in the future.
Garlic bread arrived needing seasoning, which I’ve never experienced before.
The blue cheese promised on one pizza appeared to be replaced with feta. The salad with roasted vegetables had overcooked bits.
Pizzas arrived tasting bizarre – greasy and tasteless. I suspect the kitchen staff had not sampled their meals in a long time and had chosen to substitute ingredients for the cheapest alternatives. Very poor when quality ingredients for an excellent pizza are far less than the 27-32 dollars we were charged per pizza.
A very below-par experience that left us feeling nasty for a couple of days afterwards. We were asked whether the meal was good by two wait staff and reluctantly provided the same feedback. To be honest we were very surprised by the bill which was not adjusted after our feedback, so I guess this kind of feedback isn’t unusual.
I wouldn’t want to pay to eat the quality of food we were served on that night, regardless of price and I feel foolish for not disputing the bill. We will not be returning and do not wish to be offered any inducements to do so in the future.
Comment from Ping C. of Big Dogs On Blair
16/12/2012
Hi dominionrepublic79,
My name is Jesse Jenkins; I am the General Manager of Big Dogs on Blair. Thank you for taking the time to write a review for us, it is very much appreciated. We are deeply concerned about your experience with us that night. I have…
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1
2nd December 2012
We had a great time here on a weekend night with a big group. We only ordered the pizzas, so can’t speak for the rest of the mains menu, but the pizzas were really, really good and enjoyed by all.
I recommend this restaurant if you have a big group of friends and want to enjoy a relaxed meal in a relaxed environment that isn’t too loud.
Oh – and try the French Poodle pizza, it was YUM, and really different (blue cheese, caramel onion, rocket, cheese, walnut and pear).
I recommend this restaurant if you have a big group of friends and want to enjoy a relaxed meal in a relaxed environment that isn’t too loud.
Oh – and try the French Poodle pizza, it was YUM, and really different (blue cheese, caramel onion, rocket, cheese, walnut and pear).
19th November 2012
We haven’t been to Big Dogs in a little while, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise as the menus have much improved. We ordered a 300g Sirloin steak, which was huge and cooked perfectly at medium rare. Well worth it, and it seems like they know what they’re doing.
The rest of the family had the French poodle pizza with blue cheese topping. It was extravagant ~ who knew blue cheese tasted so good on pizza.
As a patron who dines out on occasion we felt welcomed, and the waitstaff were very friendly to the kids. *Gold Stars
The rest of the family had the French poodle pizza with blue cheese topping. It was extravagant ~ who knew blue cheese tasted so good on pizza.
As a patron who dines out on occasion we felt welcomed, and the waitstaff were very friendly to the kids. *Gold Stars
2
18th September 2012
Got a voucher deal to this place. I normally don’t write reviews, but it felt necessary in this case. The bloody mary was overpriced and tasted of old tomato juice sans liquor. The “fresh cut French fries” were baked wedges, which weren’t good. The pizza for a large was a medium at best and were very few toppings. Glad this was a voucher deal as I would have hated to pay any more for this meal than I did. Was very disappointed about this restaurant, but am thankful there are plenty of other great restaurants around Wellington.
Comment from Ping C. of Big Dogs On Blair
10/10/2012
We are deeply concerned about your comment and thank you for your valuable opinion. There are a few facts I would like to point out here that first our bloody mary is a special recipe cocktail that has several spirits and import wine serves in tall catalina glass…
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2
19th August 2012
Excellent service! I had bought a couple of deal vouchers and the meals were huge and amazing!!! Would definitely go there again – what a treat! The staff were just marvellous. The atmosphere is brilliant and the waiting times weren’t that long.
27
30th July 2012
My partner and I recently visited Big Dog on Blair at the recommendation of friends, and, overall, we weren’t impressed. None of the staff seemed to know what their co-workers were doing, so we got asked the same questions at least twice (“Would you like something to drink?”, “Have you placed your order?”, and so on). The food sounded delicious on the menu, but was horrible when it came to the table! Out of five tapas plates, I found only one (satay beef kebabs) palatable. Since my partner didn’t seem to have any problems, I didn’t send anything back.
I’d return to Big Dog on Blair, but would be wary of choosing from the tapas section of the menu again.
I’d return to Big Dog on Blair, but would be wary of choosing from the tapas section of the menu again.
Comment from Ping C. of Big Dogs On Blair
9/11/2012
Hi there.
My name is Jesse Jenkins, I am the General Manager of Big Dogs on Blair.
I would firstly like to thank you for taking the time to review our restaurant, we appreciate it very much. The changes we make based on reviews help us to make the positive…
More »
1
5th July 2012
My partner and I have been here a few times, and every time the pizzas are gorgeous!. Seriously, if you want good pizza, you have to know where to look. We don’t usually order mains but on occasion we get the tapas and fries with a pint of lager. The service was warm and friendly. Thanks guys.
28th June 2012
Very little seems to have changed from the previous incarnation of this restaurant. The menu is surprisingly familiar menu and the environment identical, which is fine. However, the food last night was simply dreadful. I ordered gnocchi with chicken – well, that’s what it said on the menu. What I got was dry, overdone chicken pieces and nondescript vegetables underneath something that looked and tasted like overdone pan fried haloumi – I’m guessing this was meant to be gnocchi. According to my friend, the salmon was a marginally better choice. Our service was ok; we had an early meal on the way to another appointment so appreciated being able to get in and out quickly, but we won’t be returning to Big Dogs.
Comment from Ping C. of Big Dogs On Blair
10/10/2012
Thank you for your useful comment. We have removed gnocci from our menu just over two months ago and replaced it with Canelloni as a vegetarian option. It is currently selling very well.
11
12th June 2012
I bought deal vouchers, pizza was good, love their entrees, it’s pretty good.
1
10th April 2012
I went to BDB last night. Ordered the mushroom soup for entree which was fine. Ordered the special of the day-1 doz chicken wings & fries. The waitress came back to say only half a dozen available. Just as well- they were passed their use by date. inedible. Told the waitress who came back to say the chef had eaten one & they were fine.
When we went to pay the bill the manager said there was nothing wrong with the chicken but she would give us a discount. She really meant she would not charge us for what we couldn’t eat.
I suggested that she give us the chicken wings & I would have them tested & if they were OK I would come back & pay for them & if not I would advise the health dept.. She decided she would rather I didn’t.
She then advised that there would be a 15% surcharge as it was a public holiday. There were no signs outside or inside or on the menus or verbal advice that this was the case. I chose not to pay the surcharge.
I won’t be going back again. Ever.
When we went to pay the bill the manager said there was nothing wrong with the chicken but she would give us a discount. She really meant she would not charge us for what we couldn’t eat.
I suggested that she give us the chicken wings & I would have them tested & if they were OK I would come back & pay for them & if not I would advise the health dept.. She decided she would rather I didn’t.
She then advised that there would be a 15% surcharge as it was a public holiday. There were no signs outside or inside or on the menus or verbal advice that this was the case. I chose not to pay the surcharge.
I won’t be going back again. Ever.
3
11th April 2012
I thought it be nice to check this place out. Food was great, a tiny tad expensive, but the 2 large pizzas were masterpieces and actual healthy large portions for large pizzas.
For dessert we had the passion-fruit cheesecake and berry sundae, those were delightful too… except we were already quite full from the mains so we couldn’t really savor them.
Good Work!
For dessert we had the passion-fruit cheesecake and berry sundae, those were delightful too… except we were already quite full from the mains so we couldn’t really savor them.
Good Work!
2
8th April 2012
My fam and I dined at Big Dogs last weekend.
Staff were really helpful; as I’m a vegetarian they recommended to us the “Paris” pizza, which I must say I want the recipe to.
Drinks came quickly, cosy atmosphere.
A delight. Nice addition to Welly.
Staff were really helpful; as I’m a vegetarian they recommended to us the “Paris” pizza, which I must say I want the recipe to.
Drinks came quickly, cosy atmosphere.
A delight. Nice addition to Welly.
1
27th March 2012
Last weekend on Saturday night few girls had dinner at Big Dog which was a Big disappointment. We ordered starters which never came to our table, then we canceled the starters and ordered the mains which took an hour to arrive to our table after reminding the staff couple of times. And the food we recieved was really cold, we wasted so much food that day. The service was equally terrible with no proper response from staff. We even spotted some people leaving the table without touching their food. It’s a shame that all are expectations of this restaurant was shattered. We are not sure if it’s worthy of a visit again.
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