Went to dinner with my husband for my birthday 25 Jan 2011, service could not have been better, chose Taupo Acacia 2009 wine which was superb. We then had the duo of pork entree and the venison for our mains and the food was divine followed by great coffee, unfortunately could not fit in dessert but next time we will see. Defintely recommend.

Recently dined here with a party of four and had a truly delicious meal, very creative menu which had lots of choice. Would have given this restaurant 5 stars but for the lamb which was quoted as being served medium rare but was very definitely rare…Not the way I like it, but my husband finished it off for me! Other than that everything was pretty near perfect including friendly service.

The owners have done a great job with this restaurant. Was there few weeks ago. Food and Wine list is amazing together with staff…

this restaurant is what got me addicted to fine dining up there with The French Cafe food wise which was recommended by the waitress, not many people at the time but thats the way i like it depends on what time and season you go as ive missed out on a table before, service was great as was atmosphere best ostrich and venison ive ever had melt in your mouth cant wait to go again.

It was dark and raining on a Sunday night in Taupo, which made us miss The Brantry at first pass as it’s tucked away, out of the main town centre. However, once in the door we were greeted warmly and given a decent table in the empty restaurant.

The menu choice is ala carte and small with 5 or 6 mains and starters. This is very difficult for a non meat eater/vegetarian as the choice was well, meat or fish! Several items were also unavailable, but alternatives given. The food was of good quality and very nicely cooked and presented, although not enough time was given between courses and we felt rushed because of that, even though only three tables were taken the whole time.

Those two other tables were filled during our starter, which gave the place some ambiance, otherwise it was a bit like eating in your grannies front room, although there’s supposed to have been recent refurbishment. The carpet had seen better days and a rug was surreptitiously placed to cover ‘something’, while the table and chairs were ‘spun dried’ around the perimeter of the room.

So the downside(s); We’d chosen Brantry to celebrate a special occasion and front of house girl was pleasant and smiley, although she sounded awfully bored when reciting the specials and unavailables. If eating at a pricey place like this, I’d expect the waitress to be dressed in something other than leggings and a t shirt! It’s classier than that.

Our bill came to over $200 for two, with starters, mains, one dessert and without coffee, mainly because the wine list started at $40 a bottle (for something that you could get for around a $10-20 in the shops) Our chardonnay was $49 a pop which caused palpitations for my OH.

The kitchen door is annoying and the waitress banged in and out of it like she was going a round with Frank Bruno. We could hear every word said in the kitchen while the door was flapping away (and the staff should know that)

When we went to pay, we were charged less for the salad as ‘it was past it’s best’ Actually I’d have preferred to know that before eating it, not afterwards!

Would we go back? Possibly, although there are restaurants aplenty in Taupo and we’d like to know this one has pulled it’s socks up first. Food quality is good, but the other stuff lets it down for a restaurant of its class.