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Foundation Bar, Kitchen and Lounge

4 star rating
22 reviews

Cuisine: Eclectic

Maahanga Drive
(Te Awa, The Base)
Te Rapa
Hamilton City
07 849 2311

Hours:

  • Mon – Fri 10.30am – Late
  • Sat – Sun 9am – late
  • Facilities/Features:
    • Business Dining
    • Children's Menu
    • Live Music
  • Payment Types: EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard, AMEX
  • Price Range: Moderate, $15 - $25
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Alcohol: Beer, Wine, Spirits, Cocktails
  • BYO/Corkage: No BYO
  • Parking: Free Off-Street
  • Good For Groups: Yes
  • Good For Children: Yes
  • Takeaways: No
  • Delivers: No
  • Takes Reservations: Yes
  • Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian, Gluten-free
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: Yes
  • Meals: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Dessert
  • Wi-Fi: None

Setting strong Foundations in Kiwi style and flair … Foundation Bar Kitchen Lounge sets itself apart offering good old fashioned Kiwi hospitality …

This new addition to Te Awa, at The Base in Te Rapa is set in classy surroundings offering warm comfort whilst being true to its Kiwi beginnings with its chic rustic atmosphere.

22 Reviews for Foundation Bar, Kitchen and Lounge

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One of Foundation Bar, Kitchen and Lounge's Favourite Reviews What's This?

12th January 2012
5 star rating
Went there for lunch with friends and family , loved it. The staff were friendly and helpful. The place was quite full, yet we didn`t have to wait too long for the 6 meals.
The meals were very well presented and superb tasting . They were plentyful and value for money. A great experience and a great team!!

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6th January 2013
4 star rating
good service top food will vist again

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6th September 2012
4 star rating
Great food and service….made for a lovely experience thanks

P.M

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17th August 2012
3 star rating
We have dined in this restaurant on 2 previous occassions and found the food to be excellent. However this visit was not any where near as good!
1. The steak was not hot and not medium to rare by any means.
2. The desert was not hot and took forever to arrive.
3. I had to leave my seat and go to the bar twice to get another drink.
4. The Starters were cold and under-prepared.

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18th June 2012
4 star rating
Great service, great food. No long waits for your meals. Staff very friendly and attentive. My only gripe was that they didn’t have decaff coffee so I was awake half the night. Will definitely go again.

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Tom W.

1

21st April 2012
4 star rating
We booked online when they couldn’t find our booking they gave us free drinks so we where pleased the meal and service was 1st class, we would go again.

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Paul

1

16th April 2012
5 star rating
OMG went there over the weekend before a movie

Service was great, meet at the door by a lovely young girl directed us to a table, fast efficient service and man the place was busy, drink order taken straight away man i love that.

Menu presented quickly, had entrees the Buffalo wings and my partner had the chowder it was great

Then we moved on to a Lamb Shank and a pizza, entrees were out in 10mins and mains out shortly after our entrees were cleared. The service was so good we called back in for Dessert after the movie.

thumbs up

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5th April 2012
1 star rating
So disappointed in this place. I thought the place was really cheap for what they charged. The service was poor and some of the staff were rude and defensive when I commented about my meal which was dry and pretty much burnt. Would never go back!

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31st December 2011
4 star rating
Had a look at their menu yesterday. (A professional restaurateur) I liked the look and the staff’s approach so we came back for lunch. Loved it!
Staff professional AND friendly. Meal and drinks served in good time, well presented and at value for money – the latter is something becoming increasingly rare these days as pretentious “joints” charge outlandish amounts for mediocre cuisine. Great ambiance, staff were very much on top of everything, washrooms clean and beautifully appointed.
Congrats to all concerned. You deserve the popularity that you’re getting!

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Aca W.

2

27th November 2011
5 star rating
We had a great dining experience at Foundation last night. The wings on the tapas menu were (according to my husband) the best he’d eaten in a very long time. But the biggest plus is that the staff and kitchen were very friendly and accomodating about catering to my dietary requirements. Thank you!

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Kelly

25

31st October 2011
5 star rating
A friend and I went to Foundation for dinner last weekend. It was a great night. The service from our waiter Andrew was fantastic, as was the food. My friend and I shared an entree and then a pizza and then each had a dessert. All was really yum. The Base is the other side of town to where I live, but it was definitely worth the trip.

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15th October 2011
5 star rating
Hi I was impressed with the menu, the prices and the presentation of the food. I simply loved the pork sandwich. I’ve been there with mates about 6 times now and being a restaurant manager myself, I am pretty impressed overall with what the chef has presented to us every time.
Good work chef

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30th September 2011
4 star rating
Great place for a girls lunch. Food fantastic, parking easy, friendly staff. The caesar salad is to die for . The fish and chips in the wrapping paper a great look.
Will be back for more.
Carolyn.

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26th September 2011
4 star rating
I had a good time there. Food was good, very creative. Overall for food and venue I’d give 9/10. Complements to the chefs.

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15th September 2011
4 star rating
Called in for a casual afternoon beer and snack. Paul, Toni and the crew were great to deal with. Wheat beer was fantastic and the fish n chips were truley Kiwi and the presentation is so cool! Paul can’t sing but good music and the staff obviously enjoy doing what they do so well.

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2nd September 2011
5 star rating
Congratulations
Have visited the Foundation Bar twice since opening. Found the staff very friendly and helpfull.
The “Mother of all Burgers” was fantastic. Full of flavours and great chips…with T.sauce.
Ceasar Salad is out of this world as is the twice baked blue cheese soufle.Coped well with food alergies of one of my guests.
Had to wait a little for the 1st drinks to arrive.
Very impressed…hope the standard keeps up.
A new watering hole.

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26th August 2011
5 star rating
Went to Foundation Kitchen/Bar for the first time last night 25/8/2011 to check it out!
Great Service among all things. Place was rather busy, but staff were handling the load extremely well. They were lovely, and attentive (but not overbearing). Our table ordered a few nibbles such as Steak Fries, The Foundation Pizza, and a friend ordered Buffalo Wings – which he thoroughly enjoyed. A range of snack food to hit the spot! The dinner menu was VERY tempting, but we decided to stay on for a couple of hours for a few drinks instead since we were enjoying the atmosphere so much! The venue has been set to cater to everyone and anyone of all ages for all occasions.
Great outdoor area, which kept me cosy with the open fireplaces
I have never bothered to write a review before, but I felt what Aaron had said was a bit off, since we were obviously there the same night…
Who complains about waiting on staff for 5 minutes? and confusion over Aioli? Ask next time or make a suggestion perhaps? Come on give people a chance!
I will definitely be returning to Foundation in the near future.

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Aaron

3

26th August 2011
2 star rating
Living/working close to The Base, it did seem like Foundation Bar would be a winner. However, I’ve been here twice now since opening. Both time disappointed.

First time was lunch – bit on the high side for a lunch (as it is the same as the dinner menu – no small snacky meals, which you would have else where). $21 for a burger with fries – good burger but unsure if its really worth $21… Also watch out as the unclear menu makes you think it comes with Aioli but that is on the burger not on the side with the chips.

Second time round was dinner. Wait staff weren’t useful at all – sat around waiting for a drink over 5 minutes before we managed to get their attention to come over. Then about another 5 minutes before they arrived.

- Pork Belly (average – nothing fantastic…)
- Salmon Pizza — very very disappointing. Very plain, lacking flavour and ingredients.
- Burgers – very good, full of flavour but again no aioli which another guest was expecting!
- Recommend trying their 2% Ginger Beer which is very refreshing.

Might leave it a little while before I head back to Foundation Bar. Its got the potential but hasn’t won my vote sorry…

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15th August 2011
4 star rating
Booked a table for Friday night, got seated by friendly staff but then waited and waited for the waitress to come see us, after about 15-20 Min’s we had to call the waitress over and I complained that they didn’t come to serve us, in this she apologised and gave us a free drink each and after that she was very good and excelled at being friendly and attentive. Food was amazing, absolutely Delicious.. I had the Risotto balls for entree and gnocchi for main, both were superb, partner had Buffalo wings and pork belly… the pork belly was divine.. Cocktails also Delicious!!! Will be back for sure :)

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Tim

1

9th August 2011
5 star rating
I was visiting my brother the other day and both families decided to do some shopping at The Base… found the Foundation Bar and absolutely loved it. Real Kiwi look and feel about it. I had the the Foundation Pizza (amazing) and one of their own Pale Ale beers… they called it the Steam Brewing Company I believe.
All in all, very deserving of the 5 star rating and I would highly recommend it.

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simon

1

8th August 2011
5 star rating
Passing through town on a family visit – thought we’d try the latest place to open at The Base for lunch.

Great looking decor, quite different to my usual haunts.
Table service was attentive, knowledgeable and helpfull. a food allergy question, and child in tow were not a problem either.
I had the burger – around $20 but HUGE. and great flavour – another in my group had a huge smoked chicken salad that lookd incredible.
Coffee was very good to boot – always a good sign.
Ill be back without a doubt

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7th August 2011
4 star rating
Newly opened so we thought we try. Very nice comfortable and spacious restaurant. Nice to be able to order lunch at 11am, I’m not a brunch fan. I’ve never struck this before, anywhere in the world….we were asked for either a credit card or a drivers license! I was rather insulted, I asked as we left why and it was so they could find us! We ordered the foundation pie and the burger. The burger was huge and delicious (expensive at $20) but I think worth it. The pie was a pot pie and after adding salt was very nice. The staff were helpful and friendly (and obviously enjoying there work dancing to the music), the meal however took a little long to arrive. Will definitely go back.

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