My partner and I were looking for a place for a nice lunch on a cold and (really) wet day. We decided to give The Grand a try especially with their $12 lunch specials.
It was busy as to be expected and we were greeted and a nice booth-style table was given to us. The waiter was very helpful and our order was taken promptly although I requested a wine list (very affordable) but nobody came back to check.
Once the meals have arrived I gotta say that I didn’t expect much for $12 but our meals were GREAT. We ordered fish and chips and open chicken sandwich. Our meals could easily be charged between $18-$20 but for the price that we paid – bargain. Chicken sandwich was flavourful and well cooked just a little too much cheese for my liking while fish and chips were moist, crunchy and hand cut fries looked interesting. On that note the fries needed more cooking as they were a bit soggy. However delicious lunch.
We had a wait for quite sometime at the bar before we could settle our bill as the staff were running around trying to make sure that their customers were not left out. Gotta say they could use another staff (or 2) during a lunch rush to ease the pressure for them, and for us.
We thoroughly recommend The Grand for any occasion and despite other not so positive comments it’s a great place to come.

Service is absolutely ridiculous!!!! Opening of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. I was meeting friends for dinner at The Grand and arrived later. Upon arrival at the restaurant I was not approached by any waitress/member of staff so had to find my friends and seat myself. I was not offered the opportunity to order by any waitress as none checked on the table at any point during the meal. We had to ask for another round of drinks order to be put in, for our plates to be cleared from the table, and to have the dessert menu provided. We had the dessert menu for nearly half an hour before an order was taken. There was a 45min wait on a bowl of fries when I did finally get to speak to a waitress. Desserts did not match menu description. Fries were like the soggy leftovers chucked out by KFC – but without the chicken salt. Staff were snooty and seemed only to provide service when customers had got out of their seats to ask for something. Also they don’t let you split the bill. I will not be back, and neither will my friends. I only hope that they think to improve their service when we have a greater influx of foreigners here for the RWC! It’s hardly a good look for NZ restaurants.

5 of us dined at the Grand, Courtenay Place on 11 August 2011 using 2 Spreets Vouchers that entitled us to any four mains and four house drinks.

At the time of booking and as stated on the voucher, I advised the staff member we were using the Spreets voucher and upon arrival we also presented them to the wait staff. We were advised that it will only need to be presented when paying.

My partner asked the wait staff what their House drinks included and the waitress listed a number of tap beer and informed us the juices were also included. When it came time to settling the bill we were charged for the tap beer and juices.

When querying this with the Manager who had processed our bill, she informed me that the beer and juices were not classified as ‘house drinks’. I explained the situation of how we were informed by the wait staff these drinks were included as a house drink.

The Manager acknowledged the error but was not prepared to rectify the issue and refund the money for the drinks. She offered to provide me with another 3 glasses of wines, of which I informed her was a ridiculous offer considering I was the driver that night (and the other diners were at the next restaurant for dessert). This did not promote responsible host management. After repeatedly informing her that if we were provided with the correct information in the first instance we would not have ordered the beer and the juices. In front of an audience of customers, the Manager (in a fury state) opened the till and refunded money only for the 2 glasses of juices. She was not willing to refund the money for the beer and I allowed her the opportunity to resolve this problem as we would have liked to return for another meal in the future. I informed her that as this is unacceptable and has presented us with a negative experience, we will advise all our friends, family and work mates not to dine at the Grand. The Manager’s response was ‘That is fine’.

It is a shame the Manager did not consider what the consequences were especially when the actual costs of one beer would have been next to nothing. Instead this has cost them repeated business not only from us but business from people we share this experience with.

Had some bar food and a few drinks upstairs during an All Blacks test. Don’t bother with the bar food. One of our group ordered ‘large’ nachos, was charged for small, paid extra in a second transaction for large, and received a measley serving. Complained to the bar staff and was told that there was no difference between the small and large nachos apart from the price. Ridiculous. Nothing was done. We later complained to the waitress who eventually got the manager, who offered us one drink as compensation. By that time the test was over and everyone else had finished their food/drinks and were wanting to leave. But thanks for the effort.

Poor frontline service (while at the bar we overheard another patron complaining his tap beer was flat, his complaints were totally dismissed) and poor food.

decent food…very comfortable seating and amience..however service could be improved

I will definitely go back

reading the two reviews I was a bit optimistic about going here, but I did. My experience was good. I would definately dine here again. My husband had a small problem with some of the service – felt they weren’t attentive enough, but overall I think they did a great job. The lady who served us was fab. The food is great, but could definately do with a bit more seasoning by the chef. Overall I enjoyed it. The bread and dips were a bit of a let down, charging $12.50 for a sliced loaf of sour dough and two very small dips is a bit pricey. Wouldn’t have minded paying that price if it was better presented, but a sliced loaf doesn’t quite cut it. Dinning experience 7 out of 10, food price 6 out of 10, food 8 out of 10.

I agree with the above. I was shocked at the size and quality of the meal I had last night. I was going to a movie with a friend so decided to pop over and try out the Grand… We ordered the ‘chips and dips platter for two – $27 and still can’t believe what they served. A plate of plain packet corn chips with 2 tiny cups of dips and a medium cup of sour cream with jalepenos. I am still in disbelief they can charge $27 for corn chips and dip! I was in a hurry to catch a movie so didn’t have time to complain (i have never complained at a restaurant before) but this is extortion!!!

Went here for brunch May 8th. I was very underwhelmed.

I had the scrambled eggs, sausage, baked beans on toast. My wife had pancakes with berry coulée. My 5 year old son had a bowl of fries.

I have never had a scrambled egg breakfast where the egg was perhaps a single egg. The piece of toast was the size of my 5-year-old’s hand. I could not believe it.

My wife’s pancakes were dry, over-leavened and of an unpleasant texture. The berry looked like it came out of a tin.

My son’s fries were soggy, limp and looked like the dregs of the bag, as at least half were less than 1 cm in length.

Do not waste your money