I went to the Speight Alehouse Ferrymead on 29-NOV-2012 with some guests and wanted to show them a good time, we ordered a variety of items from the menu including 2 steaks, the Half Pound R/Eye $33.50 and the Flintstone Steak $38.00. When the 2 steaks came out, the Flintstone was burnt with the taste of charcoal all over it and the Half Pound R/Eye was meant to be a medium steak but it was really well done and was hard, dry and chewy. I told the waitress and she took it back to the kitchen and she came back apologizing and offered to remake the meal. I wanted the meals remade but to takeaway, because by that time we where put off from eating there. The waitress went and came back to advise me that their takeaway policies do not allow for takeaways meals, so she offered to have the entries taken of which was about $25 in total, because our steaks went back in the kitchen and did not come back out I thought the steaks where free of charge. But after I had paid and checked the bill, they had still charged me for the 2 steaks that we did not eat. Because I had guests with me and did not want to make a fuss and left. But it left me felling rotten all night as I know that my guests did not get to eat their meals and I felt hugely embarrassed and lost of face.

Big ideas, poor delivery. The food was really average, yes it’s pub food but you are paying a premium for it. Real shame.

These guys have stepped up their game lately, we have been really impressed and have found the service and food to be fantastic! We keep going back as its hard to find good restaurants in chch at the moment and will keep going back there as every time is a delight.

Thank-you for making it a good experience!

What do you expect when you go to a pub for a meal.
We ordered 2 steak (med rare) and salads with sides of fries, fairly easy pub meal I would have thought.
WRONG!!!

It was a Wednesday night The service was less than average, with the waitress putting more emphasis on shoving booze down us, the meal took nearly an hour to come out I had to go and ask where it was..and as far as I could see we were the only ones eating, when the steaks finally came out they looked like rubber and were way over done, I guess its my fault for having high expectations, put this on par with a bad experience I had once at Chillikiwi on Papanui Road, some people and businesses just don’t get it, it’s about the food and service and the way it’s presented that keeps people coming back.

Id go their again for a beer, but never a meal.

Waaaaay better than Tower Junction. We got served our dirnks pretty fast and the bar man was pretty nice (and hot apparently) but our food took a while. The caesar was pretty small for $25 kinda like an entree or side. But it was tasty.

Speight’s Ale House Ferrymead, worth a trip out.

If you love watching sports on the numerous large screens, and generous servings of well presented food….then this is your place!

Great things about the venue are the service, young vibrant bar and restaurant staff are always on the ball…. large indoor/outdoor eating area, local and imported bands now and then…. ambiance is casual, fun, friendly.

Good things are the menu, large servings, variety ok, but could do with more vegetarian options, decor is a talking point…… oldest local pigs head…(passed humanely so I am told!)…. and sports paraphernalia.

EXCEPTIONAL things are the fabulously sagacious host. Mr Andrew Norton is the host with the most! Welcoming and always takes time out to make his guests feel special…..

Appealing, entertaining and you walk away feeling satisfied…..value for money.

Visited twice during our holiday.
Great varied menu to choose from.(Beware the large portions).
Service good and very friendly hosts.
First visit was so impressive that we took several members of family in NZ for a last night meal together before returning to UK.
Thanks for a memorable evening.