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1 day ago
Amazing food, excellent service – a really lovely evening out. The best roast dinner I’ve ever had and the Tiramisu is to die for! Thoroughly recommend a visit to this great restaurant.
3 days ago
Have since been back to The Merchant (twice) and have been pleasantly surprised, food is good, and service, outstanding. It’s amazing what good service can do for a place. We will definitely be back.
6 days ago
We came here for Mother’s Day, they had a special menu where you could choose from 3 entrees, 3 or 4 mains and desserts. I ordered the battered mushrooms, which were really good, I shared the Camembert in filo pastry with bacon, apricot sauce and cashews, which were really good too. My sister had the prawn cocktail, which was really just OK, nothing to rave about, probably could have made it better at home. Most of our table ordered the sirloin roast which had a stuffing of some sort and vegetables. The reason for the three star’s is because of my pie of the day which was steak and kidney. I was really unimpressed with this, I am sure a 10 year old can make better, I feel bad saying it but it was honestly the worst pie I have had. The flavours were not there, I ended up drowning it in salt and pepper just to give it some kind of flavour, but I ended up forcing myself to eat half of it. I did try the sirloin which was delicious, and the fish ‘n chips which someone at our table ordered also looked good. The pie was a real shame as I really enjoyed the mushroom entree and the Camembert entree. I think that The Bay should remove the pie from their menu as well as the shrimp cocktail. Other than those 2 dishes, I still think their food is good.
8 days ago
We met a friend at the merchant, loved that there is heaps of heaters outside, lots of yummy dishes to choose from and they offer blankets to keep warm. Entree & mains were really good, we were all happy with the meals. Staff were really friendly and quick to help.
Only downside was that we ordered a bourbon and diet coke and it seems he had been given normal coke, as my partner is type 1 diabetic this made is blood sugars really high which is dangerous. Only other comment I would have is that we had been sitting outside having a pre drink and were super comfy but had to go back inside to order and pay, would have preferred to order at the table and have them taken our credit cards?
But we will be going back 
9 days ago
I have been going to this lovely restaurant for over a year now on a regular basis. The food is always delicious and well presented. I have had a wide variety of meals, my favourite being the seafood platter, which is just awesome! One of the best platters I’ve had. The childrens menus is great and my kids love it. The puzzle page to keep them happy is great. The lovely manager lady (sorry I don’t know her name), has a lovely positive happy manner and always make us feel really welcome. The atmosphere is friendly, inviting and cosy. Especially in winter, with the warm gas fire on. Will always be one of my favourites.
10 days ago
We had not been to Valentines for many many years, and when a discount voucher came up on Treat me, we decided to go. We were both so shocked at the difference. The service was excellent, we were taken care of extremely well from start to finish. The food had changed also, there was a wonderful choice and the food was cooked well and was so enjoyable. The desserts, which for me used to be the downside, were really scrumscious. We were so thrilled with our return to Valentines we returned within a few days to take Mother for lunch. Thanks.
11 days ago
I took my parents there for Mothers day & my dad’s birthday and was sad to see we were the only table in such a big restaurant with some awkward elevator music playing, but I thought this may have meant the service would have been grand. Instead the waitress seemed like she couldn’t care less and reset the whole restaurant for breakfast the next day while we were still on our entree before 8pm-she paid little to no attention to us at all the whole night. The food was bland and overpriced with no soul at all. The steaks were unseasoned, the risotto was flat and the scallops and bacon inedible really due to the salt of the bacon. The desserts all seem to have been comprised of the same tinned fruit as well-all very strange tasting. I was very embarrassed to take my parents here and unfortunately will not return.
17 days ago
We went to GPK for my birthday a couple of weeks ago and decided to go for the breakfast menu options. The sides of bacon were burnt, and the hash-browns out of a packet (I know, I buy them for the kids from the supermarket!). We did mention this to the waits-person (burnt bacon) and didn’t get much of a response. They should have taken it off bill. The whole experience was disappointing and we won’t be back.
22 days ago
Hadn’t been here for a while as there are so many eating establishments offering great deals and the food had become very predictable. So when a voucher came up I thought it time to revisit and we weren’t disappointed. The food was hot with a reasonable selection.
The staff though were awesome. I know it was a pretty quiet day for them but they were super friendly and attentive being very quick to take dirty plates away (sometimes too quick :). It is still a good place to take a group especially if you have mixed ages and tastes and they always go out of their way if you are celebrating a special occasion.
Thanks for a most enjoyable lunch.
23 days ago
Wonderful restaurant ! Prompt friendly service, Amazing food, especially the confit duck leg which was succulent and perfectly cooked ! Would reccomend to all
25 days ago
The whole group really enjoyed their meals. Perhaps the only negative comment is that two of the steaks that were served were not hot, but overall, really good
26 days ago
Being new to Auckland we live out in Red Beach so wanted a half way point for meeting family for a birthday lunch! The whole seating arrangement was very nice although abit dark! Very friendly waitresses and pleasant surroundings! Nice family atmosphere.We had 4 children with us and were greeted with colouring pencils and paper at the end the children were seated at! Drinks served nice and promptly, had a long wait for a waitress to take our lunch menu orders had to call them over.BUT the food was devine, three of us had BLAT with chicken, lovely huge meals with seasoned chips. One had Lamb Burger, and other had Shanks! EVERYONE including children very happy! A longgg wait for coffee but think the rather large group also booked in may have kept everyone busy!…all in all a lovely meal and would definately go back again!
26 days ago
Had a meal there last Sat night. Loved the seafood chowder and staff were friendly
29 days ago
Some dishes were great, others were acceptable. The seafood chowder soup was horrid -the worst I’ve tasted, it was so thick you’d think they were trying to stuff you up so that you couldn’t eat anymore. Most importantly the plates, bowls and cutleries were filthy!!! With stuff sticking on almost everyone of them. Totally gross…
North Island
