Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Auckland City Nights

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  • Louise, in reply to BenWilson,

    We run one of the new eateries at North Wharf. Not one that's been mentioned in this thread (so far). We have other eateries in central Auckland staffed by intelligent, friendly, skilled people who are committed to giving excellent service, and they are doing the same down at North Wharf. We spent considerable time designing a space for our North Wharf cafe that reflected some of the surrounding history and activity and invested in a quality fit out. We've been very busy and have employed more permanent full time staff. We don't use temp staff because they can't offer the quality of service we know our customers expect without considerable training. I absolutely support honest, no holds bared reviewing to keep us all on our toes, but please don't make blanket assumptions that your experience at one or two is going to be indicative of the whole.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2008 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Louise,

    Say which one, and you could be on my Friday lunch review list today. I won't identify myself until *after* the bill, of course.

    but please don't make blanket assumptions that your experience at one or two is going to be indicative of the whole.

    I don't. I haven't eaten there at all, because the area has had bad reviews from nearly every source. But I'll be happy to revise my opinion if you let me know which one you're at, and I go there, and the experience is good, and the prices reasonable.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Louise,

    I absolutely support honest, no holds bared reviewing to keep us all on our toes, but please don't make blanket assumptions that your experience at one or two is going to be indicative of the whole.

    I'd like to give your establishment a try too. As mentioned, the Gelato was good, and I've been to the pub, which had someone playing Karaoke style Violent Femmes, which wasn't. Guess I'll have to keep trying them one by one until I find one with excellent service and a smiling manager called Louise. You're not the one with the colourful piano which my kids played on during opening weekend by any chance?

    I hope you do well, and that your approach rubs off on the others around you. We are a pretty critical bunch, to be sure.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to recordari,

    We are a pretty critical bunch, to be sure.

    A critical mass, even...

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Last chance, Louise...I'm going to lunch pretty soon :-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to BenWilson,

    Friday lunch review

    I aspire to your lifestyle.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Louise, in reply to BenWilson,

    Hey Ben! We're Rushworth (named for Lord John Henry Rushworth Jellicoe). Enjoy. L

    Auckland • Since Feb 2008 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Sacha,

    I aspire to your lifestyle.

    Eating a cheap lunch with mates on Friday is within reach of everyone. Unfortunately, it won't be at Louise's shop today, because, despite "absolutely support honest, no holds bared reviewing to keep us all on our toes", I don't have any idea which place is hers. So my first review is "They don't get back to you".

    ETA: GAH!!! Sorry Louise... retracted!!!!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Christopher Dempsey, in reply to recordari,

    You’re not the one with the colourful piano which my kids played on during opening weekend by any chance?

    The piano is an idea from o'seas ganked by Waterfront Auckland. They've discovered it's cheap entertainment, and have organised a few spare pianos similarly painted.

    WA knew it was a winner when they discovered one of the construction guys during lunchtimes would sit down and play beautiful classical music which everyone loved so they asked him to play more often!

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report Reply

  • Louise, in reply to BenWilson,

    P.S. Non-immediate response due to three-month-old daughter who I'm guessing shouts louder than most folks when her lunch doesn't arrive in a timely fashion!

    Auckland • Since Feb 2008 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Louise,

    three-month-old daughter

    at once the harshest and most forgiving reviewer

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Louise,

    I absolutely support honest, no holds bared reviewing to keep us all on our toes, but please don’t make blanket assumptions that your experience at one or two is going to be indicative of the whole.

    Thanks for coming by and making yourself known, Louise. I’ll certainly check you guys out at some point.

    It’s a bummer for you that some of the other North Wharf places are damaging perceptions of the area as a whole.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Thanks for coming by and making yourself known, Louise. I’ll certainly check you guys out at some point.

    +1. We'll be along presently. If not today, then before next Friday, when, if you really do have good service, we won't be able to get near the place.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Louise, in reply to Russell Brown,

    The vast majority of people we serve and talk to are really enjoying the total Wynyard Quarter experience, especially the daytime crowds and families. The wide wharf promenade, playground, the 'swimming pool you can't swim in' (according to my young son) under the wind scuplture, feeding the seagulls while sitting on the edge of the wharf, curling up in the funnels, and wandering over the footbridge while admiring the views. The sunrise and sunsets are pretty special too down that end of town.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2008 • 19 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Louise,

    I'd concur with that appraisal, today. Nice ambiance about the area, aided by nice weather. Nice coffee at Rushworth, although only one brownie left, my friend got it! Not to worry, I was feeling pretty full by then. Lunch cuisine was not entirely my choice in company, so the internet won out, and I had already had a very nice prawn curry and a beer for $13 in the 'burbs (Nite Spice), but was able to take the coffee/cake choice to the Wynyard Quarter. I do not know if I am simply blessed by the parking gods, but once again I managed to park close and free (4 hours!). I will not say where, in case someone decides to close that down.

    Louise, I'd suggest you ask them to take away the curious gimmick picture of a wharf off the website that forces you to use the scroll bar to read about your cafe. It doesn't add, it detracts.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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