WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

Hilary C.
24th March 2012 4 star 

Never having been here before, we called into this restaurant for brunch after rain affected the cricket today.

I ordered my usual Eggs Benedict and was offered it with several options. I chose ham. It seemed a bit more pricey than other places. When it arrived I was amazed to see not just two eggs on a bagel but three huge slices of ham and a potato cake – it was more than worth the extra. It was all absolutely delicious, one of the best I’ve tasted (and I’m a creature of habit).

I also ordered a pot of tea. It came with an egg-timer styled timer – designed to indicate when the tea would be ready to pour – that all on our table thought was lovely.

We had no problems with the speed of service. We ordered at the counter and, although Saturday-morning-busy, found a table easily.

I was curious to see what the tugboat would be like on the inside and was pleasantly surprised and rather impressed. I think we’ll be back.

Hilary from SaRC Social Club

Andrew
6th March 2012 1 star 

I’m not sure when it became acceptable for a cafe/restaurant to offer food that tastes distinctly like packet food, but Parade Cafe may very well be the first cab off the rank.

A Thursday dinner began with an average chicken burger for my partner and over cooked duck breast for myself. I suspect the cook doesn’t know that duck should be slightly pink inside. It’s not chicken, sweetheart, it won’t poison me if it’s pink. With the mains consumed with an overly warm red wine, we moved on to dessert.

As we both enjoy chocolate fondants, this was the obvious selection, particularly as past experience has shown that the creme brulee to be akin to eating Swiss Made Custard.

After what seemed like an eternity to have our order taken, this being a very quiet night with about 4 covers/tables booked, the chocolate fondants appeared very quickly. There were 2 problems with the fondants. One, they were stone cold and two, they tasted like Aunt Betty’s self saucing puddings. Upon asking both wait staff, I was informed that they should indeed be hot/warm and not cold.

I emailed the manager for clarification on how the fondants ought to have been prepared, only to be told that they were experimenting with the recipe. Now, as an amateur cook, I would expect a cafe/restaurant to have actually done the experimentation prior to the dish being put on the menu. Call me old-fashioned. I did not receive an apology.

I can’t recommend dining here unless you like poorly cooked food that tastes like it’s out of a packet.

GBB
26th February 2012 1 star 

Keen to show our wonderful city off to our Canadian visitors we chose this restaurant for dinner, great venue & views…the rest was history. When following up the waitress who seated us to take our drink and food order, she advised me our waiter will be with us soon. A few minutes later the same waitress shows up, I’m thinking are we in a scene from Faulty Towers? We are then advised over 7 items are not on the menu, no pasta dishes no chicken & no mussels. We are told the menu is going through a change so I’m now thinking its time to leave but we order anyway. 5 minutes pass & I’m then advised the pan fried fish is not available either. The food we did have was passable, fish & chips for our visitors & lamb rump for the remainder. Very dissapointed, will not recommend or return.

Frank
22nd February 2012 3 star 

Food is okay, but the kids love it – mainly for the extra thrill of eating on a boat. Great spot for a quick after work dinner, followed by a play on the beach.

vincent g.
28th December 2011 4 star 

Great place to go for lunch, with very good pricing and a good view

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