WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

Dianne B.
5th May 2011 4 star 

fantastic dinner last night at their inaugural beer/dinner match. The six course dinner was outstanding – the choice of food, the presentation, everything. Staff were great and attentive as well. Only suggestion I would make is that for the future wine/beer match dinners that you cut the music when the head chef etc are talking about the food and alcohol matches. We look forward to the next night and will also get down there for a regular meal sometime soon as well. Well done to everyone

TexMex
10th April 2011 4 star 

Had lunch here with a couple of friends on Saturday and really have mixed feelings. Whilst the food was delicious it seemed liked no one was in charge. Once seated and being handed only one of the menu options for the day, no one actually returned to our table. After 20 minutes we went to the bar and awaited another 10 mins to order drinks and food. This place very obviously needed more staff, the chap running the bar and the waitress in the restaurant were run ragged, though someone who may have been a manager/owner met with a friend/rep, tinkered with the sound system, enjoyed kebabs all the while we waited over an hour for food. Our order was actually overlooked, and we were offered a free drink and a massive apology, which certainly took the sting out, these things happen.

This place has massive potential, and with recent voucher deals on offer and new customers checking the place out, this kind of disorganisation will just not be accepted and people will not be back. Would go back, we did really enjoyed the vibe but their socks need to be pulled up promptly, there’s just too many other great places for us to spend our money if this service continues.

Kara I.
9th April 2011 4 star 

My husband and I went to the Hop Garden for dinner tonight. Foolish enough to show up on a Saturday night without a reservation, the staff were great, said it would be about an hour before a table was available but took our number to give us a call if one came up earlier.

The service once we got a table was faultless. The salt and pepper calamari some of the best I’ve had and the handcut chips also great. I had the lamb and my husband had the steak and both were worth a return visit. Topped off with creme brulee for dessert it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

At $102 for two entrees, two mains, one dessert and a beer and a glass of wine very reasonable for central Wellington.

We’ll definitely be back – but will be sure to book next time!

Genelle
15th February 2011 4 star 

We went over for Valentines day dinner as a special treat. Easy to get parking outside the restaurant on one of the side streets.
What a fabulous array of beers!! OMG -for my husband who is a gourmet beer afficianado, it was heaven. He had the Yeastie Boys Pot Kettle Black – delish.

We had a bit of a wait to be seated, but the staff were very accomodating and it was fine.
We ordered the Salt and Green Chilli Squid and Beef Skewers as a small plate to share. And the Sirloin and Lamb for mains.
We were waiting for over 40 minutes till the food came out…and the rest of the restaurant(full) were also waiting and getting quite annoyed! We could have been told it was going to be a wait, and we would have ordered some bread or something to tide the hunger pangs!! Or it could have been offered! Wait staff were conveniently dodging our gazes, haha.

But I have to say it was worth the wait.
The squid though a tad salty was beautiful and crispy and melt in the mouth…and went down beautifully with my Kemner Reisling. Beef skewers were a little under seasoned, but tender.
The mains were beautifully done, beef was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was good.
Lamb was nicely done, but it could have used some side serve of either mash or potatoes or some starch.
Creme Brulee to finish was perfect, and we love loved the fig biscotti thing. DElicious…
Overall, lovely…and I think they are a great little place, and will definitely be going back. Good luck.

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