New Zealand Herald

Reviews for The Apothecary Licensed Eatery

by Wayne C.
18th March 2013

As a pre movie treat we ate dinner last night at what must be the best eatery in Howick…..maybe Auckland for that matter. The new extension to the Apothecary is all class, we orded 2 dozen bluff oysters and had a $15 pork dish special for St Patricks day that simply melted in our mouths. The service was top class, not over bearing…. just right! The night went off with a bang…. maybe it was the bluff oysters ?
Anyway as a regular during the day at the main cafe the extended resturant/ bar did not disapoint and overall another example of Howick stepping up to the plate as a great destination for a great night out. Well done Apothecary we are regular movie buffs and plan plenty of future visits to your fine establishment. Keep up the good work !

by Adam N.
16th March 2013

Have got to say that I was shocked that I paid $8.00 for what must have been a two inch chicken wrap!!! There was no gold in it. Won’t be back that’s daylight robbery.
The coffee was nice but there is heaps of good coffee in Howick.

Comment from Ted W. of The Apothecary Licensed Eatery 18/03/2013    Hide »

Hi there Adam, I was just alerted to your review on our business,…    More »

Hi there Adam, I was just alerted to your review on our business, firstly my name is Ted Waters and I own The Apothecary with my bussiness partner Gillian we will all be sorry to hear that you were unhappy with the size of the chicken wrap for $8 . I know it is new to the cabinet about 10 days and I will have a good look with our head chef today. We use all reviews good and bad to provided the best product and service possible. You may well have spotted something that other customers had but never said anything. Thus a possible mistake stays unchanged. I do hope you give us another chance, we are a new business and have made a lot of changes with the next door renovation. We have an amazing new coffee machine coming this week to keep our coffee at the highest level. So even if it’s for a cup until we have your confidence back with our cabinet selection I would love for you to give us another chance. Please yell out if you see me. Regards Ted

by Rachael
3rd October 2012

Went for brunch, great service and our coffee and meals came out fast. Although I wasn’t happy with eggs Benedict I ordered, thought it was overpriced for what I got and the toast was so hard I could hardly cut it, let alone eat it!
Disappointing first visit as I had heard good things. Would go back but won’t be eating the eggs Benedict!!

by Bex
27th September 2012

I always enjoy eating here, have had outstanding food on valentines day and the titanic dinner. A perfect place to sit and have lunch or coffee with a friend. There is always a fantastic selection of hot and cold salads to choose from the cabinet, along with the delicious baps and an array of sweet delights, which are ever changing so you never get bored of the same thing. It has a wonderful atmosphere on a late Friday afternoon for a end of week wine!

by Karen R.
27th September 2012

I loved the mushroom & blue-cheese frittata – the mushrooms were generous and succulent, and the flavour excellent. Accompanied by a green side-salad of rocket. I chose from the varied range of tasty-looking cabinet options.

I’ve not seen such a unique fit-out as this anywhere: resplendent with antiquey nick-knacks, the place is charming, and somehow remains uncluttered. The bird-cages and boats, the pictures and oddities and all sorts of interesting things to look at.

An excellent coffee, and a great vibe.

by Mel N.
8th September 2012

We are frequent visitors to the Apothecary. We just love it. There is only one thing that lets it down and both my partner and I have commented on it…and that’s the slapdash presentation of the wait staff themselves! Saggy baggy t-shirts displaying bra straps, shorty denim shorts over black tights – bleeeugh!!!! (yes I KNOW it is the fashion and some chaps like this look). HOWEVER. The owners have obviously spent a lot of time and money sourcing items to create the cafe’s ambience (i.e. the complete fitout from a Parisian apothecary). To pull that whole Parisian, classy thing off would be for their staff dress to appropriately in either black or white waiter shirts, black ties and smart aprons – because you wouldn’t see a bra strap or bum cheek on a waitress in a cafe in Paris unless you took a wrong turn and ended up in the Moulin Rouge. And the other thing I’d like to see is the Apothecary open more nights for a drink. I am sure they have this in mind, and I can’t wait as summer’s on its way and this is a great setting to watch the world go by.

by Paul B.
7th September 2012

As a regular to this establishment, both in eating and drinking it is without doubt unique, from the Titanic Night to a Friday evening relaxing drink it never fails to impress, a great place to socialise.
They sell a beer in a large bottle not sure of the name but it is about 8%, more than 2 and you may be carried out, they also sell Cleveden Hills Syrah.
Well done to Ted and Jill for bringing it off, as a resident of Howick for 28 years it was needed.

by Sandy R.
2nd August 2012

Appeared to be a popular choice with the locals but sadly we were less than impressed with the lunch fare we ordered from their blackboard. The food came out barely lukewarm, very dry and lacking any type of dressing on the salad nor relish or sauce one would usually expect. When we asked for some the waitress quickly brought some to the table and expressed regret that there was none present.

The coffee was excellent but the food certainly let them down.

A word of warning, beware of the rear door, it’s a wind tunnel and could certainly cause an accident with the elderly – and it wasn’t even windy.

by Wendy S.
3rd July 2012

Howick has been craving a cool spot like this. We regularly visit here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a relaxing drink. The food is creative and always delicious. Stunning decor, a clever mix of Antiques, industrial & vintage. The staff are always friendly and the service is great. I love having such a great place so close to home. This place is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy!

by Gary C.
1st June 2012

This is a very frustrating place to eat.

The food is magnificent, creative, original and very very tasty. The décor plunges you back into a positively twee era; a fine blend of artistic cool and sophistication. The problem is the service (on more than one occasion). This aspect has left me vexed and seething. Initially, it’s very good; they take your order promptly and serve your coffee sharpish. The problem lies with the bumbling waiting staff. Last Saturday my eggs benedict turned up like the ‘Guns of the Navaho’. They were slick and stylish and had hollandaise sheen to die for. The problem though, and herein lies the rub, was that my partner’s salmon affair was a no show. A no show. Humpf! After 20 odd minutes I turned around to the lad and explained my exasperation. He just replied: “It’s not my fault”. Now, call me old fashioned, but that response is a completely unacceptable stance from a food place. That chap, at that time, was the ‘face of the place’ in that moment, and he was in the wrong. They were in the wrong! Bad form!

Now, I’ve been there with my kids also. And they do cater for the wee nippers with a plethora of choices on the kids menu.. But again, they simply forgot the order. It’s unacceptable behaviour from a restaurant.

This place has got the food and décor right. They don’t, however, have a clue about service, and general waiting etiquette.

Sort it out!

by Kathryn P.
16th April 2012

Wow! Great decor and a lively fun atmosphere. And… the food was just as good with superb flavours. The espresso was excellent, the staff friendly and the service great. We will be back for sure!

by Killmouski
15th April 2012

It really doesn’t get any better than this! We were lucky enough to secure boarding passes for The Apothecary’s Titanic centenary dinner on April 14th. The atmosphere created by Ted, Jill and his dedicated crew was just superb. The menu for the night was an interpretation of the original last dinner on the Titanic. Every course was truly excellent. The evening began with canapes and champagne, followed by a sumptuous seafood buffet, meats, vegetables and finishing with chocolate painted eclairs, French vanilla ice cream and champagne jelly with peaches. Food, presentation and service were stunning – it really was a night to remember!

by John A.
23rd March 2012

Dropped in to the Apothecary for a couple of quiet beers last night on the way to a different venue… and then never left.

The atmosphere was really good for a late evening, chilled-out drink in Howick. Very unique setting, surrounded by antiques and curios.

Tried the Organic Pilsener from Dunedin (name escapes me) and it was excellent.

Shared a plate of the sticky ginger ribs. They were delicious!

Good, friendly service. Will definitely be back — maybe fairly regularly!

by Jason G.
21st March 2012

I am a big coffee lover and very fussy when it comes to a tulip flat white. These guys nail it 9 times out of 10. The food is perfect and I struggle to venture from their eggs benny as this is my favourite breakfast when dinning out. However, when I do try other areas of their menu and cabinet food I am never disappointed. The chef is great, the people are great, the vibe is perfect and the staff are all more than happy to ask you how your days going! Keep it up and see you tomorrow for a flat white guys!

by Graham
18th March 2012

What a fantastic dining experience! A wide variety of meals and sides means that there is something for everyone. The salad platter was served in a very innovative way which just added to the unique feeling of the place. Full of quirky antiques the cafe is buzzing with life. A great selection of wine and ales which ensure a great evening also. Staff are very polite and friendly overall 5/5 and would recommend to anyone.

by Tracey H.
29th February 2012

New chef is great love all the lentil and raw energy salad options, the only negative is why can’t any cafes make a decent gingerbread loaf, it looked the part but when I tasted it was sickly sweet, had strong overtone of almond essense and had virtually no ginger taste – kinda tasted like a sickly sweet mild date loaf would taste (rather disappointing)! If you are going to add icing to the top you better make sure it has plenty if zing from real ginger and maybe add some salt to balance out all the sweetness from the golden syrup!

by Steve
23rd February 2012

Recently had a great night here at a 30th birthday party. Good selection of wines and the lamb was amazing. The atmosphere is unique and the staff are very friendly. During the day the cafe food and coffee is easily the best in howick. The new chef has added a new dimension to the cafe. Recommend to all.

by Caitlyn H.
22nd February 2012

This cafe is just what Howick needed! The food was fantastic and the staff were very friendly, on top of that, the atmosphere is great and your surrounded by gorgeous Antique pieces. Has an awesome vibe and a delicious menu to choose from. Definitely recommend this place, and will be a regular spot for me.

by Edwin W.
22nd February 2012

Briefly: the best eatery we have tried in east Auckland, also helps that we were able to have a glass of wine with lunch. The fit out of antiques (priced for sale) is 2nd to none and is our first choice to take overseas guests to. Lastly we went to the Valentines degustation night which was fully matched with French and NZ wines for $90 per head (6 glasses of wine and 6 meals) outstanding! We have booked for the next one.

by Leigh R.
21st December 2011

Have waited a long time for a cafe to come Howick that has that certain buzz, plays groovy music, offers interesting food and of course the best coffee. Most importantly has great staff who make you feel welcome and hands on owners who live it and breath it. Well done team.

by Barbara M.
20th December 2011

No generic food here, a mouth watering choice from a meal with wine or a divine cake and coffee. Not just a cafe but a total experience. The fit out with the antiques and collectibles (which are for sale) is fascinating. I am always telling people it is well worth the trip to Howick just to visit The Apothecary.

by Brendan P.
18th December 2011

Great Atmosphere, fantastic service and food with a great antique feel and buzz. good coffee, wine and unique beers, and happy staff. found the food all hand made from scratch to be absolutely delicious and can’t wait to go back again. highly recommended to all.

by Jon S.
25th November 2011

In response to “Poon” , do yourself a favour & go back & give them another try !
The chef is new, the coffee operator is new the coffee is awesome & so is the food.This place has to be the best on offer in Howick

by Poon T.
23rd June 2011

Decided to give this place a second chance and was served a very disappointing coffee (a watery flat white) after looking forward to one all day. Can’t say anything better for the service as we were barely acknowledged even when ordering and when all of the staff had seen us come in. They had to double check a simple coffee order and staff were joking around loudly (very distracting as i could hear everything spoken by the kitchen from the window where we were sitting. I love to see staff getting along and having fun and this usually wouldn’t have annoyed me if they had the same enthusiasm for their customers. The last time i visited they had forgotten to send a friends meal order out and left it sitting on the bench until we had to ask for it, then it had to be sent back to be reheated because it was cold by the time they sent it out. It’s a shame because i enjoyed the food both times – nothing amazing, but plenty to choose from. You are better off grabbing a treat for and heading somewhere else for service and coffee. Should have learnt not to return the first time round!

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