New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Bosco Verde

by Brooke M.
29th May 2013

We made a booking for 5 people for my mum’s birthday on a Wednesday evening. I booked for 6:30pm, and was advised we would have to be out by 8pm for the next booking which is fine. We arrived on time and had to wait 40 minutes before requesting from waitress to place out orders. 1 hour 20 mins later, our mains started dripping out. By the time the last main was out, the first two mains were cold. Upon complaining, Justin (or whatever the owner & chef’s name is) started yelling at us. Ruined my Mum’s birthday, and quite sad because the food is good.

Comment from Julian S. of Bosco Verde 31/05/2013    Hide »

Hello everyone welcome to the ugly side of the hospitality…    More »

Hello everyone welcome to the ugly side of the hospitality industry. I feel that I should respond to the latest review. We have systems in place to record the time of all orders taken, and their assertion was incorrect,although I admit longer than I would have liked and apologized on that basis. We were extremely busy that night. At that stage there seemed to be one man who was particularly upset and when I informed him that the meals were coming and were actually on the pass, he said “BULL S–T. I certainly did not yell and tried to make their evening as pleasant as possible,
But by then in their eyes the damage had been done. At the end, I apologized again, this time a young woman got involved, again aggressively, and it was at that stage that I raised my voice slightly, only to get my point of view across. This incident was unfortunate and upsetting for myself and the team as we always strive to look after our customers and 99% of the time we do. I trust that people will make their own minds up and as we all know there is always two sides to every story.
Julian (Proprietor Bosco Verde)

by Gordon R.
29th April 2013

What is everyone on about in these reviews? Italian wait staff are the rudest people in the business. The French will at least PRETEND to be courteous. Anyway I found the waitresses here to be great.

I’ve been here once with a date, it was recommended by others.
The decor is a bit dated but I don’t care about that.
It’s hard enough to find a restaurant in auckland that serves good quality food and also when they spend a lot on the decor that shows me that the focus is not on the food.
And also that expensive decor will come out of the price of the meal.

Bosco Verde serves unpretentious great tasting food.
fully recommended.
The only gripe I have is that I wanted more of their yummy food. I had a chicken dish and my date had a vegetarian pizza which I had a slice of and I still could have eaten some more. It was great.

Greenwood’s corner is a one stop shop. You can get a delicious pie from the Bakery for lunch,then for dinner you can get a great meal from Bosco Verde then it’s off to the 574 club for a bit of how’s your father.
Screw Flanders.

Comment from Julian S. of Bosco Verde 4/05/2013    Hide »

Thanks for all the recent positive reviews, 26 years and still…    More »

Thanks for all the recent positive reviews, 26 years and still going strong! To Gordon R, Bosco Verde does not endorse or have any connection to Club 574, and certainly would not recommend this activity, after a generous, satisfying meal. Before hand is far more sensible. Love the humour Gordon, introduce yourself next time you’re in.
Julian (proprietor)

by Kaye
15th February 2013

I have eaten at this little gem of a restaurant many, many times. I am perplexed to read the scathing comments written by some previous patrons. I LOVE this restaurant for so many reasons – the service is excellent, the atmosphere is cosy, the food is always, always impeccable, and the price is very reasonable. I will continue to go back again and again – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!!

by Owen M.
25th November 2012

We have dined at the Bosco Verde for many years. The owner Julian is charming, always greets us like old friends, the waitresses are lovely and attentive and the other chefs delightful too. It is a cosy, comfortable, intimate little restaurant. The food is always delicious. It is advisable to book, especially on weekends, public holidays etc., as the Bosco Verde is so popular.

by David B.
13th December 2011

The owners have done a fantastic job theming the restaurant as early nineties Italian. The only things missing are the candles in Chianti bottles and the Gypsy Kings.

We should have booked but thought it would not be necessary on a Monday night. They did however fit us in which was great as it is the only Italian in the local area.

As they were busy the food did take a while but it was well worth the wait. My Bistecca buon Gustaiao was cooked to perfection. The service from the two very busy girls was excellent.

More ‘premium price” & cheerful than cheap and cheerful.

by Angelica
13th November 2011

The decor may be old, but the food is always delicious. This restaurant doesn’t take EFTPOS but there is an ASB across the road. The olives are amazing and the garlic bread. I always enjoy going here.

by E T.
3rd September 2011

Have been going to Bosco Verde for years, great food, good staff and the owner has always been welcoming. Don’t care about decor, we go for the food. Hubbie loves the eye fillet and the vegies are great. Will keep returning.

by Samantha M.
24th August 2011

We decided to go to Bosco Verde last week as we had not been for some time. I was a bit worried because of the below review – however I was, like always, extremely impressed with the service and the amazing food at Bosco Verde. I left this restaurant feeling extremely satisfied. The pork meal is my favourite! Will 100% be back asap.

by Esther D.
22nd July 2011

Thought we would check out this little restaurant. We found it not licensed with no Eftpos,very dated and worn, the waitress very rude and the prices over-inflated for the bland, undercooked, cold food on offer. When questioned about the uncooked food the chef proceeded with a loud,lengthy and condescending justification in front of our guests. Our guests also noted the staff “mocking” the customers behind their backs. Left a very bad taste! We’ll return to our favourite Pappa’s of Sandringham.

Comment from Julian S. of Bosco Verde 7/08/2011    Hide »

As the owner of Bosco Verde restaurant for over 25 years, I want…    More »

As the owner of Bosco Verde restaurant for over 25 years, I want to respond to the above comments. I have a strong loyal following in the Epsom area, of very intelligent, discerning people. This extends to national and international visitors. These people do not come for the decor or the fact that I am B.Y.O.W, but because I am consistent, cook quality produce to a high standard, with a varied menu, and great service. There are a few people that expect to pay my 1987 menu prices, this is impossible. What I do offer is a varied price range from $20-$38.50, for main courses, majority of which include vegetables, not an additional extra as in most restaurants. Also savings can be made by B.Y.O.W, with no corkage fee! The majority of people get what Bosco Verde is about, but for those who have preconceived pretensions, the viaduct, or a “flavour of the month” restaurant would be a better bet. I will carry on with passion and dedication to provide great food and service.
Kind Regards
J. Snelgrove (owner)

by Steven k.
4th June 2011

Bosco verde is a great little placed to dine in or takeaway. My family and i have enjoyed consistently good food and customer service. I highly recommend that you give them a shot.
Enjoy.

by PatchNZ
26th February 2011

After living in the area for 6 years and not quite making it to this restaurant…we finally called in early on a Saturday night to try it out. The decor is tired 60s style with booths. We ordered the garlic pizza bread, a couple of entree sized meals and a salad. The bread was good, the cannelloni and ravioli entrees pretty ordinary and the salad was drowned. There are too many better restaurants in the area for us to be back any time soon.

by Wayneo
9th November 2010

Brilliant. I will be back there again tonight.
The Lasagne Casa Nostra is the best main.
The waitress is a little hottie!

Wayneo

by RJ
5th July 2010

After booking last Sat for 3, one of our party was ill, so 2 of us arrived. The waitress began to prepare our table, as we waited the owner leaned over and said ” this booking is for 3, I have a problem with just 2, you will have to leave” no apology, no offer of smaller table. I have never had treatment like this by any restaurant, here or overseas, also I am in the food industry and will be telling many people how rudely we were treated. The restaurant also is out dated, and scruffy. I dread to think he treats tourists in the same manner.Ultimate Italian experience ? I don’t think so !

by Paula
28th April 2010

Group of four of us went last night. The service was great, our waitress was lovely and very knowledgeable. Our meals were awesome, I have been coming to this restaurant for over 19 years and never had a bad meal, My only complaint would be I don’t come often enough and when I want to it can be fully booked. ha-ha. I will be back again. Thanks for a great night.

by Pat
23rd April 2010

The food is magnificent and the staff are very welcoming the chefs are very good at what they do and the food is always of a very high standard, the waitresses are on to it and very polite. definatly will be going back there soon.

by Bev
3rd March 2010

Last night I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with family and friends at Bosco Verde … we had the most amazing meal … without delays and the waitresses were absolutely lovely … the chef explained the menu to us and I even saw him clearing tables and talking to others … the restaurant was busy (next door had 2 patrons … I was there to eat and enjoy not worry about decor etc… cutlery and glasses and plates were spotless … all that matters … thanks for a lovely dinner … we would love to return soon !!

by KimandSam
29th January 2010

While the food was good – I was also surprised by the lack of service we had not made a booking and as we walked in a man in the kitchen just stared at us – not saying hi or anything. When we got to the table we were offered pizza bread – which was yum pesto and cheese mmmm. Meal was good but no drinks were offered to us so we just had water that was on the table and when we went to pay the bill we were told that we could only pay cash, visa or mastercard…. no eftpos or even visa debt card – If we had been told this prior to eating or there were any signs we may not have gone there. We had to go to the back to withdraw cash before leaving….

by AJ
27th October 2009

The food is fantastic, unfortunately most of the staff know the food carries them so don’t make any effort, especially the owner – he’s been rude to us on several occasions. The decor seriously needs updating. But we keep going back because the food is so good.

by de
30th July 2009

awful! was very disappointed with Bosco Verde after wanting to go for quite some time…the food was plain (two pasta dishes), bar one waitress the other staff were uninterested and unfriendly and they wouldnt take eftpos?? apparently they only accept cash or credit card, and cannot accept debit visas either. wouldn’t go back.

by Ness
11th July 2009

The food is always very good, but after reading the other reviews I can definately understand why people find the service lacking. There is one very good waitress & the rest of the staff are quite dis-interested. Their customer service & time management do require a bit of work.

by Victoria
18th February 2009

had to “loiter” around the counter waiting for table even though we were on time. The manager/owner appeared completely disinterested in our presence and remained so, even after reminding him of our booking. 12 months following – two very bad takeaways – the first – extremely dry pasta and the second/final time, pizzas were barely edible from swimming in cheese. What remains? – that foul faced and arrogant manager.

by Trevor
16th January 2009

We had reserved a table for 5 as a birthday celebration. For all of us, it was our first visit. What a disappointment! We arrived on time but had to wait for 20min on a rickety bench till a table was vacant. During that time, we were not approached or offered drinks. Once seated, we were informed that one of the mains on special and the mussels entree were off the menu. They forgot the pizza bread nibbles. A further 40min elapsed before entrees arrived. Apologies were made only after we had complained. We were told they were down to one chef, the boss having left earlier. After mains, we waited in vain to be offered dessert, so we left. While the food was passable, the service was pathetic. Altogether, an experience to forget.

by Pippa Harris
6th December 2008

I have been to Bosco Verde three times, and each time it has been a wonderful dining experience. The waitress is always extremely well mannered and helpful. The food always goes beyond my expectations. Guests that I have brought to the restaurant all agree with the high quality of the service from the waiting staff and the food. I love the fact that it is BYO and NO corkage fee. Great selection of dishes to suit all tastes.

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