New Zealand Herald

Reviews for The Italian Job Restaurant

by Judy S.
19th February 2013

After experiencing a delightful dinner in December 2012, and being told I could book a private room for a special birthday in 2013, I was really upset that this could not happen. In December 2012 I was told there was room in a private room upstairs for 15 to 20 people but when I tried to book I was told this was not now available. The unavailability seemed to be that it would be too much for the kitchen, then I was told there was not enough room in the special room, then I was told that renovations were taking place and then I was told that Fridays are nights that the owner would like to keep free. I am so confused and very disappointed to be told one thing and then one so different.

by Bret G.
30th January 2013

We went there for desert, it resembled something from a primary school homecraft class.
I had crepes, it had canned apricot with artificial cream on it a small bit of cheap ice cream, the crepe was doughy and not cooked properly.
My partner had profitta rolls, the proffita was stale, canned creme and a horrible chocolate sauce that resembled a budget supermarket brand.
We couldn’t eat either desert.
The only good thing was they didn’t charge us for the experience, which is good as we wouldn’t have paid.
what happened to Italian flair ?? it aint at this restaurant.
Won’t be back

by RM Y.
24th July 2011

We were a party of 6 and liked the place. It has character and you are not cramped against the next table. The waitresses were good and very attentive even though they were fairly busy.(Sat Night.) Finger bowls were provided for the pork spare ribs without asking. Our meals were good and there was plenty at a reasonable price and the bYO was an advantage. Being able to change potatoes for vegetables at no cost was great. Will return for sure.

by Owen
5th July 2011

My 2nd time to this little slice of Italy hidden away towards the end of Jervois Road. The first time was an experience the 2nd time back even better then the 1st.

Right from walking in we were greeted by the hosts with a cheerful Hello and Welcome, shown to our table and provided with Water, Menu’s and a pleasant introduction to what lay waiting for our taste buds on the Menu.

We choose first off the Olive Bread, this arrived promptly and was well presented it really was soft and fluffy and well seasoned with olives and olive oil. It was buttery and flavorsome and a pleasure to eat. My only regret is that it went too fast between the two of us.

Next we ordered Gamberoni All’ Aglio to share. Black tiger prawns, smothered in olive oil, garlic, parsley and lemon juice, then seared on the grill. This was beautifully presented the prawns looked big and fat and shone from the glaze of sauce.

The sauce on the dish was light delicate and not at all over powering it complimented the prawns well. It was smooth creamy and full of different flavors (lemon, garlic and parsley) adding to the whole dish.

Next we ordered Mains I had Ravioli Gorgonzola last time so wanted something more tomatoey. I ordered the Beef Lasagne Layers of pasta, bolognese and béchamel sauce, baked in the oven and topped with mozzarella cheese.

I was well pleased when the mains arrived it looked wonderful and the smell said it all.

The presentation was excellent beautifully layered lasange with tomato and cheese melted on top, surrounded by moat of aromatic and seasoned sauce. The sauce was thick but not too thick and not too thin either it coated the back of my spoon well and was wore a rich red almost slight orange colour to it. Cutting into the fresh lasange the pasta was cooked just right firm yet giving way to my fork as I pressed into it. The meat was clearly visible layered between the lasange sheets it looked like work of construction it held its form up until the last bite.

The meat was tender and delicate and flavorsome not at all over powered by the cheese, lasange and sauce. I was quite surprised I expected a regular ground mince but this was quite different altogether. This made the whole dish a pleasure to eat. Each part of the dish held its own.

Next I had Waffles this was okay as a dessert the waffles were warm fresh and soft and creamy easy to eat. The sauce was fruity and complimented the ice cream and cream well. The rich reds of the strawberry sauce stood out on the whites of the cream and ice-cream and the golden waffles made a lovely base.

This was my 2nd time back to The Italian Job and once again I left feeling satisfied with a filling and tasty meal complimented by great service and great food. Money well spent. The Italian Job will be one of our locals. We plan to visit often.

Comment from Shamim A. of The Italian Job Restaurant 21/07/2011    Hide »

Thank you Owen for your lovely review. We are delighted you…    More »

Thank you Owen for your lovely review. We are delighted you enjoyed your evening and remember you coming in with your partner, you were both a pleasure to serve. We hope to see you again soon! Grazie tanto!

by Demaris
24th April 2011

First time visitors and it was simply because the restaurant we went to wasn’t open. Delicious meal, lovely service, great chef. We were a large table and a tad loud, but they didn’t seem to mind.

Will definitely be going back, for a more quiet, intimate meal.

by frazthatpayz
3rd March 2011

After a rough family time down in the Tron surviving on hotel & hospital food – not easy with 3 under fives – the wife and I were craving a good pasta but traffic precluded us getting home to cook in time. I made the decision to go via Herne Bay to the Shore and get takeout from a long known but never patroned Italian Job. I ordered 3 $15 pastas (ravioli, gnocchi & tortellini with different sauces) and the kids were allowed a toilet stop – try that at other Herne Bay venues! Early on the Wednesday night they weren’t busy, so within 15 mins we had our fare, and finally got home where the kids wolfed down their handmade tortellini (skipping the mushrooms of course) and we were similarly satisfied with our share. If you want swanky surroundings head on up the road – I was just happy with a pasta meal like “mammma” used to make, and the way your mamma probably would’ve set up a trattoria didn’t phase me at all. We’ll stop in again if we pass that way any time soon.

Comment from Shamim A. of The Italian Job Restaurant 12/03/2011    Hide »

Thank you for your kind words. We make all our pastas from scratch…    More »

Thank you for your kind words. We make all our pastas from scratch on site, using local produce. It is a time consuming labour of love and we are delighted to hear that our commitment to fresh food and ingredients had paid off! We are a long running family business and we truly believe that book should not be judged by its cover. Our emphasis will always be on the taste of our food – not our decor. We hope to see you again!

by linda s.
20th February 2011

We were very disappointed. It is very old hat, expensive and not value for money.
6 pieces of ravioli for $25, my calamari was tough chunky and the worst flavour ever. Always have it at an Italian but I was wondering if was going to make me ill.
The steak was average, someone had square cut one end and it looked odd.
the accompanying potato cut into slices had what looked like an orange horrid cheddar processed cheese on it.
The decor was awful, waitress nice but the men cooking were obviously over it. A large pizza $36 we were in Mission Bay an hour later and noticed no pizza on any menu was that exorbitant.
will never go back or recommend

Comment from Shamim A. of The Italian Job Restaurant 12/03/2011    Hide »

Linda, we are sorry to hear of your bad experience. There are…    More »

Linda, we are sorry to hear of your bad experience. There are however a few inconsistencies in your review. Our steak are prime cuts – we butterly cut them as to a very old family recipe we are privy to from Sicily. Surely the shape has no bearing on the flavour? Secondly, our potatoes are scalloped then slow roasted in fresh cream, a four cheese mix of fresh New Zealand cheeses with a dash of our home made, rosemary infused tomato sauce – hence the “orange” colour – the yellow of the cheese mixed with the red. Our pizzas are not $36, but $34 and we make everything from scratch on premise, therefore we do charge higher then say our fast food counterparts.

by John
6th February 2011

Good local Italian, my wife and I have eaten there and got takeaway about twenty times over the past couple of years and always been happy with the food, service and price. You could pay at lot more for a lot less in Ponsonby and Herne Bay. We have taken friends on several occasions and they have all enjoyed it too.

Comment from Shamim A. of The Italian Job Restaurant 12/03/2011    Hide »

Thank you John. We appreciate your custom and kind words. We were…    More »

Thank you John. We appreciate your custom and kind words. We were in the Herne Bay / Ponsonby area before the high price hikes and swanky diners, so we have chosen to remain true to our roots – serving delicious, authentic food, to great customers at an unbeatable price for quality. We hope to you again soon!

by Craig
24th July 2010

This place is over priced and poor. The lime green decor is very old and very tired. I mean, $34 for a large pizza? Domino’s is better value for money and tastier.

The place needs a spruce up.
These other reviews can’t have been written by people who have been here. You can try the place but I bet you’ll be disappointed and will have spent too much. A shame, with no other Italian in Herne Bay to speak of, it could be so much better.

Horribly over

Comment from Shamim A. of The Italian Job Restaurant 12/03/2011    Hide »

Craig, we are sorry to hear you did not enjoy your experience at…    More »

Craig, we are sorry to hear you did not enjoy your experience at The Italian Job. We work very hard to provide our customers with the delicious food that our family has been preparing for generations. We would never write, or solicit others to write false reviews – they have all been written by genuine people who have enjoyed their experience with us. Our pizzas are made from scratch, from the base dough which we prepare during the day, to the rosemary infused tomato sauce that is simmered for at least 6 hours. We do not agree that our pizzas are comparable to fast food chains and we invite anyone to taste our pizzas and see for themselves why we have been running for over 20 years.

by Mark Harlen
27th July 2009

Great food at Great prices. Good authentic Italian atmosphere enhanced by Italian owners.

by Renee
15th July 2009

The owner/manager was really nice, offering lemoncello at the end of our fabulous meal. I had pizza which I couldnt fault, the base the superb and the toppings lovely. He spun our pizzas in front of us which was a treat. The staff were helpful, it was a great night. I’ll be back.

by Geoff
26th June 2009

We went tonight for the first time and really enjoyed the experience; having read the reviews after doing a google search on Italian Restaurants in Ponsonby (and ignoring the negative review!). Service was good, pleasant “rustic” setting and food was really nice – mussels, fettuccine carbonara, marinara and quattro pizzas. Could have done with a better quality sauv blanc by the glass. Will go again.

by Pat
12th June 2009

Ideal restaurant
Authentic and wonderfully freshly cooked tasty food
Very welcoming and friendly staff
Let us in early and allowed us to sit late
Highly recommended.

by Carla
1st April 2009

Ok so they are not BYO anymore but the pizzas are still the best in the western world! The bases are perfect and the toppings, although very traditional, never disappoint. The staff were warm and accomodating even with the 5 children towed in. Quick note, seeing the bottom two reviews, it looks like the same person has clearly got something against the restaurant and it looks personal. That a little unprofessional if you ask me!

by Polly
23rd February 2009

Great restaurant, have never had a bad meal there!. Love the pizza’s! Seafood one is the best! Nice cozy atmosphere. I think the review at the bottom is a joke it is nothing like that at all. Its a very nice place. Would recomend to any one in the area!

by Frank
6th January 2009

We live nearby to the Italian Job restaurant and eat there regularly and we are always highly impressed by the great tasting authentic Italian food, especially the pizzas, and also by the friendly service which we can never fault! It is a great place for families since it is so relaxed, and prices are also good compared to other nearby establishments. They also have a fantastic range of mains, from seafoods to pastas and meat dishes!

I notice there are a couple of reviews which criticise this restaurant (most likely by the same person and probably a disgruntled restaurant owner who is losing business to them) and those reviews should really be removed by the management of this website since they don’t reflect any substance or reality.

by Katrina
29th November 2008

Excellent!! The pastas are all fresh and made daily, so much better than the processed rubbish we have become accustomed to from other “Italian” Restaurants. I would highly recommend ordering any of the pastas from here because I made it a mission to try them all. My favourite was definately the potato gnocchi in a 4 cheese sauce, second runner up would have to be the ravioli; spinach pasta in a blue cheese sauce. I only tried one dessert – the tiramisu – and I will definately be going there again to have one with the girls on a sunny day – FAB!

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