New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Jervois Steak House & Saloon

by Morgan
11th January 2012

This business is a MenuMania SponsorOne of the Business' Favourite Reviews

Wow. Just wow. Subliminal service, fantastic food, aewsome atmosphere. I simply cannot give enough praise.

I have a very uncommon and severe food intolerance to salicylates which severely restricts what I can eat; put it this way – it is faster to list what I can eat, rather than what I can’t. So I called ahead to arrange my menu ahead of time as many things would require a little extra thought and preparation. Chef Cory went above and beyond in order to help me – even surprising me with my own tailored entree AND dessert when it was discovered that I couldn’t eat any of the entree’s or desserts on the menu.

I was absolutely treated like a VIP which is so different to feeling like an absolute hindrance to the nights service. It was as if Chef enjoyed the challenge rather than being put out by it. Not only did the Chef go above and beyond but the wait staff and Maitre’d were polite, welcoming, funny, and knew what how to do their jobs well – without the stuffy bowing and scraping of other establishments.

While not exactly cheap, we paid a lot less than we expected to – my entree and our first drinks were given on the house!

We will most certainly be back!

by Maria D.
10th May 2013

The fillet steak was cooked to perfection and my partner enjoyed his hamburger. A little annoyed that the pricey mains don’t come with any sides and you need to pay an extra $7.50, which for a few carrot sticks was overpriced. Not many options for buying wine by the glass either. Perfect steak though and would visit again

by Daniel B.
19th April 2013

We heard good things about the Jervois Steak House & Saloon, the manager was very good with his explanation of the menu and the specials, the oyster special was not overly fresh could not eat all, the calamari was my biggest disappointment tasteless bland minced up calamari bread crumbed and made to look like a schnitzel one bite was all I wanted no one in our party liked it sent back 90% it was not even seasoned, poor (charged full price). Our first round of drinks came there was something floating in the bottom of the glass with the cider which was replaced immediately, we tipped the waiter he was very professional and friendly. The steak was just OK $120. I guess I expected more, the sides were just OK nothing special unfortunately . Sorry but it’s not a place I would go to again.

by Diiya M.
12th April 2013

A birthday night out. Preordered the rib eye. It was way too undercooked for me but that’s all. Everyhting else was fantastic. The steaks were great. The lamb outta this world..but the service..PETER you rocked. That’s key to a great restaurant. Even if the food is a little lacking as it sometimes can, a great experience service wise can make me very forgiving. The desserts too were fantastic. Expensive though but worth it. The sides being separate is a bit of a pain but hey it’s all the rage at higher end dining. The more expensive the restaurant the less you get on the plate which in the end is great for your waist!!!! But yay for Pete

by Jake L.
28th February 2013

We are a regular at The Grill By Sean Connolly but decided we would try something different so we chose to go here for a friend’s birthday, we thought it would be busy so be booked a week in advance.
Turned up at our sitting time and was told they would be with us shortly, after 15 minutes went by and 2 groups of 4 that arrived after us, we’re seated before us we decided to say something just to make sure they hadn’t forgotten us. They apologised and said it wouldn’t be too much longer. We were seated 45 minutes after our booking time and 2 more groups of 4 were seated before us. Not exactly a good start…
Everyone ordered Entrees, mains and desserts. Calamari Schnitzel was great, as was the Steak Tartare and King Crab. 2 of us had preordered the Signature Prime rib so we were expecting something excellent however, the meat was over cooked. We assumed it would come Medium Rare but was more like medium – well done, quite disappointed. However, we probably should have checked how it would come.
Desserts were good, Creme caramel was great so was the blue berry cheese cake.
Wine list is awesome and the bar tender was very knowledge probably the highlight of the night!
Service was good, however we ended up having to pour our own wine a few times which is fine in an average restaurant but we expected them to be more attentive. Maybe we went in there with much higher expectations than we should of, but we won’t be returning. Would rather pay a little more at The Grill and have an excellent dining experience opposed to a mediocre one.

by Kirsten
2nd January 2013

I took my partner here for his birthday as he felt like a good steak. I was pretty underwhelmed by this place. The highlight was the customer service, we had a lovely waitress who was very chatty and bubbly but the woman who seemed to be the manager didn’t really seem to be interested in us. She’d ask us questions but didn’t care to hear the answers. Looked past us a lot.

Now I’m a person who loves meat so was really excited to give this place a go. We were in a mood for a good steak but I thought this was a bit over the top to be quite honest. You’re charged for a steak, then you pick your sides which you pay for additionally at a whopping $7.50 each. The sides are meant to be big enough for 2 to share but my partner and I found ourselves eating mouthful after mouthful of steak and really trying to ration our sides.
I asked for mine to be medium rare but it was medium. It tasted good but really wouldn’t go back there. If you’ve got loads of money to spend and you’re a steak connoisseur you may feel differently. If you’d prefer a great steak meal, sides included and is well priced maybe try elsewhere.

The food was out fast, we ate fast and we left fast. For the amount I paid, I really expected more. It just wasn’t really an amazing experience unfortunately. I try to go to places more than once to give a more rounded review but just wasn’t impressed with this one.

by David S.
18th December 2012

The first time I had been to Jervois Steak House.
What a great dining experience.
Very relaxing and on the early shift at six-o-clock
we didn’t feel rushed as one can in other establishments.
Our waitress was a young lady from Michigan and she made sure everything was perfect.
Her timing between courses was just right.
The food was excellent and I will definitely be back.even though it means crossing town.
Thank you Jervois.

by Alton
19th April 2012

It was my 60th birthday treat from my kids, heard alot about the place.
My daughter and I ordered the signature steak – they had run out?
Ordered alternative – arrived cold!
My son ordered the wine – they had run out of that particular choice as well.

by Vanessa L.
2nd April 2012

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Service was outstanding and food was delicious! Relaxing atmosphere and perfectly cooked steak… Couldn’t have asked for more! Best meal we’ve had in a while! Definitely recommended to all!

by Amy
6th December 2011

One of our favourite restaurants. We regularly return. Fantastic starters and perfect steak every time. Also good wine list to choose a yummy red to go along with the steak. Love that you order your own sauces and sides to really customise your main. Love it!

by Ian
3rd September 2011

Have always waned to go here as it as always been recommended, but while the steaks are nice (Good size and very well cooked) that is about the only part I can recommend.
The topping I had with my steak Spinach/Blue Cheese tasted like it had only walked passed the blue cheese on its way out of the kitchen but did not contain any.

Service is ok with being asked four times if the meal was ok but with no interest in your response. But they did make sure your glass was always full, this being water or wine.

I suppose I was expecting better/more as far as the restaurant was concerned but it was quite small and in need of some TLC. esp the restrooms.

by Maloo22
20th July 2011

Awesome winter hideaway with great steak and a great red wine list

by Kel
8th March 2011

Ever since my first experience with jervois prime-rib, I will only order steak at Jervois if I have the choice, others just not the same. Remember to pre-order prime-rib in advance. Service is friendly but can do with more support as recent visit on friday 04mar2011, my party of four with 3 pre-ordered primeribs and a salmon main with 4 sides, then two desserts to share, took almost 3 hours because short waitstaff busy. Note to self, not a place to go on weekend perhaps.

by MJ
15th September 2010

A very special and unique dining experience. We had the special wagyu (a “religious experience”), the sirloin, the rib eye for two, and the best french onion soup I have ever had in my life. Highly recommend and will definitely be back.

by Linton
12th November 2009

The meal was good but I don’t know what the fuss is all about.

The signature prime rib was really good but the other steaks we had i.e. rib eye and angus eye fillets were pretty standard.

Good service.

by Emma
15th July 2009

This place turned me vegetarian, but I have to say the sides are amazing, particularly the creamed spinach, fries and onion rings.

Service usually very good.

by Jake Rutherford
20th June 2009

Absolutely devine. World class with great service. Totally recommended.

by Dominic
27th April 2009

This is my favourite steakhouse in new Zealand and the sauces are divine, My favourite is the 200g Black Angus eye fillet off the bone with a simple syrah sauce served medium.
They have a wide selection of food including new Zealand lamb, Tuna, Salads, Delicious bread and the service is very attentive. For an incredible dining experience I would recommend Jervois steakhouse.
You will not be disappointed.

by Neil Teika
23rd December 2008

Simply the best. Great food, atmosphere,staff and service.
Cheers for a fantastic experience

by Dylan Bland
4th April 2008

One of my favourite restaurants in Auckland. Meat just shouldn’t taste this good. Fine dining at it’s best. Recommend for anyone looking for a classy looking restaurant with a menu created by one of New Zealand’s top chefs.

by Chris Bloomfield
12th February 2008

The steak was second to none that I’ve ever tasted. Superbly cooked to perfection. The other’s in our party had the fish and they rated it superb as well. Overall, well worth the cost (450g steak ~$50) and will happily go back.

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