New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Thai Chef’s Restaurant

by Bindy
15th August 2012

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

We dined in last night and the menu was HUGE! Delicious curries, the kids enjoyed the stir fries and the cocktails were pretty good too. The service was attentive and our meals came out pretty quickly. Some definite differences on the menu to other Thai Restaurants we have been to, but the quality was great (and the spice level on every dish very flexible). We will definitely make this a regular stop in Parnell.

by Gemma F.
21st May 2013

The main meals weren’t bad at this place but overall the service was poor.

We came on a night when there were two other big groups. This may have been the cause of the final desert coming out 3 hours after ordering.

We ordered from the set menu presuming this would be a reasonably quick option. It wasn’t. And when they finally placed the Banana Fritter on the table none of us could stifle our laughs. We had waited 45 mins for dessert and what they offered us was practically a slice of fried banana and a blob of ice cream. We couldn’t believe it had taken this long! Was actually comedic!

by Monica C.
25th February 2013

Lunch meals are cheap – $11.90 with a good menu. Food tastes average/pretty good and could be improved but probably expected with the price. Food is presented well and the restaurant has very nice decour, though the service is also average.

by Ian
18th January 2013

Very nice food and well prepared and very good value for money. Service is attentive if at times a little overbearing and not giving you time to enjoy you meal.

Nicely done Thai decor and not too over done and a fantastic view out over the city
As they are in the lower part of Parnell Road parking was easy

On the downside was the waiter, clearly was going outside for a smoke constantly as he reaked of cigarette smoke.

by Lucy G.
17th January 2013

I enjoyed a nice Thai lunch here today. The lunch mains were extremely good value at $11.90. I went for The Cashew Nuts with tofu instead of meat. The sauce was certainly very tasty, and there were plenty of fresh, tender-cooked vegetables, and lots of tasty cashews.

Service was quick, and the decor was very nicely laid out. I was sitting next to a big fancy wooden elephant with a view out to Parnell Rd, so I could people-watch during my lunch hour.

I did feel a bit lost when I first arrived. Do I approach the counter? Do I stand and wait to be seated? I think, watching other lunch customers, that perhaps the waitress takes the order from you asap if you know what you want already, rushes it off to the kitchen, and then the seating process is taken care of after that. It all worked out fine – I’ll know what to do next time.

Whilst enjoying my lovely thai lunch, I looked at the dessert menu displayed on a table-stand. Mango sorbet & sweet sticky rice sounded like a genuinely Thai concoction, so I ordered some of that too. Well… I kind of wish I hadn’t – it just wasn’t my thing! HaHa – serve me right for trying to be adventurous and greedy at the same time. Is it really supposed to be that salty? I thought maybe it would be better named Mango Sorbet with Salty Sweet Sticky Rice. That said, I ate my way to the bottom of the parfait glass… trying to work out if my palate would suddenly ‘turn the corner’ and realise that the salt and sweet and sticky and sorbet did ‘work’. Maybe it’s a combination that grows on you?!

Regardless, it’s a great spot for a good value thai lunch, and with their speedy food preparation you can’t go wrong really.

by David
9th January 2013

Nice decor. Food was average and overpriced. Curry was a little tasteless and noodle was too salty. Service was average as well. Food were served quickly, so that’s a plus. I will probably return with guests due to the nice decor.

by Kent R.
20th December 2012

I had dinner with my girlfriend and the Thai food was excellent and very enjoyable. Very nice decor, atmosphere and very good service. I look forward to returning for lunch with clients and a dinner with a group of friends as there is plenty of room. The VIP room will also be ideal for a private function with friends.

by Hadyn G.
29th October 2012

The food is great, just don’t expect service worth paying for.

Placed a call for delivery, never turned up. Called them back, they said they took our address down wrong, fair enough, mistakes happen, but they never thought to call us. Food arrived more than an hour late stone cold & too late as I had to leave for work.

Called up to complain, they said our next order would be free, great service right? Wrong. Tried to redeem this and the now say that they offered us a free ‘meal’ which is one dish – not even close to making up for their cold late dinner.

Want good Thai near Parnell, go to Nickies.

by Courtney W.
13th August 2012

I love Thai food, and I’ve been to Thailand a number of times as I travel a lot for my business. I drive pass them daily so I was really looking forward to their opening when they were setting it up. I went there twice and I was disappointed in both occasions.

They don’t serve authentic Thai food, which is perfectly fine as most Thai restaurants adapt the taste to suit Western people. I am happy if they are westernised as long as they taste good, but unfortunately the food there is very average. Ordered a duck and a chicken cashew, the chicken was dry and had only a few cashew. The duck was OK but the sauce let it down. The second time I ordered a green curry chicken for lunch and it was poor as well. Sorry but I won’t be going back.

by Kate
20th July 2012

Was highly impressed by this restaurant especially since it has just opened and the only other review was negative. We had a great evening here and so I felt the need to give some positive feedback too… We have ordered takeaway from here before as well and that was superb, both times I have ordered a pork dish and my partner a duck dish and both times they have been incredible, lots of meat and great thai flavours
The atmosphere was great as well, with the wait staff being friendly and attentive and a great few laughs had by all in the restaurant.

I highly recommend trying this restaurant. If spicy isn’t your thing plenty of dishes come in mild and if spicy is your thing then they have the option choosing one, two or three teaspoons of chilli which is one of the best spice indicators I have come across outside of Thailand.
I should mention that my partner is Thai himself and gives this restaurant a big thumbs up

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