New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Tony’s Restaurant & Bar

by Chris W.
19th January 2012

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

Hubby and I have been to Tonys a few times now and we love going there. The atmosphere is really nice and relaxed, homely you could say. The meals…man, do not eat anything before going there, they are huge!!!. And they are well priced. I love going here because I like home cooked type meals, I guess you could call it steakhouse/bar food/English pub type meals, and Tonys is all that. I haven’t tried their desserts yet because I am soo full from the really yummy bread, to my main.

We are going there again next week, and will be going there more regular , so that we can try all the different things on the menu…. so far I have had the lamb shanks….mmmm, and twice now had the burger and chips..and twice now, I have not been able to finish it…it’s soo huge ha ha. Thank you so much Tonys for always making our trip there so enjoyable!! ♥ ♥

by Jennifer
24th February 2013

Chicken filled with banana – No sign of any banana. Served with a really nice mango salsa but on top of winter vege’s with cheese sauce ? Odd. In fact the pork belly, chicken supreme and banana chicken all had the exact same vege’s which were very watery.
Staff were very friendly but there wasn’t enough of them – taking nearly 20 minutes before anyone approached the table once we were seated.
If the meals were $10 cheaper I wouldn’t be complaining. I think when your charging nearly $30 a main there’s a certain standard of food you expect and this didn’t meet the mark.

by Aaron B.
30th December 2012

EDIT:

Went here again last night and had the $35 deal – IT WAS AWESOME. Can’t recommend it highly enough!!
You have to call and pre-book if you want the set menu deal though.

The young guy who served us, Colin was just brilliant. I’ve had service in 5 star hotels overseas that didn’t match up to the service he delivered. Well done.

The only gripe was i ordered Well done steak and got a VERY bloody medium/rare piece served. I wasn’t gonna send it back when I’m paying $35 for three courses though……

We’ve been here 5 times now.

The food however is always excellent!
You SIMPLY MUST HAVE the Banoffee pie, it is just epic!!

Pricing is about right, but not great value. Reminds me of Cobb & Co in the 80′s before they went to the dogs….

They have kids cocktails which my son loves and activity packs with crayons etc so he’s not bored while waiting for food. $15 kids meal including Main, dessert and a drink (and activity pack) is great value.

Overall, really VERY good

by Gary J.
6th December 2012

6 of us went – we have been before – the meals were tasty and large with the pricing not outrageous – Service was excellent – we don’t tip unless it is warranted but we did tip that night- will definately go again – excellent activity pack with childrens menu

by Joyce W.
15th November 2012

Second time I had to go to Tony’s because my friend wanted to go there. First time the “fish of the day” the fish was stale/old. I just hated the meal and was really upset that it I wasted my money. Lucky my companion ordered the same meal so agreed with me.
I said I will never come back.

Last week my same mate was celebrating and I went there. Silly me ordered Seafood basket “if you can imagine a plate full of chips, two mussels crumbed the ones in bags at countdown, two crumbed calamari and about 4 inches long fish that tasted uncooked and prepared weeks ago” with a bowl of salad. I was simply disgusted, we paid $124.00 for the two meals, 4 pieces of spear ribs, drinks total waste of money. I even got told off by my mate for ordering fish when I know Tony’s just don’t do fish well.
I have spoken to a few people now who agree this place is overpriced and not good food at all if you know what good food is. Nice place with good service, shame food is terrible and overpriced…..

by Courtney G.
27th August 2012

Went there few weeks back for a birthday dinner, there was a group of 5 of us. All the meals were great, portions were good size too. No cake was organized but the waitress organized candles for her dessert which was a really nice touch! She was also very pleasant and very helpful! Been before with others and will be returning again!

by Katrina W.
12th July 2012

We went to Tony’s last night after reading great reviews and deciding it was a good option for our 6th anniversary dinner (the first time we have been out since having a baby four months ago). So, expecting a nice dinner, we arrived at 7:30 and waited expectantly.
We waited a bit more and were ignored in the foyer.
We waited a bit more and were told that they just needed to set some tables (?) and they would be with us in a few minutes.
Well, still waiting, it didn’t appear that any of the three staff (including the manager) were preparing tables for us and, given that the restaurant was empty of other parties, we found this unacceptable
And so we left.
A very disappointing experience. We will not return.
This is probably a better function centre than a restaurant as they don’t take bookings for groups under six and apparently don’t cater for groups that don’t book.
Would love to be able to review the food but we didn’t get a chance to order any.

by Helen
18th June 2012

Been here quite a few times. The food is always good, only had a problem with overcooking once and you cant blame them cos it was a full house that night. We didnt complain but Im sure if we had they would have put it right. Always good food and good service with reasonable prices.

by Peter
30th May 2012

We’ve eaten here for 5 times now and it is always very pleasant experience. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the neighbourhood.

We go to Tony’s also for lunch and they have affordable menu and the portions are huge.

by Sophie M.
15th May 2012

We waited over and hour for our meals which were overpriced and very poor quality.
Chicken burger was cold and clearly had been sitting under a heat lamp for a while as the sauces had soaked all through the bread. Chicken was so tough it couldnt be bitten through.
Seafood chowder was just soup with celery, minimal amounts of frozen and very small sized seafood.
Spare ribs were good flavour but a lot of gristle on them.
Overall poor service – we complained about the burger and chowder and didnt pay for the burger but person serving at counter criticised us for not saying anything to the waitress, ddespite the fact she was never around. We wont be going back there. Poor service, poor food.

by Nicole n.
28th April 2012

I went out wIth a group of friends and had a really good night out, the atmosphere was nice and the wait time between meals was really good (not too brief and not too long).
The meals everyone had were enjoyed whole heartedly. I would reccomend the bread and dip, amazing! The meal sizes were fantAstic and well worth their price. Tips if you plan on eating the ribs and dont have a big apetite share it with a friend or risk a beef coma!!

by brunette1
2nd April 2012

Went years ago wasnt so good but went a few weeks ago and WOW IT WAS FANTASTIC! all 4 of us LOVED OUR MEALS… very god sized and reasonably priced…service great too…mmm yum yum. cant wait to go back soon! 5 stars!

by Craig D.
19th February 2012

I returned to Tony’s Restaurant & Bar after a very poor experience a few weeks earlier, I must say I was impressed with the service and food on this occasion, and I shall be returning in the future, keep up the good work guys.

by Selina C.
7th October 2011

I love Tony’s..always go there, good food, reasonable prices, friendly and comfy atmosphere. GREAT BANOFFEE!

The lamb shanks with mash are my favourite – they give you generous portions and sometimes I can’t finish. A good family restaurant.

by Neil N.
17th September 2011

An enjoyable informal lovely restaurant. It has been here for many years, and has enjoyable meals and relaxed friendly service. Perfect steak, cooked to perfection as you ask; they seem to find staff who enjoy the clientele they serve. We (and my daughter separately) have visited about monthly for many years to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and wonderful meals.

Recommended for a lovely and value-for-$(in today’s times) very enjoyable meal. Great!

by Ben P.
19th July 2011

Was a bit skeptical but the atmosphere on a winters night was very nice. Obviously had a trainee waitress who didn’t know what gluten free was, nor fish of the day, but had otherwise great service. The food was very tasty and well presented.

by Ayah
26th April 2011

I went to Tony’s for my birthday and it was lovely. I love how there is NO surcharge on Anzac day as this has always been an issue for myself. The staff were very pleasant and attentive. The portions were huge and my steak was delicious.

by Michelle C.
12th February 2011

I have been to Tonys 5 times 3times last year and twice this year, have had Dinner and Lunch. This place is excellent the service is friendly and proffessional the restaurant itself is spacious and cool especially in the last hot months we have had.There is a coolness in the air and the space at the tables is great. Being a larger person sometimes restaurant tables and chairs are a bit small but here there is elbow room and still more. The food, is devine the Carpetbag was cooked to perfection and the salads and vegetables are fresh tasty and delicious. The garlic bread is hot and tasty and the soup of the day is pure creamy delight.I dont eat desert so cant comment on that but no doubt like everything else it would be just perfect I am sure.The toilets are clean and smell clean and there is toilet paper After writing this I have decided where we will be eating tonight mmmmm lol

2000hrs. Just returned from dinner, once again great service excellent food.It was quite busy but the waiting staff always checking to see we were taken care of (we had a lovely young tall man tonite). Compliments to you and the chef.

by Argentina F.
18th October 2010

My family and I have enjoyed eating out at Tony’s over the years since we moved west. We cerebrated my 50th birthday there with the whole family and we have just celebrated my niece 21st birthday there on Saturday 16/10/10.

Tony’s staff was very helpful and was able to fit the whole family and friends of 40 plus. We appreciate Tony’s staff and dinners for putting up with our volume of noise. The food and the atmosphere was divinely delicious.

Thank you Tony and staff, ‘WE WILL BE BACK”

by Mamacita
23rd September 2010

A group of five went to Tony’s for lunch. A warm welcome by the staff, who are friendly. Pork Belly was fantastic and a generous serve. And the beef burger with the tower of onion rings was huge. Will be back again for lunch and dinner.

by Brenda
25th August 2010

Fantastic meal- steak was cooked to perfection, chicken was very tasty and the kis meal was gobbled up. Very good sized meals too and the service was friendly.

by Rebecca J.
20th February 2010

Since arriving in New Zealand over 6 years ago, I have to say I have finally found a place I consider to be a proper restaurant – a nicely presented restaurant with the tables dressed with CLEAN tablecloths, and the cutlery laid out properly! The food was absolutely delicious – generous portions and affordable, and the service was fantastic… the staff actually know what they are doing and care about the customer too. I am definitely going to come back again.

Comment from Chris S. of Tony’s Restaurant & Bar 20/02/2010    Hide »

Thanks very much, Rebecca. It’s always nice to get positive…    More »

Thanks very much, Rebecca. It’s always nice to get positive feedback. I see that you frequent a lot of local establishments, so its rewarding to see that we stand in good stead with you.

by Warren S.
11th October 2009

We are a group from North & South who meet approx every 3-4 months to have a good get together. Knowing from the past how Tonys had been we went (all 11 of us with 2 children)for lunch on Saturday. We were not disappointed. Staff were most friendly and food was tops. Did not hear one bad comment about the meals. One commented who had the pork dish was “I would have been happy with half of the portion” but he ate it all and I’m picking as a local he will certainly be re visiting. Chris you have been there a long time, you have maintained the high standards you set many years ago and the presentation of meals has reached A+ . A nice place to go you won’t be disappointed.

by Rod
24th May 2009

I’ve eaten here many times and I have always enjoyed the experience. The staff are friendly the food is good. The prices are fair, the atmosphere I like. The only negative for me is they bring you a drink and they never come back to give you a refill. It’s like they think you only want one drink. But I guess it’s good they aren’t trying to get you drunk.

Write Review