Mu Premium Steakhouse and Bar, 92 Lichfield Street, Christchurch City
Food. Steakhouse. Final decision was to try the steaks from the grill - Eye Fillet and Ribeye on the Bone. They were prepared to liking and there was no dissapointment. Finished off evening with a chocolate dessert which was also good.
Environment & Service. Fantastic set up. Bar at the front and dining set in the rear and upstairs of the restaurant. Comfortable, warm and great ambience overall with its lighting and seating options. Would be glad to return.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Stromboli Restaurant and Wine Bar (A49)
Stromboli Restaurant and Wine Bar. 79A Cashel Street (Pedestrian Mall), Christchurch
Food. Italian seafood restaurant. Sampled the soup of the day, scallop salad and seafood risotto. No dissapointments - with great flavours, good presentation. Overheard from another table also with commendations on the risotto they had. Pricing on the whole menu is reasonable - for good portions and for good food.
Environment & Service. Just around the corner from the "Strip" on Oxford Terrace. Fairly small restaurant to fit 10 small tables or maybe 2 large groups but not cramped. Great looking interior with a very new feel (just over a year). Service was fair, but will probably drop down as only see two people waiting on the restaurant with another two in the kitchen. Still, a recommended place to dine.
Food. Italian seafood restaurant. Sampled the soup of the day, scallop salad and seafood risotto. No dissapointments - with great flavours, good presentation. Overheard from another table also with commendations on the risotto they had. Pricing on the whole menu is reasonable - for good portions and for good food.
Environment & Service. Just around the corner from the "Strip" on Oxford Terrace. Fairly small restaurant to fit 10 small tables or maybe 2 large groups but not cramped. Great looking interior with a very new feel (just over a year). Service was fair, but will probably drop down as only see two people waiting on the restaurant with another two in the kitchen. Still, a recommended place to dine.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ancestral (C29)
Ancestral. 5/35 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
Food. Mainly known for its "bubble tea" which is a milk tea various flavours that can be taken by itself or with the addition of jelly or tapioca pearls. Food sampled included many of the rice and noodles dishes (ie Laksa, Malaysian fried noodles, Beef noodle soup). Menu comprises of mainly individual rice or noodle dishes as this is not a formal restaurant. Some unique things available that will not be known to a newcomer - jumbo sized drinks (easily looks more than a pint) or special dishes that only seem to be written in Chinese or does not have a helpful English name to describe the dish. Average food but can be an alternative for who only going to noodles houses for their lunches.
Environment & Service. Simple set up comprising of small and big tables with stools. Ancestral get pretty busy at night with students. Service can only be described as bad - worse on a busy night. The wait can be very long, just to have the order taken. Within the same building, there is also a karaoke facility with individual rooms that could be a place for group functions although song selection is mainy towards the Asian market.
Food. Mainly known for its "bubble tea" which is a milk tea various flavours that can be taken by itself or with the addition of jelly or tapioca pearls. Food sampled included many of the rice and noodles dishes (ie Laksa, Malaysian fried noodles, Beef noodle soup). Menu comprises of mainly individual rice or noodle dishes as this is not a formal restaurant. Some unique things available that will not be known to a newcomer - jumbo sized drinks (easily looks more than a pint) or special dishes that only seem to be written in Chinese or does not have a helpful English name to describe the dish. Average food but can be an alternative for who only going to noodles houses for their lunches.
Environment & Service. Simple set up comprising of small and big tables with stools. Ancestral get pretty busy at night with students. Service can only be described as bad - worse on a busy night. The wait can be very long, just to have the order taken. Within the same building, there is also a karaoke facility with individual rooms that could be a place for group functions although song selection is mainy towards the Asian market.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Momoyama (C55)
Momoyama. 695 Colombo Street, Christchurch.
Food. Restaurant description and name sounds like a Japanese restaurant but turned out to be more towards Korean. Fairly short menu. Sampled the spicy tofu and fried fish. Neither turned out to be very good. The spicy tofu did not offer much taste with seafood that did not taste right. Fried fish was nothing special; intended to try the fried eel. Waiter took the order wrong even though no one else was dining there.
Environment & Service. A small shop right in the middle of town - around 10 small tables for 2. Unsure if there are dining options upstairs on busier days. Pricing would have been decent if the food was even average - did not finish the meal and had to go across the street for a snack - so there was no value for money. Does not deserve to be part of the EB.
Food. Restaurant description and name sounds like a Japanese restaurant but turned out to be more towards Korean. Fairly short menu. Sampled the spicy tofu and fried fish. Neither turned out to be very good. The spicy tofu did not offer much taste with seafood that did not taste right. Fried fish was nothing special; intended to try the fried eel. Waiter took the order wrong even though no one else was dining there.
Environment & Service. A small shop right in the middle of town - around 10 small tables for 2. Unsure if there are dining options upstairs on busier days. Pricing would have been decent if the food was even average - did not finish the meal and had to go across the street for a snack - so there was no value for money. Does not deserve to be part of the EB.
McDonald's (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6)
McDonald's, All Over Christchurch
Food, Environment & Service. It's McDonald's - no surprises. Normally very clean with helpful staff. Get a meal combo from $5. They do change the fries for you when you tell them they're stale. Only problem with the new "made to order" burgers is that, while the workers quickly put together your meal, condiments like the lettuce in a BigMac frequently are distributed evenly between the inside AND outside of the burger; which means you have to scoop it out of the box and re-piece the burger together yourself. Would be nice to actually get your burger to look like the advertised ones eaten on McDonald's commercials.
Food, Environment & Service. It's McDonald's - no surprises. Normally very clean with helpful staff. Get a meal combo from $5. They do change the fries for you when you tell them they're stale. Only problem with the new "made to order" burgers is that, while the workers quickly put together your meal, condiments like the lettuce in a BigMac frequently are distributed evenly between the inside AND outside of the burger; which means you have to scoop it out of the box and re-piece the burger together yourself. Would be nice to actually get your burger to look like the advertised ones eaten on McDonald's commercials.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
New Yorker Steak House (A30)
New Yorker Steak House. 148 Victoria Street, Christchurch.
Food. Food arrived pretty close to each other for a large table of 12 although a long wait. Being in a large crowd, sampled was every other item on the mains menu (including chicken and the salmon). Feedback from the table - the steaks were all done to order and plates were clean at the end of the meal. The kumara mash side is also worth a mention. Didn't get to dessert - read on below.
Environment & Service. Pretty comfortable place for dining from 2 to a larger crowd. You will dissapointed if you do not make a reservation especially on a weekend night. Our table did not get the hard-binded menus - only stapled pieces of paper. As with previous visits, service still needs improvement. It took three requests over 30 mins before the extra glasses were provided (and first carefs of water) - due to reservation error or a setting for 10 instead of 12. It took close to 90 mins before food arrived after the orders were taken. Some of the guests were fairly dissapointed when nobody came to ask how the meal was, if more drinks were required, or if anyone wanted coffee and/or dessert. Go to this restaurant with good company, but not if you are in extreme hunger and have a short temper.
Food. Food arrived pretty close to each other for a large table of 12 although a long wait. Being in a large crowd, sampled was every other item on the mains menu (including chicken and the salmon). Feedback from the table - the steaks were all done to order and plates were clean at the end of the meal. The kumara mash side is also worth a mention. Didn't get to dessert - read on below.
Environment & Service. Pretty comfortable place for dining from 2 to a larger crowd. You will dissapointed if you do not make a reservation especially on a weekend night. Our table did not get the hard-binded menus - only stapled pieces of paper. As with previous visits, service still needs improvement. It took three requests over 30 mins before the extra glasses were provided (and first carefs of water) - due to reservation error or a setting for 10 instead of 12. It took close to 90 mins before food arrived after the orders were taken. Some of the guests were fairly dissapointed when nobody came to ask how the meal was, if more drinks were required, or if anyone wanted coffee and/or dessert. Go to this restaurant with good company, but not if you are in extreme hunger and have a short temper.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tandoori Palace (B1, B2)
Tandoori Palace. 71 Ilam Road, Ilam, Christchurch
Food. One of the many Indian restaurants in Christchurch and definitely not the only one in the EB. Ordered was the Chicken Khadai and Prawn Malabari. Food was average as did not seem to live up to descriptions. The chicken looked great but did not taste like it was marinated as described but more towards cooked chicken tossed into the curry. The prawn dish turned out to be the tastier of the two even though more subtle. Can save a couple more bucks by taking away as all the dishes are between $4-$5 cheaper.
Environment & Service. Walked in to a very warm place on a cold evening. Fantastic. Heat from fireplace and also spotted a portable gas heater. Overall a nice place for a comfortable meal for 2 or a small group of friends if you do not want to venture into town.
Food. One of the many Indian restaurants in Christchurch and definitely not the only one in the EB. Ordered was the Chicken Khadai and Prawn Malabari. Food was average as did not seem to live up to descriptions. The chicken looked great but did not taste like it was marinated as described but more towards cooked chicken tossed into the curry. The prawn dish turned out to be the tastier of the two even though more subtle. Can save a couple more bucks by taking away as all the dishes are between $4-$5 cheaper.
Environment & Service. Walked in to a very warm place on a cold evening. Fantastic. Heat from fireplace and also spotted a portable gas heater. Overall a nice place for a comfortable meal for 2 or a small group of friends if you do not want to venture into town.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saigon Star (C56)
Saigon Star, Shop 15, Windmill Centre, 184 Clarence Street, Riccarton, Christchurch.
Food. With very few Vietnamese cuisines to choose from in Christchurch there isn't much to benchmark on. Sampled beef noodle soup, deep fried squid, dessert. The food is ok but without things like a side-plate of fresh uncook mints and bean sprouts, as it is the norm with traditional Vietnamese servings with noodle soups, it is slightly dissapointing. Batter on the squid is a little like the Japanese tempura batter (different from the ones normally served at Asian food places). Very tasty. The three-colored dessert is fantastic although they have just stopped serving this so this will be missed.
Environment & Service. Simple typical asian food restaurant set up. Can be short-staffed when a bit busy although overall friendly. The lady (wife of one of the owners) who only goes on Sunday is particularly pleasant when dealing with customers. This shop seem to have their regulars from the greetings of incoming customers.
Food. With very few Vietnamese cuisines to choose from in Christchurch there isn't much to benchmark on. Sampled beef noodle soup, deep fried squid, dessert. The food is ok but without things like a side-plate of fresh uncook mints and bean sprouts, as it is the norm with traditional Vietnamese servings with noodle soups, it is slightly dissapointing. Batter on the squid is a little like the Japanese tempura batter (different from the ones normally served at Asian food places). Very tasty. The three-colored dessert is fantastic although they have just stopped serving this so this will be missed.
Environment & Service. Simple typical asian food restaurant set up. Can be short-staffed when a bit busy although overall friendly. The lady (wife of one of the owners) who only goes on Sunday is particularly pleasant when dealing with customers. This shop seem to have their regulars from the greetings of incoming customers.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Belgium Beer Cafe Torenhof (A20)
Belgium Beer Cafe Torenhof. 271 Stanmore Road, Richmond, Christchurch.
Food. Food arrived pretty close to each other for a table of 6. Sampled the Chicken, Steak, Mussels, Mixed Seafood Dish, and Dessert. Overall the food was good but like previous occassions, the Belgium tap beers, fries with mayo, mussels and desserts are normally the highlight. They do also frequently run promotions (previously 1kg pot for 1kg pot of mussels) so can be good value also.
Environment & Service. A very popular place on a Friday night for people to have a couple of drinks at the end of the work week so it is recommended a booking is made to secure a table. Situated in an old stone building, the inside is comfortably warm with the crowd and overhead heaters. Highly recommended as a place to have a drink or meal with a couple of friends in this comfortable venue. Service was average but waiter was very helpful whenever flagged down.
Food. Food arrived pretty close to each other for a table of 6. Sampled the Chicken, Steak, Mussels, Mixed Seafood Dish, and Dessert. Overall the food was good but like previous occassions, the Belgium tap beers, fries with mayo, mussels and desserts are normally the highlight. They do also frequently run promotions (previously 1kg pot for 1kg pot of mussels) so can be good value also.
Environment & Service. A very popular place on a Friday night for people to have a couple of drinks at the end of the work week so it is recommended a booking is made to secure a table. Situated in an old stone building, the inside is comfortably warm with the crowd and overhead heaters. Highly recommended as a place to have a drink or meal with a couple of friends in this comfortable venue. Service was average but waiter was very helpful whenever flagged down.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Whole Enchilada (C39)
The Whole Enchilada. 479A Papanui Road, Papanui, Christchurch.
Food. A small plate of nachos with dips was provided as appetisers which was a nice touch. Food arrived fairly quickly but did not wow immediately due to lack of presentation. Sampled the Nachos and Quesidillas. The food was decent but am not sure if pricing (without using the EB coupon) was appropriate as very similar to its competitors downtown in much nicer premises.
Environment & Service. Small simple shop for very casual dining. Will not cater to very large crowds. Was served by helpful and friendly staff who gladly explained the differences between the different dishes ie. Enchiladas, Quesidillas, Chimichangas, etc.
Food. A small plate of nachos with dips was provided as appetisers which was a nice touch. Food arrived fairly quickly but did not wow immediately due to lack of presentation. Sampled the Nachos and Quesidillas. The food was decent but am not sure if pricing (without using the EB coupon) was appropriate as very similar to its competitors downtown in much nicer premises.
Environment & Service. Small simple shop for very casual dining. Will not cater to very large crowds. Was served by helpful and friendly staff who gladly explained the differences between the different dishes ie. Enchiladas, Quesidillas, Chimichangas, etc.
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