Totara Restaurant

249 Dairy Flat Highway (SH17) Albany North Shore City Auckland 0632

Reviews (12 reviews)

1. Totara Restaurant

   

   I dont usually write reviews, but we had such a great meal at Totera that I thought it worth writing a review! Visiting Auckland in August, friends of ours recommended that we visit Totara after a day trip north of Auckland. A great recommendation! This charming cottage on the edge of Albany had some of the best food in Auckland in my experience. Delicious tender meat, well cooked and presented, with a great selection of wine to accompany the meal. The most difficult part of the was choosing what to eat from the menu, all of it was delicious. Will definitely be going back when I am next in Auckland!

   
   
   13th September 2013
   
   
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2. Totara Restaurant

   

   We have dined at this restaurant off and on for the last ten years and found it to be pleasant and above average in most respects. Unfortunately, it appears in Nov 2011 there was an ownership change and since then this restaurant has been on a slippery slope in some areas of it's dining experience. We had not dined at Totara for about a year, and, after a busy day of meetings etc, decided to drop by for a quick meal before heading home. This was not a special occasion thank goodness. In most respects up to the point of departure we found the food to be perfectly fine (albeit unadventurous - but then most suburban restaurants tend to play safe in AKL - so we overlooked that). Our waitress gave above average service and was happy, breezy and helpful (no complaints up to that point). Decor is uninspiring but acceptable. We finished our mains and were keen to get home after a long day - rather than have the bill brought to the table, I went to the counter to pay. I tendered my Entertainment Card and the bill came to $66.00 including a 3% Amex card fee which I agreed to pay despite being irked by the request. The staff member who was about to process the Amex charge was suddenly interrupted by the Maitre'd who then informed me that the restaurant had a "minimum spend" policy on Amex of $100.00 and that i would have to pay by another means. I objected as I found this simply outrageous given I had already been insulted by asking for the confounded 3% fee. Amex policy also forbids "minimum spends" of any sort. I travel within and outside the country on a regular basis and had never experienced anything like this before. We were not informed of this "policy" in person or in print on the menu at the time of being seated. I indicated that I was not prepared to accept it and wished to pay with my Amex card. The maitre'd became more and more attitudinal about the matter upon which I had to make it very clear that it was in his best interests to accept my Amex card or risk me leaving the restaurant forthwith after being insulted by him and a friend/customer of his who happened to be at the counter at the same time I was. The whole experience was beyond hideous - culminating in him shouting at me that I was now "banned" from the restaurant for future visits. This fellows arrogance and attitude knows no bounds and he is wholly unsuited to fronting a restaurant. His hospitality skills are zero. There are better places on the Shore to eat - I would recommend avoiding this place.

   
   
   25th May 2013
   
   
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3. Totara Restaurant

   

   We had another lovely meal at Totara last night! Amazing food, lovely staff and great atmosphere. Highly recommended.

   
   
   8th June 2012
   
   
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