Went there for a birthday dinner and got one of the best services we've experienced! Loved the food (too full to stand up in the end) and even got some dessert on the house with a nice 'Happy Birthday' greeting! We loved our waiter of the night and the red wine (Esk Valley. Hawkes Bay, Syrah) was excellent. Definitely coming back!
Not bad, great location, meals were good
BOTSWANA BUTCHERY, you heard it here first. It was excellent customer service , felt like I was treated like the Queen of England. The first appetiser was the soft shell crab and it was f*#%$/? delicious, it was definitely my fave. The steak had a a Smokey flavour, it wasn’t super soft where it just melts but it was still delicious. Mac n cheese was pretty god damn good, was definitely fancier than your average. The dessert however wasn’t spectacular, the brownie is not your classic moist brownie. It was more crumbly and it was described as very “chocolaty” in the menu but it felt more like a hard caramel slice. But that’s okay hey, was still worth it. Oh on another note their wine servings is pretty worth it. It’s not like a drip of wine for $50000000000 million dollars. They give you a decent pour which made the experience even more fun.
Nice location on the wharf, all the meat dishes were great, a little pricey though
Went here for a work function and loved it so much I had to come back to have it again. Amazing menu, everything is fresh and tastes wonderful with prompt top notch service. Highly recommend the Salmon tartare,. Enjoy!
It is fine dining and food was nice, first time here and the staff is very helpful and did attend to our needs, table of 9. Dishes are nicely presented, a really big drink list with loads of wines. Would come for special occasions.
Had the best steak of my life at this restaurant. I still think about it. It had the most amazing melt in your mouth flavour and didn't have the slightly Metallic flavour that some steaks have. I wish I could remember what kind of steak it was!
Came here for lunch with the family and I got the Botswana Fried Chicken. The chicken was cooked so well and came with potato puree, chicken jus and horseradish slaw. All the flavours went so well and it was such a good quality meal and you could tell it was made with love. The menu has a lot of variety and there is so much to choose from. The service is so good and the ambience is so clean and lovely. I would definitely recommend to come here and I'd be back for sure :)
Wonderful seating arrangements.. especially the outdoor seating.. excellent bar.. and the steaks are super yummy.. done to perfection.. staff can be a bit more responsive to complete the fine dining experience. Starters did not disappoint me either.
Came here for Father’s day with my family and family friends for lunch. My meal was delicious and was presented quite nicely as well, my virgin mojito was delicious and the interior of the restaurant looked amazing and suited the theme of a butchery very well. I’d recommend coming here for dinner instead of lunch though. But still happy with my meal.
Service is fantastic - attentive and not overbearing. The food was pretty good, we had the salmon tartare to start, followed by steak and scallops. Recommended to get two sides as the steak comes on its’ own, ended up one too many. The mushroom sauce was noms. Agree with previous reviews it’s on the pricey side, but then again not many restaurants have throne chairs for one special person at the table!
Friendly staff and incredible food! My fiancé and I booked here for a little engagement dinner celebration and the food was just what we wanted! Best steak we have ever eaten! Cooked to perfection!
Went for a birthday dinner with some friends.
Very nice atmosphere with a very good inner design, lights and music.
The shell crab, the eye fillet with mash potatoes and the salmon are especially good.
But I believe it is quite expensive for what is offers.
We had our firm's Christmas function here
It was a fabulous night
Had what was almost a private room upstairs
The champagne flowed
The food was high quality as was the service
Superb location in the Ferry Building
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My dinner started with selection of bread, followed by rack of lamb, finishing with a chocolate fondant. What I like about Botswana Butchery is that they fundamentally lean towards the traditional. If the listed menu does not appeal, one can select from a list of cuts/meats and fish, sauces and sides to customise a plate. Clearly, the chef also had impressive cooking skills since all the dishes came out superbly cooked. Both lamb and fish seared just right, pink where it should be, charred in the right spots and delicious as hell. I was very impressed with the texture of the chocolate fondant, because it was soft and pillowy on the outside with the right amount of gooey inside. Only one forgivable downside was the slightly undercooked portion of the lamb, close to the bone. But I reckon that’s because the pieces were different sizes, so only the larger piece was afflicted. Decor is the usual swanky metro restro-bar style but I must praise the use of butcher knives as handles throughout the restaurant. And because I was impressed, the prices pinched less.
We came here as a big group... lovely restaurant great location/views.
Awesome selection to choose from:
We started with
Breads -ok
Pork & prawn Dumplings -nice
Scallops -nice
Oysters natural & buttermilk battered -delicious
Mains:
Eye fillet -everyone enjoyed
Hapuka -yum
Lamb cutlets -delicious , big portion
Entree sized Prawns -yum
The Bok Choy was delicious as a side, chips and duck fat potatoes were ok
Expresso Martini-DELICIOUS
next time I'm back in nz. this is the first place I wana eat at! I ordered eggs bene with extra hashbrowns. and also got a mocha which the waiter told me that they make a bomb one and .... they did indeed. I cant stop thinking about it! best breakfast and coffee I've had! hashbrowns was different to usual but delicious and crunchy! eggs cooked to perfection. i love the way the place looked and felt too! so beautiful! service was great too! cant wait to come back for that bomb ass mocha doe 😍
Came here for dinner..Food was really nice. Service was great. The waiters paid so much attention to your needs. Great place, would definately come back again
Loved it , plenty of great options on the menu , I went with the 350gm Scotch cooked perfectly. The sides are sensational. Be sure to leave space for dessert.
Espresso martinis are absolutely to die for! BUT had to wait about 40minutes for our table although we booked the table for particular time, then we waited AGES for our starters and a little longer for the mains... The food was really delicious but I wont be rushing back as it turned out to be a very expensive night out with the babysitter fees because of all this waiting around.
I'd heard a friend raving about their menu and the buttermilk oysters in Queenstown so I was thrilled to discover there was another restaurant in Auckland. I decided to pop in for an early little dinner treat (I was casually attired) and ordered a glass of NZ sav blanc and 6 of these mysterious oysters I'd heard so much about. The staff greeted me warmly and treated me so kindly. I took a comfy chair and watched the comings and goings of the harbour while totally indulging in a selfish-solo hour all to myself. The wine was delicious and ..... ohhhhhh those oysters! simply divine! with their three little sauces. What a treat! I would recommend going there for a longer evening.... I will definitely get dressed up and make an evening of it when I’m next in town. Thank you to the lovely staff and the young French waitress who made my brief visit such a pleasurable experience with her conversation and professionalism.
i had only ever been here for cocktails before, but yesterday had peking duck and duck fat roast potatoes, and it was sooooo good 😍 couldn't fault anything. service was great, we will definitely be back! 🦆
I have wanted to try Botswana Butchery since it first opened in Auckland - but I haven't been back in the city so hadn't had the opportunity. Service was a bit slow to start but improved greatly as the meal went on. The slaw was the surprising dish - it was extraordinarily good. The beef was cooked perfectly and the right size for me. A great place to enjoy some meat when your in town
Very few places make me universally smile after a meal! Our first visit to Botswana was an exceptional experience from the front house service, the extremely considerate staff, helpful cheery waitor, up class decor and amazing food that makes you want to savior every bite. Ordered the eye fillets with some duck fat potatoes and pineapple dessert along with one of the best lattes I've had. If you're looking to eat a large meal would not advise the starters but go for the amazing filling sides! Also I've never tipped before but felt it was warranted for this experience.
10/10 will come back again!
Beautiful food with beautiful venue and service to match. The lamb is AMAZING (the leg of lamb to share) . Service is faultless, Always polite, friendly and with a sense of humour. Honest review when it comes to desert choices of there favourites, with beautiful interior. Always a nice time
Standouts liver parfait, either one of the snapper, and eye fillet. Food tasted alright, not exceptional. Beautiful space with a romantic ambience; waitstaff can offer good food and wine choices.
This place has become our regular pre-ferry fuel up point.
With impeccable service, an awesome wine list and a well excecuted menu, this place is more than just a waterfront restaurant.
The bar team also know how to make an awesome martini.
Thoroughly recommend.
Astonishing taste of all dishes ordered, well prepared entrees and mains, great butchery selection, one of the best grills in Auckland. Full wine lists to select, a wide range of liquors as well. If you fall into a dilemma, the well-trained waiters will help you out.
The only thing to improve is the waiting time, it should serve faster especially for big table.
Went for lazy sunday lunch. Service was on point. If you get a table facing the harbour, ferries will come and go so a bit of excitement for kids. Not the cheapest but food was VERY good. Would come back here for sure.
Went with work mates for a leaving party. Dinner was good. We had a selection at the table. The Hapuka steak was good with prawns. The eye fillet was tender. The gnocchi was good too. The service was really good as well. Desserts were tasty as was the special coffees we ordered with them. Would go back.
Been 4 times, always enjoyed the food and the staff, very knowledgeable and helpfull. A bit pricey but very good quality and fresh food. The cellar is amazing and decor is on point, nice people watching on the wharf at lunch haha
This place is not cheap, but if you want to treat your-self and somebody else with a very fancy and tasty dinner, then this is the right choice. Great views and very convenient parking just a few meters away.
Lunch with a view! You can enjoy your meal with the view of the port. I tried the sashimi, onion rings, chips and creamed corn, leek and cheese dish. The sashimi were so fresh! I definitely do recommend the creamed corn, leek and cheese side dish to the cheese lovers as well! It was so satisfying. The wait time for the food was reasonable too! It's not too busy so you can enjoy a nice and quiet lunch.
The place is so warm and inviting
Great bar selection and some really nice wines
The food menu has some rally nice options
We loved the eye fillet
The desserts were the best part of dinner
Service was good !!!
Julian Sukmana Putra
+4.5
Recommended for fine dining. Good food, good ambience. Their Peking Duck and Eye Fillet were awesome. It takes some time to get the foods served, but it's always worth the wait.
GideonMarisa MasterchefNz2015
+4
Stunning restaurant and wonderful service. Botswana butchery is head and shoulders above a lot of restaurants in Auckland. The dining experience is complimented by the amazing food! they have really elevated steak to another level of fine dining and everything about the place screams "exquisite"! #g1
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Whenever I get asked where my favourite restaurant in Auckland is I always say Botswana Butchery! The food is insane....and the service is amazing! Our waitress was super knowledgable and onto it, my family and I were very impressed!
The Peking duck starters were delicious, so tender and flavoursome. We also had some of the duck fat potatoes which were so good but could've been slightly crispier!
I had the confit duck leg and I have to say it was the best duck I ever had. Cooked to perfection! Was so tender and juicy, honestly it was amazing.
I also had a dessert which was the real star of the show....best dessert I have EVER had in my life, and I have had a lot of desserts!!! Unfortunately this dessert is no longer on the menu, it consisted of warm chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and hazelnut praline. Blew my mind. Would definitely be back to try other desserts on the menu!!
If you're looking for an amazing fine dining experience, then I would most definitely recommend Botswana butchery
Came here for a lovely dinner. Awesome location, beautiful interior and lovely meal! Had the scallops with pork croquettes to start and they were delightful! We ordered the ribeye on the bone for two with a few sides and dessert too. Really recommend!
Very nice! Beautifully cooked eye fillet steak and the sides are fantastic. You must try their onion rings... Best ever. Will definitely be going back.
I had lunch here today with my girlfriends - incredible. Sat in the sun with a few bottles of Moēt, the food was divine. The service was superb. So happy!
I really like this place but it is quite expensive (defiantly caters to the tourists) but my duck was cooked beautifully and I really enjoyed it.
Decided to try this place after a good review from a colleague. Came here after work on a Thursday with some friends. Ordered the entrée caramelised Atlantic scallops, mains beef short rib, coastal NZ lamb, desserts panna cotta and affogato. Food was well presented. Flavours very well balanced and tasted very moreish. The only flaw was the lamb; the rump and double cutlet was slightly overlooked. Service was great and ambience very pleasant.
Arrived at your restaurant for a family celebration, I was pleasantly greeted by every staff member who walked by, this is were the great vibe of this place begins. I was offered a drink as soon as I was seated. From what I can see this is a very well organised place, menus out, drink orders taken, patient waiter.. From our orders taken starters were prompt and delicious mains all arrived together. Every dish looked delicious and my scallop starter was
Amazing. I chose scotch fillet with blue cheese sauce, Perfectly cooked to order and delicious sauce. My tables glasses were never left empty and and our waiter was always close by. Everyone had a great memorable night. I will be back and will be bringing my friends. Thank you.
Loovveee yes love this restaurant! Customer service was excellent, food was delicious and memorable. Decor and ambience of restaurant rich and comfortable. Bellini was delicious! And that's rare to pull off from previous Auckland restaurant experiences. If there was a heart button I would be pressing it! Was a delightful night and experience :)
Pricey, but I adore the atmosphere and service here. The food is vibrant and wholesome, a great selection of NZ wine, and a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.
Meat... meaaaattt! A great menu but the steak and sauce is their specialty and they haven't let us down ever. Impeccable service either at the table, the bar area or outside near the ferries. Do try alternatives to the steak as the menu is littered with gems of al varieties and the overall experience is perfect.
I have heard great things about this place and the Queenstown sister restaurant has rave reviews but the two times I have visited here I have left a little deflated. That isn't to say I haven't enjoyed the meal I was served or that I could fault the service but it seemed to be missing something that I can't quite put my finger on.
Overall a good restaurant in a nice location ideally suited to a business lunch or family celebration.
I had the wagyu rump as a main and the mandarin cream cheese mousse for dessert. Overall the food was exquisite and the sides that we ordered for the table all tasted wonderful. The staff were friendly and the food came out relatively quickly too.
The only concern I had was that the mojito drink that we ordered had two little flies in them (could've been from the mint or the limes in the drink). And that the dessert that I ordered had a little piece of hair in it.
The food and service would have otherwise been exceptional but for such an expensive place, there shouldn't be little mistakes like that.
We enjoyed lovely food mid week while fairly empty. Unfortunately because it was quiet, the staff was more interested in chatting than keeping our wine glasses full.
Or maybe a waiter in training? The Butchery is for meat lovers. Extensive menu with an outstandingly well selected wine list to match. I'd go back.
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Went here on a Sunday night. The setting is beautiful, really liked the old-style seating and large tables. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable when asking about things on the menu (one even took a photo for us!). The detailing was very cool with little meat cleaver handles on doors and the shape in windows etc. We ordered from the Butcher's Block (where you order just your meat then sauces and sides separately) and got the scotch fillet with bearnaise sauce, eye fillet with blue cheese sauce and fillet mignon with red wine jus. All were cooked perfectly and were very tender and delicious. The sauces were all really tasty too. For sides we shared crumbed onion rings (very crunchy & yum), potato puree (good classic mashed potato), duck fat potatoes (golden, crunchy and delicious cooked with thyme), ham, cheese & dijon croquettes (also delicious), mac n cheese with bacon (very cheesy, very good), green beans with macadamia dressing (loved the crunchy nuts on top, the dressing was light which was good as it didn't overpower the beans) and the beetroot, feta and parsley salad (beetroot was tasty - had a slight red wine flavour, and the feta was salty and creamy). Overall loved the food and atmosphere so will definitely be returning :)
You never fail me apart from getting my mushroom sauce order wrong sometimes. Perfect place to go. It is the only place I take my lovely girlfriend when she has been nice to me for 10 days i a row. Honestly 10/10 food woudnt go anywhere else for a steak.
Fantastic restaurant! Wonderful staff, ambiance, decor and food! Really enjoyed everything about this place! The salt and pepper squid is to die for!!! Xx
I have eaten here before and enjoyed my meal. We arrived and the girl serving us was in a long conversation with a friend who may have worked there. So we were standing, waiting to be served for a few minutes. Surely personal conversations can wait. We booked for 8 and the table wasn't ready till 8:20. No big deal though. The menu contains no bread to start off with which is usually standard i would have thought. Anyway we ordered entrees, mains and sides and all were superb. The service was also very good. However on the menu it says "service not included". Last time I looked the restaurant was in Auckland, New Zealand not New York. On the whole it was a good experience and i would probably go back again.
We went to this restaurant having had a good experience several years ago. All in all had a terrific meal. The service was great, although a little tough to get attention once it hit fully busy mode. The meals were excellent, with the steak perfectly cooked, and the side plates were also right on the money. Could not fault the experience this time round.
Always good service and good food. Love the atmosphere too. Lovely place
Its Ok went there late one night good food service staff were Ok I found the late night getting to and from my hotel a little on the scary , I found that there were not many people there I like that so I would like to return sometime .
Dinner for two - food was succulent and wine matched perfectly. The oysters as a starter were awesome, then a filet mignon with mushrooms along with baked potatoes cooked in duck fat was delightful !
Yes the bill was on the top end, but left with fond memories :)
Ps : the service was exceptional ... worth it !
Went here with my partner on a whim; we had read all of the mixed reviews and decided to try it out regardless.
The food was amazing. My partner and I ended up eating 3 courses because it was that good. The pumpkin soup entree that I had was probably the best pumpkin soup I'd ever tasted, the steak was cooked to perfection. The desert for myself (affogato) was average but my partners (lemon curd) was nothing short of amazing.
The service we received was second to none, it truly was fine dining and our waiter was constantly looking after us. He also was extremely knowledgeable on the menu.
We will definitely be back.
Really nice food - and worth what we paid. The drinks were great - my wife is pregnant so cannot have alcohol, so they made an amazing mocktail for her which was not on the menu. Service was very friendly and very quick.
Excellent food and ambiance. It was a busy Saturday evening and we had outstanding service esp from our waiter who was French. We could not fault the food and service...will definitely be back. Worth every single cent...keep up the good work!
This place was excellent from the minute we walked in the door we were treated like royalty. The food was outstanding and the waiting staff impeccable. My wife and I had one of the nicest experiences to date and after a terrible dining experience at another restaurant this was a breath of fresh air, first class, well done we will certainly be back...
Went here for Xmas Eve dinner this year and was pleasantly surprised! Staff were all so welcoming and friendly - willing to make a joke and go the extra mile. I am from the hospitality industry so this is high praise haha! The food was delicious - yes it's expensive, and yes the servings aren't the biggest, but it is a fine dining restaurant! I left feeling more than satisfied and would happily recommend this place to anyone. Obviously known for the steaks, but the fois gras is delish too, as are all the veges.
FANTASTIC!
(Review from visiting Aussie) I've been to Botswana Butchery in Queenstown more than once & it's in my top 5 best restaurants of this type in the world (& I travel a lot and eat out often). I finally got a chance to try the new restaurant in Auckland this week & I was delighted! The food was sensational - in particular the slow roasted shoulder of lamb lived up to its reputation. Steaks were outstanding & sides were delectable. The wine list is excellent and wait staff made a great recommendation on the Pinot Noir. I don't understand the bad reviews on the food for this restaurant as I found it on par with Queenstown. On top of this the service & staff were fantastic and looked after our group of 6 without a hitch. They even kept the bar open for us very late as we were the last to leave after many delightful after-dinner cocktails. We had a fantastic night and I'll definitely be back!
Forget the old reviews - The staff here are really good!!! and the food was amazing!!! It was my partner's birthday (had not made this known when I made the booking) but she got a candle in her desert and the waiter sang happy Birthday. We were treated to brilliant service and waited for nothing. Recommend for a special occasion!!!! Only thing different to the Queenstown one is the view!!!
$32 for a slab of tuna (sides are extra) so pretty expensive but the service was the best I've had in a long time. Love the big armchairs too. What a treat!
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Botswana Auckland has been on my list of restaurants to try after a great experience in Queenstown 3 years ago. The dining room was beautiful and although a large space, we felt had a very intimate atmosphere. Our drink orders were taken quickly and our waiter was very knowledgeable about the wines and what would match well with what. However it took another 20+ minutes for our food orders to be taken, I did try and catch the wait staffs eyes and looked longingly at others dishes that were brought past but to no avail. However once ordered our entrées come out quickly and were delicious, I had the Sashimi and it was excellent, my husband had the Peking Duck which was divine our friends both enjoyed their meals the Oysters and the Salmon tartare.We all had the eye fillet that was cooked to perfection, and shared various sauces including Béarnaise and Horseradish and Green peppercorn. Personally my favourite was the Horseradish we all felt the béarnaise lacked some flavour.
The sides were divine – the Onion Rings and Duck Fat Potatoes were the best we have tried (Inc ones at another top notch Auckland eatery).
After being very full already we shared a Banana Crème Brulee which was delicious and topped off a very enjoyable evening.
Although the wait staff were slow on taking our food orders to begin with they were very attentive and friendly for the remainder of the evening.
I would definitely recommend Botswana and plan to come back soon. It is a pricier dining option however the portions are large and cooked very well.
After dining at Botswana Butchery in Auckland various times in the last month I have to say that I am very confused about all the negative reviews that have been going around. My dining experience at Botswana has been fantastic every time.
The Cadrona lamb is simply delicious and the service is always exceptional.
The bar is also amazing! I love everything about Botswana.
I dine out 5 nights a week so am an experienced diner...
My partner and I dinned at Botswana Butchery on a Friday night. We booked an early table (1830) so the restaurant was still reasonably quiet when we arrived.
The key to the evening was the upstairs table that had an excellent view out to the ferry loading area.
Service was excellent. One of the waiters gave some very accurate advice on both the meal and wine.
We had entrees (French Onion and some Chicken disk (forget the name)) and both were excellent. Our mains were also delicious - although steaks is their forte the menu is comprehensive and will suit most tastes.
Personally I had the Scotch Fillet (not on the bone) with a wine jus. Perfectly cooked.
All round an outstanding experience and we have already recommended Botswana to a number of our friends.
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Despite the poor reviews which I read before making the reservation, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
Arrived on time but the table wasn't ready, aware of the bad reviews for service I was primed for action. As we were not short on time I was happy enough to be directed to the bar. The fit out must have cost a fortune and it was money well spent. The bar area is great and we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves while waiting to be seated.
After a couple of drinks, which took longer than they should to get out, we were offered another table but chose to wait for our table to become available (it was in a better spot). After 45 minutes it became available. Which given the fact the head of house told us they were in the process of paying 15 minutes after we arrived seemed a little fanciful. But we weren't in a hurry so weren't bothered.
The food was all spot on, from the steak to the duck to the liver and the kidneys. We were a group of four and while some dishes rose about others the food couldn't be faulted.
The service with our French waiter was good. All in all a very pleasant evening. A little pricey, but hey it's a great location and the fit out must have cost a small fortune. Despite some poor reviews on this site the place was busy.
Worth a visit to make up your own mind.
I have lived all over the world and I have spent way too much money in Resturants...
The VIEW from Botoswana is the best in Auckland for people watching.
The interior design is rich and makes you feel like you are in a very speical place.
The food is the best I have eaten in forever.
I am a regular. At first the biggest let down was the service however it has improved a 100% in the past week or two.
I have opened countless businesses over the years, with every business I opened there were always teething problems.
What I love about Botswana is that management are mainly South Islanders.
People from the South and yes I'm a bit bias as I was born in Invercargill tend to be in my opinon lovely kind hearted folks who will take the shirts off their backs if need be to help you.
For this reason I have hung in there and am seeing the rose of the resturant world come into full bloom..
For this reason alone I rate them a 10..
We ate here last night, and to be honest after all the bad reviews, wasn't sure what to expect.
We were told the wait would be a half hour, so had a drink in the bar, and about 10 mins later we were told there was a table as someone hadn't turned up, great!
The barman was very helpful on recommending wine.
The service was good, although the french waiters English wasn't great.
All and all great night, the food was superb, only gripe, a little pricey, even for the viaduct.
We took our Australian clients to the Botswana Butchery in the first week of opening and while not one to normally write reviews feel compelled to do so as they certainly don't deserve the beat up they are getting. The food was delicious; our Australians especially enjoyed the white bait entree and melt-in-the-mouth steak and I loved the tuna with the gorgeous lemon dressing. The ambience is amazing and the staff very friendly and helpful.
There were a couple of blips in the service which were very quickly acknowedged with free drinks when an apology would have been more than sufficient. It seems to me they are a victim of their own success as everybody I speak to seems to be trying them out rather than going to their usual haunts. But as a professional operation I can only assume they will be getting a handle on this very soon.
I enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the Botswana Butchery with a friend recently - it was a beautiful crisp day and we were warmed by the sun with views to the harbour, which made for a lovely backdrop to our dining experience.
I looked for guidance with the menu, as my knowledge of meat is pretty limited. I was well looked after by the service staff who explained the different dishes to me and their recommendations were spot on for my wine and food choices! It was just delicious - I am still thinking about the Wagyu beef - and the banana creme brulee was nearly a religious experience.
It was a really special afternoon for me - I was with a dear friend, my youngest daughter had just started school and the friendly service staff made for a memorable occasion.
10 out of 10 - or as the ratings on this site go, 5 out of 5! I would love to go back and will attempt to save more room for dessert :-)
Took my family and by comparison had eaten at Jervois Steak House the week before. By comparison service was charming, efficient and attentive. A whole lot more down to earth that aforementioned which can tend to be pretty snooty.
Prices for meals are absolutely comparable to prices paid throughout the city - steaks are being sold this way in at least three places I can think of where side dishes are additional.
Food was delicious and well prepared exactly to our requirements. Venison was amazing.
I've eaten here twice since it opened, and I am kind of surprised by the vehemency of these negative reviews.
Overall I had a great time here, the food was on both occasions - delicious. I had a fantastically juicy Wagyu burger for lunch, the Chicken Liver Parfait is also great. A standout was an incredible banana creme brûlée - which I might not have ordered had the waiter not said it was really special and worth trying...he was right.
We had good service, only one hiccup over where to pay the bill - and yes an arrogant barman who seemed to have forgot what he was there for (Service!)...
The location is fantastic, especially sitting outside or upstairs with a view of the harbor, the decor is spectacular and really glam. A nice change from all the rustic 'gastro pub/mechanics' styling that is so trendy right now.
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Make no mistake every part of this place is targeted at the deeper portion of the wallet. I however attended as guest so I did not have the curse of the bill to consider going in. That said this place is not cheap so be prepared. So what do you get for your money?
Atmosphere - very nice, I loved the formal with touches of the eclectic and the overall setting is very well done. Easy to be relaxed without lowering the tone. Tables have plenty of room so you have your own little piece of real estate without feeling like an extended guest of someone else's table. Great to get a seat overlooking the water so thanks for that.
The service - it seems that they have shot for professional but have missed the target slightly. The staff are very informed about their menu and wine list but are a little too rigid and non engaging. Of course some might like this but I have no issue with service staff being allowed to share their personalities and in fact quite enjoy it. It was probably not helped by the fact that the staff at our table were not that great at English and struggled with a few requests that I would deem to be relatively straight forward. There were a few things that took multiple tries to get the message across, albeit successfully in the end, but these were not fun and felt awkward. The food appeared in a timely manner without being rushed or indeed left to sit and wait but mistakes were made as to what plate should go where. Not a big deal at all but again just wide of the mark that they seem to be targeting.
The food - this is what we go for ultimately and it really did not disappoint in any way. We cris crossed the menu with our choices and no one was any less than praise worthy of the delivered product. It actually was that good. The only issue I could come up with the French Onion Soup was a bit too salty but still very tasty and completely edible.
In summary - this feels like it tries to be something it is not. What is does well it does exceptionally well but if they want to make this more of the 5 Star establishment that I think they are shooting for then they need to polish some of the things around the edges. If they are looking for an upmarket place to go for very good food coupled with a good time maybe loosen the staffs ties a little. A smile and a chat goes a long way.
Overall very pleased and would consider a return if I was stuck for a choice - which in this price range is not often.
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Botswana Butchery near the Ferry terminal down town was our destination this freezing winters eve. It was a bit of a last minute thing making a booking at 6pm for 8:30pm that evening. In my books its not the best sign that they had a table for us, but we were happy they did.
We arrived and had a drink at the bar, the wine list is HUGE! In fact the drinks menu is more of a drinks novel and after too much to choose from we chose what we knew a glass of Cloudy Bay Pelorus and at $18 a glass we knew their wines were not overly priced so we were happy campers.
We were seated, menus given, and left to read. There was a great selection of starters, so much so that I would have been happy with a selection of these for my meal.
We opted for the Raukumara Wild Venison Tartare 24.95 with capers, cornichons, shallots, crisp bread, free range egg yolk and the Ahi Poke $19.95 which was Yellowfin tuna, avocado, mango, chili, sesame soy dressing, crisp wonton.
Both were lovely to look at but lacked seasoning, after a dash of salt the flavours of the Tuna were lifted, there was crunch, wonderful fresh tuna, zingy dressing it was a great way to start the meal. The Venison how ever was over powered by the capers and cornichons leaving us a touch disappointed.
We looked over the complete mains they all sounded delicious but we thought it best to try what the Botswana Butchery are aptly named after- The Butcher Block, which is a build your own meal menu. You select your meat, a sauce or butter (all $2.5 each) then a side be it vegetable or salad, you could go as crazy as you like or if you are struggling to decide the waiting staff are more than willing to suggest options.
For the full review take a look at http://mrspotandmrlid.wordpress.com/category/review/
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The food here is excellent and the atmosphere quite formal. It's not a cheap eat, but it's a great place to spoil yourself on a classy date in a place often praised by locals. Their seafood chowder was fresh and the salmon especially were well cut and cooked. People tend to either over or under cook salmon, so that was a pleasant surprise. The duck's shepherd pie was also amazing: well presented and the duck a joy to eat. I've also never heard of anyone doing that, but the combination of duck and potato seriously worked. For dessert I indulged in an affogato, but I've heard their petits fours are amazing so I might have to go back to try that one day! The price point is a bit high, but they make up for it in quality decor, atmosphere and scrumptious wholesome food. I also had the pleasure of sampling their canapes and snacks when they catered for the 100 Days Project event in the city late last year, and I can confirm their catering is just as high quality. Overall great high price point restaurant!
Amy @ My Dining Journey
+5
I love having friends and family come visit from overseas as I get to take them to some of my favourite eateries that showcase some of Auckland's finest food and ingredients! So when my cousin travelled from Amsterdam to Auckland for business, my sister and I took him to one of my favourite places to eat: Botswana Butchery, the best steakhouse in Auckland. We had dinner on a Friday night and managed to get a table with a view of the wharf. We started our meal with some yummy crab cakes and king prawns and half a dozen of juicy Bluff oysters, something that I insisted he try despite his dislike for oysters. Although he wasn't a fan, I happily devoured them with a tangy lemon and balsamic vinegar.
With our mains, we all ordered a fat juicy steak from the Butcher's Block selection. My sister and I ordered the 200 grams Savannah Angus grass fed eye fillet while my cousin ordered the 250 grams Firstlight Wagyu grass fed rump cap. I ate my medium rare steak with a generous side of dijon mustard and we all shared an ice berg lettuce wedge salad with pieces of crispy bacon, dressed with a blue cheese sauce and a side of sautéed forest mushroom. Delicious!
With room left for dessert, I opted for the 'Garden of Passion' which was a tangy passionfruit curd served with a layer of strawberry jelly and garnished with strawberries and raspberries. I enjoy ending my meal with something fruity and tart and this hit the spot. The curd had a nice smooth texture and the sweet strawberry jelly countered some of the acidity of the curd. I like the taste of passionfruit but I'm not a fan of the seeds, so I was very glad that this dessert was seedless. It was an excellent way to end our meal.
My love for Botswana Butchery is not without reason. I've been to many steakhouses throughout my dining journey, but it is fair to say that Botswana Butchery has yet to disappointed. With amazing food, exceptional service and fake butchers' knifes as door handles (!), I would happily come here time and time again!
Botswana Butchery Auckland opened in late 2012. Riding on the success of the Queenstown restaurant, the fans were sure to follow. And they did. Not as quickly as one might imagine, however. The cost of Botswana Butchery for a night out might make even the richest moguls think twice, so definitely worth considering if you aren’t going out with folks who are absolutely mad on all things meat.
The food is very well presented. The staff a little too formal and pretentious, but the food is divine. Worth the money? Probably not. Enjoyable, definitely. I’ve been told that the food here isn’t as well served as the food in the Botswana Butchery Queenstown, but I’ve never been to that one so I wouldn’t know. Competing Steaks in the area would be Euro and the Jervois Steak House, so there are alternatives if you want ‘primo’ steak, but the Butchery offers so many more options than just steak, so if it’s not definitely a steak you are after, Botswana is the place.
A few months ago I went to BB with two guests. The meal was superb, staff polite and good fun. A great night out. The bill was $430 , pricey but we had Oysters, Steak, good wine etc so bill was all OK.
However a few days later when looking at the bill I noticed they had charged for the "Jus" for the Steaks - $2.50 each. Now it was probably stated on the menu so hard to complain. I sent a similar email as I am writing here directly to the Restaurant saying great night rah rah but I thought it was a bit petty to charge for the sauce. My email has in good humour....
I received no reply.
I was definitely intending returning to dine but am a bit miffed no reply..
What do you think:
Is charging for Jus petty?
Should they have answered my email?
Great service, got a table ahead of booking time, food was great especially the onion rings, medium rear steak and the melt in your mouth lamb rack and rump, a bit pricey tho but well worth it.
First time customer, greeted with a cleaver stuck on the glass door, clever and a standout matching the restaurants theme. The restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere. If you are lucky with the arm chair..... sink in nicely.
The steaks are cooked perfectly. The dishes are off a generous portion.
The service was brilliant.
All in all a great experience with wonderful company.
Price..... As expected.... At the top end.
We went here for a family dinner, the service and waiter were amazing! The sides and starters were delicious, highly recommend the gyoza. Everyone enjoyed there meal, however one person requested there steak blue and it came out a bit overdone. The manager dealt with this very well and gave us a discount on the steak.
Lovely food, amazing service, & friendly staff. The lovely lady at the till even gave us an umbrella as we were leaving so we could get to our car without getting soaked in the pouring rain! Such a great experience! 10/10 ❤️
Five full star reviews can allude to different scenarios. In this case, it means that I'm absolutely blown away by how good this restaurant was. First off, the steak was tender and delicious, cooked to perfection without being overly raw or over cooked. Also, the decor throughout the restaurant echoes that of a premium, high-end lounge. The cheerful staff also perfectly delivers the wonderful Kiwi hospitality. For those who want to try the authentic Kiwi steak experience, Botswana sure is a great choice (It's also conveniently located right in the Ferry Building) !
If you are looking for an amazing experience with your significant other or to spoil someone on a special occasion this is the place to take them. You are greeted by two friendly ladies (Sam), in fact all the wait staff are friendly and helpful. The have good knowledge of the menu and pairing wines with the food. I have had the Peking duck a number of times and absolutely love it. The flavour are rich and the meat is tender. The chicken liver pate is also a must try. It’s smooth and creamy. I just wish it came with more crostini. I am a big fan of gyoza and couldn’t reside these. They were finished off with a quick hit deep fry which I think finished them off nicely. The meat inside was tender and flavoursome. My husband always has some variation of the steaks they have on offer. The meat is always cooked exactly how he asked for it. Side are ordered additionally. There is an extensive wine and cocktail list. I highly recommend this restaurant if you want to spoil someone.
Gorgeous spot, very chic, perfect for special occasions/office dinner & drinks. Second time going, partners birthday this time. Service was stunning and they were so thoughtful for bringing us a complimentary birthday desert. Steak wasn't as melt-in-your-mouth as it was the first time I went, slightly disappointing. That said, it could've been a one off because everything else was delicious. I'd go back again :)
Did not try their main, only the soup. The French onion soup and creamy mushroom soup was good. The service staff was very attentive, warm and friendly. Recommended.
Food is fantastic - the chefs know their stuff. Steak is cooked to perfection, sides are drool-worthy and the selection of sauce is impressive! The table service is lovely and waitresses incredibly attentive. Cocktails are great. Note that if you are travelling from overseas, you need a physical passport to be sat at a table - even if just for food. We were not told about this until we got to the door and told to “run back” to the hotel to get them. Completely happy to comply (it’s the law) but it’s a simple matter of adding this as a note for international travellers to the booking confirmation email, if you have any interest in offering a fine dining experience.
Loveliest dinner we had in Queenstown. Though my wife and I didn’t have a reservation, they kindly seated us in the private room with a fireplace. We ordered the beef tongue and octopus, both of which were very delectable. I had the venison tenderloin and my wife had the salmon. The salmon was buttery with crispy skin, and the venison had an excellent sear that preserved the tenderness. The waitstaff were extremely helpful in guiding us through the impressive menu. Excellent food that’s well worth it and a must try after a long hike or ski run.
an exceptional meal with exceptional service. peking duck for starters was a personal favourite, as was the pork belly.
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First time for my partner and I at this iconic restaurant on Auckland’s waterfront and a decadent lunch in store.
We visited on a reasonably quiet Saturday, which made the amazing waiting staff even more attentive to our every request. Knowledgable about food and wine pairings, which was an added bonus although something you would expect in this fine dining environs.
The entree of Peking duck was delicious and enough to share while leaving room for the mains. Fried chicken was my partner’s choice, with a smooth mashed potato. I plumped for the Wagyu cheeseburger. Not basic by any means, with the burger so well cooked. Both were amazing and the wine accompaniment enhanced the overall flavour. I certainly recommend the Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet - a memorable name and a mouth-filler in reality.
Dessert rounded the meal off with the Vanilla Pannacotta and Raspberry Chocolate Marquis both wonderful and high on presentation. The Marquis chocolate was of high quality.
Outstanding experience, delightful menu and exemplary staff. We’ll be back soon…
Lovely food, amazing service, & friendly staff. We came here to celebrate our daughters graduation and I am so pleased we did, everything was five star and we will certainly be going back. Highly recommend
Great place to celebrate special occassions. Love their steaks,lamb and oyster. The lamb is cooked to perfection.
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