Fine dining

**White trash** · 28th April 2010, 08:18

Now, I'm not much of a diner, it's fair to say. I like good food and have been to some pretty nice eateries around the country but I need to point out some "do's and don'ts" when it comes to eating out.

We were lucky enough to get a booking for dinner at The Grove last night, 24 hours after they won the prestigious Best Restaurant award.

Firstly. DO your home work of the menue. I figure, "I like Duck, I like rabbit, I'm not sure what a Terine is but it must be good"

Secondly. DO NOT tell your friendly waitress that your expensive entree "Looks and tastes like cat food" They do not see the funny side.

Another DO NOT is asking if they have KFC seasoning for the fries, by now they're wondering if ol' White trash should maybe have stayed in Papakura for dinner. Truffle juice is actually quite a nice seasoning on chips though it turns out.

I also found that mixing $90 (that was cheap) bottles of wine, Stella Atois and cat food leads to a pretty crook guts during the night.

Valet parkers do not appreciate pissed people telling them that is not our friggen car and I suggest they go and find our Mercedes quick smart, returning this POS Mazda 3 or we'll call the cops.

Crayfish is an AWESOME dinner where ever you eat it so that's a win.

And finally, DO take your credit card. $593 for dinner seems a bit steep but given the good nature and service of the waiting staff it's probably not too shabby.

So, in summary, DO try The Grove in Auckland central, just stay the hell away from the Duck and Rabbit Terine unless you're accustomed to feasting on Jelly Meat.

**Pussy** · 28th April 2010, 08:22

It would have been alright if you'd put some tomato sauce on it, Jimmy!....

**White trash** · 28th April 2010, 08:25

Originally Posted by Pussy

It would have been alright if you'd put some tomato sauce on it, Jimmy!....

Oh that's right, through the haze I'm remembering loudly proclaiming we should have gone to Dennys. That was pretty funny.

**sinfull** · 28th April 2010, 08:36

Lol i could eat for a month on that, or go hungry and buy a set of tyres !

**mattian** · 28th April 2010, 09:44

Don't expect silver service from a cafe. The waitress is not going to wait on you hand and foot. We have so many customers come in and sit down and expect to have their order taken at the table when its counter service. We have a giant menu on the blackboard behind the counter!!..... how can we make it more obvious? then people get up and walk off in a huff because they're used to having caviar served in chorus girls arseholes.

**SMOKEU** · 28th April 2010, 12:42

Places like that feed on the stupidity of their clients, who are prepared to pay outrageous sums of money for mediocre food with a fancy name attached to it.

**Stirts** · 28th April 2010, 13:01

Originally Posted by White trash

$593 for dinner seems a bit steep!

Understatement of the farking century!!! That $593 would do our groceries for 8 weeks!!!!

**davebullet** · 28th April 2010, 13:19

WT - were you full when you left?

**White trash** · 28th April 2010, 13:42

Originally Posted by davebullet

WT - were you full when you left?

Full of beer and wine. The crayfish was a pretty decent sized portion, better than I've had at other restaurants anyway. I didn't leave hungry if that's what you mean.

**007XX** · 28th April 2010, 13:46

How many ate that night? And how much booze was put away? Depending on the answers, I'd say $593 is not unachievable by any means...

**peasea** · 28th April 2010, 14:48

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Places like that feed on the stupidity of their clients, who are prepared to pay outrageous sums of money for mediocre food with a fancy name attached to it.

Correct. I rarely eat in flash joints because when I have done so I have been disappointed and/or ripped off. Nothing worse than paying to dollar for a main and going out the door hungry. I have certainly had some nice food in flash joints but I've also had some primo feeds right here at home for a fraction of the cost. Sure, it's nice to go out now and then but seriously, I/we would rather go somewhere unpretentious and use the rest of the cash for a night out on the town.