jules H.
Google
My husband and I visiting a friend in Dargaville decided ti stop in here for lunch while waiting for friends to get into town. What an absolute mistake. After sitting at the only tables left next to the bar and being given menus was asked immediately if we wanted to order when it was clear we had only been given the menus. Asked for 5mins to decide first. The waitress walked away and immediately a different waitress came to ask if we were ready to order - all in the space on 20 seconds, husband decided to order a large flatwhite and we were still viewing the menu. I didnt think bowl coffees was still a thing because this was a literal soup bowl filled with milk and a smidgen of coffee. I queried if I could have the Benedict on focaccia instead of a bagel as they had focaccia on virtually every other dish - she had to check with the kitchen, she was gone all of 10 seconds, pretry certain she stepped out of the room and back in to say no. Asked what the pasta of the day was, she had no idea the specials and had to check the board on the otherside of the cafe and relay it to us. Husband went to order the chowder and told it was sold out, I ended up ordering the Benedict on the bagel with bacon and added avocado. Husband ordered Benedict with salmon. What we recieved 40 minutes later (despite it being quiet and few tables) was hard poached eggs - what was supposed to be a Sriracha hollandaise was store bought cold packaged hollandaise on thin burnt bagel and watery avocado. My husband got bacon, salmon and avocado on his bene, hard poached eggs as well and the kicker- on what we believe is focaccia instead of a bagel. I say believe because if that was the focacia its a poor excuse for it. No check ins or anything from what seemed to be a inadequately trained teenage waitress who really did not shy away from saying she "doesnt know" to any questions we asked. But really - Ive worked in hospo for many years and Im exceptionally understanding as I know the pressures of managing and working in the environment but this experience was by far the worst ive come accross in years. To top it all off we were overcharged for sides we never recieved or asked for.
The environment and atmosphere was weird, is this supposed to be a cafe or a bar/pub? Because the old guy behind the bar seemed more interested in the polishing the bar and talking to all the waitresses insyead of making decent coffees. The place looks like its set up to be a bar, maybe it should stick to the one concept instead of attempting and failing to be a cafe too. Agyer chatting with friends and locals to dargaville this seems to be an accurate description and perception of this business. Might as well change the name to nah, nah, nah as thats surely the vibe that depicts this business best. Went to the bakery down the road and sushi place the following day and both places were great!, great service, food and armosphere and clearly the locals faves as they were both packed with people. So its definitely not the rural or regional town that is to blame for this cafe, its the owners, managers and effectively workers who clearly dont know how to cook, make coffees or give service. Definitely do not go. Bakery down the road is much better for price, variation and taste. If i could give this business 0 stars I absolutely would and you'll never catch me dining here again.
