Somehow we managed to wangle a booking here on Mothers' Day 2012, only a few weeks before the event. The staff couldn't have been more helpful at getting us a table and we were happy to get there for 12noon.
It was a cold day, and we were chilly, so asked for the heating to be turned up. The staff were so helpful, and the owner arrived a few minutes later with a portable blow heater which warmed us up a treat.
The food was outstanding. Although my four year old wasn't keen on the pitta bread, I thought it was the best I'd ever tasted (clearly not the commercial stuff she's used to!). The kitchen seemed to be happy to tweak the food to our needs, making my soft boiled egg set instead of runny. They also brought different bread for my four year old so she could demolish her hummous.
The tilapia was outstanding, perfectly cooked and moist, and the vegetables underneath it sweet and to the bite. My niece's chicken and risotto was polished off, as was my mother in law's beef (a bit rare for her taste but looked utterly perfect to me). The thrice cooked chips were stupendous and should be ordered no matter what!
The small ones had salted caramel ice cream for pudding, which was stupendous. My chocolate fudge cake with chantilly cream was delicious – though I'd have liked it to be a little softer, less dense, and therefore not quite so rich. Certainly didn't stop me polishing it off though!
My husband's bakewell tart disappeared very quickly too.
Drinks were fab – childrens' smoothies delicious, my glass of Mahi sauvignon blanc a triumph.
Add to that frequent visits to the playground by the littlies, and the supply of proper colouring books and a big pencil case of pens and pencils, I'd say that Victoria has all the boxes ticked.
We've been loads. We're going to keep coming, this restaurant is totally worth the journey, with outstanding food and outstanding staff to look after you.
Well done the Victoria, please keep on doing what you do, brilliantly.
Kia ora.