The Hunting Lodge Winery - Waitakere

We stopped here after having a flight at Westbrook Winery, almost as a throwaway, we 're in the area kind of thing, but we are very glad we did. The host made sure we got a table even though it was very crowded, and he was kind enough to help us when it started to drizzle, so that we could move our table under the covered part. The selection was great and the wines tasty; the only thing I wish was that we stayed for food because it looked really good.

It’s always been a favourite, but this time time we felt very rushed. Food was fantastic and so was the service but felt like there was a hint the night was over. In fairness with all the staff shortages we are seeing, the staff may have already been putting in a long day. Good friends and good company made for a nice night.

We were a party of 8, the location is wonderful and setting is excellent. The service was good and the wine was excellent. The food was underwhelming, the sirloin between the 8 was 8nvonsistent while my wife's was on the vege of well while the other we medium. The Pate had a jelly yet no jams required something to avoid dryness. The rib was dry a barely warm. The octopus was cold. The profiterols were dry and hard. The menu has potential, not sure if the large party threw the kitchen off. Will give them another chance in 1 month and in summer. Support local.

Initial online booking issues were sorted with a phone call, during opening hours. Atmosphere was well curated but sadly food was not as good as expected. Only one of our 6 dishes was great, Beetroot Ravioli. Wait staff were pleasant

Okay, but not great. Stood waiting for someone to scan our covid passes for seven minutes (arrived at 11:42, Sat 22 Jan 22). Once we got a table (by the toilet doors) we sat waiting for more than 15 minutes before we got our drink order taken (which due to the time was drinks and food). Ordered Blue cheese and pear Pizza, lamb wrap and kids margarita pizza. Lamb wrap was good. Blue cheese pizza had very, very little blue cheese. Kids Margarita pizza was an absolute joke. Size was appropriate but almost no sauce, a little cheese and was actually quite burnt. I tasted it and it tasted like basic bread, burnt, with a smattering of cheese. The kids pizza was also the last thing to arrive. The Margarita listed on the menu had prosciutto and basil listed along with tomato. Complained about the kids pizza when paying and got told thats the way kids like it an absolute joke! My three year old likes food, not tasteless bread with a smattering of cheese on a blackened base. The kids version had no flavour at all and was such a let down we had to go get another meal for my son on the way home as he was so disappointed. Don't go here with kids!