Totara, Albany

To celebrate Amazing A2's birthday, six Ferry Girls descended upon the unsuspecting Totara Restaurant.  Would they measure up to The Ferry Girls high standards?  Would they grab the elusive 5 / 5 rating?

After a slow start leaving Beach Haven (taxi was half an hour late - 0 / 5 rating for Auckland Co-Op Taxis :( ), five of the six Ferry Girls arrived at Totara Restaurant.  First impressions suggested a nice restaurant with a nice courtyard area - not ideal for dining at 7pm at night, but surely a nice spot to have a coffee on a Sunday afternoon.

Amazing A2, the Birthday Girl, was patiently waiting, mulling over a delightful glass of Sauvignon Blanc.  The waiter greeted up in a friendly and up beat manner and seated us at our table.  The wine list was explained and we quickly summed it up.  Princess J was heard to exclaim that it was "suffocating" as there was "no range by the glass".  However, we managed to secure a bottle of bubbles to get the evening off to a nice start.

Totara is renown for winning numerous Beef and Lamb awards, and these dishes were recommended to us by the attentive waiter. 

The Food
The Birthday Girl Miss A2 ordered the Pork from the Signature Dishes range ($34.50) and declared it devine.  Rating 4.5 / 5
Princess J ordered the Fillet Steak ($37), rated it 4 / 5 and "very good".
Darling D decided the Hot Pot of Shellfish was for her ($35) and rated it a very good 4 / 5.
Miss PJ also ordered Fillet Steak and also rated it 4 / 5.
Lady L followed in A2's lead and also ordered the Pork, declaring it exquisite and rated it 4.5 / 5.
And me, D2, I ordered the Tuna ($34.50).  It was truly melt in your mouth - so succulent and devine and rated a well deserved 4.5 / 5.
Other comments regarding the food was mainly around the three side dishes that were order (green beans, potatoes and a green salad).  It was felt that the beans were under cooked and not finished nicely (i.e. the tops and tails of the beans were left untrimmed :( )

The Service
On arrival the waiter was fabulous, attentive, witty but not overbearing or over the top, but unfortunately as the night wore on, the level of service slipped.  Empty dishes sat waiting on the table after all diners had finished their meals.  Two bottles in the wine bucket were left unserved, water bottle was topped up.  Dessert dishes also waited to be retrieved.  Overall service was rated 4 / 5 - so while good, it could be improved by a few small amendments.

Ambience and Venue
The restaurant was lovely with a nice cozy feel and dim lighting, however the chairs were hard and uncomfortable and the stemware was not up to Lady L's standard (she prefers the thin stemware - nicer to drink out of).  Bathrooms were clean and tidy with nice soaps, hand towels and moisturisers.
Overall rating: 4 / 5

Value for Money
The evening was going well.  The food was delicious, the wine was flowing, dessert was eaten, special coffees drunk - and then shock horror, we asked for the bill.  $502!!!!  For 6 people!!!!  It was lovely, but it wasn't fine dining!  At $85 per person, it was agreed that while it was lovely, it definetly wasn't worth $85 per person!  So that definetly put a damper on the evening, and made some of the party reassess whether they would come again or recommend to friends ......  Overall rating: 2 / 5

Recommend to Friends and Family
Yes - althought based on the bill, there would be a word of warning thrown in!

Come again? 
What started out as a pleasant evening was soured after the arrival of the astronomical bill - so a number of the party changed their original Yes to a No.  Most of the party indicated that they would come again.

Overall Rating
Totara is a lovely restaurant, with great food, great service (don't expect your plate to get whisked it away - it may take awhile) and most of our party would come again or recommend to friends and family, so our overall rating was 4 / 5.

Total Bill: $501.40
What we ordered:
6 mains (from the Signature Dishes range)
2 glasses Sav Blanc
1 bottle Bubbles
1 bottle Sav Blanc
1 bottle Chardy
3 Garlic Bread
3 Sides
2 Dessert
1 Cheese Board
2 Special Coffees
1 Coffee
2 Ports

http://www.totararestaurant.co.nz/

Easter Egg Grab

So what was with the Easter Egg's at PJ's Birthday Bash ??

At the same time as celebrating PJ's birthday, an Easter Egg Grab was had.

The Rules

• Bring along an Easter treat valued to $5. 
• Going in birthday order, each Ferry Girl is to select a treat from the middle. 
• The next person to chose, can either chose from the middle OR 'steal' any other already claimed treat on the table.
• If your treat is stolen, you may chose again from the centre

The Result
Many Easter Egg Grabs (mine got stolen twice!), with people jostling to get the 'best' egg. Much laughter was had and playful banter ensued.

Good fun!  An option for Christmas?

Fernz Day Out Photos

Fernz Restaurant

Okay, so I am a wee bit late in getting this up ..... but better late than never!

Saturday 31st March, Miss PJ celebrated a birthday.  Being a lady of delectable taste, she gathered The Ferry Girls together for lunch at the local Fernz Lodge.  Located at Verrans Corner and set amongst a backdrop of native bush, six Ferry Girls sampled the modest but tasty menu and also sampled a delicious drop from the wine list.

Paprika Calamari Salad, prices at $16.50 was enjoy by Miss D2.  The portion size was perfect for lunch and the dish was tasy.  Rating: 3 / 5
Princess J order a Steak Toastie with fries ($18.50) and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Rating: 3 / 5
Lady L sampled a chicken salad ($17.00), declaring it delicious.  Rating: 3 / 5
Birthday Girl Miss P ordered and enjoyed the Steak Toastie, rating: 3.5 / 5
Darling Miss D order Haloumi Salad and recommended it to the table.  Rating: 3.5 / 5
Amazing Miss A2 (not to be confused with Miss A who was otherwise engaged), also order the Steak Toastie.  Rating 3 / 5

Overall all the Food was rated 3 / 5 - while the menu is modest, it caters something for everyone at a reasonable price.  The food was nicely presented and from ordering to delivery of the food was prompt and there were no longing glances at kitchen wondering where the food was.

Service was rated 3 / 5 - attentive but without being in your face.  Quick to take the orders and clear away the dishes.  Friendly service that you would experience at any cafe.

Ambience and Location - both rated 4 / 5.  You would never know you were sitting in the middle of a suburb.  There was no city noise, only the quiet calls of native birds and wildlife.  With a gorgeous view over bush, the restaurant is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of busy Auckland life.

Value for Money: rated at 4 / 5.  with the average price of lunch dishes being about $18, it was great value for money. 

Recommend to Others: Yes

Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5

Fernz Lodge is a great spot to go to for a quiet and quick Saturday lunch, situated in a great location.

Delicious food, good service, great location, great friends - what more could a Ferry Girl want?

http://sfern.co.nz/content/lunch-menu