One last thing, View Auckland may want to change the fact that AMEX (American Express) is clearly labelled as being accepted at this establishment.

I was at the same table as the person in the previous review.
When our family visits from overseas we often go to high quality restaurants and enjoy good food and wine. Generally if we are unhappy we don't complain as we like to keep things friendly and polite. At Te Whau the lack of table cloths, incorrect wine glasses and general cafe decor was not what I expected when you see the prices on the menu. Nor was the very basic food - mostly pre-prepared and not presented very well. As I have Coeliac disease I requested that my main be gluten free. I received my steak, but with no sauce as the sauce on the menu contained gluten. This was unfortunate as most restaurants charging these prices would have provided another replacement sauce instead. I also ordered my steak medium rare, but it arrived rare. I ate the more cooked parts but could not eat the rest. We asked for it to be taken back and cooked a bit longer, but when it came back it was just as rare, but sealed again on the outside. The wine was also terribly disappointing especially for the prices. The owner said he didn't provide an ice bucket because the wine was better served at room temperature. Personally I would have liked an ice bucket because I like my Chardonnay cold, especially because it would have made this Chardonnay slightly more palatable. We were not offered wine or water for very long periods and by the end of the night we were very ready to leave. However when a family member brought up the topic of paying by AMEX the owner proceeded to yell and argue in a manner I was extremely upset and disgusted to witness. To have anyone, especially someone in hospitality (where we have paid alot of money for a very disappointing evening) behave in such a rude, pompous and aggressive manner was so distressing that I had to walk out of the restaurant. Not only were we disappointed by the restaurant, we were actually quite shaken by the horrible behaviour of this man.

Te Whau does a good lunch, apparently, and that is what they should stick to. We booked 6 people for dinner. Upon arrival (my first time) I was struck by the fact that I had thought I had walked into a franchised cafe somewhere in the suburbs. No table cloths, napkins made from a strange paper like material. No worries, happy to look past this. However we were eventually worn down by the lack of attention to our table, empty water glasses and water bottles, wine glasses empty (along with the bottles) for at least 15 min at a time. We had to pour all but the first round of glasses of wine ourselves. We only voiced our displeasure when we had a "medium rare" steak turn up as a gelatinous bloody rare, none of the 3 steaks ordered were cooked as requested, all were rare but not as bad as the aforementioned. This rare steak (half eaten) was sent back only to come out 10 min later having only been seared - still very rare. Then the cats walked in - 2 that were happily left to roam - in a restaurant! A much lauded one at that (as seen on this site). Several of the wait staff picked up the cats throughout the evening, sometimes to put them outside, but each time they would return to serve without washing their hands. By now everyone at the table was quite tense and displeased. We finished up and asked for the cheque (when we finally managed to get attention) the bill was north of $950 and we wanted to pay via AMEX. One would think a "5" star restaurant such as Te Whau would allow us this after such a disappointing evening but alas no allowance for AMEX. Why? Apparently because their 3% c/c surcharge that AMEX charges on each transaction...oh and I wont be surprised if the owner who was the one who argued with us over the erroneous AMEX surcharge replies to this review with another review, 5* of course.

Writing this review is making me dream of being back at Te Whau.

We indulged at Te Whau for lunch on a Sunday.The restaurant was buzzing and we were pleased we booked.

The food was some of the best I've had the pleasure of eating recently.

The buffalo mozzarella salad to start was a gorgeous taste sensation with the anchovy wafers crumbly and pefect with the cheese, caper berries, tomatoes, basil and olives..yum!

Service was friendly, not pretentious and helpful. The lamb rump across the table looked good and no complaints at all.

Well how could we stop ourselves? with dark chocolate parfaits and bread & butter pudding.

The wine selection was extensive and help choosing a wine was good without being overbearing.

A sublime experience enjoyed over 2 hours made a leisurely lunch just as it should be.