The Crab Shack - Auckland

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Seafood’s our thing. Crabs, fish, mussels, tuatuas and much more – if it comes from the ocean we’re into it. Kaimoana’s not for everyone though so we’ve got quality offerings of our four legged, land-lubbin’ friends and some tasty vegetarian options too. We LOOOVE Beer and we’ve got lots of the stuff, ice cold and ready to quench your thirst. Have no fear though colourful cocktails, a great wine selection and a few other interesting tipples are on offer as well. We’re about fun, smiles and frivolity, so prep yourself for an entertaining experience.

Simon Gault's newest addition, The Crab Shack, don't get too excited, I was very disappointed.

This place is heaving with tourists and locals mostly young thinking this is the hippest place to hang. In my opinion they have to raise their game a huge amount to keep business and not become just another bar. The views of the Cloud are lovely at night and I love the imaginative cray pot light shades hanging all over the ceiling.

I was quite impressed with the woman on the pass, making sure that food was in fact sent back when all that tables were not ready at once. Pity the kitchen didn't look to be very well oiled.

I had to get the Atlantic golden crap with my friend. But before I could tuck in and make a gorgeous mess I had to done the big white big they provided. Yes the soupy liquid at the bottom of the pot with coconut and pineapple was great and sopped up with my sweet interesting Manuka smoked bread, but a bit of a novelty at $52 for the two.

My Cesar salad jar was the pits - all Cos lettuce and nothing much else but some sparse dressing. Never mind the prosciutto and croutons. A $15 rip off so I got a refund for this.

Then comes dessert and another refund. The woman on the pass had clearly gone home and a very runny newly made mousse was delivered to our table by the unsympathetic cocky 'talk to much' Matre-D. Instead of admitting they had run out and offering us another dessert they made a dessert that was no way going to set in 5 minutes.

I loved the 80's music flash backs playing on the TV's and the cocktails are great. I'm not keen on the toilets that look like you've walked into a London train station. This place hopefully will get better otherwise unless you have a craving for crab then I wouldn't bother.