Eating Out?

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 17, 25 September 1984, Page 2

Eating Out?

Well, in Ohakune a town blessed with a local skifield, inclement weather and numerous restaurants, the choice seems excellent. Yet 'there is something rotten in the state'. Most restaurant patrons will, and do, pay high prices for good food and good service. My experiences in nearly all local restaurants suggest that good food is rare and good service is unknown. It seems this local trade is intent on literally 'ripping off' the seasonal skiing fraternity. This ethical position is further confounded by the charges on bottles of wine, corkage and other alcoholic beverages. Having eaten in restaurants all around the world, on a 1-10 scale many Ohakune restaurants just don't measure up and can hardly claim the title of restaurant. In future I suggest that all patrons take a highly critical stance and be prepared to send back any meal which is sub standard ... New Zealanders too often will accept poor quality meals and service to avoid 'rocking the boat'. Always remember it is your money you're spending and you are entitled to get your money's worth. Recent examples of poor quality food in local restaurants are: burnt mashed potatoes; fish cooked like leather; insufficient vegetables and often cold; lettuce which looks like it has been recycled; steak which never comes out the way it was ordered; half portions of pork and chicken; exhorbitant prices for $5 bottles of wine, up to $15.00 and corkage $7.50. This simply demonstrates a level of avarice which is unhealthy in a small community.

I hope this comment is noted by restaurant owners and managers. It could happen that a survey of restaurants will be published and many may fail to measure up to the simple criteria of 'good food' and 'good service'. The Gourmet Club