Find more restaurant reviews with our Google map
Address: 19 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay
Phone: (09) 521 4400
Website: hammerheads.co.nz
Cuisine: Modern New Zealand
Rating: 6/10
Not all restaurants are created equal. There are some that lure us in with food that is so exceptional that we may be willing to disregard the surrounds if they are a little shabby while we choose others based on the magnificence of the multimillion-dollar fit-out. Or perhaps it is the head waiter and their sassy team that keep us coming back for more. The mix of all three is key and when I'm reviewing, I'm taking a keen look at all of these areas - service, food and ambience. Rolled into one, "an overall experience" will leave, or not, a lasting impression.
So, when I headed to Hammerheads I was looking forward to the visit, in the first instance, because this is a restaurant which enjoys a splendid location, nestled into pohutukawa trees and overlooking the sparkling waters of Okahu Bay.
My dining companion was a friend visiting from LA, that land where service is everything so I was mindful of how the Hammerheads' front of house team would stack up. From the outset, they were pleasant enough but every one of them appeared to be on their first night, offering a level of service that was uncertain and hesitant. Management could overcome this by putting more effort into staff training, which I know can seem counter-intuitive if turnover is high. I can already hear the cries of "We train them and then they leave" to which I say, what if you don't train them and they stay? Every successful restaurant in Auckland has one thing in common - the front of house staff are fabulous, offering service that is assured, upbeat and engaging. It's here that a lasting impression is first created.
To the food. The menu is skewed towards seafood and that was another reason I'd decided on meeting my international friend there - the quality of our seafood makes me proud. He ordered lamb. Oh well, we're pretty good at that too.