New Zealand Herald

Reviews for La Zeppa Kitchen & Bar

by Kate
10th July 2012

This business is a MenuMania SponsorOne of the Business' Favourite Reviews

What an experience!!
Me and a group of my friends went there last Friday night for dinner, the restaurant was fully booked, but the guy who greeted us told us that we could sit in the bar and order off the same menu.
It was really busy in the bar area but the guy took the time to find a spot for us.
Even though the bar was packed and all the staff were so busy we were so well looked after. The food was amazing and only took 10Min’s to arrive after we ordered it.
The atmosphere was great, the DJ was really funky, the staff looked like they enjoy working there, they were so friendly and even though they were busy it felt like everyone in the place was looked after.
Me and my friends were only planning on having a quick dinner then head into town, but we were having such a great time we ended up staying at La Zeppa until the end of the night! Will definitely make La Zeppa one of our weekend spots!

by Georgina B.
6th June 2013

La Zeppa is a great place to go when you want to have a few drinks and tapas (and maybe a sneaky dessert!).

I went there with a few friends last Sunday night and upon arrival, were informed that it was fully booked inside. However, this did not matter as sitting outside by the hot heaters and pretty lantern lights meant that we were pretty happy!

We ordered drinks… yummy yummy cocktails! The Passionfruit Raspberry Bramble is a must try! We also ordered the vegetarian and seafood platters… A bit of a disappointment for one of us because half the vegetarian platter was actually meat!

Overall, La Zeppa is a great venue, the food is yummy and the drinks even more delicious plus who could get a more pretty outdoor setting like the one they have now? The colourful lanterns outside give this place such a cool vibe. We’ll definitely be back.

by Vanitha N.
11th May 2013

Asked if I had a reservation on a Monday night even though place was 15% full so snooty service. No water given for a while. Partner’s dished served much before mine, even though one of mine was a cold dish of cheese?! In terms of quality, I would say it was fairly good but I would much prefer to go to Vivace which does similar food for a similar price but the quality is far superior.

by Michael W.
9th September 2012

Went to this place last night with a big group on a set $35 menu. Sorry to say we won’t be returning. The food was very slow to arrive and even though we were supposed to be able to savour each dish, with only 2 serves of each tapas dish served to a table of 9 this was a joke and the worst ‘value for money meal’ we have had in a long time and we eat out a lot. The last dishes finally arrived about 10.30 at night. The little Hitler that was directing which tables the food went to, commented that it was a big group and took time to get dishes out. Well matey, if you can’t provide, perhaps you should not be catering for such large groups in the first place… about 40 of us. Very very disappointing and we feel ripped off, this place may be ok if there are just a few of you but we definitely wouldn’t recommend it for a large function.

by Vanessa H.
31st August 2012

Went here on a Friday night. We were greeted and advised they were full but the host found us a spot to sit until a better become available. He didn’t forget us and moved us though probably more inconvenient for him. Staff were young and had a great attitude = unlike other places i have been. Food was great. Enjoyable experience. Loved the calamari and ocean trout pate. Great host he really went out of his way. Kudos to him.

by Simon
3rd April 2012

Needed to come and rave about the risotto balls. The tapas that we ordered at La Zeppa were delicious, the rice paper spring rolls could use slightly more flavor but the favourites platter we got was amazing, everyone needs to go try one. Also great improvement to their balcony/deck they have there. Great for a relaxing beer! Kudos. Its a great spot!

by Charlie
8th March 2012

It’s a casual Cafe Bar atmosphere.
10% full early on, but double during the night.
Big party, with well dressed patrons was happening on the night.
Open plan kitchen area and chefs will greet you on the way in, very friendly.
It was a rainy day and sitting near the fake wood gas open fire place centrally located really set a nice mood. The service was efficient and accurate. Was given a slice of Ciabatta bread with olive oil drizzled on side of the dish. The texture and freshness of the bread was perfect and the olive oil was a nice complement.
From a numerous choice ordered the

1. Smoked snapper & paprika dip, grilled ciabatta
2. Prawn vermicelli, carrot and mint summer rolls, nuoc cham sauce
3. Rare beef, balsamic mushrooms, watercress & shaved reggiano

The grilled ciabatta was a perfect complement to the Smoked snapper & paprika dip. The dip was flavoursome but lacked the spice kick from the paprika. Feel the Chefs were holding back to cater for all tastes. The spice would have neutralised the acidity of the Salmon. Still a very nice dish.

The summer rolls were not packed tight enough and when served, cut in half, fell apart. Trying to dip into the sauce left the contents in the sauce bowl. The rolls were too cold, but the ingredients were fresh and had a very nice firm and crunchy texture and flavour.

The rare beef dish was presented well with the redish meat on bottom contrasted with the yellow cheese and green watercress on top. The beef was fresh and tasty. The balsamic mushrooms and onions were not salty enough and didn’t complement the rare beef.
In general food is fantastic and there is plenty of choice to share and try. The price is reasonable and it’s a relaxing environment to dine.

by Em
27th November 2011

A group of us recently went to La Zeppa,
Very disappointing.
We all left hungry and sober after spending a lot of money.
The wine might be nice but the pours are small.

The meatballs had a nice smokey tomato sauce but the meatballs themselves were dry and bland.
The rare beef tasted nice, but there were only 3 slices of beef.
The pork belly although tender was barely cooked/warm – no crackle just soggy/fatty on top.
For the price of each dish the servings were not adequate.

Someone said afterwards that the menu has changed recently down to a ‘bar menu’.
None of us will go back again, the food isnt up to standard and its overpriced.

by oscar
24th August 2011

Good tapas, plenty of choice and good atmosphere. Busy on Fridays but better alternative to Britomart for a bar. Can’t wait to go back and try the new bars in the area opening along Drake St as this is one of my favorite areas of the city.

by ryan
24th April 2011

I’ve been here a couple of times now and can say that the staff don’t give good or friendly service.

Not to mention the first time I was there someone tried to steal my jacket and when I approached the staff to inform them about the instance they couldn’t care less and said “Were not your wardrobe manager…be more careful”.

The food we had was delicious though, so we’d go back aware that it is what it is service and attitude wise.

by Justin M.
31st March 2011

I went to La Zeppa last night for dinner with some friends and loved it. We ordered quite a large selection of their tapas. Delicious. The chicken croquettes and the meatballs were my favourite. Service and food timing were great and the atmosphere of the site was really nice. Love the lighting style they have and large selections of wine. I recommend checking this place out.

by Clarke
21st December 2010

Not sure what everyone’s so excited about. Had to wait heaps of time before an unfriendly hostess came up, and when I ordered one dish no entrees (that was lunch), she smirked… Later on after a humiliatingly small portion of what I had expected to be my lunch, I had to wait another 10 minutes to receive some attention re paying the bill. Might as well have left without paying at all. Took the bartender 2 minutes to figure out that I wanted to pay for the meal, not buy one… Well, I’m not coming back for sure.

No aesthetic pleasure of being there either, everything including the staff looked dodgy, the interior – bland, I see what effect they were going for, but what’s the point of the lavish corner with all leather seats and such, if the rest of the bar looks like a cheap hole?

by Ekaterina
14th June 2010

One word – WOW!

Went here with my partner for our anniversary. The setting couldn’t be more perfect. Right by the fire, dim lighting and great music.
The wine took about 10 minutes to come out after we ordered but the wait was worth it. A great selection!
Food was incredible. Had the feta ball, rissotto, duck and blue cheese and crispy prawns. Then to top it off shared a affogato and brownies. Worth every penny and am looking forward to coming back!

by Janine B.
27th April 2010

Dined here last Friday night. Great food – my favourites were the prunes, the “cold” tuna and the mushroom salad. The waitress was very efficient (although a smile would have made the evening perfect). The bar was busy (being a Friday night) – great for a group but wouldn’t have been the best place for a romantic dinner for two.

by Karin
30th August 2009

Went to this restaurant last night with friends. Food was amazing, the best tapas EVER! My favourite was the kumara gnocchi with red oion, chorizo and spinach. Itwas absolutely delicious! The smokey short lamb ribs were yummy too. The service was excellent too, will definately be returning!

by Theresa
16th March 2009

worth every cent. I would highly recommend to everyone. great food and service.

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