Chow Tory - Te Aro

The place, the cocktails and the vibe itself is good. The food and the staff is what I have a problem with. Not only is the food portion so little for what you pay for, it is so bland that you forget that you're eating asian food based on how little spice they put in it. The staff will literally disappear the moment they give your food. It took us 20 minutes trying to order more food. We couldn't flag anyone down because there was no one.

Went once a few years ago and left because the staff were so rude. Went back recently thinking it can't be that bad again and it was bad. Staff were uninviting and impatient. (Friend with limited English didn't even get to order and had zero help explaining the menu) Music and vibe was absolute dross, felt like I was in a footlocker store or a teenage bedroom. Food was bland and tasteless and it was super overpriced for what it is. Went to pay and the staff didn't even seem to want to take payment as they were busy having a chat. After loitering to pay "There should be someone up front.." Restaurant was virtually empty and I can see why. Head to Mr Go's for somewhere far superior in a similar bracket. Definitely won't recommend it or go back.

We come here on a regular basis. For one reason Best place to grab modern Asian fusion dishes not to mention their cocktails to die for. It can so super busy and loud on Saturday and Monday nights . But can’t beat 2 for 1 cocktails and delicious food. Excellent speed of service and staff are very friendly.

We went to Chow for Valentine's Day. Since Valentine's Day was on a Monday, we were able to get the two-for-one deal, which was pretty cool! The place was so busy and there was a long queue to be seated. Once we were seated, we immediately ordered our meal. I always love a place that has a good mocktail menu and Chow definitely did. We ordered Alcohol- Free Novel tea for myself and my husband ordered Hallertau Granny Cider. For our mains we had 5 spice curry, Jackfruit bao, coconut rice and roti Chennai. Our total bill for two was $75.00. ?Really want to give a shout out to Paige - it was her first day and she was our server for the day. She was so nice, always attentive to our needs, prompt response and she also clicked some cool pictures for us. Thanks Paige and the rest of the team for such a lovely and memorable experience, everything was very nice - the food and the experience ? ?

Stopped in for a snack and a beer and it didn't disappoint. Great service and awesome vibe inside. Food was really good but maybe not next level amazing as we were expecting.

Chow is a safe go-to experience for dining with friends from out of town but only if you're feeling flush for cash, as it does add up. Going for the 2 4 1 cocktails on a Saturday is ideal but you will be told (once you've ordered) you're limited on time - which isn't great for enjoying a nice relaxing meal with friends. The food is great, but doesn't feel like the menu changes much. Cocktails are a lot of fun. Staff can be a little hit and miss but it's a huge place so they're dealing with huge numbers of tables

Come on, Chow, you can do better than that. Much better. A lot better. First impression was good. The line into Chow. The vibe. The décor. The crowd. The other reviews I read before coming in. The waiter/usher who brought me to my table. That’s it; it all slowly went downhill after that. My table was sticky; it felt like it was not cleaned thoroughly from the previous service. The restaurant's cleanliness was meh. The food was decent. The cocktail was fair, and the dumplings and the fried chicken were worth it. All these matter to a certain degree, but I believe the service and the attitude matter equally, if not more. During the whole meal I felt that I was perceived as almost nonexistent, as on several occasions I would like to add an order, add water, or inquire on something, after making eye contact/raising my hand/trying to gain attention with separate staff members, after a few saw me, they simply passed by me and continued onward without even stopping. If almost all other similar-style restaurants in the country are able to engage continuous interaction with the guest for the whole duration of the service, I think it’s fair for me to point out this oddity. The majority of the staff pretty much just disappeared with 20 minutes remaining before the restaurant closes. The waitress who initially took my order was gone like a wind since the very first order. I added another bao bun after the first round of my dish. Sitting within reaching distance of the serving hatch, I watched the last remaining staff pass by my bun ten to twenty times without anyone bothered noticing it. It was left there on the counter for over 15 minutes. The staff who took my added order didn’t care to bring me my food even though he passed by the food several times; he simply took some to-go food and left. Later, I was told that all but one staff just returned this week from getting covid, and I am sorry to hear that, I truly am, yet it still should not be a reason for the lack of professionalism. Being in the service industry is hard. Being a waiter/waitress is not easy. However, if the aforementioned health condition is hindering any/all your ability to perform your job, I believe not just me but every customer and everyone who cares for their/your wellbeing, that I rather have you stay home and get some rest and recuperate to your full capability before returning. I think it would be quite unreasonable if I am to work with my sub-par health condition, especially since it’s covid. While there were compensations in the end, I hope and I believe this is not the way to conclude any service. Parting with guests via “sorry” and apologies does not go a long way. I rather pay the full amount or even order more expensive items from the menu and have a good night, than have to go through this unfortunately dreadful, hopefully a one-time-thing dinner. While the following should not be any way of a factor in how I should be received, this first-time experience to Chow just made my first week in moving back to NZ for the first time in over 20 years extra peculiar. Being said, I don’t want to be treated any special. I am not and should not be a special customer. I just and should just be ANOTHER customer. Treat everyone EQUALLY. Unless this is the way Chow has been treating the patrons, then please carry on. But based on my observation sitting at possibly one of the busiest intersections in the restaurant for over an hour, it was not the case. Finally I would like to thank Mere, the only staff in the end for the love of god who finally acknowledged me and tended me for hearing out my dissatisfaction. I appreciate being understood and provided the best explanation possible for their performance this evening. And I was promised the next time will be better. I have your word. Chow, I hope this is just one, if not the only, outliers of your performance, as opposed to most of your other reviews. I hope my next experience will be better. The only way now is up, right? (Including photos of the bun sitting there waiting to be picked up)

Was lucky to have my Belated Mother's day lunch here & it did not disappoint! Coconut rice,Rice paper rolls, Fish cakes,Coffees, Vegetable curry,Corn fritters (almost all with either dipping sauces or added extras) Fav would have been the Fritters and Curry, ?? Fast lunchtime service Nothing Boring or Beige here! Always a deal to be had Clean Friendly efficient staff Nice n light seating with many options available Good coffee Thanks Highly recommend!!!