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Furnace Restaurant-Bar-Nightclub  My husband and I went for dinner before a 9pm movie on Saturday night. We gave ourselves plenty of time (we thought) arriving at the restaurant at 7pm. Furnace was pretty busy but we were seated right away. Water came immediately and the wait staff took our order quickly as well. So far so good. My husband ordered scallops as a starter and they were quite good but not particularly warm. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. At 8pm, my husband asked if there was a problem with our meals (given that the people at the next table who had arrived after us had already been served their main meals) and we were told that the restaurant was very busy and that it would be 5 more minutes. Our meals finally arrived at 8:20 (yes, I WAS clock watching at that point!). The food was bland and the portions were small (husband had duck, I had the eye fillet). In the whole time of waiting, not one waiter came anywhere near us, offered us drinks, or advised that due to their busy-ness our food would be a bit (!) delayed. I would have rated the staff higher if someone had told us that but as it was by the time our food arrived we had to scarf it down, get the bill and leave in about 20 minutes. Very unimpressed and probably won't go back. 
Review by Fiona, 9 January 2010.
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Other Reviews for Furnace Restaurant-Bar-Nightclub
| Pete Holden, 5 February 2010 ( stars). After dining at Furnace on Saturday night I thought it would be best to review the place on this page, we were welcomed at the door right away and seated a few minutes later as the place was very busy. My partner and I had the calamari, very nice! I had the Cambridge duck leg and my partner had the chicken breast on basil and parmesan risotto. We both enjoyed our meals very much and our waitress did a great job on the night. Well done guys, the place is great and we will be back very soon. | Andrew, 23 September 2009 (4 stars). Took a friend out to dinner and liked the look of the place. Checked out its website and menu and liked the look of it even more. Even on a Monday night the place was busy but we were able to get a table.
From the entree through to the mains and the dessert the food was great and the service was just as good. My friend is a seafood fanatic and she fell in love with the oysters and salmon while I enjoyed the seafood chowder and chicken.
For a night out either with just the two of you or with a group I would recommend Furnace. | | Pete, 5 August 2009 (5 stars). I was extremely impressed by the Furnace, the service was exceptional and the food didn't disappoint either. We were a table of 8 and ordered a variety of mains and desserts and all were fantastic. I have dined in many places around the world and this restaurant was certainly not one to forget! I highly recommend this to anyone going to Hamilton. | | Bex, 15 July 2009 (5 stars). Awesome awesome awesome. Great for the lunch break. One of the fastest and most tasty lunches all at the same time. Well done to the two great waitresses who were all smiles and gave very friendly great service. We do lunch maybe 2-3 times in a working week so we will be back. Keep up the great work!!!!! | | M, 20 December 2008 (5 stars). A friend and I dined at Furnace last week and were absolutely delighted by the food and customer service. We both ordered two different kinds of chicken pasta dishes that were amazing value at $20 each. I have been to Italy and my brother is a chef so I think I know a thing or two about great food, especially pasta dishes! Our waitress was very friendly and helpful with great knowledge of the menu. It is so nice to have a 'classy' restaurant in Hamilton where girls like us can go out for a great meal and not feel that a fab outfit has been wasted (like at many of the surrounding restaurants where you could be seated next to someone in their jandals!) A+ for the food, service, and atmosphere! Highly recommended to all! | | Nicali, 20 April 2008 (4 stars). We went for dinner on V8's Saturday, with fairly low expectations and were totally impressed. The wine list is great, the maitre d' was very efficient and accommodating and the wait staff read our minds! We both chose the fish main and had the same thought of the plate looking a bit stingy when served, but there was a lot of food hiding underneath our perfectly cooked & seasoned fish. The veges were crunchy and delicious. We were left to enjoy the atmosphere and meal at our leisure. The music later on in the evening was tailor made to the visiting crowds and heaps of fun. Overall I recommend Furnace for a great night out! | Anonymous, 13 March 2008 ( stars). I've been to Furnace a few times now and found the food and service always to be very good. There are only a couple of places where I find great service and food and Furnace is now one of them.
Keep up the good work. | | Alice, 30 January 2008 (4.5 stars). Dined here last night and was every pleased. Fish meal was really good and lovely atmosphere. Will def be back. | | Nicola, 11 December 2007 (2.5 stars). I have been to Furnace a few times now, to drink and to dine. Each time the service has been great A+++, but the food always lets them down. Big Shame because I would go there more often if they just improved the food, I'm talking improve the platters, deserts, mains etc. | Judy, 17 November 2007 ( stars). A group of six of us had a promising start to our evening at Furnace. The staff were professional, drinks came promptly, but as the restaurant filled, the noise level rose and it was difficult to have a conversation. Three people were perfectly happy with their meals, but the other three were not. The pork was fatty, and the meal lacked flavour. The salmon was NOT FRESH! and the polenta was bland, and overcooked. This is not acceptable with the prices being charged.
Some of us will not be returning. | | Jason Ellis, 11 October 2007 (1.5 stars). Recently dined at Furnace for the first time for something a little different, we all found the service and the attitude from the staff to be pretentious and a little fake. Food was average to say the least and my wife's food was barely warm at best. Overall experience was below average and we will not be taking friends back there in a hurry. | Di, 20 August 2007 ( stars). The first lunch at Furnace was great. Service and atmosphere great. Next time went for dinner, also good. Third time there were 11 of us for lunch and not so good. Seven of the eleven were not happy with their meals, and none of the meals were very hot. It was very hard to attract the attention of the waitress that day also.
Shame really as we thought we had found an excellent restaurant. | Mark & Shannon Grey, 15 August 2007 (5 stars). My wife and I went to Furnace on the weekend having been invited by some friends. The first thing we noticed was how great the decor is! The fireplace is incredible. My other half is demanding we get one in our next house. I wonder how much it cost. There is also an amazing piece of artwork above some of the booths which cannot help but draw your eyes to it. I'd be keen to get something like it and I'm sure it'd be much cheaper than that fireplace :)
We don't normally get entrees but being with friends, we decided to get some breads and dips and some bruschetta. Both were delicious and appetizing if not a little filling (hence the top marks for value). The breads and dips are easily enough for two. Our mains came out in pretty good time and all together, which we were impressed with. My scotch fillet was done to perfection and my wife's salmon was also great. I'm not much of a fish person, but it was really nice and I'm glad my wife made me try some. Our friends had lamb salad and the gourmet sausages with mashed potato. They were also highly impressed and raved about how delicious the pine nuts were. Our waitress was polite, professional but friendly, and well presented (as were all of the staff). Against my better judgement, we shared a few pieces of caramel mudcake. It was divine and much more filling than it looked. Luckily one of our friends is an insatiable eating machine ;)
Overall, this was one of our best dining out experiences. Hopefully all Hamilton restaurants are of this calibre. They certainly aren't in Wellington! We'll definitely be back to Furnace when we return to visit out friends. Cheerio! | | Amanda, 14 August 2007 (1.5 stars). A group of us went to Furnace about a week after they opened. We had platters, pizza and some starters. I agree with the review that I could have made better at home. The food was very average and it did not seem that a chef was employed. There were regular crackers I can buy at the supermarket on the antipasto platter as well as everything else on it being out of a jar at the supermarket. The drinks had little ice so diluted quickly and the pizzas were sparse of toppings. The service was average, as was the atmosphere. This is just another bar trying to be something it's not. My group even thought the food was below regular "pub grub". Sorry Furnace but you're going to have to change completely to get our crowd back again. | | Anonymous, 6 August 2007 (5 stars). I was in 'Furnace' on Saturday night and I was so impressed with the place. It has a great set up. Great atmosphere. Great music and I will be definitely spending more of my Saturday nights in there. They had a great live acoustic band playing and the whole atmosphere was very classy. Well worth going to if you don't want to be in other bars that could be best described as 'meat-markets'. | | Damo, 24 July 2007 (5 stars). Had an amazing lamb burger from Furnace for lunch. It was huge! It was also delicious but I have to say I was distracted by it being so huge! Plus it was good not having to wait ages for the food. Great quality food, nice lookin place. I'll have to stop in for a drink after work cos I hear it's the hot new place to go... | | Anonymous, 19 July 2007 (5 stars). I have been to Furnace a couple of times now for dinner and lunch. I have always found the meals to be superb! I have no hesitations in recommending it to anyone that is looking for an upper class, comfortable and friendly place to dine. | | Anonymous, 18 July 2007 (5 stars). I have found the service to be excellent at Furnace. The staff are always looking to service the customer and take care of their every need. When I dined there recently I saw evidence of this customer service. Big thumbs up. | | Neville, 17 July 2007 ( stars). Excellent late brunch on Sunday. Lovely people. Will definitely go back again. | | Anonymous, 15 July 2007 (1 stars). A group of us dined at Furnace last night and found it to be an overall disappointing experience. Out of ten people, only two thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The rest of us found our meals to be bland, poorly presented and could have honestly cooked something better at home! Our waitress was friendly and helpful, and when a complaint was made she promptly told her manager who then spoke to the kitchen, but all we received were dirty looks from the chefs, which in my opinion is both immature and unprofessional. At no time did any of the Furnace staff apologise or offer to right the situation. We left unsatisfied and unimpressed. | | Wayne N, 11 July 2007 ( stars). I wholeheartedly agree with the large review. My colleagues and I went in on Friday for an afterwork beer and were warmly welcomed as soon as we entered by no less than 3 staff as we walked to the bar. They were attending to other patrons but still were able to acknowledge us with a smile and a hello. Sitting on the leather couches in front of the fire with a cold Stella was just what I needed after a long week at the office. We were then pleasantly surprised when the bar girl offered to bring us drinks so we didn't have to get up! Excellent service from excellent staff. We'll definitely be going back. A+++ | | Robyn, 11 July 2007 (4.5 stars). I absolutely agree with the other reviews. I went to this establishment on the weekend for dinner on the recommendation of a friend who had visited the previous Friday. I could not have been more pleased with the place. We were looked after by a very friendly red haired waitress who was just superb. She knew the menu and was so professional. I eat out a lot in Hamilton and have only had this level of service in one other establishment (being Canvas). I loved the black leather chairs and fireplace. The menu was delightful and I had a hard time deciding so I'll be back to try the rest of the menu. Keep up the good work guys it's wonderful to have such a top quality establishment in Hamilton. | | Peter, 9 July 2007 (5 stars). Furnace was as brilliant as this review said it was. Found the experience far superior to any similar establishment in Hamilton. This place has friendly staff that were willing to go beyond our expectations. Very nice keep up the great work. | TRC, 7 July 2007 (5 stars). OMG! Finally Hamilton has a dining destination which combines great food with better than excellent service!! It really has taken someone to build a brand new place to provide a truly great experience. Furnace has easily taken out the number one spot for places in Hamilton to go for dinner. The wait staff were incredibly friendly with the biggest difference seeming to be that they actually enjoyed being there. They were attentive and basically were far better than most other places besides one of the other places I reviewed which also was very good. The atmosphere was also excellent with the decor being very clean and elegant. The stone-work adds class and a nice point of difference. You get a little sick of the now all-too-common pitchforks and wagon wheels on the walls! The fireplace is magnificent and makes the place live up to its name. On these freezing winter evenings, it's nice to be somewhere warm... oh and those leather couches are uber comfortable! The food was cooked to perfection. The pizzas were the most impressive item for us as Hamilton has had a few "gourmet" pizza restaurants for quite a few years now, but the pizzas from Furnace have got to be the best we've had. The other food of note was the dessert. Everywhere we go we find the same generic chocolate mudcake on the menu. Furnace has a caramel mudcake which is absolutely spectacular! For the ladies, there was a trio of sorbets which was also exquisite... with the grapefruit being amazing. These were all at a very reasonable price too.
Overall, it was the best dining experience we've ever had in Hamilton. Kudos to the excellent staff and their commitment to providing excellent service. These guys have set a new benchmark by which everyone else could learn a few things. Highly recommended!!!!! |
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Furnace Restaurant-Bar-Nightclub
150 Victoria St, Hamilton Fully licensed
Cuisine Type: New Zealand/Gourmet Cuisine/Gourmet Pizza
Tel: 07 839 9099
Fax: 07 839 9989
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