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The Cook Cafe & Bar  I took my girlfriend out for lunch on Tuesday, 9 September 2008 and we were served by this delightful lady, who absolutely loves her job.
First she brought our drinks; “Here’s your English Breakfast.” She said as she plonked it on the table.
“Cappuccino.” Plonked it on the table. I clearly remembered asking for Mocha, but didn’t want to risk sending it back because she was having such a good day and I didn’t want my drink to be spat in.
Then our meals came; “Beef and bacon burger” Plonked it in front of my girlfriend.
“Mixed grill.” Plonked it in front of me. Then she plonked the condiments on the table. A moment later she came back with my extra fries; “Here’s some fries” She plonked it on the table.
“Enjoy your meal.” She said with so much enthusiasm.
I guess that’s the kind of service you expect when you’re a picky customer that doesn’t want tomatoes and mushrooms with the mixed grill and no cheese with the Beef and Bacon burger.
Such fussy customers we are, how dare we not ask for that?
However, the food was really good, but my girlfriend’s burger had a whole vege garden stacked between the buns.
 
Review by Pierre Vorster, 9 September 2008.
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Other Reviews for The Cook Cafe & Bar
cafe-surfer, 23 July 2008 (3.5 stars). I recently returned to the Cook as part of a work lunch. I was suitably impressed and enjoyed reading up on the history of the building which is a protected historical building in Hamilton. The Cook is not a place where people will swarm around you getting your order. You need to figure out what you want and then order it from the bar so it reminds me a little of the RIV on Clyde St. When that is acknowledged and accepted then the service is fine because we got our very delicious hamburgers very soon after ordering. I had the chicken and guacamole which as I recall was really very nice though I think they forgot the guacamole. The food is delivered to the table. All in all a great lunch with pleasant company and tasty food. Also being down Cook St there is ample parking even at lunchtime.
| | DVS`, 5 October 2007 (5 stars). I've been to The Cook a few times now and I LOVE it there. Wicked service and awesome food. I also love the cocktails and shots. Jazz night is awesome - have been a few times now. I had my 18th dinner there and it couldn't have been better. Amazing staff. OVERALL A+++++++ | | Martin Sittlington, 11 November 2006 (4 stars). I have just recieved a very nice letter and yes I do think they have sorted out things. We have been twice since the terrible day and it was pleasant. Still some little things but overall it was great. Thank you all. Food was excellent but time and service need work. | Martin Sittlington, 22 May 2006 (1.5 stars). I have been there twice and both times it was poor. The last time was on Sunday 20th May with four other people. The service was shocking - one and a half hour wait to get brunch. The food was cold - very poor. I will not be telling glowing stories again to anyone.
| cafe-surfer, 12 October 2004 (3 stars). Visited here once. Food was quite OK. I had the wedges. It has an interesting feel to the place and a great way to recycle an otherwise very unattractive historic building (it's 127 years old!) ..so it's not surprising it's not built for the sun ..somehow back then it might have been ungodly to sit around in the sun for a few hours I'm not sure...
It's a very open airy place inside and the service is quite acceptable. It seems to be more a place for young people and almost has that feeling of being a pick up place. Overall worth a visit. | misst1, 11 September 2002 (4 stars). I visited The Cook for the scond time a couple of days ago and everytime I go there the food is scrummy!!
I had the BLT and it was a nice easy grilled sandwich with a side salad!!! It was yummy and well priced. Didn't have to wait that long, but regardless it was a nice warm relaxing place since it was a cold winter's day outside and the fire inside warmed the place well. | Bridget, 8 April 2002 (3 stars). What's Cooking?
The Cook Café and Bar is situated, perhaps unsurprisingly on Cook St, opposite Steele Park. I’m not sure what it used to be, but it is a roomy cavernous lofty-ceilinged monolith, perfectly suited to being a bar these days. I have been here numerous times for afternoon and early evening drinks and enjoyed their wedges (laden with bacon and cheese and sour cream) but have never tried anything else on the menu. Maverick and I had a midweek lunch to check it all out.
The first thing we noticed, is at lunchtime, the building is facing totally the wrong way. Bad feng shui. We have always sat outside on the (south facing) balcony in our afternoon excursions, enjoying the afternoon sun, but this is completely shaded at lunch, and today with a cool breeze not too attractive. We took the inside option along with everyone else. The inside reminds me somewhat of a converted hay barn…which is good, I like hay barns. The ceilings are a long long way up, the furniture is chunky wood, and there are low and high tables depending on whether you want to perch with your pint or eat. The mezzanine floor has comfy couches and a good view of the dodgy happenings in the park and can be hired for functions. I imagine it would be damn cold in here in the winter with the pot belly working its guts out to try and heat this place. We shall see.
The food is ordered at the bar. Simple pub options include brekky (mushrooms on toast, mixed grill, omelette, hash browns), lights (antipasto platter, breads, wedges), mains (beef wrap, chicken salad, vege lasagne, BLAT), afters (apple pie, meringues) and kids’ meals (chicken nuggets, mini pizzas). All prices range between $4.50 and $13.50. I was feeling rather grumpy and indecisive and eventually chose the vege lasagne ($10), while Maverick chose chicken and cranberry pizza off the specials board ($12). Our meals weren’t long in arriving. Maverick’s pizza was laden with chicken and tasty, but the base was rather doughy. Mine was rather uninspiring and bland, but then vege lasagne often is. My mistake. Next time I’ll stick with the wedges.
I quite like the Cook. We have had heaps of fun sitting outside watching people attempt to drive the wrong way up one-way Cook street…there are a surprising number of them! There’s the park to wander around (to be attempted in daylight only), and the touch players to eye up. The service is always good and they have the coolest jugs in town – the old style glass 1140 mL variety. I have found the food to be simple, filling and well priced, and it’s perfect as an accompaniment to a few beers with mates.
Overall: Highly recommended for beers and wedges on a sunny afternoon.
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The Cook Cafe & Bar
7 Cook Street, Hamilton Fully licensed
Cuisine Type: New Zealand
Prices: $10-$12 Open Mon-Wed 9am-Late, Thu-Sun 8am-Late
Tel: 856-6088
Fax: 856-1905
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