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Valentines Licensed Buffet Restaurant 3/10/2010
My wife and I have had to drive from Rotorua to Hamilton twice in the last month. The first time I decided not to go to the local Valentine's franchise as I had read K.H.Kohler's review, but after going to another franchised type restaurant for a pizza lunch and having a less than satisfactory experience I decided at my wife's suggestion to try Valentines out for ourselves. I'm delighted to say that our experience was quite different from KHK's and felt I just had to let other people know about it.
For a buffet type restaurant the food we found was just what we wanted with the hot food being fresh, hot and very tasty. Whilst there wasn't any hot ham or steak available as there normally is at dinner-time, what can you expect for $14.95? We can recommend the Apple Crumble dessert which was nice and hot as well as being very tasty, and although we didn't partake of any of the salad items, the cold meat selection looked as if it was freshly cut and tempting enough for me to think that I would sample it the next time we have lunch there when we are next in Hamilton which will be in the next week. All in all we were both satisfied as to the quality, service and value for money and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone. 
Review by Frank Kai Fong, 3 May 2010.
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Other Reviews for Valentines Licensed Buffet Restaurant
| Star, 22 August 2010 (4.5 stars). We went to Valentines about 4 years ago and my god it was so BAD ..food dry, service there was none, we just had a horrible time. We went again for another family member's birthday 28/8/2010 and WOW it was fab!!!!! They had heaps more food and it was good, service was good and atmosphere was also great, the kids also enjoyed the food which surprised us being dinner type food. We enjoyed it so much we are going again next month for another birthday.... | KHK, 4 June 2009 (1 stars). My name is Karl-Heinz Kohler, I have been involved in the restaurant business in NZ since '66, and became involved with Valentines in Hamilton in about '86. My tutored students were employed by Valentines for work experience and further training. One of my students was employed as Head Chef of all Valentines Restaurants in '87.
Valentines in its early days was classed as the best smorgasbord restaurant in the country - however over the last 10 years it has dropped further down the list from McDonalds when it comes to service/food quality and customer satisfaction.
It's been some time since I have been to Valentines so I was looking forward to attending with a group of 30 odd last night to celebrate my daughter's 40th birthday. I am not prone to complaining about food and service as I am well aware what it takes to keep the public happy and contented, but last night the decline in the standard of service and the quality of food has prompted me to let you know how appalling it is in this restaurant.
None of the food was fresh, it was either tinned peas/fruit etc or frozen fish/mussels etc, much of it was tasteless and the rest was tough, like the steak. The seafood chowder was cold.
The service at the front counter was slow, sloppy, the man was dressed untidily and he was unprofessional.
The table staff - there was no introduction - we had no idea who was waiting our table, after 20 minutes waiting for a drinks waiter I was told I cannot order at the table, I must go to the bar, leaving my lukewarm meal going colder still and order and pay, no allowance for me to be able to have drinks delivered to our table and pay for them as I left. One of the ladies had to get up and get her own bottle of water.
When I finally did get drinks waited to the table I had a Steinlager BOTTLE placed in front of me!!!! I had to ask for a glass telling the waiter I wasn't accustomed to drinking from a bottle.
The ladies and mothers at our tables had to clear them themselves as the waiting staff didn't remove the used plates.
I am saddened by my visit to Valentines, Hamilton. Saddened to see a restaurant that had so much going for it, decline to this level.
| Johnstons, 10 February 2009 (4.5 stars). Valentines is all good. Looks like it needs a make over, a bit outdated but other then that the food is ok, customer service needs some improvement but is still reasonable. Waiting staff are awesome, fast at clearing dirty dishes!
Overall it's still a good family restaurant, nice and easy! Enjoyed every experience when dining at Valentines. | | J&J Menorca Spain, 14 November 2008 (1 stars). Visited Valentines in January 2006 for a family party/dinner while visiting NZ from Spain and was reasonably happy, decided to check it out again 28 Sept 2008 with a view to booking family reunion for 20 people. Totally agree with previous review, it has really gone down, decoration etc does not look as if it has been touched since 2006, very run down, grubby and in need of renovation, same with the seating, ceiling air vents and surroundings are black with accumulated grime. As for the food, we arrived at 8pm Sun 28th Oct, ordered drinks which arrived at the second time of asking, cannot really review the food as there were so many empty trays and others with remnants in, no signs of a carved roast or staff to serve, a few well pre-cooked steaks "tough as old boots" and veg that can only be described as warmed up tinned, not even any butter for the rolls, again presumably should have been in the empty tray. A selection of empty and well mauled sweet trays for desserts, the mystery white liquid was later found to be molten ice cream. Main course plates were still on the table when we had finished the dessert course, in all really disappointing and not value for money. Needless to say our party was not held there. | MyCsPiTTa, 6 August 2008 (1.5 stars). I'm surprised Valentines are on here as I'm sure last time I looked there was a notice that "This venue does not wish to participate". No wonder as they don't want to hear what people think.
The crux of the matter is that Valentines was always a bit of a pig's trough, but it didn't matter as you knew what you were in for. However, since a change of management a couple of years ago (I suspect now a family affair) the place has gone to the dogs, with increased prices to boot.
As a summary of my last 3 or 4 dining experiences there:
The service is OK as it's hand-off anyway;
The atmosphere - well, it's Valentines; expect a lot of noisy kids and large groups;
The worst thing; it seems a large proportion of the food choices at any one time have run out and the chefs seem in no great hurry to replace them. I remember going to their Thursday Curry night and at no time during our evening was the butter chicken filled up. I mean…come on, it was curry night! And on every recent occasion, the soup pots have been down to dregs the entire evening;
The cutlery stands run out and aren’t replaced – last time I saw whole families (and ourselves) eating with spoons for lack of forks;
I remember old Valentines food was at least of reasonable quality – steaks were juicy and decent cuts; roasts were too and there were 3 or 4 meats to choose from; curries has lots of meat and no fatty bits; veges were exotic and fresh; seafood selection likewise.
NOW you’re lucky if they have even have a beef roast as far as meat selection goes (and even LUCKIER if there’s someone there to carve it for you!); steaks are fatty, tenderised, burnt and old; veges are the boring, boiled things you’d make at home; etc etc etc.;
We had a two-for-one voucher they refused to fully honour (for no good reason).
The restaurant looks more and more filthy every time;
The price keeps going up, while the quality goes down. I could get a REAL dinner for the $30 they now charge.
To be honest I would never eat there by choice and the last three times I’ve been reluctantly dragged there due to someone’s birthday. | Bobby, 3 August 2008 (4 stars). Valentines is a great restaurant with delicious food but there needs to be a more selective choice of food and desserts - especially ice-cream flavours for the kids. I love Valentines and if you aren't happy with the food - easy - dine elsewhere, but I do understand about staff - they need to pick up their act.
Valentines' food is awesomely choice!!! | HuNiBeE, 7 April 2008 (4 stars). The last time I went to Valentines was for my sister's 21st. The customer service was great although we were told to leave early but that was okay hehe. The food was great!! So as a customer your restaurant is and hopefully still will be the best dining place to be with your family!!
| | Rebel, 31 January 2008 (3.5 stars). I would like to say that the last time that I dined there the service was acceptable only because I had dined there before and I knew some of the staff. Some of the staff were pretty ignorant and took their time clearing the tables. Usually before you come and sit down again the tables will be clean but this time that I visited they took their time. The food was OK but they did lack in pasta dishes which I normally intend to go for. | ....killer food...., 24 November 2007 ( stars). Steak was still running around in the paddock, oysters were senior as.
Only up size was the drinks (coke, fanta) are free because the staff don't care.
| | William, 21 October 2007 (5 stars). I was treated like a king by a staff member there. Gosh don't want to stop coming here to dine. You get very excellent service, keep it up people.....!!! | DVS`, 5 October 2007 (1 stars). I hadn't been to Valentines in years. I went there the other night and was appalled at the state of the place. The staff were very rough looking, I wasn't served (even when standing in front of the receptionist), our table was banging into the pool table and our table was dirty. The food was cold and of poor quality. I went to the bar to get a drink where there were two young girls texting and talking and they completely ignored me. When I ordered a simple drink it took 5 minutes to get to my table.
There was one upside of my visit to Valentines, they have the cheapest cocktails I have found yet. | tat10, 26 August 2007 (3 stars). It's been years since I've dined at Valentines much for the same reasons canvassed by fellow diners and generally it's been Auckland. So as a newcomer to Hamilto - I was at Hamilton Valentines Friday 24th August for dinner with my family (party of 5 + 1 child) and I was pleasantly impressed. We didn't make a booking and it was busy, however the receptionist did her best to accommodate us. We were shown to a table pretty much straight away.
So my first impression as a famished diner was great! Admittedly the buffet is basic however I thought the food itself was reasonable for its price. There was pasta, hot carved ham, steak, fish, roast veges and a selection of seafood, salads and deserts. Which is what one would reasonably expect to have at Valentines.
The service was also good, our tables were cleared almost instantly and the staff were really friendly. Nevertheless in all hospitality industries there will always be room for improvement particularly with demanding customers.
If any complaints - I'd have to say the diners themselves - not all but certainly some. They were inconsiderate, pushed in and generally acted as if it was their last meal. | | Anonymous, 25 August 2007 (1 stars). I've called in on a rainy night and also a chilly night for a booking for my family and had got told it was fully booked out, so my partner rung in straight after me and he got us a placing, so I talked to the operator and confronted her. The worse service in Hamilton for booking, judging by the way I was spoken to. | | Ana, 6 August 2007 (2.5 stars). Well where to start! There was no ice cream at all!!I don't care how cheap it is! $24 is alot of money to waste on a food that is cold, hard and not up to standard. For the amount of money that has been paid you expect more. The service was fine, perhaps the employees could possibly wear jackets when they go for smokes, that way they won't smell like ash trays. The salads were dry, and the seafood, was dry and tasted as though it was frozen for weeks, there was hardly any options for food, and it is the same stuff, chips, fish, (might as well go to fish n chip store). I ordered a martini, no one behind the bar could make it, and to make it worse the blender apparently was broken. Cross contamination, people leaning over food, hair falling in, serving spoons not being replaced every hour, new dishes of food being mixed with old food, OSH needs to be contacted. The new owners are running that place to the ground!! It never was like this back in the days!!! The last time I dined there was three months ago for a birthday, and that would be the last. Bad luck Valentines!!! | | Dee, 28 July 2007 ( stars). To all you moaning people, just shut your moaning, you get a table and chair, it's warm, and the food is great, it beats sitting in the car eating fish and chips. So if you don't like it, don't go back, go to a place where you pay the same price for a small plate, simple. People go there to eat because the sign says "ALL YOU CAN EAT FOR $24.95" aye! Aint that the truth, because you can make a pig of yourself, so shut your moaning! Keep up the good work Valentines, cheers. | | Better Fresher, 24 July 2007 (2.5 stars). I think Valentines need to lift their game, if this was overseas it would have nobody eating there at all. | | Anonymous, 5 July 2007 (1 stars). After reading the other reviews, we agree with almost everyone (except for positive comments). We are disappointed & highly disgusted. There was a fly frozen in our ice cube in our drink!! (when our drinks finally arrived - 30 minute wait). Caramel and Chocolate sauce had ran out. Overall I do not recommend this restaurant. | | Mai Viti, 2 July 2007 ( stars). We dined there last week and I have to say it bites! The service was fine, it was the food. Cold pork spare ribs??????? Anorexic suspicious smelling oysters???? And I found it hard to fill a plate with anything other than the same things I could get at my local fish and chip shop. The ham was divine but aside from that and trusty bread rolls my appetite was left wanting. Then dessert time came. Jellybeans in abundance. NO CHOCOLATE OR CARAMEL SAUCE ALLLLL NIGHT!!! Soggy brandy snaps and crap pavlova! Really disappointed as we used to love the place as kids. Kids room is crap for little kids too and feels like another cash grabber as all the games cost to play. Another birthday this week and it's off to the casino! | | Neil, 9 March 2007 (1 stars). Food always looks old. They always advertise the seafood but you have to beg for it. Last time I went I vomited in the toilet - the oysters were off. | Lucy, 14 February 2007 (1 stars). I have eaten here several times over several years and now I eat there only when I have to! (which is when someone very special and close to me has a birthday or wedding there, so thankfully I don't eat there too often).
The service is fine. It is just the food (which is the more important thing in my books) that is terrible. When I go back to eat I think it might be different and better than I remembered, but I am ALWAYS wrong. I don't know how anyone can eat here; the food is barely edible and it has no flavor.
There are 2 much better buffet restaurants in town which are Memory Lane (on Vic street) and The Post (in the Skycity by the casino entrance--but this one is only open from friday-sunday now. Both of these restaurants offer much better value for money because their food is much better--but that is just my opinion of course! | | Arkk, 13 February 2007 (4 stars). Birthday dinner on 12/6 for 10 yr old.Party included 2 adults & 1 teen also, excellent service, empties cleared promptly, happy, well presented staff, quite chatty. Good value for money. Mushroom soup was outstanding, seafood very nice, good variety. Only complaint was lack of roast meat, steak, etc. | | Jewellnz, 6 January 2007 (3 stars). My family and I are regular visitors to Valentines Hamilton for special occasions, birthdays, visitors from overseas etc. I have to say I am extremely disappointed how run down Valentines is becoming, the service is OK, but not great, some of the waiters need to learn to smile and some lack personality, however the food is my main problem. Both times we visited recently on 18th November 2006 and 26th December 2006 the food was cold, and nothing special at all, it has gone from being my favourite place to my least, and I don't intend to dine there very often anymore, the only good thing is the price, rather good for what you get, but then I would rather pay a bit more for excellency myself. | shirl, 15 November 2006 (3 stars). Kia ora,
I had an experience there that was very upsetting; however since then the service has been wonderful and we are repeat customers my whanau and I, especially Sunday mornings.
Thanks
Shirl | Donald, 5 August 2006 (2.5 stars). I have been there about four times. It is nothing extra special. The food lacks imagination, and isn't that delectable. Service is slow and sullen.
| | Rebel, 20 July 2006 (3 stars). Well this time round my experience at Valentines was extremely good. Their way of politeness was average and the service was good, but I must say a few of the staff members need to take at least a Kiwihost course to straighten up on their customer service skills, so they deal with situations expecially when under pressure. Some of them lack in that area - I can tell by the tone of their voice and facial expressions. But, hey, at least they're trying. I know it is hard to be a nice person all the time, but being nice brings the customer back for the second time or more often. | Sarah, 6 July 2006 (1 stars). I went there with a group of mates for farewell dinner...
As usual, no one will come and get the plates from our table until you asked for it..
The food wasn't good at all..when the dish finish, it finish..they will bring a new one...
also, the steak and BBQ sammon look so yuck as the way they serve...just like putting rubbish on the plate..
Not a good place to go, I guess | Upset Maama, 5 July 2006 (1 stars). We went there last night for my 11 year old son's birthday. We had a booking for 13, 5 adults and the remainder ranging from 2yr twins to an 8 yr old. When I phoned to make the booking I did tell them that it was for a birthday, and they suggested that it would be cheaper if we paid $19.95 per adult and still pay for the birthday person - that was fine I agreed.
We all got our starters, children included, then half of our table was cleared from dirty dishes. We all went up to get our main meal, then some of us went for seconds, but I might add that when I went to get my main not all food had been refilled so I thought I would wait, 10 mins later they still hadn't been refilled, by this time all the children were on to ice cream, and I will mention that still no dishes had been cleared.
The adults wanted to continue eating but had no clear space to place a plate, and we sat there watching the waitresses walk past and re-set tables around us when in actual fact they should be clearing customers tables first. With this happening, we gathered all the dirty dishes together and placed them on an empty table, we stayed seated at our table for another 10 mins before we left and still those dishes had not been cleared.
So, my experience with this restaurant, I was not a happy customer and after paying approx $200 for all of us you would expect great service at least. I would not reccommend this place, and I definitely will not be dining there again. | Laura, 23 June 2006 (1.5 stars). I went with a group of workmates on Wednesday night. All 12 of us walked away feeling riped off and annoyed. For a start, paying that much money we would expect excellent food and service and we didn't have either. All of us said that we will not be going back to Valentines again. We will also be telling others about our experience. It was certainly talked about the next day at work!
We found the staff to be rude. There was not a good selection of mains. The pumpkin was cold and not cooked in the middle. The chips were only half cooked. We really felt that with paying that much money we should have been satisfied. We did however find dessert and the bread rolls nice. The bread rolls were the highlight of the evening.
I really feel that Valentines has gone downhill lately and I used to go there alot. I think now I will be going elsewhere. | Trudie Delves Market, 9 May 2006 ( stars). I would like to reply to Disgusted, 25 April 2006. The customer travelling with her husband and four children travelling home from Whakatane.
I have spoken to Valentines Hamilton in regard to this situation and the restaurant was fully booked on the evening of 25th April as this was Anzac Day and very busy for all of our restaurants. We do not put reserved signs on our tables, we recommend booking a table at all times, however, we do accept and take walk in customers wherever possible.
It is a hard ask to expect a table for 6 for lunch or dinner on a very busy public holiday and during the school holidays. We agree that the customer comes first and I am sure that this customer would not have been happy if she had turned up for a Birthday celebration with her family to find that we had given their booked table to somebody else and they had to wait. Restaurants do get full and Valentines Hamilton was fully booked on this occasion. | | KAS, 28 April 2006 ( stars). A group of five of us went to Valentines for lunch for my friends birthday. We had originally booked for 14, but not everyone could make it. The front receptionist started by saying that we would have to pay for the ones that didn't come and she refused to give us a table for five instead. This is just stupid. Upon talking to the manager though, we got another table allocated and didn't have to pay any extra. As for food and service the food was excellent and the waiting staff were really nice and I love their uniforms which make them look smart. However, a few changes need to be made, especially in these types of situations. | | Disgusted, 25 April 2006 ( stars). My husband, myself and our four children were travelling home to Whakatane from Auckland. We decided to stop in at Valentines Hamilton to feed the kids. After unloading the hungry and restless children into the restaurant, we were turned away by the attendant at the desk, being told that we needed to have booked our table. When I explained to her that we were travelling home, she continued to say that all their tables were reserved, however no reserved signs were shown on their tables. I want them to know they lost paying customers that day. Whatever happened to: THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST? | Granny of 11, 24 February 2006 ( stars). Oh my goodness, I was just reconsidering going to Valentines for my grand daughter's 6th birthday. It is 5 years since we dined at the Manukau and Hamilton restaurants, and it appears that nothing has changed. HORROR!!
Sorry but after reading this I will never go there again. BUT what surprises me the most, is that over 90% of the reviews are ghastly, so how come this business is still up and running? | | Dan, 31 January 2006 ( stars). The service was terrible! I will never return. Was greeted by a very sour girl who looked at us as if we were an inconvenience. Food was average. | | Jolene, 19 November 2005 ( stars). Absolutely pathetic!! Spoiled my party! | | TeeN, 20 July 2005 (5 stars). HEy!! I'm an overseas student ,who usually dines wiz my gal there. I think it was good and nice food. Now I'm already gone back 2 my hometown but oNe day I'll go and visit there again. MiZZ da fooD so Much. | ex-waitress, 14 July 2005 ( stars). For the amount of money you pay for a smorgasboard you would expect more in service as well as food...I could pay the same at the Sky City and get a 100% on both service and food. I thought the first time would be bad but the second time I walked out as the service on entry was bad.
| cafe-surfer, 12 October 2004 (1 stars). My experience is of Valentines in West Auckland but it looks like the experiences are the same here ...bad...we took advantage of the birthday offer but unfortunately it was not strictly the birthday of the person we took ..it was off a few days so we didn't get the discount ..what annoyed me more was that we went on Father's day so there were surcharges and discount dockets could not be used ..despite there being no sign..we challenged them and they threatened to bring out the rules ...really mean-spirited. This is one bad restaurant chain ..most of the food is OK but the ham was off and I couldn't eat it ...the ambience is better in McDonalds and the service 100 times better than here. The staff at Valentines are badly in need of a Kiwi Host course.
| PARRISH, 1 April 2004 (1.5 stars). Whilst dining in the restaurant a fire was observed in the kitchen. None of the staff knew instantly what the procedure was. They tried salt, wet towels, blanket. When asked if they had a fire extinguisher they said it was not the sort of fire for an extinguisher, which was absolutely incorrect. It was a oil fire and they needed a foam extinguisher. They called the fire brigade, but did not think to evacuate the patrons. Is there a procedure in place. No smoke alarm detectors were heard even though there was a huge amount of smoke. What training is in place for the staff for this kind of emergency. If the Fire Brigade is called surely the restaurant should have been evacuated!!! Our meal was ruined. We could not eat the steak or carved meat unless we waited for a long time.
| Elaine, 19 January 2004 (3 stars). People either hate it or love it - its a personal choice. Buffet restaurants are convenient. You don't have to wait for hours. I like variety and choice. And it makes a huge improvement if the food is fresh! It doesn't have to be gourmet but it certainly should taste delicious.
I'm not a spoilt person I thought the food was good. I have a brother who is an executive chef. He could do wonders to the quality!
| | Christine, 20 December 2003 (1 stars). My husband and I visited Valentines a few months ago. Never again. The food was extremely disappointing. The rock oysters were limp watery and utterly tasteless. After trying one I would not try another, as they were certainly not fresh. The rest of the food was insipid, boring and tasteless. Never again | carole, 20 December 2003 (4 stars). As my family and I are regular customers, we have to say the food is excellent, choice amazing, and service is average, this is our favourite restaurant, and we will continue to dine there, we take all our overseas relatives to Valentines, they also enjoy it immensley.
| Nigel, 12 December 2003 (1 stars). I have no problem with the concept of a Smorgasbord restaurant, but the implementation of it at Valentines is unusual to the point of being unacceptable.
We arrived at 8pm on a Friday evening and asked for a table for two. We were told that we couldn't be seated for five minutes or so but could be seated in the waiting area. We had to give our name and phone number before a table number was allocated ,the number written on a docket and the docket given to us.
Having assumed that we were waiting due to a table being temporarily unavailable, imagine our surprise to find ALL of the patrons in the waiting area and no-one dining at any of the tables.
Eventually, staff did start coming around asking for dockets and showing customers to their tables, but by this time we were so unimpressed that we downed the drink we had paid for at the bar, handed the docket back to a rather stunned woman on reception and went to Pizza Hut instead.
I can't comment on the food, because we couldn't even smell it let alone get near it. However service like this is unacceptable and I'm surprised they have any customers.
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Valentines Licensed Buffet Restaurant
cnr Anglesea St & Cobham Dr, Hamilton Fully licensed
Cuisine Type: Smorgasbord
Open 7 days for lunch and dinner
Tel: 07-839-1990 or 0
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