Annemarie Quill and her family fill their boots at buffet restaurant in Greerton.
The vibe Invited with the family to review The Oak Tree Restaurant next to the RSA, I had no idea what to expect and have to say I was so delighted with what I discovered I have been raving about it to others ever since.
Established in 2008, the restaurant has just undergone a considerable refurbishment, transformed into a bright, contemporary dining area.
It is welcoming of families. It sensibly has a sectioned-off family area which you can opt to sit in, and on the night we attended (Saturday) there was live entertainment.
It has a large seating capacity making it suitable for large groups, functions or parties, but also accommodates intimate dining. There were a real mix of guests when we attended from families with very young children, to older teens, to couples, and more elderly groups.
The menu Oh how I love a buffet, and this one did not disappoint. There was a wealth of choices which were so exciting we circled like sharks a number of times, deciding where we were going to land first.
The great thing about the food options is that they really do cater for different palettes which we thought makes it a perfect lunch or dining option for a family gathering of different generations.
For example, there are traditional foods, as well as Mediterranean and Asian options. There are plenty of vegetarian options, as well as a whole variety of fish and meat.
For starters you can plunge into the seafood, with a delicious array of oysters, prawns and mussels all for the taking. There are also breads and dips, chowder, soups, and a whole station of different deli type starters ranging from nibbles like olives and stuffed vine leaves to green salads, tuna salad, couscous, and spreads like hummus.
The great thing about a buffet is that there are no rules. You can go up as many times as you like and eat in whatever order you like.
For mains you can go for gold and we did. There is a live cooking station for steaks with different sauce options. There's roasts, ham off the bone, lamb chops. You can go wild with the garlic and spicy sauces and rice, or keep it like mama used to make with comforting gravies and roast potatoes.
The kids told me it felt like Christmas, and it did. And when we finished - after several trips to try different options such as Thai curries and butter chicken - we were as full as Christmas.
But full though we were, we couldn't resist investigating the delights of the dessert station. Needless to say, the kids were in their element, choosing exactly what they fancied, and the good thing is that the portions are cut so you can have little tasters of everything. While they went for chocolate goodies and icecream, I went for a warming comfort option of apple strudel and creamy vanilla custard.
The Oak Tree Restaurant's desserts are a delight. Photo/Andrew Warner
The service Although it is a buffet there are is still plenty of attentive waiting service - your plates are cleaned after each trip, and our waitress was always on hand with drinks and helping guide us around the options. Service was excellent - the restaurant is super clean and the food stations are fresh and regularly replenished. The staff are friendly and hard working and you really feel well looked after.
The verdict We dined on a Saturday night and the place was busy but not overwhelmingly so. As a family, buffet options are real crowd pleasers but there were also young hip couples, baby boomers, and larger groups.
The decor is simple, modern yet cosy and lovely and warm on a winters evening. Food is modern but has a home-cooked vibe, and the friendliness of the staff actually do make you feel you have been to a friends house rather than a restaurant (albeit a friend with a super large kitchen and endless food options).
We will definitely be back again and recommending to others. My only regret is not wearing an elasticated outfit. Definitely don't go in your shapewear because everything is so yummy you will want to fill your boots.
The Oak Tree Restaurant's decor is simple, modern and cosy. Photo/Andrew Warner
the details: The Oak Tree Restaurant, 1237 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga 07 578 9654 admin@tgarsa.co.nz
