Portlander Bar & Grill

After a few visits to Portlander, I am very happy to say that it’s a pretty great hotel bar that caters even to those not in the hotel.
Each time I have visited Portlander, I have been happy with the service and the drinks. Ranging from beer and wine to fancy, hand crafted mixed drinks, pretty much everyone should find something they like. All in all, the prices are pretty good, especially on those specialty mixed drinks which are usually delicious and do take a bit of time to create.
And if it’s a nice day, and you’re staying at the hotel, and you have a room with a balcony… I highly recommend taking your drink up to your room and looking out over the city or harbour (whichever view you may have).

The food was good — rack of lamb was perfectly cooked and not overdone. Presentation was good. The wine menu needs smartening up. Our first 2 selections ‘weren’t available’ and the 3^rd choice was overpriced.
Our table for 2 was so close to the next table for 2 that the person sitting at it and I could brush arms and our conversation was not private — they might as well have been at the same table! Fine in a cafeteria style lunch place but not for a dinner a deux.

Dined here last Saturday night with a group of seven. Well, what can I say about our dinner evening here? Not a lot really. We were all initially quite excited about returning here from a previous enjoyable dining experience here.
First, after coming in from a awful frosty typically windy Wellington winter’s night, the service was «awful». Our seemingly unfriendly waitress after initially handing us menus never returned at all to take our meal orders. So we had to hail down another fellow waiter who was more welcoming, to take our orders.
Although I can’t vouch for my fellow diners, but for me personally my mains wasn’t that great. I had ordered the Matador Burger at $ 25.
This as described in the menu was a classic burger from yester-​year: Prime Star Wagyu beef pattie hand infused with NZ beetroot, rosemary and thyme. Topped with ‘triple smoked bacon’ and melted Emmental Cheese. Completed with fried egg and beetroot relish, all in a Zaidas milk bun and served with potato skins. I must say it sounded much better in the menu than it actually tasted. While its presentation was «great», its flavor wasn’t. No amount of salt and pepper could enhance its rather bland flavor!
I shared a fellow diner’s dessert towards the end of the evening. It was a piece of dark rich chocolate cake topped with a few pieces of strawberries which I found it unenjoyable.
As per usual, given the restaurant’s good quality and reputation, no-​one during the evening, even bothered to come back to ask how our meal were, or to fill our water glasses until requested.
Summarizing, for the reason that a restaurant is only as good as its last meal there, and for its very poor service, we find that we will not return back here again in a hurry.

Meat, meat and more meat.
This hotel bar/​restaurant has a great menu. Many great choices of wild game and steaks.
I had for entrée, a selection of house cured meats served with bread. Accompanied with a great Pinot Noir. The wine list was extensive, the only draw back was the lack of wines by the glass. For main I had the bone in prime rib, very good. Well cooked, seasoned well.
There is a premium to pay for the location, the food was great, but a little costly for what was delivered.

If you love a good breakfast, $ 30 per person is worth the money to have it at the Portlander restaurant at Rydges hotel for a full buffet breakfast. Anything from scramble egg, bacon, roasted potatoes to omelet (request), fresh juices, bake goods, cereals, fruit salads, coffee station… You name it. The foods were good and fresh and staff were very friendly. I wdon’t Ah they would do brunch but weekends only open until 11 am. Please note: breakfast only serve for the in house guests.
They also serve lunch and dinner in the evening as well to all guests.