We first visited Red Earth within a couple of weeks of being open and there were massive teething issues. Rather than writing them off completely (and especially with them being so close to home), we decided to give them a chance to get their ducks in line and try again. On a wet winter evening, we all piled into the restaurant for a family dinner. Red Earth have made a conscious effort to expose the heritage features of the building and it is definitely one of the classier establishments in town.
Our table ordered a variety of different meals. The hapuka was highly rated in particular, as was the quesadilla. The pâté dish came with a generous serve of bread but the pâté itself could have benefited from deeper flavour, as could the sliders. The kids' menu was mildly disappointing, with only the standard options such as chicken nuggets or hot dogs. The wine menu is extensive and well-stocked with a broad section of great varietals; the wine bar side of the business is on point.
Service was fantastic. Orders were promptly taken and the kid's meal arrived at the table very quickly - if you've ever dined out with children in the evening, you'll know that this is part of the recipe for happiness. They also offered to take the stroller and place it in their cellar until we were ready to depart, just a small move but very helpful.
Overall, is it the best meal I've ever had? No. But the options for upmarket dining in Papakura township are relatively limited and Red Earth fills the gap. It was definitely a better experience than our first visit. I'd return in future and try some of the larger meal options as these seemed to have a better flavour profile, at least with those at our table. read more