Bistro 169 Restaurant Bar

We visited on a Monday evening so maybe quieter than other nights. The restaurant included the hotel breakfast area so a large room which felt cold and no atmosphere. Had the room been busy I'm sure a better feel.<br/ Average waitress service but good sense of humour .<br/ <br/ Food we all had the specials of the day <br/ $34 strip steak quite thick and cooked perfect medium rare, just lacking in peppercorn sauce.<br/ <br/ Wife and uncle had $26 rack of lamb with mint jus. Cooked nice and pink spot on.<br/ <br/ Auntie had pork 3 ways very happy with meal just needed some sauce.<br/ <br/ All in all good evening score based on the food. Well done chefs more sauce :

Great varied menu, tasted and cooked well by chefs. Well looked after by the waiters and bar staff the day we were there. Catered for large and small groups or individuals. Nice and cosy warm atmosphere.

Staying at the hotel and had a meal in for the night. They have a $5.00 tray charge which is a bit ridiculous. The steak was tiny and the caramelized onions got a bit sickening after sometime. The potato gratin tasted off and there was again only a tiny portion of it... Didn't eat here again during my two week stay

Went on a Saturday night and was told was 2 for 1 on mains which was a pleasant surprise. Ordered veggie pasta, rib eye and pork belly. Pasta was fine not unpleasant but not amazing, steak cooked well and the pork belly also. Good service and 87 for meals and 3 pints.

My husband went here 's what he thought:<br/ <br/ 'Needing somewhere new to meet the old man for lunch we gave this place a shot, admittedly not with high expectations.<br/  We were met by a very pleasant lady who gave us menus and directed us to a window table, then hurried back with a jug of water and couple of glasses. She also checked in during the meal to see how we were doing.  Orders were made for a pint of Monteiths Gold and a Tuatara something. Monteiths was unavailable ? however I was offered a Heineken bottle for the same price. Yes! I ordered the rump steak open sandwich and he the Kiwiana Burger. $17.00 and $16.00 respectively. Both for fair for the price the burger 's meat patties 2 were straight from a box however the buns were superb, and the ingredients inside were top class; the beetroot, tomato and lettuce was stonking fresh and crisp. My steak sammie was also pretty good, the accompanying chips were cut from what must have been a huge potato and perfectly hot and crisp. The only negative was it appeared the steak had not been rested before before put on the bun and the juices made it very soggy. <br/ Our comment walking out we should do this place next time. '