I selected Tusker House for a few reasons. First, we hadn't eaten here before and it's receiver generally positive reviews. Second, it was to be a substitute for Boma - I know, not exactly the same (none of boma's wonderful soups were there) but originally we weren't planning on having a car and it was logistically too complicated to get to AKL. Third, if we had lunch after 1 p.m. we would get reserved seating at the 3:15 Finding Nemo show.
We arrived to our ADR on time and were seated within minutes. We had a wonderful server - very friendly and came by frequently to check on us. A nice difference at this buffet is in addition to the regular beverages you can order 'Jungle Juice' - a mix of tropical fruit juices - it was very refreshing on a hot day.
The meal at lunch is not a character meal so it was much more relaxed than Crystal Palace and there were no lines for any of the stations. The cold station had a good variety of interesting salads and breads. They were carving a pork tenderloin with a coffee glaze and served with a mustard sauce, as well as a citrus-marinated beef. Sides - especially the vegetables - were unusual and tasty. There were some more exotic entrees as well including chicken curry and seafood stew. Desserts were of similar fashion to Crystal Palace - in small portions so you could sample several but perhaps half a cut below Crystal Palace in their quality and variety.
We enjoyed the decor and the peacefulness of the lunch.
To get your Finding Nemo Tickets you need to ask for them at the check-in podium. This was the only CM that was not so nice. When I asked for the 3:15 tickets he said we were too late (It was just a bit after 2 pm) - when I complained that I had booked the lunch at this time specifically for the 3:15 show he grudgingly give us our tickets but said we would have 'run' over there to make it in time. Fortunatley, another CM standing next to him thought otherwise and said we had plenty of time - in fact, we could eat another lunch and still have time to make it!
We arrived to our ADR on time and were seated within minutes. We had a wonderful server - very friendly and came by frequently to check on us. A nice difference at this buffet is in addition to the regular beverages you can order 'Jungle Juice' - a mix of tropical fruit juices - it was very refreshing on a hot day.
The meal at lunch is not a character meal so it was much more relaxed than Crystal Palace and there were no lines for any of the stations. The cold station had a good variety of interesting salads and breads. They were carving a pork tenderloin with a coffee glaze and served with a mustard sauce, as well as a citrus-marinated beef. Sides - especially the vegetables - were unusual and tasty. There were some more exotic entrees as well including chicken curry and seafood stew. Desserts were of similar fashion to Crystal Palace - in small portions so you could sample several but perhaps half a cut below Crystal Palace in their quality and variety.
We enjoyed the decor and the peacefulness of the lunch.
To get your Finding Nemo Tickets you need to ask for them at the check-in podium. This was the only CM that was not so nice. When I asked for the 3:15 tickets he said we were too late (It was just a bit after 2 pm) - when I complained that I had booked the lunch at this time specifically for the 3:15 show he grudgingly give us our tickets but said we would have 'run' over there to make it in time. Fortunatley, another CM standing next to him thought otherwise and said we had plenty of time - in fact, we could eat another lunch and still have time to make it!
