We all have our favourite restaurants don’t we? Usually they’re ones we go back to time and again lest we stumble upon an untried dish and be disappointed.
My dad is a classic example of this: when he and mum are on holiday, woe betide my mother if dad finds the perfect steak on the first night for they will eat there for the next six!
So it’s with relief that Metro Magazine’s (no doubt lardy) writers have done the hard yards and (anonymously) tried and tested every eating establishment within cooee of the Sky Tower, presenting a comprehensive list of Auckland’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2010 – so we can venture off the safe plate and into something already acclaimed.
The Supreme Winner is The Grove, knocking Michael Meredith off his perch. They also take out the Best Formal award. The Grove has had it tough with the renovations of St Patrick’s Square virtually stopping access to their front door, but owners Michael and Annette Dearth are clearly good enough anyway. (You can read my dining review here – Pork Belly get in ma Belly).
The Best Smart Casual is Cibo, hidden in the Axis building in Parnell. Personally I find this very smart and would equally choose here or The Grove for a posh night.
Best Hotel Dining goes to Peter Gordon’s Dine at the Sky Grand Hotel. Peter was home only last week on his quarterly menu-change visit and I got to eat my way through his five-course wine-matched degustation menu. (The highlight was the haloumi).
Best Local Bistro went to The Engine Room at Northcote Point which I am yet to try. I hear one must book to get in (which is true of all these top places actually).
Best Bar Bistro: Winehot
Best Asian: Soto
Best Italian: Toto
Best Rural: Te Whau on Waiheke Island
Best Value for Money: La Cigale
Best New Restaurant: Cable Bay
The Best Dish and Best Wine List went to Clooney
Bon appetit!
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