Great service and delicious food!…read more My husband and I read the great reviews and decided to give this steakhouse a try yesterday and we were not at all disappointed. Our server, Erin was top notch. She was delightful, extremely helpful going over the menu and checked on us often. The steaks were heavenly and we highly recommend the chipotle hollandaise sauce. The potato puree and Mac n cheese were delicious. If we ever return or visit New Zealand this place will definitely see us again. We were very satisfied with our experience.

Absolutely amazing service & food quality is spectacular We felt welcomed and met nice people while…read morewe dined here.

We decided to dine here in our first night in Auckland on recommendation of our hotel. It was just…read morea short walk from where we were staying. Ostro has a somewhat limited menu but several tantalizing options. We both opted for the nightly fish special (grouper with a lovely basil sauce) and for sides the Parmesan beignets (more aptly described as croquettes) and some broccolini. The fish was perfectly prepared and the the croquettes just melted in your mouth-I could have eaten a ton of those (an order was around 7 and was served with a chipotle mayo). Service was attentive with water and wine glasses filled on a regular basis. The petit four (dessert) was a bit pricey with 3 small one-bite mini desserts but they were all good and not too sweet. The restaurant has a lovely view of the harbor from their 2nd floor location. It's all glass looking out to the sea. We enjoyed the meal and felt well taken care of. Recommended

Dined June 27, 2014…read more What a happening place this is. The evening was most memorable. Four of us dined here, and were thoroughly enchanted by the food. Service was good, though we all commented that the scene is so busy, and the acoustics so lousy, that we were almost yelling at each other to be heard in an attempt to have a conversation across a narrow dining table. Starters to share for the table were the Kingfish Crudo, $18 & Pumpkin Ravioli, $24. The marinated and cured kingfish (citrus/ginger based) was filling, and the added chili provided some punch, but otherwise was lackluster. However, the ravioli was the star and we all commented that we each would order it as our own individual entrée. Mains that we enjoyed were Steamed snapper w/ assorted shellfish,$38, Beef filet, $38 and Pork belly, $38. While the portion size was very adequate for three of us (see photos), yet the gentleman who had the pork belly commented that it was more sizzle and substance, and felt unsated and desirous of more food. Flavors on everything were excellent, and the beef filet was perfectly cooked, with a seared exterior. Desserts were: Chocolate fondant, $16, Crème Brule, $16, and cinnamon donuts, $9 for the other gentleman. The gentleman who ordered the pork belly had the donuts, and was appeased by the generous quantity, if only it had the taste to enjoy. We all had an opportunity to sample one, and we all agreed it was the losing dessert of the night. Everything else was easily devoured. All in all, a positive evening. I would return, but only on a quieter night so I could hear my dining companions.

Siostra is perched unassumingly in the middle of the Grey Lynn shops and has a lovely warm &…read moreinviting feel. The menu is full of small plates with simple, bold flavours (there are also a couple of full sized meals too). We loved the scallops with a creamy cauliflower puree and crispy guanciale (I know, I'd never heard of it either but it's cured pork - similar to bacon) and the octopus & chorizo skewers with Ouzo aioli, although the Ouzo was very subtle. The wine list also deserves a special mention. It's full of boutique NZ wineries with some interesting European reds and plenty by the glass (BIG tick)! We ended up playing it safe and ordering two glasses of Chard - one Mt Edward and one Man O'War - both were delicious but the waiter forgot which was which, which was a pity! My one teensy complaint was that we ordered several small plates to share between the two of us and they all arrived at once leaving us hardly any room on the small table for our side plates! Considering how fast we inhaled the delicious scallops it wasn't an issue for long but it would have been great to have had some time to enjoy our olives and skewers before the rest of the food arrived. Also, keep in mind that the portion size is generous. We definitely over ordered. All in all, Siostra is a charming neighbourhood bistro with equally charming staff.... I just wish it was in my neighbourhood!

Headed over here for brunch this morning after reading about it in the Denizen and following their…read moreFacebook page for a few weeks. It did not disappoint me one bit. I went for their twist on a veggie eggs benedict - a yummy hash brown cake with two poached eggs, asparagus, hollandaise sauce, and some incredible tomatoes that appeared to perhaps be poached to remove the skins and somehow infused with basil... oh my god. It was heaven! Those tomatoes, I could have eaten them all day!! It all came together to be fresh and delicious, and wasn't an overly heavy breakfast. They also had cold brew coffee - brewed from All Press. It was yummy, as cold brew should be! Most of us ended up getting the same thing, and we were pleased. Another friend got the salmon dish over a buckwheat waffle, which she wasn't as in to -- I had a bite of the waffle and it was interesting... it tasted very earthy and almost like patchouli. Perhaps it melded well with the other flavors of the dish, but I didn't love it on it's own. I was surprised on a sunday around noon there was virtually no one there! I wonder if it's more popular for dinner or if it just hasn't taken off yet. As well, don't jump straight for the seats out front - they have a beautiful patio out back that I wish we had gone for if we had known! The place looks deceptively small, as when you come in, it looks like there is just some counters for eating at, but there is also a dining room, and then out back the patio, plus seats out front. I'll definitely be back, maybe to try dinner (if they've got enough veggie options), but definitely back for brunch. It was a hit!

The Velvet Gypsy is an amazing place!!! Amazing specials every night of the week and great food…read more There are two sides of the restaurant (one quieter and sleeker, the other lively and facing the beach). The decor is awesome and keeps in line with the name of the place. Everyone looks like they are having an amazing time. I saw a huge age range - groups of 20 and 30 something as well as families and older folk. They also have a great range of food and beverages. We got the 2/$20 gourmet pizza special and both were delicious!!! We will be going back for steak night and the summer platter. Love this place!

This is a cool place to go in Browns Bay, its got 2 faces, one that faces the beach and one that…read morefaces the road. On the Beach face it has some comfortable lounge chairs and bar tables to admire the beauty of Browns Bay Beach and its more for eating. The street face is more of the bar side and yes the drinking side. We came here this week and had Pizza and some drinks, we received really good service and the pizza was pretty good too. They have a pretty good menu with a variety of tasty sounding dishes. During the day you can come and have lunch, and later in the evening dinner, then they come alive after dark for drinks and dancing. I will be back soon.

It's not all in the looks. So true for this place! After reading a few good reviews about Meadow I…read morewas anxious to go out of my way (literally) to check it out. I think I'll need to give them a bit more time to improve on a few things before I do that again. Interior decor - when I say it's not all in the looks it can be literally translated to Meadow. Gorgeous interior sets high expectations for both food and service which, in this case is not what you get. But more about decor - lovely outside area is perfect for afternoon drinks in the sun and the inside area is just beautifully decorated with vibrant blue walls and silver and white details. Very refreshing and promising (the whole industrial minimal look is so 2014!). Staff - considering the rather posh interior and location one would expect slightly higher standard service. We arrived at brunch time so understandably they had a busy patch but I would have expected them to handle it a bit better. Staff was rushing around bumping into our chairs (and each other), dropping cutlery and just overall looked quite disorganized. On the other hand the food came out fast so looks like kitchen staff know what they are doing. At least they did up until the point when thick smoke started oozing from the kitchen... Menu - this is probably the reason why I would love to go back to Meadow once they sort out their service. Menu looks very interesting with a lot of signature dishes and fresh new things to try. Bloody Mary menu looks awesome and innovative (brunch is probably not the time to start your day with vodka or tequila) and their smoothies are divine. Would have loved to have been told the acai bowl would be a bowl of sorbet rather than what one would expect to be a granola or muesli breakfast treat. Food - great quality food with interesting and innovative flavours. There is so much more I'd love to try! Price - Some dishes are rather expensive for the quantity you get but it is to be expected considering the location. On the other hand if the service improves I don't think I would mind paying a bit more for any of the dishes on the menu. All in all I believe Meadow definitely has potential to become one of the top cafes in Auckland with it's beautiful character and well thought through menu. But in order to do so they need to give this place a soul - and that can only be achieved by unique, high standard service and friendly approach.

I've been here a few times and the food had always been great. But each time I go here, I get a bit…read morenervous because it's always packed on weekend mornings - will we get served quickly? Will our food be delayed and, instead, get served up apologies? Me of little faith. My last visit proved my doubts wrong. On a whim, we just decided on Meadow, because it was on the way. It was busy as expected. After a few long minutes of waiting for a table to be cleared, the rest of the service moved quickly and smoothly. My wife had the Meadow Full breakfast, which seemed to be the most popular dish that morning. Really yummy, she said. I had the Huevos Sucios ("You pronounce that very well," the waitress said) and it was top notch. My kind of spicy the morning. We'll be back, of course. Next time, I should just trust them to continue their great service.

Christine is AMAZING! She made both of my times dining here epic. To start I got the steak tartare,…read moreoysters, and duck liver parfait. All of them were amazing but the steak tartare stood out due to its fresh and intense flavor. The tartare is prepared tableside and it's the best appetizer on the menu. The duck liver parfait is also amazing, and tastes similar to foie gras! For my main dish I go for the Kagoshima A5 wagyu, medium rare. It's literally like butter and will be the most heavenly steak you'll ever have. Please ask for Christine, she's the most amazing, humorous, and friendly waitress you'll ever have!

Was able to walk in without a reservation! The Caesar salad was big enough to share between the 4…read moreof us. We also ordered a small filet and a large wagu filet. Both came out hot and were very tasty! The presentation was nice also! We ordered veggies and potatoes as our sides, which I would have liked them to be warmer. Also, the server needed some help, the managers kept assisting with our table, so he might have been new or something but we asked him a few questions regarding the menu and he had no clue the answers and had to go ask.

My husband and I chose Auckland for our milestone anniversary celebration trip coupled with a…read moredinner degustation meal at The Grove. We opted for the 8 course (no drink pairing) and were absolutely wowed. Coming from the US, we didn't know what it meant to start a meal with "snacks" - this included venison roasted on natural charcoal with pine dusting, pacific coast oysters, large clam shells with a mouthwatering soup, and another whose name escapes me shaped like star anise. This was just how the meal began, the it was a journey through the flavors, textures, smell, and tastes of New Zealand, my favorite being the horse mussel. We ended the meal (after 2.5 hours) with dessert snacks of various textures and flavors. I was beyond stuffed and impressed. I was also surprised that we had to pay for our meal where we checked in and weren't given a bill or check. In the US, one rarely leaves the table without paying, but the trust and care shown to customers is unparalleled. As my husband and I were heading out, the owner, Michael who knew we were Americans, wished us a Happy Thanksgiving and shared that his wife had prepared pumpkin pie at his other restaurant in honor of the holiday, if we were interested. So kind. So full - both stomachs and hearts. Please visit if you're in the area.

One of my favorite places in Auckland for a fine dining experience. The dishes were great as was…read morethe service and wine pairing. In particular, the dishes were beautifully presented and not heavy, which was key for a tasting menu. For anyone looking for a high-end meal in Auckland, this would be my first recommendation.

Just in NZ from US Short walk from hotel found Empire's. Had…read moreavocado and edamame Guacamole plus loaded fries. Margaritas to drink. Excellent place good people and food

10 dollars for a steak and chips. Why not. And all I have to do is buy a drink. Apparently this…read moretime they are the suckers. I came here for lunch. Actually I was looking for a beer. I had just walked in to the city from Mount James. Because an older gentleman had told me " it's such a beautiful day to walk". So I did. Yup about 4 miles. Lol. He sucked me into it. Lol. So an hour and 20 mins later I made it. And I needed a good beer. And they have me many to sample before making a choice. They even had Lagunitas. I was shocked to see that. And the other import was Guinness. So props to them. I did order the Steak and chips. With peppercorn sauce and blue cheese. It was a good steak. Made to order. Mid Rare. Yes. That's how I row. No greens here. I'll have to double up next time. But they did lead me in a direction for more drinks.