Does Auckland have too many restaurants?
August is Restaurant Month in Auckland – 31 days, 100 special dining offers and 30 foodie inspired events. Nine days of August have disappeared already. It’s a real dilemma to decide where to eat – just too many choices.
On Sunday afternoon took a couple of hours to peruse the line-up: Heart of the City: Auckland Restaurant Month. It also provided the perfect opportunity to discover somewhere special for a ‘big 0” birthday in September but Mum’s the word on that location.
The Foodie Inc’s top seven picks (in no particular order) for Auckland Restaurant Month 2015 (note photos shown are from previous visits):
The Sugar Club – enjoyed a belated birthday dinner here in March. Love Peter Gordon’s fusion cuisine so can highly recommend. Pekin Duck with chilli jam, squid dumplings, cashews, mango, bok choy and lemongrass coconut dressing sounds perfect.
Wild Paua
The Black Hoof – you’d almost miss the entrance walking down Wyndham Street but head on in for Spanish delights: jamon, tapas, sherry and more – $40 for two courses and wines.
Ima Cuisine – if you’re passionate about Middle Eastern cuisine then this is the place. Just the thought of a shared mezze platter is making me hungry.
Odettes – a huge fan of their weekend brunches; the four course dinner menu looks sensational. My pick, the Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio with crisp lime and cabbage slaw, sour cream and wild rice.
Love the interior of Odette's Eatery
The White Rabbit – on the corner of Customs and Gore Streets, once a pub now a stylish bistro and bar. $40 for a three course dinner; our booking has been made.
Matterhorn – $55 for a three course dinner. A recent opening at Victoria Park Market, Matterhorn a Wellington dining institution is reinventing the classics. Definitely high on my must visit list of restaurants.
Cafe Hanoi – a return visit to this Vietnamese restaurant in Britomart is long overdue. Kick things off with Pho Ga, a traditional Vietnamese chicken noodle soup from their three course lunch or dinner menu.
So long ago... photo is not labeled so guessing a Vietnamese beef salad...
Of course they all offer their regular menus too. To avoid disappointment if the restaurant takes bookings then make one before you miss out.
Looking forward to Thursday night dinner with friends at The White Rabbit – it’s our first visit and we’ve heard fabulous things – let’s hope it lives up to our expectations.
Michelle
ps comment below if you’ve been indulging in Heart of the City: Auckland Restaurant Month. Would love to hear where you went and what you ate.