Food & Drinks

Our favourite meals from Auckland’s Top 50 restaurant winners

The Simply You team share their favourite dinners from the Metro Peugeot Restaurant Of The Year winners.
Ponsonby Road Pistro

Ponsonby Road Bistro. Photo by Ken Downie.

Ponsonby Road Bistro

WINNER OF BEST CITY-FRINGE BISTRO

Naomi Larkin, editor:

“This restaurant has a real European bistro feel; the ambiance, service and food never fail to impress.”

Drink: Taittinger champagne.

Main: Market fish, with a side of broccolini with miso butter and chunky chips with aioli.

Dessert: Glass of vin santo with home baked cantuccini.

Depot

Depot. Photo by Simon Young.

WINNER OF BEST INNER-CITY BISTRO

Sylvie Horton, art director:

“I feel like I’ve been transported to New York when I walk into Depot. I love the casual feel to it and that you don’t need to book.”

Drink: Bollinger champagne.

Entré: Oysters, a dozen but a mix of Te Kouma, Bluff and Tio Petites.

Main: Kingfish sashimi with oyster cream, apple and fennel seed.

Orphan’s Kitchen

Orphan’s Kitchen.

FOOD FOR GOOD AWARD WINNER

Louise Hilsz, fashion and style editor:

“I go here for the relaxed environment, very friendly staff, outdoor courtyard and the honey made from the resident bees on the roof top.”

Drink: Le Clos Cazaux’s Vacqueyras (syrah and grenache).

To share: Orphan’s sour dough and burnt butter.

Oysters, with shallots champagne granite.

Cheese accompanied by seeded wafers and rooftop honey.

Cassia

Cassia. Photo by Josh Griggs.

SUPREME WINNER AND BEST SMART DINING AWARD

Elise Wilson, beauty editor:

“It’s cool atmosphere and modern take on Indian food has me hooked – I totally understand why this restaurant has won two years in a row.”

Drink: The Botanist G&T.

To share: Spiced eggplant, green beans, kadhai spices, coconut.

Stirfry of beef short rib, mushrooms, spinach.

Stir fry of paneer & potato, korma sauce.

Coco’s Cantina

Damaris & Renee Coulter. Photo by Meek Zuiderwyk.

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR WINNER (DAMARIS & RENEE COULTER)

Jessica-Belle Greer, writer

“This place has a special feel to it and it’s best on a cold night when I’m huddled around a table with friends.”

Drink: Mulled wine.

Main: Pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, hazelnuts and pecorino.

Dessert: Olive oil chocolate mousse.

For the full list of winners check out Noted.

For more, see this month’s Simply You magazine, visit our Facebook page, and follow us on Instagram.

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