Romantic places in dine in Auckland?
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Forum Name: General Chat
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Topic: Romantic places in dine in Auckland?
Posted By: justme
Subject: Romantic places in dine in Auckland?
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:21pm
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hey there I know this is not very baby oriented but I was hoping I could ask for some advice on where dh & I can go for dinner for my birthday. I was hoping to go somewhere which has a bit of a romantic atmosphere. This is the last time we will be going out to dinner for a while - just the 2 of us before baby is here so I'm really looking for something special - I like nice restaurants but.. nothing to stuffy.. If you can help - I'd love some advice ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:27pm
My hubby always takes me to Allerley House in Kumeu. Really nice atmosphere, candles on the tables and yummy food ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:35pm
| Orbit at the skytower has quite a romantic atmosphere with the rotating restaurant, however, the food is better at the observatory which is also in the skytower..still has views but doesn't rotate.. |
Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:39pm
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Ooh Allerly house sounds lovely Sterryn Also like the idea of popping up to skytower for the view pepsi.. I can see this is not going to be easy!!
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Katherine
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:48pm
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Where in Auckland do you want to be? The City Centre or one of the near suburbs?
In the city, Toto on Nelson Street is lovely (www.totorestaurant.co.nz), but a bit pricey. I also quite like Orbit but haven't *loved* the food when I've been there (although it's been a year since the last time, so it may have improved!). Sails (www.sailsrestaurant.co.nz) at the Westhaven Marina (right near the Harbour Bridge) also has a good atmosphere. And White at the Hilton (www.whiterestaurant.co.nz) has great service. We've also been to Pontoon, also at the Westhaven Marina (http://www.relishgroup.com/Pontoon_aboutus.HTM) and quite liked it, although it's a wee bit "posh" (but still has great service). If you want to go further out of town, I can recommend more! My inlaws used to take us out to dinner every couple of weeks so I've gotten to try most of the restaurants within 20 minutes of the CBD! LOL |
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:50pm
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It all depends on how much money you want to spend. The 2 best meals i have had in NZ where at WHite in the Hilton (we got married in the Hilton, and White is a stunning spot). French Cafe up on Symonds Street - beautiful place, very romantic. Both of these places are pretty expensive though. Will try and think of somewhere a little more 'reasonable'...... ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:55pm
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Thanks Katherine, I suppose we'd prefer to be somewhere fairly central as dh's business is based in the city & we only live 10/15mins away from auck central.. Yes, Toto is lovely, I havn't been there for quite some time now.. White at the Hilton is also really nice. I checked out Pontoon for lunch with a few work colleagues when it first opened.. it's not bad either. I havn't checked out Sails before although I have meant to. I have been told that it is really nice - great for seafood etc.. but never been.. One of those places that I would like to go to then decide on somewhere else. Not sure why Thank you - I'll have another look - my list is getting longer.. but this is not such a bad thing.. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Lulu
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:56pm
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My DH took me for a five course silver service dinner at the Esplanade in Devonport a few years ago, and it was the best all round dining experience I've ever had. Not sure if they still do it, but if so I would highly recommend it. ------------- Lou http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 3:59pm
Sorry simsam, I was posting same time as you by the looks! Yes I do like white & enjoyed dining there the 2 occasions that I did... Gee.. French Cafe.. dh mentioned wanting to take me there some time ago.. saying it was really nice.. will I regret these dining experiences at these lovely restaurants if I am not drinking a glass of wine of 2..? that always seemed to go hand in hand with a meal at a nice restaurant.. hmm.. thanks - I will add this to my list as well ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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SimSam wrote:Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 4:01pm
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Thanks lulu, I have not heard of this place but sounds fab On my list it goes ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 4:03pm
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I would second the Observatory....I'm not an Orbit fan, didn't like the food considering the price. Odd becuase it all comes from the same kitchen. Go figure!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 4:04pm
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Thanks paws ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 4:05pm
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Justme - I would seriously recommend the French Cafe, the staff are fantastic, the food is to die for.....I know what you mean about wine though...I have been struggling with that too!!
------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 4:13pm
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Thanks Simsam, I'll mention French cafe to dh... Yes, I must say giving up the wine has been the toughest thing for me.. I'm not a booze hag.. hmm.. didn't think i was.. but I do enjoy a nice glass of wine or 2 with dinner.. great way to unwind We have a nice stash of wine building up for after baby - dh has cut down considerably & doesn't drink at home now apart from the occasional beer - so this is quite good for me - I don't feel like I'm missing out as I'm not much of beer fan.. I think I'll be quite tiddly with my first glass of wine! Lol! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 5:05pm
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It's not very central, but we often go to Francoli's in Ellerslie, beautiful meals, service is good and prices reasonable. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 6:09pm
thanks .Mel, havn't heard of Francoli's, always good to hear of a nice restaurant to try, we really aren't far from the motorway - so it's not hard for us to get to ellerslie  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 7:20pm
Yeah funny that huh?! If only they could combine the atmosphere of orbit with the food of the observatory that would be much better. By the way justme, if you didn't know, the observatory is a brasserie style buffet restaurant (DH and I always stock up on the delicious scallops!).. I have been to Sails and had a seafood platter expecting it to be awesome, but it was utterly disappointing. Not good for a seafood restaurant. Hammerheads was much better. Oh yeah, and if you enjoy italian I would always recommend A Little Italy.. very cosy (small) but yummy food.. |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 7:38pm
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Oh and if you are italian fans another one we go to is Salrose in Alberton Ave, just off new north road... near rocket park.
If you try Francoli's make sure you book! ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3)
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 7:54pm
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I saw Pontoon reviewed in the Sunday Herald and Peter Calder gave it a near-perfect review, which is saying something coz he is pretty harsh usually. Would love to go there! -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Bombshell
Date Posted: 27 June 2007 at 8:21pm
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make sure you check out the menus first....there is so much you cant eat when pregnant and i found it disheartening to go nice places and not be able to eat what i normally could and finding only crappy food on an otherwise good menu!!!
one of my faves is still the little italian restaurant in st heliers....quiet, romantic - as long as you have plenty of conversation...and loads of options...not expensive and not tacky. am still waiting to go to white, and to that one down by the helipad and coastguard...as i remind DH every time we go into carpark there.....hmmmm mmybe this birthday i might get taken somewhere i can eat seafood etc....altho lonestar last year was pretty awesome - their pork rock - altho not a romantic venue 
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Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 10:23am
| The most romantic and intimate restaurant in Auckland is the O'Connell Street Bistro. Totally wonderful ambience, service and the food is fantastic. All candlelit and warm and beautiful. Way better than the French Cafe, IMHO. |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 11:00am
Oh, and if you are feeling reeeeeeeeeeeally frivolous there is always Vinnies on Jervois Road 
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 1:01pm
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Salrose is only 3 streets away from where we live, I know it well
------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 1:04pm
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Yes, unfortunately I have found this out the hard way too - each time we have gone out recently I end up spending ages staring at the menu - just about everything that I am drooling over - I can't have ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 1:08pm
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Thanks joshierocks - I have indeed dined at occonnel (sp)? st bistro & it was lovely - vinnies is definitely very nice too This is the problem - there are so many restaurants in Auckland!! There are also so.. many good restaurants in auckland!.. I have dined at alot of them but very difficult to pin my list down to one now.. hmm... thanks so much ladies ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 1:11pm
| Once you've decided where to go, you could get a copy of their menu so you can work out what you can eat before you go. I can see there is a gap in the Auckland Restaurant Market for pregnant woman. |
Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 28 June 2007 at 3:43pm
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certainly is fleury! good idea - think I will definitely check out the menu beforehand I believe there's a market out there for just about everything to do with pregnancy.. we could still do with more preggie clothing shops etc too! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: justme
Date Posted: 02 July 2007 at 12:34pm
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Hi everyone I now have a really nice list of places to try - hopefully in the not too distant future after baby is born & once we have a babysitter I have decided to go to "Sails" for my birthday dinner with dh this Wednesday. Quite looking forward to it too I have checked out the menu online & I'm all good to go! Thanks again ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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