It was a night full of surprises. First we were surprised to be taken out to Le Vietnamese Kitchen's back room, and find it warmer and buzzier than in the front.

Out in the suburbs it is difficult to suppress a yawn when it is announced a new Indian restaurant is to open.

The menu was a cool, hand-drawn selection of breakfast options with a Southeast Asian flair.

The council's new cobblestones will look cool when they're finished, but at the moment O'Connell St is a bit of a mess.

We’d peered behind the papered-up windows, anxiously wondering what the new owners were changing on this popular corner spot, so the first chance we could we were queuing at the door.

The Botanist does more than brunch, or even lunch or dinner.

Red sails in the Auckland sunset are all very well, and I’ve enjoyed them as an eating backdrop many times, but for me seeing a working port in action beats yachts every time.

A popular dining strip has a newcomer, which scores top marks for its attention to details — and its coffee.

Loop, with its white walls, tables and chairs plus a rather magnificent curved bar, is a refreshing change in Kingsland.

Never having been to Hanoi, I might be mistaken. But I suspect the similarities between eating at a street food stall in Vietnam and dining in a Grey Lynn cafe on a cold Auckland winter’s Sunday night are not striking.

Gusto Italiano is one of those restaurants that makes you feel great the moment you walk through the door. It's light, warm, reasonably

Central city hotel offers an adventure in exceptional cuisine in an atmosphere designed for comfort.

Restaurant reviewers should strive to eat unnoticed but sometimes you have to accept your cover is blown.