Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Everyone's a critic

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  • Russell Brown,

    So should i be interviewing you independently on the side for my blog and asking questions like the above ?

    I get the feeling you'll find a way to blame me anyway. But I've asked you already to wait until I blog about it later today. I'm sure the chip will stay comfortably on your shoulder till then.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Robbie Siataga,

    I thought you meant wait til Media 7 is broadcast before getting into it, didn't know you was gonna blog about it...whatever it is, i await with baited breath

    thing is, my 2yr old woke up with a nightmare, kept me awake, which made me grumpy, so got up and vented online cos i couldn't get back to sleep.

    thats hardly your fault so i wouldn't possibly dream of blaming you for it :)

    Since Feb 2010 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    Just have to comment about our restaurant experiences and reviews.

    First up our meal at The Grove a couple of months ago was spectacular. We'd eaten there about 4 years ago and been left cold, partly we weren't in the right mood and partly the menu was complex, as were the dishes, but they just didn't work when you ate them. But our last visit was a whole other experience, out of the six dishes plus veges there wasn't a single plate that was anything less than very special, and some combinations were astounding. For us one measure of a really top restaurant is when all the plates have received the best care from the chef including the veges. The Grove is certainly top by that measure. Combine that with very good service and an excellent wine list and the way your wallet is getting lighter just doesn't seem to be a problem at all.

    There are a couple of other top restaurants (expensive) that meet those standards, Meredith's, Cibo, O'Connell St Bistro and Molten are favourites for us. Molten for a weekend lunch is a great experience, the food is just as good but it's much more relaxed and there is something truly decadent about a restaurant lunch :).

    But some others that get reviews to die for have left us cold. The French Cafe is expensive enough to need to be perfect and it isn't. We sat waiting 15 minutes to get a menu on one anniversary. And at those prices getting a dish that is merely ok is kinda disappointing. The Engine room was good but by no means great and left us wondering why all the fuss.

    Other restaurants seem to have one good chef and average help which means your main dish might be really good but not much else is better than average and some places (Hammerheads several years ago) fall apart when the chef has the night off, everything was either undercooked or overcooked.

    In contrast, there are some gems that never get a mention, Banzai on Dominion road is amazing. Their sushi and sashimi has completely spoiled me and the people there are lovely. But be aware that dishes come when they are ready so it's entirely possible for one person to finish before another has even started if you have a bigger group.

    The other thing I've found is you really have to learn to read reviews very carefully. We've been fooled a few times by Cuisine reviews that make a place sound good only to discover after the fact that faint praise means the food is awful. That just pisses me off, to me the job of a reviewer is to allow you to avoid bad experiences and spend your money where you really will get good food and service. It seems that in the review industry that isn't the way they work.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    There are a couple of other top restaurants (expensive) that meet those standards, Meredith's, Cibo, O'Connell St Bistro and Molten are favourites for us.

    Haven't eaten at the other two, but I'd endorse your finding on the O'Connell Street Bistro and Cibo. Never been let down at either of them.

    And, wow, I'm really looking forward to having my wallet lightened at The Grove.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Robbie Siataga,

    Re : eating in as opposed to eating out.

    Its a pity i cant feed a family with the chips on my shoulder. I'd be like Jesus and the neverending loaves :)

    but hey, I'm not as bad off as some...

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3648802/Families-struggle-to-put-food-on-table

    ...though obviously not as well off as some of you lot

    so yeah...bon appetit! eat, drink and be merry, long may it continue, your good fortune that is, not the recession.

    Since Feb 2010 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark,

    I would love to go to Merediths for the degustation menu - I dream about it. And I have tried several times for Molten and am always offered to go on a waiting list. I think not. Going for lunch might be the go, I think, Bart.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Jose Barbosa,

    Me Ne Frego on Manukau Road is bloody good I reckon. It's not expensive, but serves good, hearty food in big portions. The Tira Misu is a little bit disapointing, but as far as I can tell the rest of the menu is top notch.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 64 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    Me Ne Frego on Manukau Road is bloody good I reckon. It's not expensive, but serves good, hearty food in big portions. The Tira Misu is a little bit disapointing, but as far as I can tell the rest of the menu is top notch.

    Seconded - wait times can sometimes be a bit long but otherwise we've found this place excellent.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Me Ne Frego on Manukau Road is bloody good I reckon. It's not expensive, but serves good, hearty food in big portions. The Tira Misu is a little bit disapointing, but as far as I can tell the rest of the menu is top notch.

    Are there any restaurants in Auckland (RIP Pompino, you shall always be missed) whose names aren't stupid plays on random Italian phrases?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    Ah yes, apart from the wait times (probably reasonable for a small restaurant to be honest), I recall the name did make me just a bit uncomfortable.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Are there any restaurants in Auckland (RIP Pompino, you shall always be missed) whose names aren't stupid plays on random Italian phrases?

    Yes. 'Wine Hot'. 'Mondial'. Oh, that's a Ferrari, so no. Good spot though, if you can get in. On the down side, it's full of Grey Lynners ;-)

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Stupid,

    I found Meredith's to be too fussy, i think I prefer simpler fare such as the always reliable Prego or Andiamo.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 75 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg,

    On the down side, it's full of Grey Lynners ;-)

    hey!

    But I know what you mean. Too crowded for me.

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Stupid,

    Oh yeah, just as a guide, dinner for two at Merediths cost $245 (2008)

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 75 posts Report Reply

  • Stupid,

    You gotta get into MONDIAL early, before sunset and grab a seat.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 75 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    I found Meredith's to be too fussy

    I know what you mean. Meredith's is food taken to the extreme. It most definitely is not homely fare. It is very fussy and if any of the food looks remotely like what it did when it came out of the soil or sea then I'd be amazed and definitely check to make sure Mr Meredith is actually in the kitchen.

    But it does taste amazing and the service is superb - at that price it has to be. It's an experience and a very special occasion (unless you make stupid amounts of money) and the food won't please everyone but that isn't the point.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Morgan Nichol,

    I loved the years it was sending everyone to Birkenhead for fairly average meals at The Engine Room.

    I've had several incredibly good meals at The Engine Room.

    Auckland CBD • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew C,

    I've had several incredibly good meals at The Engine Room.

    Ive never quite understood if its me or if we've always just had bad luck in our dish selection there. Despite all the props that place gets I have not once had a meal there that lived up to its reputation.*

    Then again, perhaps it is just me - to approxi-quote Peter Calder in his review of the place "it must be good as they can cook a steak nearly as good as I can".

    *exception: the choc donut desert, a sundae glass filled with small fresh choc donuts that you proceed to pour hot chocolate sauce with cream over.

    Auckland • Since May 2008 • 169 posts Report Reply

  • Helen Phare,

    I've always assumed that the restaurateurs pay for their inclusion in the top fifty list. Is that not so? What other reason could there be for the inclusion of Monsoon Poon and The Java Room, both of which serve dull, prissy "Asian Fusion" in uncomfortable surroundings.

    And as for The Engine Room - the night I went there (never again) I received a Wiener Schnitzel that was cold, soggy and partly burned and the maitresse d' was surly.

    Mangere Bridge • Since Nov 2006 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    did you send her back?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    After the Delicious debacle, I went to a place a couple of shops down called something like "The Cake Shop" (it certainly had the word cake in there). I asked if they had any cakes. They looked at me like I was crazy. I figured this was BS and I didn't need really need a cake after all, and decided instead to have a cup of tea. Lo and behold there was a place call "The Gypsy Tea Rooms" across the street. Did they serve tea? No. I guess I did feel genuinely gypped, though, maybe that was the joke.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    What other reason could there be for the inclusion of

    My feelings about Soto. I've been there three times, once by choice, twice by others' arrangement, and everytime I've suffered shocking service and faux Japanese food that can be bettered by a dozen other Japanese restaurants within a five km radius, all accompanied by a staggering bill at the end. Never again.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I received a Wiener Schnitzel

    See, I would have had a problem at that point..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    "The Gypsy Tea Rooms" across the street. Did they serve tea? No. I guess I did feel genuinely gypped, though, maybe that was the joke.

    Lucky you went past Jafa, cause then you'd be asking for trouble.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Russell, you do do some good generous stuff.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

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