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Cuisines: Seafood, European, International, New Zealand
Neighborhood: Auckland Central
Sails is one of our favourite restaurant we have been going there for years and its one of those places where, people, service, food is always consistent you defiantly know that you will get great fresh food and professional service.
I wish there were more places like Sails 
I’m not sure whether the poor reviews are warranted, as i have not had a bad experience with Hammerheads, and choose to eat here whenever there is a special occasion. Perhaps the time or day has an effect, but i have always found the staff to be exceptionally friendly and attentive over any of my recent visits. the last time i went was for my bday, and as usual, the food was amazing as was the service. this was particularly commendable since we had 2 people with strict dietary requirements at the table. having once worked at Hammerheads, i appreciate the improvement in the menu over the years – the ingredients and tastes are fresh and simple. the chefs obviously do not feel the need to add anything unneccessary, and let the flavours speak for themselves. i began with a prawn salad with plenty of mint and coriander – the flavours were divine, and reminded me of the delicious tastes of vietnam i pine for. for the main, i had harpuka with a ‘sauce’ of seafood pieces (prawn, scallops, mussels) – the sauce usually has cream, which i requested they exclude, and the wait staff were happy to oblige. dessert was AMAZING – having been before, i know the Valrhona chocolate cake is to die for! think, the thickest, darkest, richest chocolate moussey cakey goodness, and your getting close! superb! my friend, who is allergic to eggs, nuts, shellfish, and mushrooms was looked after exceptionally well – so much so that as she was about to taste her sorbets, the matre d came rushing over and said there was nuts in the topping, and promptly whisked it away – not great that she almost ate it, but FANTASTIC that he was attentive enough to prevent it. hammerheads is a restaurant with high standards – it is not fine dining, but there manner of service is much more ‘proper’ than many of auckland’s more casual restaurants. if this makes them seem ‘pretentious’, so be it. its important to remember that perception is a two way thing – if you think someone is being ‘snobby’, that is partly YOUR interpretation of THEIR behaviour… im sure they arent intentionally pretentious, but that might just be the expected behaviour in a high quality restaurant. i love hammerheads, and will continue to go there.
Cuisines: Seafood, Pacific, New Zealand, A La Carte
Neighborhood: Auckland Central
We had almost forgotten Kermadec as had gone down hill but last year saw interesting changes. This year they seemed to have gone up to the best in Auckland We had their tasting menu and it was World class. The service was excellent and the attention was obvious as the friendly young lady in charge was watching everything. We are looking forward to taking friends to our 2010 leader and yes we have been to at least 8 of Auckland’s finest so far Tony Buckingham
We go on a regular basis for dinner. It is a great place to enjoy a meal with friends. The food is always good and service is fairly quick even when busy – which it usually is – they do try to push the drinks at you, but so do most other places nowadays. Comparing it on the whole I think the Grand Harbour is hard to beat for value. It will take a lot to stop us being regular visitors.
Cuisines: Seafood, New Zealand, European
Neighborhood: Auckland Central
I had an outstanding lunch in the sunshine at Soul Bar, with a relaxing environment, great food & extremely excellent wait-staff. Uber-attentive waiters/waitress topped up my water-glass whenever it got low, I was greeted warmly, and had my napkin laid out on my lap for me. I was greeted by a very knowledgeable and friendly young woman who recommended the perfectly cooked, succulent squid entree – because I had limited time. It arrived freshly cooked, literally within 3 minutes of me ordering – accompanied by the crisp rocket & parmesan side-salad I ordered. Georgeous setting – view of boats & harbour bridge. Sunshine washing in over all the corporate lunch diners, on the open-sided deck – which is sheltered outside under a glass awning/ceiling. With Fat Freddy’s Drop playing in the background . . . the perfect lunch experience.
Cuisines: New Zealand, Seafood, European, Bistro
Neighborhood: Mechanics Bay
My wife and I came here end of Winter last year for dinner. We were greeted well and taken to our table located right in front of the fire place. A nice romantic seating place if you with your wife/partner/girl friend. please make reservation. It does surely bring out the mood..just don’t seat to close..lol. The place is very well design with contemporary deco..with a nice lounge bar as well. The entree were very nice..Crystal Bay prawns and Ceviche of Akaroa salmon. mains we had Pan-fried snapper one of the best snappers I have tried so far and slow cooked Duck which was nice as well..but not on the menu list..The waitress were very friendly and helpful, knew the menue and wine list so that was not a problem..price wise..its fine dining, so be ready with your c/crd. but was worth every penny.
Food quality and taste actually rate 4.5 stars. Went for Yum Char Lunch with family. Reasonable prices. Service at times a bit slow. Types of food for yum char a bit limited (compared to other restaurant Yum char). Can order specific Yum Char dish that they serve, if none appears while you wait. Might try for a dinner here some time soon and see what the difference is.
Cuisines: New Zealand, Seafood, Fish & Chips, A La Carte
Neighborhood: Auckland Central
Relaxing seafood & surf restuarant. Varying service tho – one time we ordered at the table and another we waited ages to find out we had to order at the bar (both for dinner). Their garlic bread is super awesome and best thing is cocktail happy hour 5 – 7pm for $6!! Food is good but sometimes has an average component (e.g. boring shrimp with a good steak). Good place to hang out casually too.
North Island