Recently visited the Engine Room in Northcote which has remained both popular by Aucklanders and loved by locals for many years.

The Engine room sits in what was once an Engineering building, retaining much of the building character on the outside it becomes a comfortable restaurant on the inside. Tables huddled together make for a buzzy almost Italian atmosphere.

Now to the best bit – the food is all things you like to eat, nothing weird with flavour and season clearly of the highest importance.

Last week we enjoyed the goats cheese souffle, and pork belly all lovingly done and complimented by a one page wine list filled with many of New Zealands more popular names and at prices that mean a second glass is not a stretch.

Highly recommended!

We went to the Engine Room for the second time last Tuesday night. The service was outstanding, our waitress was so patient with me as I quizzed her on the wine list, even providing tasters to help me select the right wine.

Cloudy Bay oysters were the entree special and were so good my husband ordered another half dozen after polishing off the first lot. I had the goat cheese souffle which was sublime, if a little bit hot when first served.

The flavours in my John Dory main were a refreshing change with the mint being a very nice addition.

I don’t have a sweet tooth and found both the cocktails and the dessert a bit sweet for me. (We tried the churros which everybody raves about). When we return I will stick to the extensive wine list and have the cheese board to finish.

The tables are very close together so you do tend to get friendly with neighboring diners which was fine with us, but if you are looking for a discreet dining experience try Clooney!

Definitely one the best restaurants on the Shore – a jewel in an otherwise sea of bland that is the Shore. I have dined here twice and both times the meals have been beautiful and the service outstanding. The atmosphere is wonderful. Highly recommended.

The food was fantastic. Great flavours and very fresh and original. Good portion sizes.

The service was really good and atmosphere was vibrant.

Highly recommended.

I thought the restaurant was great. We had great pumpkin soup starters, delicious mains and yummy dessert. They even brought us goat cheese pastries after our soup complimentary of the chef..
Will definately be going back.

I ate there a while ago (probably 18 months ago) and thought it was delicious. I had a pomegranate and rare beef starter which was fantastic, and I think I had a fish main, which was also great. From memory it is a reasonably casual place in terms of decor and a little cramped where we were. You won’t be miles away from other diners. But the food more than made up for that in my opinion.

why would you go back ther again if you didnt like it?