Wow! So stoked to discover this little restaurant. After having several experiences with pretentious eating out places in Auckland, was a fantastic change to experience the cuisine at Kiwi and Frog. The Beef Carpaccio was to die for! The venison and duck were cooked to perfection. The chocolate fondant was nice, but not the best. The prices are reflective of the quality of the food….in fact worth every penny. Will surely visit Kiwi and Frog when I visit Mangawhai next.

After a terrible customer service experience at “Sail Rock Cafe and Bar” (which locals had told us about) my partner and I decided to venture elsewhere to see if anywhere else was open. (Although it was only 8pm, staff at Sail Rock staff had told us no where else was open.)
We were so happy to be welcomes by the warm glow of the Frog & Kiwi Restaurant.

There’s a beautiful story written on the walls both in french and in english giving diners a lovely bit of history to the charming restaurant. As a diner it made me feel kindly included to be let in on the story like that.

The staff were wonderfully helpful, professional, yet genuine and humble. The chef, a lovely french man, even came out after the meal and had a little chat to us which was very nice. As there was so much to chose from on the menu I was indecisive about what I wanted but on the waiters recommendation my partner and I both went for the *duck a l’orange* (which I’ve had really nice day dreams about ever since).
The food was unlike any I have ever tasted before. The flavours really sang in your mouth and it was all so luxuriously beautiful you couldn’t help but eat slowly to enjoy each mouthful.
The ingredients were fresh and beautifully put together.

It’s a bit pricey so be prepared for that – but honestly it was WELL worth it.
Needless to say it was a wonderful birthday dinner and I am so happy we came across this gem of a place.

I am sure the food is fine but unfortunately we had a very bad experience at the restaurant yesterday (08/07/2012). We arrived at around 1:30pm, went in and sat down at the window. There were only two other couples having dinner at the time and were surprised that the restaurant was so empty. The waiter kindly handed us the menus, two glasses and a bottle of water. We started working our way through the menu but couldn’t’t find anything of interest to our taste and decided to rather go somewhere else to have our dinner. At this time we have not touched anything besides just sitting down at the table and looking through the menus. We got up and left the restaurant, got in our car and as we started backing out of the parking bay we noticed the chef coming towards us. Not knowing why but thinking that maybe he would like to find out why we are leaving and maybe try and convince us to rather dine at his restaurant than somewhere else, he started abusing us for coming into his restaurant and then leave without ordering anything. I was shocked at this man’s behaviour and had to close the window to get rid of him during which time he made it very clear that we are not welcome at his restaurant ever again. Well, guess what? We will never ever consider going to the Frog and Kiwi in Mangawhai again and I will not recommend anyone to go there. We left and had our dinner at another restaurant only two hundred meters from there and were welcomed warm-heartedly!

We came to Mangawhai during the summer holidays and during our stay the Frog and Kiwi was recommended for fine dining. We were not dissapointed! The range of classic and seasonal menu was high quality and catered for all. The food was very exquisite and the price reflects the expertise of the chef.
Overall we were extremly satisfied with our meal and the quick service provided. We would highly recommend the Frog and Kiwi to anybody travelling through Mangawhai who is wanting to enjoy a fabulous Kiwi or French dish.

Average. Went on a Tuesday around midday. Ordered the Kiwi Breakfast as was eager to try it with the Toulouse sausage. Was told ‘sorry we had a busy weekend and are out of sausage. Today is our shopping day’. Thought it a tad odd as it was Tuesday.
Ordered a coke ($5) to be told ‘sorry we are out of coke’. How hard is it to walk a few metres to the 4 Square to buy coke? Partner was going to order something with the toulouse sausage also but had to change.
Food took a good while to come out considering it was just a grilled cheese sandwich and a fried breakfast.
Music playing did not suit the restaurant. Was an odd mix of Hauraki type music (such as Kiss). Why don’t they play a mix of Kiwi and French music to make the experience more authentic?
Prices on the more expensive side and food just ok, nothing to rave about. Will not go for lunch or breakfast there again when up at Mangawhai. Looks like dinner is better from the other reviews.

Wow, what an experience, beautiful meal, amazing, degustation menu with the perfect hosts, thank you so much David & Natalie, you made our day. Highly recommended, who’d have thought, this gorgeous little French find in Mangawhai.

Brilliant. Finally a good restaurant in Mangawhai! Went there for dinner and we were not disappointed. Great waiter, excellent cuisine. Definitely going back.

Ugly building, minimal signage, but WHAT A DISCOVERY! It’s a REAL French cafe, set menu day and set menu nights, with seasonal specials and great local/french wine. No checkered table cloths, no gimmicks, just excellent food and wine. If you want quick cafe meals, don’t bother. If you want excellent food at the price it deserves, just go!

We were in Mangawhai for our honeymoon and were blown away with the high quality of food, wine matching and their knowledge.
We ate here many times with every meal being a privilege.
We highly recommend the Frog and Kiwi’s degustation menu.
Our recommendations don’t come lightly, my husband and myself being a chef and a wine-maker.

Great little place…. A real treat.
Extremely friendly owner operators.
From simple French petit fours which have a taste all of their own to beautifully presented main courses. Complimented by a Michele’s great wine knowledge…. and scrummy deserts…

A treasure of a place to eat. My last European guest (Swiss) believed he had not tasted better!!!!
High praise indeed from a man who travels the world…

….very highly recommended.

ianC.

Petit resto trés sympa tenu par Michel et Alison avec un trés grand cuisto de Toulouse, David, qui vous proposera une cuisine trés raffinée à la française. Faites aussi confiance à Michel pour accompagner vos plats avec des petits vins du pays excellents.