More than any other Italian restaurant I’ve experienced outside of Italy, this restaurant captures the fine, distinctive mix of tastes that so epitomizes Italian cuisine. It is not so obvious if you’ve never been there. (Italy OR Trattoria alla Toscana) It is obvious. Trust me.

We started with a bottle of Prosecco and had a bowl of local Green lipped Mussels in a Neopolitan salsa that took me back to my first visit to Italy 26 years ago. To the best of my ability to ascertain, this was an elegant mixture of olive oil, tomatoes, lemon, garlic, and white wine. The ciabatta had a velvety texture, tasty, and very helpful for dipping. The mussels were big at four inches and were juicy, plump, tender morsels of the sea which, when bathed in the broth made me sad that there were only ten in the bowl. Next, came a bowl of house made ravioli with mushrooms and ricotta cheese in an orange tinged lighltly creamy, white wine sauce for Trinj and a house made Pappardelle with mushrooms and smoked salmon sauce for me. The only thing I could say about both pasta dishes bursting with an exquisitely blended palette of tastes while simultaneously maintaining their subtle distinctness, was you have to try this yourself if you’re in New Zealand. Or maybe even if you’re not.

A bottle of 2007 Hawkes Bay Alpha Romus Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon wine came out and as we started to make a dent of it, the Secondi came out, a sixteen ounce Florentine T-bone steak. This was not lamb. This was not a hamburger. This was a 16 ounce T-bone steak cooked in a traditional Florentine style, with garlic, olive oil and rosemary, which I have been in love with since my first bite years ago. Yo, Baby, yo. As I cut into it and watched the purplish, juices come out of the meat and seep onto the plate, I could almost smell the wondrous meaty smell—–but of course I can’t. I can’t smell. Even so, as I took my first bite of the succulent beef, I thought back to a time in Tacoma.

I smiled as I took my first bite. I looked at my wife as she took her first bite. We smiled at each other. This was real. This was not lamb. This was a beautiful cut of meat, beef steak or bisteca, cooked to perfection. The taste, the texture, the juiciness, the tenderness, the feel of it in the mouth, the way it played on all of one’s senses. This was a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, Baby! The wine did a service to the dish.

A cheese plate followed which was nicely accompanied by walnuts, apricots, kiwi, melons, some more wonderful ciabatta and some crackers.

Then came dessert. The profiteroles came out soft and drizzled in chocolate filled with a sumptuous light cream. Perfectly done. The sadness that comes with the end of each course is quickly overtaken at the giddy pleasure that comes from the next wondrous caress of the taste buds of the following course.


All in all, a great Thanksgiving dinner in New Zealand.

Absolutely gorgeous food. Friendly and entertaining staff make yuo feel more than welcome. A place with personality. The food was amazing. I’ve had the seafood pasta both times I’ve been…….(I’m not even a seafood fan usually) and I adore it. Something special and different. Well worth the effor to go and have a look. Personality and Personality plus. Well done! ( :

This is a very pretty restaurant, I had one of the most delicious pastas I have ever eaten here, the service is very good and even the chef came out to chat with us, 100% recommended.

The four of us had a delicious meal. But apart from the excellent food, the service was outstanding, the atmosphere good, and of course it was wonderful to see the chef again who came by to have a chat. We are so happy to see the return ofTrattoria alla Toscana.

Chef is genuine Italian and his wife and Maitre ‘d is a kiwi lady with loads of experience, having lived in Italy for several years (where, I found out, they met).
Service is brilliant and food is absolutely delicious and fresh.
Wines are lovely, and the complimentary liqueur for coming back the 2nd time was a lovely touch!
We’ll be back next time we’re in Napier.

Dined here tonight. Service was great and the food was delicious and timed appropriately. Would definitely recommend (and in fact already have recommended it to my mum who babysat my three mth old). I only have two points of note to make my rating five stars. 1. Straws should be in non alcoholic beverages especially when served to girls. 2. why is there no vegetarian main? and three steak dishes! I am a vegan so was particularly looking for a veg dish. However I must say the stuffed field mushroom was beautiful

Dined here on Wednesday night after walking in off the street…no booking but were accommodated immediately. Had great service from all the staff – even the chef came out to talk to us. Food was impeccable – the signature dish divine, the risotto light and flavoursome, and the wine match ups – recommended. Followed by equally gorgeous desserts, liqueur and then a special something from the establishment – most unexpected and showed how going that extra mile can make a night of it – thanks.

we ate there last night. Just wonderful. Food was excellent in taste, timing, portion size and presentation. Staff are always wonderful, and the head chef is the friendliest chef I’ve come across. Absolutely recommend this place. One thing we find needed to change is music,it is beautiful,but far too loud,
will be more appreciated, if it is softer.
Thanks for the great experience! We will be back soon.

We had a beautiful meal last night at the newly refurbished restaurant. The service and food were fabulous. We ate far too much and rolled out two happy campers. Will definitely go back, its great to have a nice place to go to right in the City.