Absolutely wonderful. First dinner in Auckland and it was a winner. Our server was Valentine...she was excellent. We ordered way too much food...it just looked so good. We ordered: Wood Fired King Prawn. The King Prawn arrived and it was beautiful and very large. It was served with a black peppered pancetta and a gremolata sauce of which both enhanced the grilled prawn. Not a drop was left. Mamma D's East Coast Beef Meatballs. They were big and filling. Some of the best meatballs served in restaurant. I thought they were packed a little tight. I loosely form mine when tends to ensure tenderness. The sauce was perfect and they went well the side dishes. Cacio & Pepe was served and it was the prettiest we had ever seen and probably the best we have ever had. Put it right up there with those served in Roma. Polenta - another winner and beautiful. It also went well with the meatballs. Creamy and delicious just wish we could have eaten the whole dish or had a kitchen where we were staying...that good. Baduzzi was hopping the night we were there. So glad that we had reservations...highly recommend booking. read more

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Balduzzi is a spot I've been to twice. It's in Wynard Quarter in a cozy spot near the ASC building. It's even got an Italian three wheeled truck outside. The owner is from Italy and the care shows. The pastas are great and the highlight are the meatballs. They are huge so beware but delicious. We were yearly too full after the great bread to even think about the pasta but they were both great. There are two parts to the restaurant but we liked the patio area outside. Overall a nice spot for both lunch and dinner. read more

Great service wonderful food. Staff is on top of everything and super helpful Portions are perfect. Five stars all the way read more

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Went back to Baduzzi again on a Monday night, it was humming and we got a lovely waitress who was Italian If you just want a chilled night with great food then this will never disappoint read more

Baduzzi - Great take on the Tiramasu it's like a deconstructed one I love the more traditional ones but this was pretty good - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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We came to Baduzzi excited for exceptional Italian food--and it truly felt like being transported back to Bologna. We tried the cacio e pepe, tortellini, and chicken cacciatore. The cacio e pepe was outstanding--so good, in fact, that we came back the very next night just to order it again as an appetizer before dinner elsewhere. With a couple of days left in Auckland, we're already planning another visit. We also had the chance to meet the owner, and it was inspiring to see his hands-on approach--moving food around, checking in on service, and even making sure we were comfortable with the portion sizes we ordered. He's clearly dedicated, detail-oriented, and hustling to create something special. Watching that level of passion in action was a real bonus to the dining experience. If you're looking for exceptional Italian food, a warm and purposeful atmosphere, and reasonable pricing, Baduzzi is highly recommended. read more

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Great vibe and bar scene. I just didn't like what I ordered. Soggy flatbread with statically and aubergine. Polenta was good but thin. Drinks were great. Would try it again read more

Baduzzi - Flatbread with eggplant and polenta - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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My husband and I chose Auckland for our milestone anniversary celebration trip and set up a photoshoot with a local photographer who couldn't stop raving about her favorite Italian restaurant: Baduzzi. Later that evening, we met the owner of Baduzzi, Michael, who reminded us of American Thanksgiving is tomorrow and his wife was making a pumpkin pie for the occasion. This was twice now this restaurant was recommended to us within 24 hours! The next day, we called, made a reservation, and when we arrived,Michael greeted us and seemed pleased we decided to patronize his restaurant on Thanksgiving. We were blown away by the Italian journey via food we were able to take and the endearing story of his family's recipes being passed down and recreated in this restaurant's menu and experience. We started off with barbecued shaved broad squid & cannellini beans w parsley & lemon (strong start), then we moved onto lamb meatballs with lemon & rosemary, which is as delicious as it sound, since ingredients are super local and fresh. Our first entree was heavenly: saffron & potato tortellini with goat cheese, brown butter, almonds, and figs, this arrived as 4 separate pieces, and I had to remind myself that we had to share this dish; entree number 2 was another local treat: venison fillet, sweet corn purée, asparagus with wine sauce, and it was so delicious and we were amazed how each course somehow was better than the previous! Of course we ended the evening with homemade pumpkin pie, courtesy of the owner's wife. So glad we patronized this place, and hope others are as wowed as we were! read more

Oh my gosh, what an amazing experience we had at Baduzzi! That's just what it was, not dinner, an experience. We had the most wonderful waiter, Daniel. He was knowledgeable about the menu, had great recommendations, never rushed us, and was completely lovely to chat with. He even provided us with a list of recommendations for things to do around Auckland. The owner Michael was so kind. My 5 year old told him he wants to be a chef when he grows up and Michael didn't hesitate with giving my kids a tour of the kitchen, a chat with the head chef, and let them watch as the pastry chef made their own personal desserts. To top it off, he even opened up his traveling meatball van and let the kids crawl inside to "drive" and have their picture taken. It was a busy night but we were told our party of 6 could easily be accommodated at an outside table. The weather was perfect but Daniel immediately brought out blankets to keep us comfortable once the sun started to go down. The food was the best meal we've had since being in New Zealand. Our party had a variety of things off the menu we started laughing at how often someone exclaimed "oh that's good!" We sampled lamb and venison meatballs, eggplant Parmesan, scotch steak, chicken schnitzel, a superb browned butter and sage ravioli dish and a salmon tortellini dish. We also had the award winning tiramisu, an unbelievably high quality Americano, and a raspberry sorbet lava cake dessert. I cannot say enough good things about our time here. Please, if you go anywhere for a meal in Auckland, make it at Baduzzi. read more

This restaurant is exceptional. We are from Hawaii but originally from the East Coast USA which has amazing Italian food. The food at Baduzzi's is not only better than the East Coast but far exceeds Italy itself (which we have explored extensively). The service was excellent as well. We highly recommend this exceptional restaurant - the best in New Zealand. read more

Highly recommend this place for gluten free eaters. Cacio e pepe was perhaps the best I've ever had, and I've been to Italy. Friendly service, too. Vegetables were seasoned well. Wish I could go back! read more

I'll start by saying I was not planning on eating here. I went to The Grove (without a rsv) and they didn't have room for me. The kind man I spoke to happened to be the owner and told me about his sister restaurant which he was heading to. In true Kiwi style he gave me a lift over. The food was so fresh and so beautifully plated. I had the zucchini flower and the fresh homemade pasta along with some gelato. Honestly so good each and every bite. It's also in a part of town I don't know I would have seen with a great liveliness and nightlife. Thank you Michael for your hospitality and for bringing your love for food over to NZ where we can all enjoy. read more

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We are visiting from Hawaii and ate here. Last year we went to Italy and this place was just as good if not better. A must try place. Our waiter was excellent. read more

This place was amazing! The environment was ambient, the waiters were considerate and everything came out so fast! Every single dish was delightful and so unique and so so delicious! Strongly recommended! A beautiful place to dine and an amazing experience of wonderful italian food! read more

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Proper food with good service ;) The lamb is cooked with very tender bites and I love the sauce. Gelato is quite standard. read more

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Stellar service and the food and wine selection was over the top. One f the best meals my husband and I have had in a long time. We see only in Aukland for a short time but I hope to return to Baduzzi before we leave! read more

My son and I were visiting Auckland for the day and we felt like Italian food and found Baduzzi through Yelp. We were blown away by the quality and taste of everything we ordered. This is 5 star food in a small neighborhood bistro that immediately makes you feel at home in their comfortable surroundings. The Michelin star people need to give this place serious consideration! The service was also way above average, with no less than 3 different servers taking care of us to make sure we had enough of everything we wanted. If you're in Auckland long enough to grab lunch or dinner, this is the best place for it in the entire city! read more

Really good food and a charming atmosphere! We will certainly go back when we visit Auckland again.

Food, service and ambiance are all terrific. We came for dinner and were not disappointed. We had three plates to share, the short ribs, crayfish meatballs and Pappardella ripens with spinach, ricotta, provolone and marinara. All were excellent and inventive. We spoke with the owner, a Yankee's fan, about the Workd Series, and wished him better luck next year. We are Dodgers's fans. The evening could not have been nicer. read more

This is a great spot, very popular and trendy. We were crazy about the staff and, apparently, the owners. Really friendly and attentive staff. The food is creative and crafted with care and was fun to eat. We got the squid and cannellini appetizer as well as the Yellowfin cannoli. Delicious! Especially the yellowfin which reminded me of carpaccio...sliced really thin. My daughter ordered the saffron and potato tortellini and I got the snapper. We shared a delicious tomato salad too. All delicious. We finished off with a very creative Tiramisu. We enjoyed every minute. If there's one slight complaint I'd say the portions were small. We needed everything we ordered. Nevertheless, the experience was great and I'd go back in a heartbeat. read more

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The food, service, and ambiance is excellent. We enjoyed the seafood. The Tiramisu is tasty. I will visit again. The drink selection is great and the mocktail drinks are flavorful. read more

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Excellent food, great service and amazing staff. Thank you Michael! You were right....thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Absolutely wonderful dinner. Inventive menu with many, many tempting choices. If we were aucklanders we would be coming often to enjoy their well executed dishes. The restaurant has a lovely, lively vibe of guests enjoying their meal. Wait staff was excellent. Nothing more to add other than it's a must place to go. read more

This is a lovely Italian eatery. My companions and I visited for lunch on a sunny day, so we sat in the outdoor patio area. It was very pleasant. We enjoyed very good service and some nice dishes - Squid and White Bean Salad, Buttered Maltagliati (with Duck and Porcini) and Pork Rigatoni with fennel and percorino. Everything was delicious, nicely served and delivered quickly. Our meals were accompanied with a very smooth Pinot Gris. I would return here, it was relaxed, plenty of room and good for chatting. read more

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We were really, really happy we chose Baduzzi for our night out in Auckland! The saffron tortellini was absolutely incredible. Great ambiance and delicious food. I'd absolutely go back read more

Had one of my favorite dishes here! The owner was so nice when he saw two lost folks trying to figure out what to eat and recommended a couple dishes. He did not disappoint with any of his recommendations. The eggplant on the flat bread dish is now on my top three favorite food list. Trust me when I say you HAVE to try it. He also recommended the crayfish and I will preface that I don't like seafood but I hate shellfish. I was hesitant to try but the owner told me to trust him and wow. The sauce was delicious and the crayfish has the most beautiful buttery texture to it. I still won't be eating shellfish back home but I'll have crayfish anytime at Baduzzi. We had the maltagliati with duck and the seafood ravioli as well. The texture of the pasta was perfect and it was so good. I could eat the pasta all day. read more

Date night with bae! No, not the Fat Panda, but Tracey M. This place sells itself as a modern Italian restaurant. It's in a trendy location in Auckland on a street block shared with other popular restaurants. The interior was dimly lit and had a very nice atmosphere. Popular amongst yuppies like us. To start, Tracey and I ordered their Italian soup and their popular crayfish meatballs as appetizers. The Italian soup consisted of mini cheese tortellini in broth. It was incredibly salty! So much so that I could only eat the tortellini. Not a fan. The crayfish meatballs were very rich and tasty. Too bad they were served lukewarm. My friend had a seafood pasta and I had their beet pasta..which was surprisingly delicious! If there's one thing I've learned, New Zealanders love their beets and they put it in everything: salad, burgers, side dishes and now pasta! Overall, interesting dishes that may make its way to Hawaii in time. Not the best Italian that I've had, but potentially worth going out of your way for if you're craving finer dining in Auckland (which can be hard to find). read more

Definitely in my Top 5 of "MUST TRY Restaurants" in Auckland! So lets get right to it... = Ambiance & Atmosphere = Every time I've walked by Baduzzi, it was always packed. I recommend calling right when they open at 11:30am to make a reservation. Luckily, I came here on a weekday, and scored a table right away. The weather went from cloudy to clear, so a table out on the patio was perfect. The tables were wooden and simple, clean and classic! First date kinda place? Yes, indeed! + = Polpette & Primi = + Now lets start with the Fiordland crayfish meatballs ($19 nzd)... A foodgasmic introduction at it's best! The soft texture and filling were just wholesome! An appetizing treat of delicately sweet tasting crayfish, and being complimented by the marinara sauce which went quite well. The balls were simply luscious and should be eaten slowly. Why? Because you'll wanna eat them at the same time you have your meal. Don't ruin the fun by devouring them. Just my two cents :) Oh yeah, and perfect with my glass of soft tannin Mesa Primo Scuro ($14 nzd). ~ Buttered maltagliati pasta with duck pieces and porcini ragu ($26 nzd). Another winner! And probably one of the best ragu's I've ever tried! A savory explosion in my mouth with every bite. The duck pieces were tasty, and the sauce was simply exquisite. The pasta was light, and had that fresh home-made taste. I truly enjoyed this dish, and highly recommend it. ~ Ricotta cannoli with citrus confit ($9 nzd): Hooo man, what a treat! This was the perfect dessert for a perfect meal. Kinda threw me off with the ice cream on the side, but made who doesn't love New Zealand ice cream? Can't go wrong with ordering a cannoli, but next time I'm trying the tiramisu. = + = Service = + = I forget if her name was Rose, but I did receive excellent service right from her right from the start. Even when she went for a break, she introduce another waitress who would assist and serve me the goods. Water glass refills, no issues. Overall, if you're thinking of going here, don't think just GO! Or at least set a reservation for it. Dress appropriately and you'll fit right in. An admirable choice for some fine dining. Take a date, and she'll fall head over heals for you! read more

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Have been to Baduzzi a few times now and have never been disappointed. The service is excellent and the food is great. Went for a lunchtime celebration and the food was excellent. I would especially like to recommend the Crayfish meatballs. They were exceptional. We also enjoyed the Lamb meatballs and a number of other great dishes but thee meatballs were a standout. Finished with to desserts, a Tiramisu and a Chocolate torte which were worth the visit on their own. While not the cheapest of restaurants, for a special occasion you can't go wrong read more

Overall a great experience. Food. Wine. Service. From previous reviews it is clear they change their menu regularly so little point in giving Yelpers a detailed description of our dining but highly recommend asking the wait staff for wine reccomendations as they are eager to find just the right one for each person. Highly recommend giving the Vego options a try as they are particularly good and I'm an omnivore. See my pics for examples. read more

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I've only been once but I am going to go out on a limb and put Baduzzi straight onto my list of must try restaurants in Auckland. Owned and operated by Michael Dearth (The Grove), this is Modern Italian at it's best. The menu at Baduzzi is divided into four sections - Piccolo (small plates), Polpette (meatballs), Primi and Secondi and even though my dining partner and I were sharing we still found it hard to narrow it down to a justifiable amount of food. Just to cover all our bases, we ended up ordering a dish from each section - inslata of squid and cannellini beans, chicken and veal meatballs, beetroot tagliatelli and pulled milk-fed goat with polenta and grilled lettuce. Our favourite was the definitely the tagliatelli which was beautifully delicate and came with a perfectly runny quails eggs and fried paua. A close second was the meatballs, which were tender and moist and came in a rich, tomato and green olive sauce. Our only criticism was that we found the squid dish to be a little overcooked and under seasoned - all either of us could taste was lemon! Given we went on their second night we were also amazed by the level of service. The Maitre D was fabulous and checked on us several times throughout the evening and our lovely spanish waitress really went the extra mile. Not only did she ask if we wanted a fourth meatball for ease of sharing but she also happily brought us out bread to mop up the jus from our pulled rabbit. As if you weren't already sold, Baduzzi is also affordable - all of the mains are under $28 and the entrees around $15! Seriously... G E T . H E R E . N O W ! read more

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Baduzzi definitely has 'WOW' factor. For a Monday night, to be fully booked (without a reservation) is impressive in Wynyard Corner, on a wintery Auckland night. The experience starts as you enter with a 'cloak-room' styled space to your left, as you open the main door. The maître d guides you to the bar, as he listens to your dining request. Vibrancy, electric ambience and refinement fill the space, that is immediately satisfying. The Italian menu is overwhelming with choice. I settled on the snapper with delectable green-lip mussels and my friend had the exquisite tortellini with scampi. No dessert on this occasion, only a long black, after a few gin & tonics...just LOVED this restaurant. read more

Baduzzi - Market fish - Snapper - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

That night, I thought I finally came to heaven. A heaven of dessert. Baduzzi's tiramisu (15) was so shockingly good that I forgot about all other dishes we had here. Custard and ladyfingers were wrapped in a perfectly round crispy biscuits. What's more, this was topped up with the most delicious chocolate meringues which were light and crunchy. Jesus. Rest of the food was rather disappointing. Tortelloni w scampi & scallops (9 each) were too fishy, Clam linguini (18) was overcooked and a touch mushy. Crayfish meatballs (18) were the best out of the three but all these dishes were too salty to my liking. I wished we had ordered bread or something to balance up the saltiness. The price is on the high side as all portions were tiny except for the Tiramisu. read more

Baduzzi - Clam linguini - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Good food subtracted from by incredible noise and a table placed in a walkway. We made the wrong decision to take the table rather than wait 40 minutes. Take the table for a drink but wait to dine at one where people don't walk by every minute. Wait staff were good. read more

What can I say, this place was impressive. Went for lunch on ANZAC day and the place was pleasantly quiet and had a lovely table in the sun where we were doted on by the staff. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant and the food magnificent. We started with the squash flowers and HUGE prawns, both I would highly recommend. This was followed by the wagyu beef meatballs, and venison meatballs, which again, were born delectable and melt in your mouth delicious. How the real cherry on top was the dessert. My favourite was the pear tart with fejioa gelato and fresh raspberries, but the terimasu was one of the best I've had in Auckland (though haven't had many, this was amazing). All and all, this is a must go to for a meal in Auckland and I will certainly hope to be back to try more from their menu. read more

Baduzzi - Dessert - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

I honestly can't remember visiting a city where I had as many five star meals in such a short period of time as I've had here in Auckland. Baduzzi is absolutely brilliant from their menu to their service and execution, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere? Having had a bit of a panic attack upon arriving in Auckland and realizing that Baduzzi, which was atop my culinary bucket list for the city, was closed every day but my final day in the city for the holidays. That being the case, I near sprinted to the restaurant around 1800 on a Tuesday evening to find that it was not surprisingly packed to the very gills. Fortunately, my brilliant server (Josh I believe he was called) got me seated on a small high top table and took care of everything from prompt and attentive service to some great recommendations. The atmosphere at Baduzzi is excellent, with the standard hybrid indoor outdoor seating arrangement that's very Auckland while maintaining some Italian flair. Excellent. Star Granted. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? Like so many other places in the city, I expected some knock out high prices here at Baduzzi given the restaurant's popularity of late, but I was more than pleased to find that my pasta main came to only NZ$26.00, which was a real bargain given the portion you can make out in the pictures below. I'll admit that the NZ$16.00 trio of meatballs also pictured were a bit overpriced as I see it, but that pasta is what counts no? and meatballs are meant to be shared anyway. Nonetheless, there's some good value here at Baduzzi. Star Granted. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? Goodness gracious how good was this? First off, my Lamb and Wild Thyme meatballs were an excellent starter, with gamey and flavorful meat offset nicely with moist fillers in a splendid spiced red gravy of sorts. Even when the meatballs had been claimed I sat there and dipped my fork in the sauce I kid you not. The Buttered Maltagliati with Duck and Porcini Ragu, Buttercup & Pickled Black Walnuts was as good a pasta dish as I've had, with fresh handmade pasta coming together with the perfect portion of Duck and flavorful porcini mushrooms in a buttery sauce that had me wishing only that I had to stomach capacity for more. Marvelous. Dual Stars Granted. Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could? Absolutely. While I'd admit if you held a gun to my head that Baduzzi still doesn't dethrone my all time favorite Italian restaurant East Mamma in Paris, this was one of the best Italian culinary experiences I've had, and I'd gladly come here daily. Star Granted. read more

Baduzzi - Buttered Maltagliati with Duck and Porcini Ragu: NZ$26.00 - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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As a vegetarian, I wasn't sure what to expect. There are a lot of Italian words on the menu but our waiter was very happy to translate. I had the Melanzane and Burrata cheese, and the Saffron Gnocchi. For dessert I had the Cannoli with ricotta, citrus confit and chocolate chips. Everything was beautifully presented and tasted amazing. The combination of flavours was perfect. My family were all very satisfied too - they enjoyed their meatballs and everything else. Our only complaint was that the prawn risotto was too salty. Make sure you save room for dessert. Great service. Very professional, helpful and friendly. We each had three courses. Including drinks, our total bill between 7 was $475. read more

Baduzzi - Sorry about the colour of the lighting - was sitting under a heat lamp that altered the colour. This is the Gnocchi. Heaven! - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

The food here was so good that my co-worker and I came a second time for dinner during our one-week stay in Auckland. The tomato carpaccio salad and the risotto with prawns were perfect, both times. We also tried two different types of meatballs (one deer, one beef) that were outstanding. The figs were also delicious. I would be remiss not to add that the location is beautiful, and the wait staff were super friendly. read more

Baduzzi - Signage - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

I love the idea of a walking degustation. Working out South and living on the Shore, I don't always go out to town to eat. So when I do, I find myself going to at least three places - one for a meal, dessert, and drinks after. Wynyard Quarter can be a bit of a walk from the central city but on a gorgeous day, it's a good excuse for a stroll across the little bridge. The restaurant itself is gorgeous - warm rustic hues and overflowing greenery. There's a variety of different seating options with beautiful round sofas for more intimate group dining. As I've started playing with cakes and decorating, I've started opting for desserts that are less sweet with a more mysterious element. The tiramisu with Baileys and chocolate cream hits all the right spots for me. Rightly meaning "pick me up" or "lift me up" in Italian, the coffee taste wasn't too strong but mixed well with the dreamy mascarpone. It was a pleasure to crack into the shell case and use it to scoop up the cream. I prefered it over the Valrhona torta caprese (chocolate almond cake) with raspberry sorbet. It was a work of art when it came and no doubt would be a favourite for any chocolate lover. It seems to be a given that most chocolate desserts are now made with Valrhona chocolate and the quality shows. The sweet and sour combination was very punchy and energising upon every mouthful. Thumbs ups for the dessert experience. Being an Italian restaurant, I'd love to go back to try their wagyu meatballs and handmade pastas. A peak at the menu also shows an extensive vegetarian menu so it could potentially tick all the boxes for group dining needs! read more

Baduzzi - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Baduzzi is the second creation of award winning chef Ben Bayly. Serving Italian influenced food, they also focus on serving the finest handmade meatballs. Originally I was hesitant about Baduzzi as I had heard mixed reviews and when I got a small taste of the goat sandwich at the Auckland Taste food show last year- it didn't go down very well - after finding a huge bone in my sandwich. We came early on a Monday night and it obviously does well because the place really filled up, mostly the corporate clientele, which obviously is due to the location. The wagyu meatballs were the most attractive option on the menu due to be served with an onion gravy. They were incredibly flavoursome and it was great being served medium rare. Again the crayfish meatballs were tender and juicy but they have pork meat mixed in with the crayfish giving it the fat it needs to avoid a dry texture. The linguine with clams was nice but didn't wow me and clams were slightly over cooked. It just didn't quite stand out as much as the meatballs. However I am always inclined to try hand made pasta. Again the restaurant offers an Italian influence which gives room for The service was interesting. All the staff were attentive but maybe a little too much. They keep your water topped up but it was getting to the point that its a bit over bearing and unnecessary when they are interrupting your conversation. Don't get me wrong they were friendly but just a little too in your face. Overall the restaurant brings a chic and warm atmosphere with warm hearty meals. Rating Food: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Value for Money: Good Cnr Jellicoe Street and Fish Lane, North Wharf Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 1130am-Late read more

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This was lovely little find in Auckland and shouldn't be missed if you love Italian food. I have dined a lot of places and Italian is one of my all time favorites and this was easily in the top 5 Italian restaurants I have ever been to. This place was recommended by the Sofitel as well as a few locals and it did not disappoint. The menu is very inviting and has a lot of amazing choices. I wish I could of ordered more after dining here. I started with the pancetta wrapped prawns which where wood-fired grilled and wrapped in pancetta served on top of a parsnip puree. This dish was full of flavor yet light and perfect for an appetizer. The prawns were huge and decadent and could be ordered individually or as many as you wanted at $9 NZ each (well worth the cost) The next dish I tried was the red venison meatballs at the recommendation of a server . I had researched this place before dining and read a lot about the lamb meatballs and crayfish meatballs so this was a pure gamble. Again it did not disappoint. The porcini mushroom sauce was decadent and full of bold flavors that complemented the meatballs nicely. Overall a nice balance of flavors and the meatballs were cooked to perfection. My main entree I wavered between the linguine with clams and their signature dish ; the duck pasta .I ultimately decided on the duck pasta and was pleasantly surprised at the combination of flavors that were married together but delightful to a foodies palate. The flavors were amazing and unlike any other pasta dish I have experienced . The pasta was handmade and cooked perfectly . The duck was perfectly cooked and the flavors just went perfectly together. I can see why this place was named top 1000 places to eat worldwide . Best Italian food and locally owned and operated. The little nuts served with the pasta added a nice round flavor. Lastly I had read so many good things about the tiramisu dessert and being a tiramisu lover I had to make room to try it. This was again one of the best tiramisus that I have had. It was so delicious and yet very light. It was deconstructed version of tiramisu but the flavors and combinations went well together. It was beautifully presented on the plate. The chocolate mousse was so delicious and yet so light. A high quality chocolate infused with baileys was a nice palate teaser and was a welcome addition to the dessert. I could of ordered The lady fingers had a nice taste of alcohol within the creamy custard. Overall this is a dessert NOT to be missed if you adventurous, love traditional Italian with a modern twist. As for the service and hospitality I overall had a pretty good experience and had several people waiting on me. The service was a bit slow at times but it was a Friday night and they were extremely busy. I actually ended up sitting in one of the high top tables and asked to move to a different table half way in between the meals. Overall , 5 stars across the board and if I know of anyone traveling to NZ this will be on my list for sure. Hope to come back during the second stop over in Auckland on the way back to the USA. Keep up the amazing work and thanks for providing Italian love in NZ. read more

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