Romantic restaurant recommendations for this weekend (Auckland)

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Networkn
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#3050095 14-Mar-2023 14:38

Lizard1977:

I did look at The Sugar Club - the view from the Sky Tower would be impressive - but I wasn't enthused by the menu.

Someone at work mentioned Wildfire - a Brazillian steakhouse. It sounds like you can pay for a set menu and they just bring over food from that menu throughout the meal. It sounds quite good - anyone have any good or bad experiences there?

I like Wildfire, it can vary a bit in terms of experience.

Having said that, it's not a romantic environment, and if you aren't a huge carnivore, then it's somewhat less attractive, though they do have sides and salads and the like, and you can just focus on the types of protein you do like.

Probably more a casual meal or a group meal out in my experience. We have taken staff for xmas parties there etc for example.

duckDecoy

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#3050158 14-Mar-2023 16:21

Lizard1977:

Someone at work mentioned Wildfire - a Brazillian steakhouse. It sounds like you can pay for a set menu and they just bring over food from that menu throughout the meal. It sounds quite good - anyone have any good or bad experiences there?

This would definitely NOT fit into the romantic venue category. We've generally been underwhelmed by the food, but to each their own I guess.

MikeAqua

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#3050164 14-Mar-2023 16:54

Depends on what your gf's version of romantic is but I really like the seafood restaurant in the old ferry building. Get a reservation for a balcony table and time it for sunset.

That's what would work for mine.

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#3050171 14-Mar-2023 17:42

Lizard1977:

Looking for some options on the North Shore, and Devonport is a pretty cool place. What is Nicolino like?

Nicolino is pretty small and perhaps a little rustic (?) for a romantic dinner - and a bit pricey (in my view) once you take the whole experience into account. Vic Road Kitchen and Signal Hill are probably nicer/more romantic options in Devonport, and may have a few more menu items meeting your/your partner's food preferences. Signal Hill has some nice outdoor tables if that's your thing.

The Engine Room in Northcote used to be a bit of a go-to across that side of the Shore, but it's been quite a while since I was last there and I believe it's got quite expensive - though still good apparently.

neb

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#3050176 14-Mar-2023 18:17

The Sky Tower is pretty impressive if you set the booking up right, get a later booking before sunset and you get to watch the sun set from high up during dinner, in addition there often aren't any bookings after your one so instead of the single rev you can stay for two, or at least as long as you otherwise feel like.

Alternatively, pick up pizza from Mamma Mia's in Mission Bay, then drive up to the Savage Memorial and watch the sun set over the harbour as you eat it. Romantic isn't how much you spend, it's the setting.

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#3050178 14-Mar-2023 18:50

Where are you staying in the central city? an easy stroll or a drinks stop afterwards may factor into the experience.

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#3050183 14-Mar-2023 19:15

Quality, quantity, affordable.

Pick two.

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#3050189 14-Mar-2023 19:40

jbm:

The Engine Room in Northcote used to be a bit of a go-to across that side of the Shore, but it's been quite a while since I was last there and I believe it's got quite expensive - though still good apparently.

It's still pretty good there, my wife went about a month ago and said its still excellent. There's a wonderful movie theatre over the road from it if you fancy a dinner and a movie. The only downside is it's pretty isolated, there isn't much else to do or places to stroll afterwards if that's your thing. Devonport or Takapuna would be better bets if you want to while your time away afterwards.

RogerMellie

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#3050195 14-Mar-2023 20:14

Engine Room, in Birkenhead.

https://www.engineroom.net.nz/

I'd budget for a couple of rounds of their cocktails, they're pretty good.

Ha - got up and left my draft for an hour, and someone has already mentioned it. If I was still single/with a girlfiend, Engine Room would be restaurant of choice.

Dunnersfella

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#3050202 14-Mar-2023 20:31

KFC.

Let her up-size.

There's no way she can resist you after that.

Handle9

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#3050205 14-Mar-2023 20:54

networkn:

Lizard1977:

Just not a fan of salmon. On rare occasions I can be persuaded to a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich, but baked or grilled salmon doesn't really appeal.

That being said, I went to Yaruki in Browns Bay last year and tried a little sashimi and I was surprised how tasty it was. So maybe it's down to the way it's prepared?

In my experience, the reason most people don't like Fish or a particular type of fish, is how it's prepared, or a bad experience they have had with it.

Primarily in my experience, there are a lot of people who have eaten not fresh fish, which makes it smell and taste like fish. Fresh fish, with some exceptions, should smell like the ocean.

I am less a fan of Baked or Grilled Salmon myself, but fresh, I'd eat by the truckload. I like lightly smoked, and there are a number of cooked salmon dishes I could recommend which are exceptional.

Not that you must eat salmon or anything, but I feel fish sometimes gets an unfair rap due to peoples experience with not fresh fish.

There's salmon and there's salmon. I'm not a fan of the farmed NZ stuff but Atlantic salmon is wonderful done almost any way. I find NZ salmon far to rich.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3050244 15-Mar-2023 07:49

Costco. $1.99 hotdog and refillable drink.

With the cost of living the way it is, frugality is a highly desirable trait in a partner.

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#3050245 15-Mar-2023 08:08

Curious, is this dinner for a proposal? If so the suggestions might go up a notch.

GV27

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#3050253 15-Mar-2023 09:02

Eva888: Curious, is this dinner for a proposal? If so the suggestions might go up a notch.

Two Costco hotdogs and a refillable drink?

networkn

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#3050259 15-Mar-2023 09:06

GV27:

Eva888: Curious, is this dinner for a proposal? If so the suggestions might go up a notch.

Two Costco hotdogs and a refillable drink?

Thanks, I needed this laugh-out-loud moment in my morning which so far has been pretty much rubbish!

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