Top Plate
Top Restaurants in Auckland 2011.
The Metro Audi Restaurant Awards have been announced and The Grove has taken the Supreme Winner for the second year in a row. We must admit that we have never been there due to the fact that the exterior of the building doesn’t look too inviting and thus we have given it a miss. As they say “never judge a book by it’s cover” but by the food in this case. We will definitely be making an effort to dine there by the end of the week. Congratulations for winning this year’s Top Plate.
The other winners include some of our favourites; Cocoro, Moochowchow, Sidart, The French Café, Clooney and Te Whau. Here’s the list and we agree that they are well deserved winners:
SUPREME WINNER
The Grove
Runners-up: Cocoro, The French Café
AUDI PROGRESSIVE RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR
Makoto Tokuyama, Cocoro
RESTAURANT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Kat Vosper, Casita Miro
BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT
The Grove
Runner-up: The French Café
BEST SMART DINING RESTAURANT
O’Connell St Bistro
Runner-up: Cibo
BEST UPMARKET BISTRO
The Engine Room
Runner-up: Ponsonby Rd Bistro
BEST CASUAL BISTRO
Coco’s Cantina
Runner-up: Casita Miro
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
Cocoro
Runner-up: Moochowchow
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Non Solo Pizza
Runner-up: Totó
BEST RURAL RESTAURANT
Casita Miro
Runner-up: Te Whau
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Thymes Tables
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Cocoro
BEST SERVICE
The French Café
Runner-up: Coco’s Cantina
BEST DISH
John Dory with paua, miso and vanilla, at Sidart
BEST WINE LIST
Clooney
Runner-up: O’Connell St Bistro
BEST SHORT WINE LIST
Basque Kitchen & Bar
Runner-up: Winehot
I have been to The Grove and loved their food. I do agree with you about the exterior of the building, it does look dodgy
Clooney is my favourite, went there for my birthday and I love the decor, the service and the food. Congratulations The Grove
Never been to The Grove but I have been to Cocoro and it is awesome. It is like something that you expect to find in the wealthy areas of Tokyo. The interior and the food is a unique experience. Thanks for the list.
Some of my favourites are amiss, places such as SOTO and The Foodstore. Overall it is a good list and worth the visit.
I love The Foodstore, I am just as surprised that it didn’t crack the nod
The Grove is fab though.
Yum, yum
Thanks for the info and the links, I have compiled my list and will visit each one asap 
All good places to eat. I am just as surprised that The Foodstore isn’t there ?
Non Solo Pizza is my favourite, not just because they are in my neck of the woods but because their pizzas are awesome.
The Grove’s food is awesome but I do agree that they need to refurb the building that they are in – it is so cute but neglected. Respect for them and the heritage
Moochowchow blew my socks off. The service was impeccable and the waiters have a sense of humour, what a bonus !
Coco’s Cantina has a great vibe and very friendly. I must try The Grove but first I will start by saving some pennies