In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe.

The atmosphere is…
Hushed but homely…if your home is an expensive house in Parnell. Feels posh but comfortable. Music playing at an almost inaudible level. On the evening we visited, there was more staff than diners.

Come here for…
Nostalgic (1970’s) fine dining with table service. We came to find out why Antoine’s has been in business for over 40 years.

The most interesting thing on the menu…

• Sautéed lamb brains with leek tartare, black pudding, tempura snails and teriyaki vinaigrette
• Antoine’s tripe served in a cream, sherry, onion and green peppercorn sauce
• The specials of the day included a dish with a beef tendon spring roll

Unexpectedly wonderful…

• The complimentary bread roll.
• The hushed, attentive service.
• Huge portions of meat which were very tender.

I would come back to try…
Their Chicken, leek and wild mushroom pie…if someone else was paying. I love pies so I’m just curious what a $50 pie tastes like.

Catering to…

• The old money and those looking for a nostalgic, slightly French influenced menu.
• Offal  and raw meat lovers: tripe, lamb brains, ox tongue, beef tendons, duck livers, chicken livers, veal sweetbreads, beef tartare, steak tartare, tuna tartare.
• Vegetarian options available. Gluten free status unknown.

Expect to spend…
$100-$150 per person

The service is…
Super posh and very good, though more butler than waiter. Water kept topped up (we paid $14 for water). Table crumber used to sweep away crumbs, tableservice where the waiter transfers the food from serving plate directly to your plate. Leaving the plating up to the hands of the waiter.

Avoid if…
Money does not grow on trees, as this is possibly Auckland’s most expensive dining experience. EFTPOS is not available and all prices excludie GST. Avoid Antoine’s if you are in a hurry, our visit took almost 3 hours.

Antoine’s
333 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Open every day except Sunday
http://www.antoinesrestaurant.co.nz