There are times when a more formal style of hospitality suits the mood. Few achieve this sense of order better than the Japanese.

Tastebuds go on a journey at this suburban eatery, discovering fresh dishes packed full of flavour and spice.

We came here because we'd heard the food and the service were fantastic, so we wanted to see if it was worth adding to our list of local favourites

Until two years ago, French restaurants were hard to find in Auckland. Now, pleasingly, I can think of 10 in the city and inner suburbs.

On a cold and blustery Tuesday evening, the Deep Creek Brewing Company (or Deep Creek Brews and Eats, as the sign reads) was doing a brisk trade.

A banquet of Thai dishes keeps a big group more than happy in Parnell.

In the car on the way back to town, I asked the others how they'd star-rate the meal we'd just had and why.

This Sri Lankan restaurant provides a rich experience at a very modest price.

An Auckland waterfront restaurant gets things dramatically wrong.

Lindsay shouldn't have set the bar so high. He was the cook at the lodge on Kapiti Island where the Professor and I stayed overnight on Anzac Day.

Soto's food and decor will likely have you waxing lyrical.

The renovation of a famed Auckland seafood restaurant proves money well spent.

Opening too soon means a less-than-perfect dining experience at this new Mexican eatery.

The Professor reckons I make the best coffee in Auckland, but she should thank Otto. Otto's not a man, but a stovetop system that is as beautiful as it is functional.

A new owner is warming up to the task at a Mt Eden local.

A fine dining Herne Bay restaurant keeps it simple but with an abundance of finesse.

Good restaurants in Sulphur City are hard to come by despite diligent searching says Peter Calder.

We came here because we had heard about this cafe in Newmarket that didn't price its meals but left it up to the customer to decide what they felt the meal was worth.

A new addition to the Auckland waterfront is a potential star.

My rule of thumb is that if an entree costs more than $20, it had better be something I can't stop thinking about the next day.

We came here because Benediction is an old favourite and we hadn't been in ages as it's a little off the beaten track for us these days now we live in the 'burbs.

The Japanese treat of skewered meats, and much more besides, is always a pleasant way to while away an evening.

Loyal regulars had mentioned to me that Cafe Rikka in Newmarket had gone badly off the boil. Then I heard it had closed. These two things may not be unrelated.

We came here because we were staying in Mangawhai for Easter - along with several thousand other people; the coastal tourist spot was packed.