"Sugar, salt, fat," said Robert, as we tucked into the churros con chocolate at the Basque Kitchen and Bar. "You can't beat them."

La dolce vita is just a ferry ride away at Poderi Crisci restaurant on Waiheke.

Top marks for a class act in Auckland's Herne Bay.

Your guide to Auckland's food courts - a banquet of cheap eats.

The expansive view from the back veranda of The Java Room is slightly spoiled by a hulking tower.

It's a cuisine getting big attention but this particular spot, while delicious, didn't quite get the pulse racing.

A Thai restaurant that shines a little brighter.

We came here because it was late, and we'd heard these guys did an all-day breakfast.

The fine art of cuisine is demonstrated at this central Auckland establishment, writes John Gardner.

We came here because the cafe formerly known as Lounge had undergone a reincarnation and we were curious.

I know I've been stuck down the Viaduct for a few weeks now but I couldn't resist dragging the Prof back one last time...

A popular Epsom local delivers flavoursome, delicious and good value Chinese food without the fanfare.

Fine dining is found to exist in a place popularly called 'the Tron'.

We didn't dine with Peter Gordon, of course. Few are granted that privilege.

It's slick, it's popular and it serves up delicious food with flair.

We came here because we were in Christchurch for the day and this iconic all-day 'breakfast restaurant' had been recommended.

A change of venue for Gina's, known for its super-convivial wait staff, hasn't really added much in terms of a dining experience.

We came here because we weren't late for any important dates, but the name attracted us.

A shortened trip between Auckland and Warkworth makes the stop at Plume all the more worthwhile.

The new chef at a Parnell institution has done wonders for its menu.

Good choices were rife at a Hamilton restaurant, especially the one to eat there.

A few weeks ago, in a review of Le Garde-Manger in upper Queen St, I implied that good French food was hard to find in Auckland except in eateries founded by Alex Roux (Bouchon, Torchon, Pastis) or his alumni.

We came here because we were in the bay for the weekend and were attracted by the cute turtle logo.

New Ponsonby eatery Cocoro mixes beautifully presented traditional Japanese dishes with a contemporary twist.

Yodelling and oompah music did nothing to improve a German-themed eatery.

We came here because we were staying in nearby Maraetai Beach and a friend's mother had recommended this rural cafe.

Do the words "royal" and "Chinese" belong in the same sentence?

Choosing a hotel restaurant as a dining venue can pay off.