We came here because it had been some time since Leanne's last visit and we'd heard there were new owners.

A meal out at a well-known Herne Bay eatery doesn't quite to live up to expectations.

A chap I know who works very near Saison and knew I had eaten there asked whether it was any good.

We came here because we were on holiday in Queenstown and a friend who lives there recommended it as the "best brunch in town".

Would you believe that I first visited the French Cafe more than 25 years ago?

A new Epsom restaurant puts cuisine ahead of interior redecoration on the priority list.

We came here because a visit to Ponsonby's boutiques was called for, but first there were hunger pangs to satisfy.

There are fine Thai places all over Auckland so the competition is hot and Bangkok meets the challenge without slaying all-comers.

Heaven forbid that I would generalise about the English - some of my best friends are Poms...

Malaysian food has been a favourite of mine since hitchhiking through there in my early twenties.

In Paihia for our first Waitangi Day experience of the place, the Professor and I had in tow a couple of English visitors whose politeness possibly exceeded their genuine interest in proceedings.

We came here because we were on a day trip north and stopped to do some chores in the village.

Some of my first "dining out" experiences involved a group of us, in our teens, going to Chinese restaurants where we enjoyed the novelty of a non-European cuisine.

For Aucklanders, finding good Vietnamese food can be tough.

We came here because I'd read about the unusual design and my curiosity was piqued.

This year has been a dream run eating out-wise. All the restaurants I've reviewed have been wonderful, hence the high scores.

We came here because we were on holiday, staying in Raetihi, near Ohakune, and had been told this cafe was worth visiting.

Cin Cin knows what it does - serve good and interesting food - and it does it well.

We came here because this is a great site, right on the seafront and within walking distance of where we live, but previous cafes have floundered.

What a lot can happen in a decade. Especially if you're a restaurant location on Auckland's famous food strip - Ponsonby Rd.

Ever since an after-function dinner before Christmas, we'd been meaning to revisit Coco's Cantina in Karangahape Rd.

The food at Takahe unfortunately doesn't live up to its spectacular backdrop.

The food matches the marvellous setting at Bracu, says Peter Calder.

Waiheke comes up trumps again with a tapas joint to get the tastebuds tingling.

An Orient-themed restaurant is proud of its local focus, says John Gardner.

A hot spot in the Viaduct Basin lives up to expectations in both cuisine and atmosphere.

Geraldine Johns samples Auckland's best crepes and discovers they make for perfect summer eating.

An Auckland hotel restaurant pampers its diners.

The service, the view from the balcony over High St and the food all make Rakinos a great city cafe, says Michele Crawshaw.

Nici Wickes nominates Coco's Cantina as one of Auckland's best Italian-style eateries.