Eight.Two (3)

82 Hinemoa St, Birkenhead. Ph 419-9082.
eightpointtwo.co.nz
Dinner 7 days.   

Eight.Two is another good local bistro that knows its neighbourhood and looks after it well. The original villa has been hollowed out to create a large, airy dining room that opens up in summer to a delightful courtyard out the back and becomes warmly snug in winter. There’s a big and very well-chosen list of wines available by the glass and the service, in the hands of proprietor Lindsay Swannack, is engaging and attentive. The menu contains several standards, but there are many pleasingly individual touches (a hint of chipotle with the fish, polenta with the eye fillet), and that extends right through to the sides: over summer, Eight.Two served a salad of witlof, watermelon, feta and pumpkin seeds. One of our judges commented that every dish came from the kitchen perfectly seasoned. That’s rare.

A favourite dish: Orange and beetroot parfait with beetroot jelly and orange sorbet.
$$$$  |  FP  |  V  |  FR  |  C  |  G  |  B  |  GB  |  K          what’s this?