O'Connell St Bistro (1)

3 O’Connell St, City. Ph 377-1884.
oconnellstbistro.com
Lunch Monday-Friday; dinner Monday-Saturday. 

Oysters are very popular at O’Connell St: when we judged, they were serving Glory Bay and Bluff on salted shaved ice. So impressive, so sublime. Golden beetroot with poached spanner crab, goats’ curd and truffle oil was sunshine on a plate. The steak tartare, served with shoestring fries, is still our favourite in all Auckland, and it’s one of many classics we hope to return for many times. The restaurant, owned by Chris Upton (above), is small but they have done wonders with it, using windowsills as waiter stations, curtains to cover unsightly walls, lighting each table with lovely little mushroom lights. The little touches make a big impact — pink salt, heaps of parmesan shaved from a moulis — and there is a huge choice of wine by the glass and half bottle, with great beer and spirits lists too.

A favourite dish: Pappardelle of wild rabbit, smoked bacon and walnut watercress pesto.
$$$$  |  FP  |  V  |  FR  |  PR  |  G  |  B  |  BM  |  CL  |  GB      what’s this?

RUNNER-UP
Best Smart Dining Restaurant
FINALIST
Best Drinks List
FINALIST
Best Service