O'Connell Street Bistro review: Metro Top 50 2018

By Metro date Jun 21, 2018

O’Connell Street Bistro restaurant review

Metro Top 50 2018 restaurant O’Connell Street Bistro in the Auckland CBD offers smart dining.

The city’s law quarter, with its mix of Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco buildings, has been reinvented with shared-space roads, where commuter cyclists whiz by in pinstriped blurs. They stop for O’Connell Street Bistro, a white-table-clothed restaurant that has for more than 20 years catered to the neighbourhood’s corporate set with charm and personality, led by affable proprietor Chris Upton. His wine list is the city’s best: a bible of producers and regions, available in half-bottle and magnum selections. Mark Southon’s menu flexes, too, with tasting and set menus that include perennial favourites such as wild Bendigo rabbit pappardelle and old-school steak tartare. Southon is a master of contrast: his starters tantalise the palette with freshness and acidity and his mains are hearty without being heavy – key when business is the second order of the day.

What it offers Fixed-price meals / Free-range chicken and/or pork / Good seating outside / Takes large groups / Private room / Bar / Craft beer selection
A favourite dish Origin South lamb rack with mustard gnocchi, feta, peas and artichokes
Awards Winner, Best Wine List; Finalist, Best Chef: Mark Southon
Hours Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner Mon-Sat
Bookings Yes
Price $$$
Seats 100
Chef Mark Southon