New Zealand Herald

Reviews for dine by Peter Gordon, SKYCITY

by F Cube ..
28th April 2013

Excellent fine dining restaurant. Menu is varied and has excellent choices and options, with a definite personal touch from Chef Peter Gordon. The signature dessert is tapioca based; rather unusual, but surprisingly refreshing.
The decor is modern and there are a few aspects of it which I found… not to be my taste.
Other than that the quality of the food is second to none, service is very good (only a couple of tiny little things which at this level should be rectified).
Excellent wine suggestions from waiting staff – I discovered the red wine Hay Paddock which was divine.
Pricing is in the range of what is to be expected for this kind of award winning restaurants.
Definitely an excellent place for a special occasion!

by Jen
12th February 2013

My husband and I went there last night for our wedding anniversary. I had read mixed reviews about the restaurant so was a little anxious. We have been to the Grill and other local restaurants so wanted to try Dine…we were not disappointed.

We decided not to go with the degustation and opted for three courses instead – all of which were on the degustation menu. I had the scallop and prawn open raviolo which was delicious (although there was only one prawn inside). My husband had the mozzarella which he said was a good choice. For mains we both wanted the duck but my husband changed his mind at the last moment to the wakanui beef and he was not disappointed. My duck was a little tough but the flavours on the plate worked so well together that it did not bother me. We managed to squeeze in dessert – I had the ginger creme fraiche brulee – very good! I love ginger so definitely worth getting if you like that. My husband got the peanut butter parfait and I kept wanting some of his. It was fantastic. The waitress brought over a plate of petit fours with happy anniversary on the plate. It was a nice touch to end the evening.

Overall, I would rate Dine highly. I can see why people gave lower reviews with the restaurant space but I guess go earlier or later if you want a quieter experience. It is a popular restaurant and you will get that anywhere you go in Auckland CBD where the food has a good reputation.

I would dine there again – the staff were very attentive and let us try some wines before we chose what to drink which was a nice touch too!

by Julie S.
5th February 2013

We decided to check out Dine because we had heard great (and some not so great things). All four of us ordered entrees and mains, although the other three ordered the pork belly entree and I thought I better order something different so got the tuna. Tuna was good but pork belly was exceptional. Food envy. Then the mains – my duck was great and the sample I had of the lamb was yummy too. The dessert we had to share was also delicious, as was the dessert wine we had with it. The couple of recommendations that I would make is to change up the menu occassionally as I felt like I had everything I would want and would not go back if it was the same menu. Also the service was a tiny bit sloppy with menus not brought out immediately, but these are little things. All in all, a perfectly pleasant meal, and a place I would recommend to people as long as they know that their wallet will take a hit.

by Tania L.
11th July 2012

This has to be my ultimate favourite! The food may not be the cheapest but the friendly staff and great food really is worth the trip. My partner and I dine monthly on our anniversary and this was the only place to ever ask us if it was a special occasion and then to give us a dessert plate saying “happy anniversary” really does go the extra mile kudos to dine!

by Tara B.
15th April 2012

Lovely attention to detail at this restaurant. It felt like old time dining where they really know their product and care if you enjoy your evening.

Also ask the staff for recommendations as they will tell you which produce is great on the night.

by Chris
27th March 2012

This used to be our ‘special occasion’ restaurant but have stopped going after a couple of years of really enjoying it.

We had a very average meal over the Xmas period that put us off. At the prices we pay for a night out here I need to know I’ll get a fantastic, memorable meal and awesome service, it just doesn’t do it for me anymore.

A real shame as I will miss going there

by Plj
11th March 2012

Was at dine recently and thoroughly impressed with the food and the service. I have a dairy allergy and the staff and chefs adapted the menu without compromising on flavour – the scallops were divine, perfectly cooked; as for the dessert, it was out outstanding – coconut tapicoa.

My partner had the degestation and really enjoyed it, but the tuna was slightly overdone in some places and the angus beef fillet was also slightly overdone. However, both of us found that overall the quality here was much better than the majority of restaurants in Auckland.

Would absolutely go there again.

by Rebekah
6th February 2012

As a treat to ourselves on our 14th wedding anniversary we dined at DINE!
we are foodies from taranaki and were not disappointed.
even though we were there early, 5.30, and the only ones there to start with there was loads of atmosphere in such a beautiful dinning room, were given the choice of the menu or a special which was 2 courses for $60. we chose the later and had an entirely lovely meal, stunningly presented, the service was impeccable and friendly, it was probably quite obvious that we weren’t locals due to the camera coming out a few times but we weren’t made to feel in anyway inferior.
we had the dessert platter which is 3 desserts to share, but it came out with 5!….I’m farely sure that was just for us on our anniversary. then when we went to leave the waitress told us not to leave yet, so waited and then she presented us a beautiful glass platter with ‘happy anniversary’ and a couple of petite fours. That just made our night! highly recommend for anyone anytime especially a special occasion!
p.s the food was FANTASTIC!

by Angel F.
2nd January 2012

Fabulous food and fabulous experience for my graduation surprise. Best wine i have had in ages and service was impeccable. The scallop was simply melt in your mouth…the dessert sampler was also generous and amazing. Tapioca especially. It’s not just a meal its an experience. Can’t wait to go back.

by Kerensa R.
7th December 2011

I was expecting something amazing, and Dine is mediocre. The service was ok, the food was nice, but there was no wow factor, and it was not as good as I was expecting. You can eat nicer food for much less.
It gets 3 stars instead of 2 because the coffee did have that wow facor- really good.

by CASA
4th September 2011

The best restaurant in Auckland. Food is fantastic and staff are freindly but not over bearing. Been there many times and the food is always consistent.

We had dinner there the day after our wedding and got a complimentary dessert platter!

by Sue C.
28th August 2011

An elegant restaurant-beautiful food and, as you would expect for these prices, a professional approach to service.

The food can be very complex. It is skilfully handled but, I believe, requires a “foodie” mentality to appreciate paying the high prices.
A lovely experience for a special night.

by lovetoeat
20th July 2011

Went as a group for a business dinner. Great taste, FANTASTIC wine. Pricey but this was expected. We got the little room reserved for large groups and I found this room to be very classy.

by charissa
13th June 2011

First time at Dine and although I had eye fillet better in other restaurants my overall experience was still excellent.Friendly waiting staff but not in your face and timing was good esp in taking plates away etc.Ambiance was also very relaxing.Will definitely go back.

by Roz8
21st April 2011

I went to dine last night for the dine Early special… two course for only 55. The food was spectacular to say the least. I had the venison for entree and it was very very tasty. My friend had the pork belly and scallop which was also good but not as nice as the venation. For my second course I had the prime eye fillet and it literally melted in my mouth. Cooked to PERFECTION. The sides were particularly nice also. I could have eaten a thousand of those steaks though, they were so good. The service was also superb with the waiters being on the ball and even helping us put our coats on at the end. If only all men did that!

by Thommie
2nd April 2011

Its ok…. avoid the poor quality, stingy salads and the overpriced sides. The mains are decent and tasty, tiny portions though. Staff somewhat over friendly. Alright place for Auckland

by barryyuan
25th November 2010

I have tried Dine once and the food was very good.

My colleague tried to reserve a table for 13 (for Xmas dinner) but got a very snooty and mind numbingly stupid attitude – they only took a group by 10, but not for 13!

Peter Gordon has his great reputation by creating great food but the restaurant failed to maintain a good customer relationship. A good restaurant not only should have good food but the customer service is what enhances the over all experience. Sometimes it could ruin its good reputation. Mr. Gordon, find out who has been ruining your reputation and do something about it!

by Christina
15th September 2010

Dine is a place for the complex palette.
The food was nice but too complicated and we felt a little over-priced.
The amuse-bouche (free) was the best part of the meal as it was clean and simple.
Not one for those who don’t appreciate complexity and what seems like 20+ ingredients in each dish. Sometimes we think fresh and simple can be better.

by Mark G.
18th January 2010

Visited Dine twice in recent months and having enjoyed a wonderful time on both occasions, decided to share the experience.

The second visit I enjoyed the duck for my main course and had an assiette ( a mixed plate of several smaller versions from the dessert menu )Whilst I clearly enjoyed myself and fell short of licking the china plate. The same was reported by my friends who also had very good things to say about the wine list.

Dine by Peter Gordon is a grown up restaurant, ambiance with a sense of occasion, fabulous food, a decent wine list at reasonable prices and service that lets you know, your somewhere where people care about about their craft and have a real sense of pleasure in looking after people.

If you appreciate quality and lets face it, who doesn’t and if you can’t afford New York then go because it’s every bit as good as just about everything there.

Write Review