Address: 5 City Rd, Auckland City
Ph: (09) 309 9273
The atmosphere is almost religious at Number 5; quiet and respectful, as if to pay homage to the business at hand. The music is hushed, the waiters move silently over the thick carpet, and heavy drapes soak up any other ambient noise. It certainly keeps you on your best behaviour.
The table by the window allowed us a view over the rather unlovely buildings behind the old villa in which Number 5 is housed, but no matter. The light from the windows, as well as the well-judged indoor lighting, allowed us to see what we were enjoying from the shortish menu.
Water and wine to hand, we began with a chicken liver pate (or parfait, as they would have it) with cranberry compote and crisp bread for Bill, and a plate from the Diwali food challenge for me. This comprised thinly sliced beetroot topped with apple, walnut salsa, avocado sorbet and celeriac.
The pate was excellent, from the little I was allowed, and the cranberry a tart counterbalance. The Diwali special did not live up to the high hopes I had for it, unfortunately. The beetroot overpowered any flavour from the celeriac crisps, the avocado had lost its delicate flavour during the sorbet process, and even the walnuts could not help.
