Fresh ingredients and pure flavours speak for themselves at this trendy establishment.

Love is ... a menu that dazzles, yet is so entirely approachable.

A French restaurant so authentic, even the food has an accent.

A degustation-only menu proves less daunting and more an artistic journey.

The food at Chim Choo Ree is full of smart twists on familiar ideas.

Ponsonby Central’s latest instalment offers an exotic array of Chinese delights.

Lygon St was my first taste of Melbourne. Arriving in the city at the end of the 1970s, I was enchanted by the street of Greek, Italian and Lebanese eateries where the air was dense with the smell of grilled meat and garlic.

Its bistro is no more, but this inner-city hot spot still delivers on taste.

We came here because we wanted to check out a cafe outside our Mt Albert safe-zone.

Behind a modest exterior lies a cornucopia of flavours from the Middle East.

I should never have suggested my three mates meet me at the pub. My idea of a quick beer soon degenerated into several rounds and by the time we arrived at Da Vinci's the mood was somewhat more boisterous than it ought to be.

Bistro warmth combines with good, basic fare to cheer up a winter’s night.

We came here because I was bored of going to the usual jam-packed suspects (Circus, Frasers) on Mt Eden Rd.

A unique Pacific take on Chinese food shines in this playfully original setting.

When dining is this good, it's like a dream. One from which I simply don't want to wake up.

Silver service? Who the hell does silver service these days? I doubt that one waitress in 100 would know what it is.

Joanna Mathers finds the cosiest spots to eat and drink.

They may well have complained when this building on the corner of Tamaki Drive was built, but now it's here the citizens of St Heliers are flocking to their slick new eatery.

It's been quite a project. First they lifted it, then they shifted it, and it was slid back into place and lovingly restored to its former glory, and then some.

A Mexico fan has been hassling me to go for so long that I've taken to scooting around corners when I see her coming. Now it's been 18 months and there are branches in Takapuna and Hamilton.

Here are a couple of experiences I never thought I’d embrace — a boeuf bourguignon served at a Japanese restaurant and a macrobiotic dessert. They were delivered at Janken and I enjoyed both.

We came here because we'd been meaning to for ages, having noted its pretty steady popularity with the locals.

As one door closes, another opens. A truism for our dynamic dining scene, that's for sure.

I have not been to Prague (the city). People who have tell me that it is fabulous. One woman I know who went years ago, long before it was fashionable, told me she could see half a dozen church clocks from her hotel window. I thought that was very cool.

A pleasurable experience at Rakino's.