Jesse Mulligan Auckland Restaurant Recommendations: Where To Go For Great Japanese; Eateries Worth Visiting Out West

In this fortnightly series, Viva’s resident dining-out editor shares his sage advice on exactly where to eat. He’s eaten a lot of bad meals so you don’t have to.

Do you have any restaurant-related questions or dining-out conundrums? Jesse is here to help.

Email Jesse at Viva@nzherald.co.nz and tell him what you need. Where and what do you like to eat? How much do you want to spend? If you’re just visiting, where are you staying while you’re in town? Who are you eating with? Does anybody have access issues?

Here are some questions he’s been asked lately and what he told them.

Hey Jesse,

Can you suggest a good Japanese restaurant? Something a bit flash for a birthday boy who loves sashimi?

Todd

Hi Todd,

If you’re out east try Waku Waku, a new-ish venture by the Cocoro chef in a flash part of Remuera. I visited a year ago when they first opened but haven’t been back to eat since they expanded into a bigger room. I bet it’s got even better.

Ebisu is in the city and possibly more fun — I’ve never eaten badly there. Omni on Dominion Rd is more casual but has a great vibe if the birthday boy is still young enough to put on some cool clothes and hang with the hip kids. They do mostly charcoal cooking but also offer a great sashimi plate.

Finally, think about Masu — one of my favourite Auckland restaurants of all time. It’s probably a combination of all the best of the above, with a fantastic wine service to go with the food and plenty of sake too.

Jesse,

Enjoy your reviews very much as we visit infrequently from the Bay of Islands and want to enjoy a city dining experience when we do. Just had an argument with friends who say you do not pay for your meals, I assume you do otherwise all your reviews are suspect. If you don’t pay how do you stay objective?

Colleen

Hi Colleen, and thank you for asking.

I visit restaurants anonymously, booking under somebody else’s name where possible and paying the bill with my own money. Sometimes I’ll have a brief conversation with the owner after paying, introducing myself and organising some photography — the incredible Babiche Martens visits a couple of days later to take photos of food which the restaurant generally does provide without charge (I have offered to supply for publication the photos captured on the night by my second-hand Oppo Reno 5 phone but, sadly, my editor fed back that these photos “resemble a crime scene”).

Jesse,

My friends and I are due for a catch-up but we live out west and can’t be faffed coming into town (we’re in our 40s with kids now!). Anything new and decent out this way?

Cherie

Cherie, if you’re just looking for great food then try Sa-On, a Thai restaurant in Henderson specialising in Isan (this word can be spelt a number of ways but generally sounds the same) food, from the north-eastern part of the country. Think pork larb and papaya salad, with a side bowl of sticky rice to mop everything up.

Or head to The Butcher Baker, a fantastic-looking destination restaurant in Helensville. The menu is a selection of bistro favourites with a few twists, the mains centred around a woodfire oven, and reasonably priced by the looks. The owner-chef is Reginaldo Richard, formerly of Odettes and Honeybones in the city. Everything about this restaurant looks fantastic — in fact, there’s a good chance I’ll get there before you do.

Previously Recommended By Jesse

What you’ve asked, what he’s shared.

Where To Dine For Great People-Watching; Places That Go The Extra Mile. One reader says, “I want flavour, I want tastes of abroad. I don’t want fussy fare.”

Where To Eat That’s Actually Fun; Dinner That Isn’t Crowded. One reader is looking for a spot “that shows how good Auckland restaurants can be”.

Where To Eat On A Student Budget; Spots For A Semi-Romantic Date. From a suburban treasure where the food is excellent, to huge (cost-effective) portions.