Vinnies Restaurant

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Address

166 Jervois Rd
Herne Bay
Auckland
Region: Auckland
Licence: Unknown
Cuisine: Unknown
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Contact

Phone: 09-376 5597

Overall DineOut Score based on 32 reviews

Total		8.4
Food		8.4
Dessert		8.3
Presentation		8.6
Service		8.5
Environment		8.2
Toilets		7.7
Child Friendly	Kind of

Review by: circustrout (1) on 4th July 2010

Total		7.4
Food		6
Dessert		7
Presentation		8
Service		10
Environment		8
Toilets		9

It's really good, but I'll let you know why I've marked it harshly. What's great is the service from the wait staff - they knew the menu very well and made great recommendations. Chef wandered around the restaurant two or three times, talking to other tables, but didn't stop by ours. Sure, he may want to talk to the people he knows, but if he's going to come out then it's polite to say hello to all the guests. So, service-wise, wait staff good, chef not so good. And the music was pretty ordinary for this kind of place. I'm not sure how much thought went into it. Food was presented very well but fell short on tasting. We had a tempura oyster each to get started, and to be honest I think I can make better ones at home. The batter was fairly thick, there was no thin, brittleness to the coating, and they were cold by the time they got to us. For entree I had the aged cheddar pannacotta which was good, and my girlfriend had the thinnest slices of smoked duck we've ever seen on a floury blini. She thought it was a good starter. For mains I had venison and to me it seemed to have been prepared well in advance then held. It was nicely rare but a little cold and chewy. The "rolled in chocolate soil" - from memory - was a nice touch. My gf had rabbit which was quite tasty, however, the meat was not as tender as she would have liked. I thought it was okay though. The side of green beans and hazelnut was the yummiest bit, so well done to whoever was on veges that night, but even then, the hazelnuts don't hold their crispness when roasted. I tried it at home last night and couldn't get it right either - I'll stick to slivered almond. Dessert tasting plate was good - some interesting flavours with apple (was it?) and coriander, cola squares, great little fondant, buffalo yoghurt ice cream...
All up, it's pretty good value really, and exceptional service means it's a safe choice for special dinners. I like fussy food - I like foams and emulsions and gels and deconstructed everything - the more clever fusions the better - and although this is well on the way, I reckon it's just got to tighten up a few things. Recommended though.

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Review by: MelTaylor (30) on 11th April 2010

Total		8.4
Food		8
Dessert		9
Presentation		9
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		8
Child Friendly	Kind of

We dined at Vinnies on Friday night for the degustation, one with wine match and one without. Wines by the glass were very limited however I managed to find something enjoyable to accompany my food. We are huge degustation/tasting menu fans, no need for menu envy when you get to try a litte bit of everything. First we were given some yummy warm rolls with butter, tuna sashimi with sea beans, wasabi cream (delish) and potato crisps - this was good except the tuna was slightly stringy perhaps the cut wasn't quite right.... Himself was served the Clos Margeurite Sav Blanc as wine match which was great. Next was cured duck salad served on wheat beer blini, all very yummy, himself was given an Alsace pinot gris from gisselbrecht (which happened to be my drink of choice). Next was scallop and koura (tiny little freshwater crays the size of prawns) this was a divine dish, just not enough of it! Himself had a Chanson Chardonnay. Then came our venison with celeriac puree, this was almost too salty, borderline. wine match was Le Staedt Syrah 08. Then came cheeses which were all french and all delicious served with walnut bread, water crackers and fresh walnuts. For a littel bit of whimsical fun we were then served a milkshake of sorts in the cutest tiny milk bottles which was quince puree in the bottom, then creme anglais topped with kiwifruit coulis, it was fun and most delicious, all taken through a straw, I really enjoyed the fun aspect of this dish. Then a nougat and poached pear dessert which looked amazing and tasted even better. Lastly a heavenly passionfruit marshmellow which was a flavour bomb in your mouth to finish off. Wine match was TW Viognier YUM! Verdict, good food, portions slightly on the small side (an hour later at home I needed something else to eat), and the food was all fairly wet, there wasn't really any starch/stodge components to balance the wetness of the food.

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Review by: hardsell (7) on 24th July 2009

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		9
Presentation		8
Service		10
Environment		9
Toilets		5
Child Friendly	Not at all

Our first night out after baby #2, Vinnies was up to expectations and we can understand why it's consistently one of the top restaurants in Auckland.
From enthusiasm when booking over the phone to a handshake as we left, service was of the highest standard and really made the night. Rowan's attention on a steady Friday night made us feel at home and enhanced the whole dining experience
We were a bit disappointed about the lack of Bluff oysters, but the excellent Waiheke ones more than made up for it. Mrs followed up with the lamb rump and I had the cassoulet special. Both were hearty and rich, and perfect for a cool winter's night.
Dessert was a reconstructed cheesecake which hit the spot perfectly, and as always attentive staff ensured we felt we'd made the right choices.
Our mains were delayed slightly and to make up for it we were offered an extra glass of wine which was a nice touch given we'd hardly noticed.
All up $273 and then $40 off with Gold Card, though service was so good we added it straight back on the bill. Great stuff, look forward to our next visit

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Review by: Spellchick (5) on 11th July 2009

Total		8.5
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		9
Toilets		7
Child Friendly	Not at all

A memorable night with fantastic food in intimate surroundings with attentive wait staff. What more can you ask for?!

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Review by: LunchGirl (53) on 15th March 2009

Total		8.8
Food		9
Dessert		8
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		10
Toilets		9

We had an amazing dinner at Vinnies on Friday night. The dining room is quite special - you feel pampered in lovely surroundings but without any stuffiness. Our wait staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and made the evening truly enjoyable. The menu is exquisite and interesting. We shared tempura oysters which were perfectly cooked and paired with a delicious dipping sauce. We had the duck and fish (hapuka) mains which were gorgeous meals, both in presentation and taste. It's the kind of place you want to stay as long as possible and treat yourself, so it wasn't a hard choice to share a cheese platter and dessert wine that we happily left to the chef to select for us. The wine list had some interesting choices as well as some well-loved favourites. Price-wise, we came away commenting that we have often paid more for a less enjoyable experience, so that was a very nice surprise.

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