Put on your gladrags & Jimmy Choos for my fav Upmarket Dining spots in New Zealand

"Apparently I had mentioned I wanted to come here for the last few years so when our anniversary rolled around I was finally given my wish.  To make it even more amazing we booked The Langham hotel nearby so we could roll into a taxi and not have to drive anywhere for I knew I wouldn't be up to that! Luckily I had rung them to confirm the booking & discovered the full 9 course degustation menu took 3.5 - 4 hours so I changed our booking to an earlier 6pm.  We felt if we were coming here we had to do the full 9 course chef menu with matching wines. (Thank god we knew it took 3.5 hours before hand).  I also saw online the tables weren't as intimately placed as expected so I asked for a table against a wall.  I am very glad I did.  I loved our setting. All guests get a complimentary starter ( a pumpkin soup & goats cheese balls today).. course #1.  Divine.  We then proceeded to eat our way through the 9 course menu ( add the bread roll then the amuse bouche and it made 12 courses!!! Its hard to describe the experience but it is one you MUST try at least once in your lifetime. Classy, divine, impeccable, unique are the words I think of.  French Cafe, I thank you for a wonderful food experience.  One I will definitely be coming back for."

"A $50 5 course degustation menu for Friday lunch was an offer too good for us to turn down, especially as a birthday treat. Parking is not thrilling but the place, albeit deep in an arcade, is easy to find. The welcome was good and the environment certainly upmarket and to my liking. There is even a superb view. The food was delectable and certainly made my palate very happy. Mixed with the exuberant but excellent service this was a fabulous experience, and one of my new fav’s for fine dining. I can’t wait to come back and try the evening tasting menu."

"A short cab ride from the ferry and we found ourselves at the large doors leading into Cable Bay Vineyard.  They stood slightly foreboding as we approached and entered. Wow.. actually came out of my mouth because I was expecting one of your usual vineyard restaurants.  This was not what I had imagined behind these doors. An atrium leading off to tasting rooms, a shop and the large formal dining room.  The choice was easy.  With huge open fire and very warm comforting feel we knew this was the perfect place for us to be this day. The staff member approached and showed us to what I truly believe was the best table in the place.  A fabulous table near the large windows with spectacular view across the harbour to Auckland.  The only interruption to the view was of unique artwork pieces placed on the lingering front lawn. The kids quickly settled into their better behaviour faces and we all relaxed immediately.  Helping the relaxation process was a bottle of their syrah  and some ciabatta bread with a superb olive oil, butter and some olives to sample.  We then ordered the wagyu steak ( rare of course) for us and the kids chose pork belly (since fish or hotdogs was not an option) & chips. Fabulous food with matching service.  Our three waiters were finely tuned in their profession and made it an art.  Particularly Manny ( whom we have known from a previous restaurant) who kept us very happy throughout the experience. Loved the food, the ambiance, the superb wine and of course the service.   Not cheap at nearly $400 for our lunch but the good things in life are worth the extra. ( And we consumed 2 extremely good bottles of wine).. On a cold day.. what more could anyone want than a warm fire, superb wine and food all served with a view to linger with."