Antoine's is a rather mysterious eaterie In New Zealand, as some people used to say. Well, it's not - it is only "special" in itself. We started with the pig's trotter, paua & snail congee with tempura oysters, and the tripe served in a special Antoine's sauce. These were just outstanding - must be amongst the top tier of the fine-dining starters. For the mains, my wife had the ox tongue with prune barley risotto & beef tendon spring roll, while I had the tea-smoked baby chicken (replacing the unavailable quail), black rice with chicken & aubergine sausage. They were very delicious. (However, not a WOW.) We ended our dinner with the chocolate soufflé with cassis jelly & cream. It's splendid. Its 30-minute preparation time was absolutely worth the wait.
N.B. G.S.T. is not included in the menu.
(Food - 5/5; Service - 4.5/5; Ambience - 5/5)
Visited on 3 November 2018
I went to Antoine for my birthday dinner. The food was amazing everything so fresh and tasty very good detailing on good. We was very enjoy our meal and bread also nice too.
The food was absolutely amazing and the service was fantastic. We celebrated my dad's birthday at Antoines and we couldn't fault it. I think it has to be the nicest, or at least one of the best fine dining restaurants I have been to.
We had a ball at Antoine's last weekend. I hadn't been for many years and Tony and team did not disappoint!! We skipped the main menu going straight to the Nostalgic choices, which was the plan! My blue cheese soufflé was outstanding and hubby loved his ox tail stew!
Fab night, great crew of wait staff and Mr Astle was on form in the kitchen!
See you again soon!!
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We have been here many times over the years and Tony delivered delicious meals everytime for our big parties. We love the attention to our comfort and attention from his waiting staff. I agree with another review that the staff made sure we did not need to touch the door handle. We had 4 oxtails which was bought to the table in little casseroles. It had a rich and deep quality to it. Tony explained it contained a 45 year base stock. I usually go for the ox tongue but it was so popular on the night that one portion was put aside for us. My tuna was subtle and sat on a mushy risotto. We also the the chicken pie which was surprisingly large and had the most delicious pastry, ever. Chicken filling was very tasty and fresh. We had the beef rib and this was huge. We had the snapper which was egg coated. We ordered a melon and 2 bread and butter puddings to share amongst the ten in our group. The pudding was light and held together with a velvet custard. I would have like the whole dessert! I will plan my next visit with this dessert in mind.
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I read the reviews about Antoine's and saw that some people were disappointed with the experience, probably expecting more for the price. But we decided to go anyway, and we don't regret it.
Had an anniversary dinner on a Thursday around 6pm and there were just us in the whole restaurant, so it felt very cozy and private.
After ringing the doorbell someone will see you in to your table. Same when you leave, you will never have to touch the main entrance door handle.
The restaurant looks very posh inside, as you would expect for an above average dinner for two price.
The ambient was nice, the music was on a very low volume so you can have a conversation without raising your tone.
Looking at the layout inside, I would say that the tables are a bit too close to one another, and if 2-3 tables in the same room would be occupied at the same time you would probably need to talk in a mild tone so not to disturb the others. But this wasn't the case for us, we were alone in the whole restaurant as I mentioned above, being a wet Thursday evening.
The service was irreproachable as expected and the waiting times very short for our mains.
Compared to other fine dining restaurants I've been to in Auckland (TriBeca, One Tree Grill, The Wine Chambers), Antoine's offers a bit more in terms of customer experience, and a much more varied menu. The food we had was simply beautiful, and quite filling portions as well, which I wouldn't expect from a fine dining restaurant. This was the first time in such a restaurant when I couldn't eat dessert because I was too full.
You mostly pay a bit more at Antoine's for the experience and food, which is both excellent and a decent size serving.
I personally recommend to try the oxtail or ox tongue, as it's something you may not find in other restaurants, and they are simply delicious.
Things to watch out for:
- On the menu they say they don't accept EFTPOS
- GST is not included in the menu prices (I found that a bit odd and sneaky)
- The water served is not tap, but bottled, and will appear on your bill at the end
I have been going to this to Hees for over 49 years and I still love their food and now taking my grandchildren Thanks to all the staff for looking after us for all those years
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I've been to Antoines many times and the food and service has always been consistently excellent. The last time we went I ordered the raw spinach salad with sautéed chicken livers, onions, bacon and warm vinaigrette as an entree, and the chicken, leek and wild mushroom pie. The livers were cooked to absolute perfection with an exquisite texture that was almost crumbly like lightly cooked black pudding, and the spinach salad, onions, and bacon were the perfect compliment & gave it perfect balance - best livers I've ever tasted, highly recommended.
I've tried the chicken pie 3 times over the years and although I've always been happy with the result, the last time was the best - the sauce had a fuller flavour than before. I took the remains of it home and warmed it in the microwave the next day and the pastry, contrary to what I expected, strangely retained it's integrity and stayed dry, puffy, and flakey - how Tony managed to produce such a great pastry is beyond me, most pastry would just go soggy in the microwave.
The best food I've ever tried at Antoines was the scallops on black pudding with capers, and the oysters in champagne sauce. He hasn't had these items on the menu ever since that time, but I emailed him once and his wife replied saying that if we let them know a few days before coming they can usually cook anything that used to be on the menu to order. The brains are also excellent if you like that sort of thing, ask for them if they're not on the menu as they're always available. Also, most entrees can be made into a main if you ask.
A few hints for eating at Antoines - the portions are large (which is a refreshing change from the usual fine dining restaurants), so if you pick the right dishes then 2 entrees, or a single main is often enough. For example, the chicken pie ($45) with a glass of NICE wine ($12-16) will come to around $70 after GST is added, which is very good for a fine dining restaurant. No need for a mortgage, and you'll feel full after leaving. Note: GST is not included in the prices so don't forget to factor it in to the cost.
Excellent work Tony, I think I might have to book another visit in the near future.
I have been to Antoines at least once a year for the past 7 years. I felt the dishes there are good portion, even though it is a bit expensive, but they are unique and authentic. the service is always professional and polite. The chef himself is very nice too. I actually planned to go back again next Month.
I am not sure about the bad reviews, It was always good whenever I went there. and quality is pretty much consistent. I still like Antoines.
Had the pleasure of dining here tonight with the R/H John Key, prime minister of NZ. Service was acceptable and food was palatable. Having my security detail around me was distracting however it was necessary. A great evening with John and his team.
Lovely lamb rack and the best Soufflé I ever had. The roasted duck is alright, the sauce was great. Beef taretare taste so interesting!!
Best roast duck with grand marnier sauce ever!! I really enjoyed chocolate souffle !! a bit too pricey but you definitely get what you pay for :) I was very impressed with how well-trained the waiters are, very professional and elegant !! I actually enjoyed watching how they served meals and how they cleaned breadcrumbs on my table. I will definitely return again, best French cuisine in Auckland. Thank you.
My husband & I choose Antoine as our restaurant of choice for Date Night. We booked a quiet table and were given a table in the corner, we loved it. The management & staff were welcoming and ensured that we were pleased with the food and the service. We both ordered tuna tartare & lamb rack and they were very good, well cooked and well presented. The restaurant has a nice, romantic ambiance and is a great place for a couple night out.
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My husband and I dined here on a blustery winter night, taking the opportunity to have a date night with the assistance of a Zomato voucher. Antoine's was a place that we had both heard of, being somewhat renowned in Auckland as one of the grand dames of restaurants. Arriving in Parnell we were able to find parking in one of the side streets relatively easily and located the restaurant just at the top of Parnell Rise. Ringing the front door bell of the restaurant, we were admitted to the foyer and then shown to our table. While the waiter offered to take our coats at the table, it would have made much more sense to do this in the foyer area.
We placed a drinks order. The wine list is extensive (I had a glass of the Clevedon Hills 2009 Arneis) but beers are not listed and the restaurant only carried three at the time of dining. My husband ordered a Stella Artois and we got down to examining the menu. Having taken heed of previous reviews, we decided that we'd focus on the mains and desserts to ensure that we were not overly full by the end of the evening. I ordered the fillet steak (cooked medium) and my husband ordered the cannelloni. I was impressed that the waiter advised that the meals were prepared from scratch and that there would be a wait of around 30 minutes. We were supplied with bread rolls to start and these were well-baked.
We were kept entertained during the wait for our meals by the arrival of the prime minister and his security team - the structure of the rooms and the discrete road frontage making this an ideal place to eat if you are wanting privacy. Before we knew it our meals had arrived, my steak arriving at the table already plated but my husband's cannelloni being served at table. I thought this was unnecessary and actually somewhat messy, with the server dribbling a little bit of sauce on the table. My steak was indeed cooked to medium, with the star of the dish being the caramelized onion. It was served with a beef tendon spring roll which was not to my personal taste, but would be better liked with someone for a greater appreciation for offal. My husband's cannelloni was adequate, but adequate is not what you are expecting at these prices. A surprising standout was the broccoli, served to the side of the dishes with a seasoning that neither of us could pinpoint but both loved.
For dessert I selected the chocolate pot de creme and my husband selected the licorice ice cream. These both came out well-plated apart from the inexplicable use of a paper napkin to line my plate - I'm not sure why this was necessary. The taste of dark chocolate with raspberries was fantastic and the licorice ice-cream was the highlight of the evening for my husband.
It was a pleasant evening but lacked the finesse of some of Auckland's other fine-dining establishments. At times it felt like the sommelier was lurking and in a high-class restaurant, service should be almost invisible until needed - a hard ask, but it's what you are paying for. Some reflection on the flavor profiles of the main meals (in order to add some wow factor) would not go astray.
Recommendation? It's definitely worth going once just to be part of the legend but some work needs to be done before we would visit again.
Well where does one start! This is a restaurant that has outlasted pretty much every other restaurant in Auckland, being under the same chef for over 40yrs... It is easy to walk straight past, and even though I have been coming to Parnell for years this is the first time I have eaten here. Inside it has an opulent and refined feel, with very personal service. On a week night it wasn't overly busy, so we had our own area which made the experience more relaxing. Food wise the portions are generous, all mains come with vegetables, and the presentation is exquisite. The highlight was my dessert, being a chocolate souffle (allow 30 mins) with cassis jelly, both of which were incredible. If you are looking for old school sophistication then you have come to the right place, but just be prepared to pay for the privilege!
Amy @ My Dining Journey
+4
Antoine’s is a place that you can easily miss if you’re not looking. With no obvious sign or lighting, the first time I came here, I walked around looking for the front door. Come to think of it, that was almost two years ago! You can read my first impression of Antonie’s here.
Our night started with succulent Bluff oysters, served natural with a light vinaigrette and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The tripe (not pictured) was from their Nostalgia Menu and is a dish that they have been serving in Antoine’s for the past 40 years. Tender pieces of tripe with green pepper corns and onion, Cooked in a cream sauce, this dish was interesting. I normally eat tripe with ginger and spring onions at yum cha, but this is my first time trying it in a cream sauce. Taste-wise, it was good but very heavy. The same can be said about the sautéed duck liver with grapes and peppercorn. It was a pleasant dish which I managed to finish, but could do with a little less liver and more of the grapes to cut through the fattiness of the liver.
Not expecting such a large entrée, I made the mistake of ordering the chicken and leek pie for my main. Another huge portion, full of chicken, mushroom and leek, all encased in a buttery flaky pie crust. I could only eat a third of it before I realised that this pie has defeated me.
Overall, it was a pleasant but expensive meal at Antoine’s. The menu is rather old-fashion and will be a great place to take someone who doesn’t appreciate the current trend of casual loud dining where waiting 30 minutes for a table because of their no-booking policy is the norm. Nothing too fancy about the dishes, just well-cooked hearty dishes!
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We had heard of Antione's before mentioned in magazines or perhaps on TV, having tried to make a reservation by email but not having received a response we decided to try and just walk in on the night. Success!
The service and class by far exceeded our expectations, amazing food, a lovely intimate dining experience, no rush or loud tables. The waiters were lovely, attentive, friendly and helpful, the wine waiter careful chose some amazing wines for me.
We ate from the nostalgia menu and had no complaints, some incredibly fresh bread rolls were served up soft and warm, then my wife had the chowder and I had a steak tare-tare entree, with both of us choosing the roast duck for main.
Although I was rather satisfied already I couldn't pass up the chance for dessert, a freshly made chocolate souffle, as there was a 30min wait I decided to try a 20yr old port, had to have a second glass of that.
Amazing amazing amazing, would definitely go back, although certainly you get what you pay for and it wasn't cheap.
Went to Antoines couple of years ago and loved it ! From the minute we rang the doorbell , to the minute we left, we could not fault the service ! The French onion soup . . . Oo la la ! Were lucky enough to have been given a table facing the kitchen and what a treat that was ! Quite exciting seeing the guys at work in the kitchen. Can't afford to go back too often but best buddy is turning 50 next week so we've booked in ! Soo excited !
Antoines is a must do old school dining experience. The service, ambience, the food are all top notch. On my last visit I had a beautifully tender piece of beef for main, but the standout was the tripe entree. Tender tripe in a fragrant tasty unexpectedly light sauce, bound to convert even the most sceptical diner. This place is perfect for a special evening
Absolutely delightful meal at Antoine's on Christmas Day, made the whole day for us. Our table loved the crayfish, and the whitebait just stunning, the Turkey and other mains were typical Tony, that's why we go there. Yep Christmas Day is expensive we say thank you for being open, and being over 50 well that's OK too, it will happen to you.
Now today we see Tony recognised in the New Year Honours fantastic and congratulations, so richly deserved.
Best restaurant in Auckland. Service was fantastic, great atmosphere but not too luxury. Had the most wonderful French Onion soup there, I've been to France many times and struggle to find anything as good. Seafood chowder was equally as good, no other restaurant in Auckland can match the taste. I'll give 6 stars!
We had a great time at Antoine's.
Our waiter told us that the one evening sitting was such that you could relax into a long, slow dinner like you might on holiday. We were not disappointed and left hours later unsure just how long we had spent in this foodie Tardis.
The waiting staff really know their stuff. Wine and food matches are clearly explained. The wine menu is less auction stand mega-expense, rather a concise list of reasonably priced NZ wines. Prices not too scary for a fine dining establishment.
Food and wine arrived at irregular intervals. Stewart Island oysters done three ways were delightful. Our starers were a little disappointing - especially the waffle. The mains - orange duck and belly pork with congee were outstanding.
Happy that I had eaten the congee (a nervous first) and negotiated the 'zip-zap' payment method we headed home content in the knowledge that we had experienced something well tried, fully tested and bloody good.
Antoine's is a Auckland legend. I have eaten there a few times in the 14 years we have been visiting in the summer and never been disappointed.
If you want old style luxury then this is for you. To start with you would be advised to book as they are not keen on dinners turning up.
Then there is the door you have to ring for admittance.
Once inside its calm, great service and a cunning menu. Old favourites mixed with new creations. Perfect for taking grandparents for a treat.
When its cold and you want a luxurious treat book this institution that has been at the top it seems for ever
Tony Buckingham
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A place I had always wanted to dine at since I lived in Auckland 25 years ago, so tonight was the night.
If you don't know where you are going it could be easily missed as there is no obvious signage, but once you knock on the door it all unfolds in front of you.
You are formally greeted and shown to your table where you are seated and your dining experience begins.
I had a glass of the house chamapagne while I mulled through a menu that offered 3 different styles of cuisine including Antoines Nostalgic menu that is a choice of their favorite dishes, which made it a very difficult choice for a first-time diner.
I have to compliment the waiter who made the choice easier by explaining some of the meals and their compatibility as an entree and main as well as suggesting a perfect matching wine to suit my meal.
The food in my opinion was excellent and the portion size, pleasantly larger than what I was expecting,leaving the decision of whether I had room for dessert.... but with the dessert choice and the fact I had come to try this great restaurant there was always going to be dessert.
The cost is quite a bit more than your average restaurant, but save up because I believe you won't be disappointed.
I finished the evening with a lovely French desert wine and left with an experience that was one to remember and will be back .
We were wooed into Antoine's thanks to it's cute terrace and twinkly fairy lights outside. It looked like Paris in the middle of Parnell! There's no obvious entrance - you knock on the door to what looks like someone's house and someone ushers you in quietly. Not much ambience as there was hardly anyone there when we went but the portions were huge and the food was very good. I had the french onion soup (see profile pic!), steak and creme brulee with champagne - my fantasy last supper. Not cheap but a nice treat. Apprently Princess Anne and Billy Connelly always come here when they are in Auckland...
We had a great dinner here on a winters Saturday night ( 27th June). The food was classic and well prepared which comes as no surprise after so many years. A fantastic wine list coupled with excellent service. Comments about cost are misguided. You get what you pay for and they deliver. After all these years it still competes well with the other fine restaurants this city offers.
I disagree with the previous review. As a regular I have sampled many of their beautiful dishes and the staff are very good in terms of knowledge and expertise. If you want a classic French-European menu with generous servings in an intimate private boutique style setting you can't go wrong. You only need to see the regular clientele to know why it's still popular and able to command the prices it does, when compared to top European restaurants is very reasonable in comparison. For an establishment to be around over 36 years and the owner cooking each night they must be doing something right. Consistently good!
The most delicious French onion soup ever! Love everything about this traditional fine dining restaurant in Parnell. The crayfish is like no other so fresh and perfectly cooked with a magic dressing. The meals come with complimentary bread and vegetables which is nice. A fabulous wine list and a knowledgeable wine waiter made the evening go smoothly. A special occasion booking turned into an exclusive dining experience...impeccable service and great food...just like it has always been. A big salute to Tony for maintaining the highest standards for decades!
Very nice, very formal with delightful silver service. The food is nice, well cooked traditional dishes your grandmother would be proud of. Cuisine has moved on since Antoines inception and for premium food there are other options, especially given the cost. However still not a bad experience. And definitely somewhere to take your grandparents for a special treat.
We travel regulalry in the Antipodes, and have not eaten better than at Antoine's. The waiters were friendly and professional. The food was perfectly presented - and there was enough of it! The desert was exceptional also. An experience worth traveling for.
Really! ! This place is the old and the new!! Doing what you would expect! ! The best of the best! You really need to experience this place as 10/10 service, food and the last of last restaurant experience that tells you that you can still get the fine dining experience as the only one who actually knows ...... thank you Tony ...love what you do...never change as change is for the inexperienced.
Excellent food with silver service. A must eat venue...with the godfather of Auckland dining Chef Tony Astle. French onion soup is a must eat, especially in mid winter.
Antoine's is still one of the best dining experiences anywhere.
we had a marvellous celebratory meal before Christmas.
Congratulations on maintaining your high standards
Paul.
Amazing dishes and excellent service 👌
Such an amazing place for eat.
Excellent service, delicious food and wines and a comfy, spacious and private environment.
Completely recommended!!
Superb service, superb food and lovely ambience. I highly recommend dining here.
We'll definitely be going again.
Consistently serving up magnificent cuisine. . Opened since 1973 and same proprietor and chef, Tony Astle, is a great host
My all time favourite fine dining restaurant. Fantastic experience in a classic modern setting.
Great venue in an old Parnell villa. Delicious food. Generous servings. White linen and silver service.
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