Located on some of Auckland’s most prestigious harbourside real estate, the confidence displayed by this bustling city restaurant Soul Bar and Bistro belies its tender years.
Whether it’s the buzz on the front terrace or the more formal dining room situated at the rear, our previous dining experiences here have always been a joy. The artful menu is still everything you would expect restaurant food to be, the waiters are switched on and cheerful and the global wine list is studded with strong curiosities with ample drops by the glass. When combined with a package of imaginative and contemporary fare, this one-time Judith Tabron eatery should be a headline grabber.
The artful menu is still everything you would expect restaurant food to be, the waiters are switched on and cheerful and the global wine list is studded with strong curiosities with ample drops by the glass.
Snacks and starters include oysters (from $7 each); mozzarella toast ($13); smoked trevally toast ($16); beef tartare ($18); prosciutto ($26); salt and pepper squid ($28); tuna crudo ($29); tiger prawns ($30); scampi cocktail ($34); and whitebait fritters ($36). From the kitchen the chefs send out a smart range of mains: salads (from $26); pasta and risotto classics (from $35); skewers ($13); and fish, meat and poultry dishes (from $36). Sides start from $14.
To finish, choose from sweet pleasures of chocolate pudding ($21); cream brulee ($19); Eton mess ($19); honey cake ($19); or ice cream and sorbets ($16).
And the verdict? While many things have not changed at Soul, on the day our meals did not quite hit the mark, the setting was more special than the food. But for all that, whether it’s lunch out on the terrace on a bright summer’s day or dining out with the stars, the atmosphere and surroundings, while watching the world pass by, will not disappoint. And what a difference professional floor staff make, with energy and bustle as vigorous as ever.
Menu
9
Cuisine
7.5
Wine List
9.5
Service
8.5
Decor
8
Value for Money
7.5
Soul Bar and Bistro, Viaduct Harbour
09 356 7249 | soulbar.co.nz
