But my current obsession is Watda, a homestyle Korean restaurant with a short menu of set platters. If you\u2019ve ever found the world of Korean cuisine confusing, this is a great start \u2013 you can choose between half a dozen mains and each one comes on a tray with a number of pickles and other side dishes. Loveliest of all is a bowl of rice with condiments, supplied with a plastic glove you put on to create your own delicious rice balls. Moulding food with fingers in a restaurant takes a bit of getting used to but is quite fun! You can add sides on to your meal if you like \u2013 I chose three pieces of Korean fried chicken for $7, and loved every mouthful. This is the first restaurant for ages where I\u2019ve felt genuinely sad when the meal ended. Try it out, Joan.<\/p>\n
Do you have a dining out question for Jesse?<\/p>\n
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Email Viva and your question could be answered in Jesse’s next column<\/p>\n
Send email<\/a><\/p>\n Where\u2019s good on the North Shore?<\/p>\n Why do you not review many restaurants on the Shore? <\/p>\n Surely we must have some which warrant a review. <\/p>\n I\u2019m sorry that you\u2019re feeling left out and am happy to tell you that in 2025, I substantially increased my North Shore coverage. Since this time last year, I have visited Olle, Gao, Troy\u2019s, Palato, Bon Pinard, The Engine Room, Ohui, Seoul 1946 and Takapuna Beach Cafe. I had a great time at all of these places and look forward to more, so if there\u2019s anywhere decent I haven\u2019t been to yet, please let me know.<\/p>\n I enjoy reading about your Top 50 restaurants in Auckland. <\/p>\n Would you consider doing the same in other cities like Wellington? <\/p>\n Hi Salina, I would love to, but it currently takes all of my annual eating just to make an Auckland list I\u2019m proud to sign my name to. There are not enough meals in the week, before we even get to travel time. I will happily give you my top five though: Rita, Koji, Highwater, Hillside Kitchen and Capitol.<\/p>\n Christchurch for conference groups<\/p>\n I have a group of almost 50 senior leaders from around New Zealand meeting together in Christchurch in December. I need somewhere to take them for dinner, and thought you might be a good person to ask. Can you help? <\/p>\n You\u2019re asking the right person. I acted as MC for the Pinot 2025 conference in Christchurch, which brought a huge group from around New Zealand and the world to the garden city for three days of food and drink. I\u2019m happy to share some suggestions based on experience. <\/p>\n First of all, if you wanted to create something boutique for your guests, you should reach out to the bright sparks at Christchurch NZ, who put on an amazing outdoor dinner for us in the courtyard of the arts centre \u2013 a set of 23 Category Heritage 1 buildings in the centre of town. It was a stunning night and I\u2019m sure you could put together something similar to take advantage of the summer hours. <\/p>\n If that sounds too hectic to organise, Cellar Door<\/a> would be a great shout and they\u2019d have room for you, I think \u2013 they just won \u201cbest wine bar in Australasia\u201d, and the food is good. <\/p>\n For something more casual but equally high quality, how about buying out this pizza\/cider\/natural wine bar Lillies<\/a>? It is meant to be brilliant and I think they have a garden bar you could spill out into. If you can fit a brunch or breakfast in, Child Sister<\/a> is the best. <\/p>\n If you are still stuck, they really take great pride in the food at Hotel Montreal<\/a> and they are very used to dealing with crowds. I\u2019ve eaten there and give it the thumbs up.<\/p>\n What you\u2019ve asked, and what he\u2019s shared.<\/p>\nTakapuna Beach Cafe. Photo \/ Babiche Martens<\/p>\n
Rita in Wellington. Photo \/ Rebecca Zephyr Thomas<\/p>\n
Cellar Door in Christchurch.<\/p>\n