Restaurant of the month: Al forno
Restaurant of the month: Al forno
Friends, Family – Al Forno
Enter Al Forno restaurant and you will feel a warm and friendly atmosphere creating an instant relaxed and welcome feeling.
The manner of owners Emilio and Maria ensures your experience at their restaurant is very special. Maria and her attentive staff enjoy interacting with customers, ensuring they are well looked after and always want to come back for more. When customers go back to Al Forno it is to have their favourite dish and to be greeted like a long lost friend.
To many, however, it is the wood-fired pizzas made by owner Emilio that have them coming back for more and more. Made in the restaurant’s own pizza oven, the soft yet crispy crusts of these handmade delights come enveloped in fresh, bubbly cheese, tender vegetables and savoury meats. Heavenly.
But, the good food doesn’t just stop at the pizza. In fact, Emilio and Maria brought with them from Europe original recipes for all of their dishes including favourites such as their light and tender gnocchi, linguini with juicy king prawns in a white wine and lemon sauce and veal marsala bathed in rich marsala wine.
From lasagne and penne to chicken parmigiana and eye fillet steak, all of Al Forno’s fare features homemade, harmonious flavours and sauces that are sure to make you happy. Delizioso!
And, don’t forget about dessert. Maria makes all of Al Forno’s desserts including the decadent tiramisu with whisky and marscapone cream!
If the menu isn’t enough to convince you of the merits of this restaurant – nor the nearly packed restaurant every night – then perhaps the fact that Al Forno is celebrating its One Year Anniversary is enough to put you over the edge. Emilio and Maria have been delighting the taste buds of patrons in Takapuna ever since opening in April 2010.
With the glow from the pizza oven, an excellent wine list and a newly painted mural on the restaurant walls, Al Forno is an Italian hideaway in the heart of Takapuna that you
can’t miss.
Come celebrate with Emilio, Maria and the rest of the caring staff at Al Forno the next time you are in the mood for a stunning Italian meal on the Shore in one of the best atmospheres you could ask for.
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am till late, Sunday (for Brekky) from 8am till late. Monday closed.
Al Forno Restaurant Takapuna
34 Anzac Street, Takapuna. Phone 488-0179
www.alforno.co.nz
MARVEL GRILL
Marvel Grill specialises in fresh quality meat cuts paired with lovely side dishes and an authentic kiwi menu, which still manages to borrow from exotic themes and cuisines. As well as serving the traditional 220gm scotch fillets through to the 450gm T-bones, eye fillet steaks as small as 80gm and 120gm are on the menu, which are proving exceptionally popular with women. Along with the grill offerings, a range of hot skillets brought steaming hot to your table are available, including pork ribs with tangy bbq sauce, prawns with garlic butter & sourdough toast, or a mixed grill of miso rubbed sirloin, chorizo, pork hunter & lamb cutlets with a red wine sauce and roasted onion. Marvel Grill offers an impressive wine list of reasonably priced wines which make the whole menu affordable.
OPEN 7 days
NOON TILL LATE.
34 ANZAC AVENUE, TAKAPUNA.
PH: 486 2249
www.marvelgrill.co.nz
gpk takapuna
It is one of the most established restaurants on the Shore, having been around for 12 years, which has given it time to build a loyal base of regulars and carve itself a place in Takapuna’s eating and dining culture. GPK is a full grill offering A La Carte mains and great steaks. A sample from the menu includes entrees ranging from Clevedon rock oysters to goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto; salads, of which the chicken and caesar are definite favourites; mains, from spaghetti to the aforementioned steaks, and desserts. Children have their own special menu to choose from and a takeaway menu is also available.
Mon-Fri 11.30AM-MIDNIGHT
Weekends 9.30AM-MIDNIGHT
162 HURSTMERE ROAD, TAKAPUNA
PH: 488 0015
www.gpk.co.nz
PInot Plus
A visit to Pinot Plus means that you will be taken on a wine journey with John, an experienced sommelier formerly of Blott on the Landscape and Porterhouse Blue fame. He will ease you into wine tastings beyond your typical drop without committing you to a glass or bottle. It is a wine exploration in a relaxing, romantic atmosphere to ensure you enjoy not only each sip but the experience as a whole.
Love good food? Don’t worry, Pinot Plus isn’t just about the wine. The restaurant offers a delicious menu of items that can be selected as tapas or mains. From prawn skewers, slow-cooked beef cheeks and pork belly to smoked duck liver pate and cheese boards, Pinot Plus offers a variety of Moorish delights in a variety of sizes.
DINNER: TUES - SAT
5.30PM TILL LATE
168 HURSTMERE RD, TAKAPUNA
PH: 489 9510 • www.pinotplus.co.nz
THE COPPER ROOM
The Copper Room proudly serves the Monteith’s family of craft beers on tap and offers a warm and welcoming experience. With it’s comfortable and cosy interior, The Copper Room is a popular spot in Takapuna. Come in and watch the latest sporting action, catch a band, or enjoy our delicious menu. We’ve also got a great kids menu, so the whole family is welcome. Monday: Burger Heaven any burger $10.50.Tuesday: Chicken Wings or Ribs $ 10.50.Wednesday: Angus Steak 300grm Steak and prawns $18.50. Thursday: Local Bangers and Mash $12.50 (Supplied by the Milford Butcher). Friday: Fish and Chips $12.50. Saturday: Burger Sliders( Mini Burgers) 4 for $12 8 for $20. Sunday: The Legendry Sunday Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding $15.50. Experience some of Auckland’s best bands at the North Shore’s premier live music venue!
Mon-wed11.30am til late
thurs-fri 11.30am til 1pm
sat 11am-1am/sun 11am til late
138 HURSTMERE ROAD, TAKAPUNA
PH: 489 8030
www.copperroom.co.nz
MINT takapuna
MINT is in a beautiful setting with outdoor seating close to Takapuna Beach for that lovely morning stroll.
Great for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or Dinner.
Introducing one of the delicious breakfasts at MINT – Lambs Fry and Bacon.
Great Coffee deal with loyalty card – Purchase 5 get 1 FREE. Superb Dinner Menu including Eye Fillet Steak with Bearnaise Sauce and Potato Gratin. Also popular is our Seafood Chowder.
Mon-SUN 7AM TIL LATE
174 HURSTMERE ROAD,TAKAPUNA
489 4727
AUBERGINE TAKAPUNA
From the moment you walk through the front doors you are enveloped in a friendly atmosphere that makes dining both a pleasure and an experience, regardless of the time of day.
Whether you desire brunch, lunch or a romantic dinner, Aubergine is the best choice to make.
Private functions, Business functions and group bookings, including Christmas functions are always welcomed and are easily accommodated at Aubergine Takapuna with seating capacity of up to 140, large enough for most business or family events.
The menu offers an international style of cuisine that mixes old Kiwi favourites with the flavours of Europe and the Mediterranean.
Mon-FRI NOON TIL LATE
SAT 11AM TIL LATE
SUN 11AM TIL 11PM
129 HURSTMERE ROAD, TAKAPUNA
PH: 489 3104
www.aubergine.co.nz
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