GET TO KNOW YOUR BYO with Kellie Larson

BYO Restaurant - year in review

Twelve months ago I began a search for the best BYO restaurants on the Shore, and eleven BYO reviews later I feel pretty confident to announce my favourites from the last year. The results below are based on the points assigned in each review while taking into consideration changes in how restaurants may have been scored differently from the beginning of the year to the end of the year after 11 reviews!

BYO Restaurant - year in review

All in all, these are the places that I now frequent regularly and recommend to all of my friends and colleagues. These are the places of which I now compare other restaurants and BYOs, as I have favourites at each. If you haven’t taken the time to check out all of the restaurants below, I highly suggest you do this month!

Look out for the August issue of Channel magazine when we will resume our BYO reviews, and if you have a recommendation for a BYO restaurant to review either email kellie@channelmag.co.nz or Tweet @channelmag with your suggestions!

Supreme Winner

Raviz
178 Hurstmere Road Takapuna
Raviz is Indian food heaven in Takapuna, and it is my supreme
winner because it received the most points by far when I reviewed
it in December. This is a BYO restaurant that is quickly becoming a staple for restaurant goers on the Shore – especially Monday through Wednesday with its $10 curries.
Sit back and relax in the modern atmosphere with its outdoor seating overlooking the bustling Hurstmere Road. Enjoy a wide selection of rich, flavoursome curries. And enjoy the personal attention given by senior wait staff to ensure all wine, naan and curries continue to flow to your table uninterrupted. A place that can become your local without breaking the budget and delivering consistently good food every time.

Best Food

Kyo-ya
426 Lake Rd Takapuna
Kyo-ya serves a standard of Japanese food second to none. This local BYO offers the freshest seafood, tastiest sushi combinations, but best of all – its combination dinners are brilliant works of art that leave you wanting for nothing.
I recommend the Kyo-ya Delight. The meal begins with a bowl of miso. The main is a tiered platter covered in banana leaves with wire baskets brimming with tempura vegetables and prawns, sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, salad, beef tataki and teriyaki chicken or fish on rice. And, if you have room – end the meal with an ice cream sundae topped with a sweet wafer.
You will never regret eating the amazing Japanese creations at Kyo-ya on Lake Road.

Best Atmosphere
and Service

Buona Sera
99 Victoria Road Devonport
Buona Sera raises the expectations of what to expect from a BYO experience here on the Shore. As you walk into this charming brick restaurant, you are automatically transported to another world – a taste of Italy.
Enjoy the atmosphere, personality and offerings of an authentic Italian experience – including staff that claim themselves as “homemade just like the pasta”. And, if you didn’t read the original review of Buona Sera,
let me assure you that the food is amazing
as well!

Best Value
for Money

New Vietnam Café
62-78 Hurstmere Rd Takapuna
New Vietnam Café is a unique addition to the North Shore dining experience, and at an average of $12 per dish it won’t break the bank to give it a try – or in my case frequent at least once a week!
New Vietnam Café offers tasty, fresh cuisine in heaping proportions for substantial value. $9.80 can buy you a bowl of rice vermicelli noodles with lemongrass chicken, herbs and pickled vegetables OR traditional pho soup of seared beef and noodles. And, if you aren’t sure what to order, be sure to ask Jane and she will make sure you love every bite of your meal.