Restaurant 88 (88 Tory Street, Te Aro)

This place does Vietnam proud. The food is classy, authentic and delicious, and the décor is of a similar standard. From the moment you walk in you will experience traditional welcoming Asian service, and a guaranteed fine-dining experience. And it’s so green. The big green 88 on the door, the lighting, and the fresh herbs all combine to create a very green experience! I had so much trouble deciding what to choose, and ensured that our entire group ordered something different so that I could try them all. The meals were all extremely filling, so much so that between us we could not finish the plates. The drinks menu is also impressive. Again, this place is a real bargain when you use the Entertainment book voucher – buy one get one free makes it an incredibly worthwhile meal!

On my most recent visit, we were under a bit of time pressure to be at the cinema by a certain time. We were running late when we arrived, and  were a bit dismayed to see just how busy the place was! After mentioning that we were going to be rushed, the staff absolutely looked after us and had our food to us SO quickly that we were all done and dusted with time to spare. I was very appreciative of their service that night.

Best dish: As a main I think it is hard to go past the baked fish with prawn and papaya salad. Yum!

Price range: Between $30 – $40