RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
A PERSONAL REVIEW OF RESTAURANTS AROUND THE WORLD

PORTOFINO
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

We had no previous knowledge about this place.  We were in the mood for Italian one night and we had passed the place during a previous foot tour of the neighborhood and decided to give it a try.  For one thing it had a big, local crowd.  Always a good sign.

For a starter I ordered the one shellfish that New Zealand is word famous for -- green lipped mussels.  These babies (called Gino's Mussels) were plump and juicy and served with a wonderful broth.  My wife passed on a starter and just ordered a main course.  Oh yeah, we did share an order of garlic bread to start.

Terrific Mussels!

For my main I went with Penne Arrabiata.  It came to the table steaming hot and had a wonderful flavor and a bit of a kick to it.  Perfect!  It came with mushrooms and olives and some other goodies.  My wife went with Tortellini Panna which contained minced chicken, ham, mushrooms (which she picked out and gave to me because she doesn't like them!) and a cream sauce.  Her meal, too, was most enjoyable.

Lousy Picture -- Sorry!  But Great Tortellini!

To end the feast I nursed a cup of hot coffee and my wife invaded a nice piece of cheesecake.

This was a most enjoyable meal.  If you'd like to try Portofino they have several of them throughout New Zealand..  The one we sampled was in the Viaduct area (harbour area) of Auckland and a short stroll from the Auckland Hilton.

They have a web site here.

ADDITIONAL NEW ZEALAND RESTAURANT REVIEWS

Danny Doolans - Auckland, New Zealand
Harbourside - Auckland, New Zealand
Nourish Cafe - Ostend, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Riba - Devonport, New Zealand
Wildfire - Auckland, New Zealand