Review Ostro - Auckland Central

The food is great. Ordered the beef Wellington and tastes great. But just realized there is no special gift for birthday person. What’s more, if you bring your own cake, there will be extra $5 charge for each person at your table. The waiting time today around 50 minutes ( we have already pre-order online though ) ,it is quite a long waiting for my husband but it is acceptable for me.

Went here for family lunch on daughter birthday. Very impressive. Started with the seafood platter and lobster toast yummy. Lobster toast is a must try. Then shared Beef Wellington and lamb roster both first class. Lamb falling off the bone. Sides veg and chips all good. Staff were attentative and most helpful. Really nice outlook just a shame the container wharf is here but would highly recommend Ostro to all. Is expensive but I thought well worth the experience.

Food was absolutely amazing. However, the service was disaster. Service: Lunch time was extremely under staffed. We kept looking for our waiter and nobody checked on us. When the desserts came and we waited for five minutes to get our cutlery. Food: Oyster was fresh, lamb rump was just perfect(tender, juicy and flavourful), beef fillet was delicious and the chicken was tasty. Desserts do need some improvement nothing special.

On a Saturday afternoon around 3pm we wandered for lunch into Ostro. This place has a great view of the Waitemata harbour and you have the option to sit inside or the outside depending on weather. Great ambience and sitting space. Menu had one main option for vegetarians only. We had hot pot mushrooms and pan sheared snapper plus fries on the side. For a fine dinning restaurant the food was average, customer service was not as expected but the servers were polite. Cocktail was great along with the tap beer. Definitely a place to visit with friends for a drink and to soak in the harbour views.

Lovely restaurant with great food. Best beef Wellington I’ve ever had. We went twice on a weekend and the beef Wellington was sold out and were told to call in and reserve it. Everything on the menu is fantastic though. Great view and location.

Good spot, great food and service. Our waitress was excellent , attentive and very helpful with our food choices. We arrived rather early & was prepared to have a drink in the bar but it wasn't a problem & we were offered our table immediately with a view of the Harbour. Lovely evening & definitely going back.

We dined out at Ostro Brasserie & Bar in Britomart precinct and was instantly impressed with the service and restaurant interior as soon as we entered. From a very industrial looking entrance to the building to ascending the floors to the restaurant, it was stunning to walk into the reception area separating the mood lit bar to the right and the expansive dining area opposite. The maitre’d was a consummate professional with greeting and escorting us to our table. The wait staff were exceptional and the menu was exciting to peruse. I was impressed with the wine list the representation of NZ wines so we enjoyed an Otago Pinot Noir with Antipodes. We started off with the seafood platter and this was amazing with banana prawns, kingfish crude, ceviche, oysters, tuna tataki and croquettes with a trio of sauces. This was the best seafood platter I’ve ever had as the flavour profiles were refreshing and exotic to enhance the seafood. Following on, we ordered the snapper and lobster pie and this was moorish and flavoursome with chunks of lobster and fish in mornay sauce. We enjoyed the pie with Parmesan beignets and a cos hazelnut salad. The sides complemented beautifully. For dessert we had the poached pear with chocolate mousse and a cheese platter. This was the perfect close to a wonderful dinner. Overall, our dining experience was memorable and the ambiance, service and cuisine was truly wonderful. Highly recommended with distinction!

We come here for a friends birthday as we have read from the urban list it's one of the best places for a Sunday roast dinner on Auckland. The roast was really tasty but they don't do gravy!! Which we thought it shocking, we were given a bit of jus from the beef Wellington which was amazing but not enough to go round for a table of 24. The Yorkshire pudding was one of the best i have tasted in a long time. The service was good and the venue is amazing. We'll be back again with a much smaller crowd and try something else off the menu.

Lovely location. Great food, and even better service. We thoroughly enjoyed our Saturday Sipsters lunch here. A must-do restaurant.. Oh, and a wonderful view of the Port.

Was there for a work function. Food was amazing and our lovely Scottish waitress was so attentive. I didn't take a picture of the carpaccio but it was the star of the meal. View of the docks is quite cool. I love the space and will be back. Its a great place for drinks with friends.

- Great service, best oysters in town, grilled market fish & lobster n snapper pie were outstanding. - Saturday Sipsters : great deal, so good! In your dreams cocktail is a must.

Was planning to have Sunday roast menu(started on 2july), need to book at least 8hours in advance, unfortunately we did not book, end up we had others on the menu. The side Parmesan beignets were delicious, perfect to match mayo sauce. Great service even it was busy.

Great service and views. Sides are pretty good tastes and the beef Wellington is ok. They also give birthday person a little cute cake :)

Beautiful dining experience with amazing views over Auckland Harbour. Food and drink were amaaazing, steak cooked to how i wanted. The duck starter was just to die for.

Everything was perfect. I have never been to Ostro before and that was my first time there, I invited a friend as well. We came for the beef Wellington and it did not disappoint us ! (in fact, we were extremely fascinated by many other elements about this place). Perfectly cooked and marinated medium rare beef that melts in your mouth with a layer of pate and the crispy puff pastry wrapped around. It’s literally heaven. If you haven’t tried out the beef Wellington in Ostro yet, you definitely should. Other dishes were also very nice, I did not have time to take pictures of them because I didn’t want to let my friend wait for too long. To be honest, this is one of very few places I have been to in Auckland that can accomplish all these three things: ambience, food, and customer service. It has a breathtaking view with chilling, romantic music that will satisfy anyone you’re inviting here. Elegant atmosphere and layout. Food is excellent, nothing to complain about. Moreover, the customer service is just on point. They’re very polite, they’re friendly and thoughtful. To the French guy who worked in Ostro Bar that day: Thank you, you made our experience there perfectly outstanding ! I feel happy that I took my friend to this place. Keep it up Ostro Brasserie & Bar. Will be coming back here for sure. My tummy already misses the food from them :)

Amazing view, great staff. This is fine dining so you are looking to spend on a main and side in terms of portion size. My wife who isn't usually fussy was not a fan of the sauce on the gnocchi dish.

One of my favourite restaurants in Auckland despite the fact I have never been able to order the beef wellington. Its always sold out before I get there. So if you're keen on that. Book and order ahead. Despite that all the dishes on the menu are fantastic and it has a great view of the car yard which doesn't sound great but is a nice view at night. The staff are friendly and helpful and the deserts are awesome. The creme brulee is really sizeable and sometimes I come here just for that. A must attend in Auckland.

Really nice place. Amazing food and wonderful customer service. It's expensive but worth it.

Great location, atmosphere and food. My friends took me here first for my birthday and since then whenever there's an occasion or just coz we feel like eating somewhere nice we would go to Ostro. Really enjoyed the food, although it is a bit to the small serving/pricey but you are paying for the location, service and cuisine. My favorite has to be the creme brulee 😍

Came here for a birthday dinner for partner and was blown away with how amazing every dish we ordered was. We had the crayfish toasted sandwich, octopus entre, pan fried snapper and eye fillet and everything was super delicious.<br/>Was a little disappointed with the cocktail only because it was filled to the brim which meant it spilt all over the table and a bit on my dress.<br/><br/>Have to say service was a let down. We were sat at one of two tables next to the kitchen and it seem that the waiter forgot about both our table and the other one. My partner sat with an empty glass for most of his main as we were unable to catch anyone's eye to order another drink. Seemed our waiter was more interested in chatting to the other tables while we didnt even have anyone ask us if our meals were fine or if we wanted more drinks.<br/><br/>Also when we went to pay we were informed that the whiskey my partner ordered was actually out of stock so they had just selected a different one. I didnt understand why they just selected a different cheaper one instead of coming back to my partner so he could select another. <br/><br/>I would give a 10/5 for the food but unfortunately average service makes me apprehensive to come back.

love the taste of beef wellington but the food come quite slow

Get there at 6.30 pm and Beef Wellington was sold out. I'm sure an ordinary restaurant can manage their stock far better than here. <br/>REALLY DISAPPOINTED!

Bluff oysters are still my favorite🦪 of all time!Period! Everytime having was a pleasant experience except this time. Don’t get me wrong, the oysters are still the best. Unfortunately, the service was extremely unpleasant. My friend and I were having lunch at Ostro today. What happened was that my we were asked for sparkling or still water while being seated. There’s no water pouring even after we finished ordering the food. I had to ask for it AGAIN. The waiter (without hair one, I’ve been very polite) just pretended that he didn’t understand what I was talking about while I was ordering the food. I could clearly feel his impatience. When I asked for water after I finished the meal. He noticed and walked away to do other things and came back to clear my plates without the water serving. I had to ask politely again. “Yes!Yes!” with an impatient tone from him. The funny thing was that he was very hospitable to a group of female customers(white) nearby our table, even with a smile at them. What a shame! I hasn’t encountered such unprofessional waiter since 10 years ago in Australia. I mean Australia, no offense, it’s kind normal to experience rude services from time to time. That’s what they are famous for. I don’t expect this kind restaurant providing decent service. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not playing the race card or pretend to be a victim. But at least don’t act like you are the bold white guy in the Crazy Rich Asians who refused to serve asians because of their skin color. It’s in New Zealand and it’s 2020. You are not privileged to do so. Severing customers in a professional manner is your job as a waiter. Probably take a training session at your neighbor Amano, look at how they treat customers. Btw, I do hope people who read this boring story do go to Ostro to eat, the oysters there are great. I have nothing to against the restaurant. I just love oysters and wanted to have the best experience. I’m not twisting the facts nor what I had experienced. Seeing is believing. Keep a eye on that bold waiter, you would be entertained by how he treats different customers. Hopefully, he could improve. But with that attitude, highly doubt it.

Quite small portion. Nothing was particularly outstanding. Service was as it should be for restaurants like this. Food was nice but not wow.

🍞🥩Beef Wellington at Ostro 🤩it’s been on my list for a while, finally gave it a try yesterday and I was super impressed! Beef Wellington is a very technical dish to make and @ostroakl nailed it! We ordered it in medium and it came out perfect, the pastry was flaky and the meat was cooked to point. The entire dish went super well with the grilled confit baby onion and garlic that came with! I’ve tried this dish at Gordon Ramsey Steak in Las Vegas, it’s supposedly Ramsey’s signature dish, so the hopes was high, but it came out disappointing, not to mention its price tag🙄! Ostro’s Beef Wellington really exceeded my expectations. If you want some good Beef Wellington in Auckland, Ostro is the place to go! Do make a reservation and let them know that you’re ordering Beef Wellington as this dish requires prior notice and advance preparation.<br/>.<br/>Another starter dish worth mentioning from yesterday was their grilled South Island Octopus, served with potatoes, very delicious🐙Highly recommend trying!<br/>.<br/>💲Price $98 (Beef Wellington which feeds 2 and includes 2 sides) • entire meal was about $90/person<br/>😋Taste 5/5<br/>📍Britomart

We had the Beef Wellington and it was tasty. However, the service was really poor which left us so disappointed. Won't come back again. The staff was very unattended. Our drinks were supposed to come with the starters. We waited for over 20mins. No one checked on us until we asked. It turned out that they missed our drinks order. No apology at all. We also had to ask for water every time. Staff didn't even response when we thanked them. Even some takeaway places have politer people than them.

I went there with my colleagues after work because next door was fully booked. Also this restaurant has a good reputation, so I was excited to have dinner here.<br/>The sea view was stunning, but unfortunately that’s all.<br/>Steak was not soft like wagyu..It took ages to cut.<br/>Lobster and snapper pie was unique, but a bit over priced.<br/>The most unexpected thing was horrible service. One waiter served us was senseless. I was a bit shocked. He was like putting our glasses and dishes on the table strongly as if he looked angry and didn’t tell us food names. He was drinking water from a water bottle for customer on the way to the kitchen.<br/>To be honest, a new waiter was the best even if she didn’t know anything about the restaurant.<br/>But we enjoyed a lot except that service.

Came in tonight for a farewell dinner for my friend. Tried the eye fillet and the mushroom hotpot. Did not expect the mushroom hotpot to come out like it did but I guess it did taste pretty nice. The steak was cooked really well as well. Meat melted in my mouth and sauce complimented the tenderness of medium rare steak. We also ordered raw salmon and oysters for the appetisers. Salmon was delicious as always. Salmon roe and the sauce worked really well together but I was not a fan of the ginger granite. However, presentation of the dish was 10/10. We also tried out the espresso shot gingerbeer drink. Honestly thought it wasted a bit weird but it was nice to try out something new I guess. <br/>Service was amazing. Staff were patient and showed us photos of what the dishes looked like and wrote down the wifi password for us. It was an amazing evening for my friend and I.

Love the food here! It’s a fantastic view and setting for a special occasion or just summer! The service is fantastic also.

I hardly complain but this was my Wife's birthday & was highly recommended so huge expectation!<br/>Wine arrived but sat on the table for 5mins, then finally waiter came back & opened to taste!<br/>Beer batter on oysters was heavy & gluggy!<br/>That fried thing with the chicken livers was really bad!<br/>How many frys had the oil gone thru in the deep fryer?<br/>Waiter asked me how I wanted the wagyu rump done, I said rare then he recommend medium rare so I followed... Arrived was overdone! Should have said rare! What was waste of wagyu!<br/>The beef tongue on the salad was dry & inedible! HTF!<br/>Fedback to waiter & captain, waiter gave us a 'Empty I dont care look!'. Captain apologized & offered us a free drinks at the bar but I said sorry it's my kids bedtime!<br/>Very disappointed!<br/>A forgettable family dinner!

Have been there a few times, good vibes and Wellington beef. I recommend medium well， better than medium.

A large group of us (12) were having a birthday lunch with the Saturday Sippers set menu and man was that underwhelming. Is it worth it? Sure. The portion and price of the menu was pretty generous for a three course menu ($45pp) with two options for the main and entree. I tried all the options, and actually avoid the seafood options. The prawns are very tricky to eat as they're fully shelled and the fish risotto thing was a bit too fishy (maybe not fresh?). The pork croquettes and pasta though were pretty delicious. However, what the actual hell is the service at ostro? For an establishment with nearly a 5 star rating you'd expect amazing service, but the waiters couldn't even follow up on pouring wine, placing the right dish in front of us and better yet were just a bit stand offish and reluctant to even be there. At the end of the meal they overcharged us and couldn't keep track of the bill (despite us ALL eating from a set menu). Great views and ambience, but I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups or for people who value good service.

Was definite a happy meal. Beef Wellington was cooked just well. It was my first time trying fresh oyster. It was fresh and creamy. The appetiser was duck, which I thought was over cooked. At the balcony, the view was fabulous.

Unfortunately they sold out Beef Wellington when we arrived. Friendly staff but slow service. <br/>Food taste pretty good,location is easy to find.

Went here for High Tea great experience great food but little bit too sweet for me.<br/>Apart from that everything is good, will come here for diner next time :)

Food was good and service was very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend lamb shoulder which was so tender and flavourful. The harbour view was very beautiful during the sunset time.

Amazing food and view! Ordered the creme brûlée and it was the best i have ever tried! Also ordered the seafood grazing player which was extremely delicious and greta for bigger groups. View was impeccable even on a bad day. Wonderful place for a fancy dinner or special night out #nightout #special #seafood #view

Ostro can be found in level two of the seafarers building at britomart but dont worry theres a lift and you’ll need it after this place. <br/><br/>I think this is one of the more beautiful venues with a very very nice view being elevated a bit. Make sure to ask for a table by the windows as the views a bit lost from the center. Staff were attentive and very friendly. <br/><br/>To the food. I ordered too much. Parmesan beignets yes! More! these made me feel at home. Prawn ravioli was good interesting flavours throughout. Wagyu burger was decent but the chips and semi smoked aioli? Were great. There are better food options at this place for sure. But I wanted what I ordered. Decent cocktail and wine list beers limited.

Beautiful dinner with a beautiful view. Had the buffalo mozzarella with sourdough, beef wellington with parmesan beignets& creamed sweetcorn, and a rich chocolate dessert to finish off. Mains and dessert were absolutely delicious and highly recommend once they come back on the menu (no longer in season). Starter could’ve done with more cheese or less tomato. Otherwise wonderful experience and service!

I have been here 4 times. Foods and customer service were excellent. Highly recommend to book a table with the note for saving you a portion of Beef Wellington if you wanna try. My last two experience was not expected but overall, I still love this place and their foods.

Taste: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑<br/>Interior Deco: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑<br/>Customer service: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗<br/>Recommend: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑<br/>Came here for a 21st, unfortunately the beef Wellington is sold out. The octopus, seafood platter, corn and cream brûlée was amazing but the $100 rare sow fish didn’t taste special. The staffs were super patient and friendly! Very nice sea views despite it already quite late!

This review is for their high-tea only. Came here for high-tea with a group of friends. It is all you can eat and you can keep refilling the trays when you need more food. Love the freshly made sandwiches and a colourful palette of delicious treats. <br/><br/>The High Tea with three tiers of treats is available for $55 per person and can be accompanied with a glass of champagne to toast the occasion (for an additional price).

I was looking forward to having dinner here for my graduation and it started alright but left disappointed. The service lacked attention to detail, food did not arrive all on time that I was still waiting for my entree while the rest of the table was half way through theirs. My bf also had to ask 3 times for a beer to be served. My entree was delicious though even though it was late. The mains were where most of my family was disappointed. The steaks didnt have a lot or no sauce at all. I wanted to order the beef wllington but they already sold ouy so I opted for the lamb. My lamb loin was the size of an entree and did not fill me up. It was the same price as the steaks but it was the quarter of the size. The lobster and snapper pie was filling because it was mostly mashed potato instead of seafood and it lacked flavour. The burger was alright but not balanced very well with a big portion of beef pattie and only a tiny slice of tomato and a small lettuce. The fries were soggy and the portion was quite small for the price. The parmesan beignets were lovely though with the melted cheese.

Visited here on a Friday night to celebrate my mother’s birthday. The food was excellent and very tasty! However, the service was poor which left us disappointed. The server did not know what dish they were bringing to the table. They weren’t attentive - had to ask every time our waters needed to be topped up. Very disappointing given the price we had to pay! The service made the whole experience underwhelming..

OMG，look at，what a plates！<br/>oysters are fresh with vinegar, garlic, and some other sauces( bit of sweet). I had grilled market fish snapper and it is fantastic. crispy outside tender and fresh inside combining with smash potato and juicy spinash. Brilliant.<br/>lobster and snapper pie is different from expected but it fabulous as well. nice dining with nive view, fine services and sweet friends. get satisfied😋😋

Best birthday dinner ever!!! I went there for my 21st and got a salmon steak for myself and a gnocchi for my bf🥰 They were both fascinating, especially the salmon :) It was fresh, the outer skin was crispy and the meat was soft and juicy🤤🤤 The sourdough with seaweed butter for appetizer was very unique💕 Loved it!!! Must try hehe

Came to Ostro for our anniversary and it was PERFECTION from start to finish. Stunning ambience and view out to the harbour, fabulous service with complementary champagne to celebrate. The food was to DIE for, amazing seafood platter blew us away! We couldn’t be more thankful to Ostro and Justine for the magical night and beautiful memories. We will definitely be back!

It is rare to go out fine dining for me now, but this experience was well worth it. With views over looking the Port and you get the beautiful sea breeze.<br/>•<br/>Pan seared salmon - (9/10, $38) -<br/>The fish was cooked so well, crispy skin on the outside and flakey and tender on the outside. The caviar sauce was creamy and delish but just wished there was slightly more.<br/>•<br/>Seafood platter -(7/10, $59) -<br/>The presentation was pretty like a present, the battered oysters were so fresh and crispy. The ceviche was okay, I'm not a fan of ceviche in general. The seared tuna was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Overall I'm not a huge fan of raw seafood unless it's salmon.<br/>•<br/>Parmesan beignets - (8.5/10, $9) -<br/>These were super light and delightful. The exterior was crisp but with a soft gooey center. Perhaps a bit more parmesan is needed, it was more of a potato croquette for me.<br/>•<br/>Sourdough with seaweed butter -(9.5/10)- The bread was fresh and warm from the oven, amazing soft inside holding it's integrity with it's thin crisp exterior. The star of the dish was the seaweed butter, it just melted away as you spread it on the sourdough. The seaweed flavours were strong which I loved.

I with my girlfriend came here for the Valentine day meal. The service is just so so but friendly at least and i feel disappoint with the food. The Dessert and the drinks were nice but the main is far away from my expectations because i feel it does not fit to the price and the rate showed. The beef wellington and the fries is over cooked and with just one portion of jus for two portions and the taste of the salmon is bland and just average. Not feel impressed about this place at all..both of us are foodies and not a good memories for us..

Friendly staff. Long long long wait times for food... about an hr for mains after entree, despite the restaurant being less than half full. Price and taste quality do not match. Wouldn’t recommend.

I don't understand why the staff at venues like this are so stuck up and plain rude. I couldn't care less if the chef has a michelin star. When I choose to have a meal in a restaurant, the basic expectation I have is that I will be made to feel welcomed and treated with a smile. Ostro delivered the complete opposite and instead I felt like we were being served by people who hated their jobs, hated being there and channeled this hatred towards myself and my friends. on top of the rubbish service, the food was VERY average.

One of my favorite restaurants to come chill. The service is exceptional staff are always kind and sociable. The drinks are great and the view is beautiful. The atmosphere is relaxing. The food is great! Brandy snaps were delicious! Would recommend anyone to come to ostro.

Very cool place to go for a drink with a relaxed indoor outdoor style bar. Range of beers on tap are pretty good too. Had the market fish of the day grilled which was snapper served with shoestring fries and tartare which was excellent. Fish was cooked perfectly and was thick and fresh. Chips also amazing.

Great atmosphere, amazing location ( wharf on one side and the Britomart on the other), friendly and helpful staff, great weather to spend a Friday afternoon and let's not forget the most important..the FOOD...Oh my lord the food is just addictive.<br/>The octopus or the ceviche as starters and the pork chop or the lobster pie as mains, finalising with a panacotta or a meringue as a dessert are the ones I strongly recommend.<br/>One of the best restaurants in Auckland (not afraid to say it) and extremely recommended.<br/>Too bad I don't have more stars to give.

Went to Ostro looking for a drink and snack - aiming to show an old friend visiting Akl how the city had grown up in the last 10 years. Staff were friendly and attentive but the cocktails were insipid and the bar food was poor. Buttermilk chicken with a price tag of $16 amounted to three individual chicken nibbles. Disappointing.

What started out as a great way to kick off New Years Eve with some drinks and platters, turned sour when we were promptly told by a rude member of staff we had 15 minutes to leave as there was an event on (no one had said anything about this when we arrived two hours earlier). When queried where one of the drinks we ordered was he dismissively told us “it wasn’t on the docket” as of that meant we didn’t still want the drink, and only after asking two more times did he eventually get us it. <br/>The drinks were nice, the food was sparse and left a lot to be desired, the service was subpar. We shan’t be returning.

+10 for the view, -6 for the service<br/>Ok so the MOST annoying thing is that you need to pre-order their high tea, but they don’t pick up the damn phone. MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT <br/>The major selling point is the view - which is killer! Didn’t appreciate the supercilious attitude of the guy who welcomed me - really put me off. <br/>Ordered Parmesan beignets and a flat white. The beignets are quite yum with chipotle mayo - all gooey and cheesy. But I think they need to work on adding some flavour - maybe herbs or a less cloying sauce. The coffee is over-steamed creating a lumpy foam instead of something light and frothy. <br/>Regardless- will be back for the mushroom gnocchi.<br/>

Delicious food - yummy pork belly and the parmesan beignets are one of a kind.  <br/>A nice place overlooking the harbour with an excellent service.

Good service, good food. We tried the oysters, bread, one each of the gnocchi, the salmon and the lobster and snapper pie. Finished with one dessert, the chocolate mousse. Drinks three glasses of local sac Blanc and a coke. Total NZD254/.<br/><br/>Only minus is the menu on the website is not current which was disappointing re the expectations.

Went in for a few casual drinks. The atmosphere was vibrant with modern designed structure. Good service,friendly staff and a variety of cocktail list. A bit overpriced. Overall ambience of the whole set up was great.

My rating is a 3.5/5.<br/><br/>Dined here on a busy Friday night. Situated on the 2nd floor if this complex is Ostro. From the outside you would have no idea it's hustling and bustling inside. We were seated by the bar for drinks until the dining room was ready. The views from the top overlooks the harbour with breathtaking views.<br/><br/>The restaurant itself is pretty cool with the lush greenery planted throughout the dining space. The wait staff are friendly, helpful and efficient.<br/><br/>The highlight of the dinner was the starters and appetizers. The ceviche was well seasoned, fresh and full of flavour. I could eat that all day long. The buffalo mozzarella was delicious and paired well with the tomato and basil. The oysters on the starters platter was tasty but rather small.<br/><br/>The desserts were decent sized and we'll presented. The peanut butter and jelly parfait was interesting and had a pleasant texture and taste. The raspberry and chocolate marquise wasn't too sweet but I found the texture a tad to firm. The cheese platter was a decent size with lots of accompanying fruits and jams. He creme brulee was made to perfection.<br/><br/>The low-light for me was definitely the main. I ordered the pan fried Hapuka and it was an absolute disappointment. A little tough in the texture with little to no flavour. I would not recommend this at all and was disappointed I didn't opt for the lamb, beef or gnocchi instead.<br/><br/>The silverbeet that it was paired with seemed overcooked or old leaves that became stringy. It was just a disaster of a main. Such a disaster everyone who ordered the same main, barely touched the silverbeet. For that reason the rating went from a 4 to a 3.5.<br/>

Been here quite a few times since 2014.<br/><br/>Good for lunch, dinner or even beer and oysters.<br/><br/>It’s become average. The food is average.<br/><br/>The service is below average.<br/><br/>

Visited Ostro last night - the layout & view is amazing. Sadly it was raining so definitely on a clear sunny day the sunset would be perfect from sitting up here. <br/><br/>We ordered:<br/>Entree:<br/>Sourdough with seaweed butter 5/5<br/>(Hot steaming fresh bread loaf & the butter was so delicious)<br/>&<br/>Prawn ravioli - yum !! So much flavour!!! 5/5<br/><br/>Mains:<br/>Agria Potato Gnocchi - so delicious, loved the flavours from the burnt butter & toasted almonds just topped it off.<br/><br/>Hubby had the Wagu beef burger - he loved it. So much flavour packed into it.<br/><br/>Would definitely come back again to try more things on the menu. <br/><br/>

Racial discrimination bad service that I been. Poor English. Shame. It was my birthday and Irony customers. Delete the common. Terrible feeling on that day.

It was girls’ night out one slightly chilly Thursday evening. I had been eyeing the beef wellington but I could not justify paying 98NZD (menu for two) when my friends were not particularly fond of it. I opted for the snapper/ fish of the day (39NZD). The fish was cooked to perfection and the sauce and the garnish was flavourful. The girls ordered duck (39NZD), Angus beef (42NZD) and lamb (38NZD). The seafood platter was divine (oysters, tuna, ceviche) but the portions were too scarce. It was rationed exactly for four people (59NZD). We also had charred squid as another entree (22NZD). It was a good thing we all have fairly petite appetites. The pinot noir was ok but since I did not have red meat, I did not appreciate it much. My friends enjoyed it though (they drink a lot). I’m no food connoisseur but the brussel sprouts made my meal :) Totally worth 10NZD as a side dish. I could eat multiple servings of those. We also had some parmesan beignets (10NZD) as another side and by the end of it all, we were all too full for dessert. <br/><br/>The ambiance was very chic and classy. The view was just about ok. But this is probably because I have been to so many other beautiful places. My eyes are now a bit spoiled for life. I am not fond of food though so taste wise, I cannot form too many informed opinions. Cafe/ grocery and takeout food is fine by me when I am alone (which is most of the time anyway). That aside, this place is ideal for fancy affairs and romantic dinners. I will take the bae here for sure some time this summer (been meaning to go her with him for a while). <br/><br/>Service wise, nothing to fault really. The girl who served us was very cheerful (although she looked tired) and pleasant to talk to. She recommended the fish. In hindsight I should have stuck to the ever so safe pork belly. A table near the windows / view is also a must. Might as well maximise the experience. <br/><br/>Price - expensive but you’re paying for the whole package, view, service, location, good food etc. I would not consider it totally worth the cost but that’s coming from a person who eats bacon and eggs for dinner. Go figure. We all paid about 400nzd including tip. <br/><br/>It was a memorable night though. We laughed all the way through and shared the juciest gossips. All in all, the perfect night!

In the early 1970’s, Seafarers.was known to many as a gateway into Auckland City for transient sailors... Present day... it is now home to Ostro Rst. transformed into 6 floors of eateries, bars, private clubs, and Auckland’s busiest port with captivating views of the Waitemata Harbour spectacular glimpses of the wider city. Trust me... It’s simply breathtaking.<br/><br/>Ostro takes it name from the Italian word for ‘a southerly wind’, which beautifully describes its interior which sweeps across the second floor; sleek clean lines, bold contrasts of black solid furniture shadowing hints of concrete slabs and translucent concertina glass block walls which can be opened to cater to small and large groups. <br/><br/>We arrived a few minutes after each other directed to the Bar area while we waited for the rest of our group. The Bar Staff was accommodating to our needs taking drink orders. The Beverage menu interesting... pricey too but definitely enticing... list of exotic wines, non-alcoholic sodas and cocktails... who would of thought that a cocktail named wicked wahine could be so delicious 😋 <br/><br/>Once we all gathered we were escorted to the main Restaurant... to a private area... felt really special... WOW this is an amazing area... the uninterrupted views of the Auckland Ports and Waitemata Harbour... friggin orgasmic! <br/><br/>Seating & table setting... Formal.. with white clean napkins, fine printed menus tucked neatly between the folds... utensil etiquette overload... we even had our very own Waiter who served us from beginning to end... classy indeed.<br/><br/>We all opted for the Express Lunch Menu... 2 course meal at a set priced $39<br/><br/>You may choose 1 from 3 Starters and 1 from 3 Mains<br/><br/>Important. Note for Express Lunch Menu: you must have a group of 10 - no more or no less Also ring direct to confirm Set Menu availability as subject to change as the website is out of date.<br/><br/>Our selection as follows; Starters: Beef Carpaccio gremolata corncboris aged pecorino anchovy mayo... beef is tasty gremolata compliments the beef... delicious highly recommend <br/><br/>Trevally ceviche Meyer lemon radish chilli coriander... light tender bites seasoned well great dressing<br/><br/>Burrata salad persimmon candied walnut caramelised Whitlock oregano... burrata pouch full of creamy cheese like mozzarella... delicious highly recommend <br/><br/>Mains: 90 day aged wakanui scotched fillet red onion purée caramelised carrot crispy shallots... tasty, lil tough, there’s carrot? Portion size... very small!<br/><br/>Seared wagu shiitake mushroom baby leek confit shallot ginger... was ok... again...there’s mushroom? Portion size... very small... possibly as wagu is expensive <br/><br/>Mushroom Gnocchi truffle cream pickled onion potato crisp mushroom medley... delicious, creamy mouthfuls of heaven, portion definitely the biggest of the mains <br/><br/>Desserts we could not fault; HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE MARQUISE Aged balsamic and dark cocoa... rich layers of chocolate, tangy balsamic restrains the sugar overload... outstanding<br/><br/>COMPRESSED PERSIMMON Almond crumb, coconut tuille, nectarine and yoghurt ice cream... delicious crumb compliments a not overly sweetened array of fruits<br/><br/>CARAMELIZED BANANA Warm banana cake, dulce de leche, coconut and banana ice cream... de constructed banana cake... Absolutely YUMMY <br/><br/>CLASSIC CREME BRÛLÉE... outstanding creamy deliciousness, generous portion<br/><br/>Cheese board with jam, cheese of your choice... great alternative if your not into dessert<br/><br/>Every meal was plated beautifully cannot fault... Portion size.. small... but I guess that comes with the Venue and Set Menu Price<br/><br/>Lastly but most importantly Customer Service; Well presented Staff who are on point when time for Service good attention to detail such as the little things refreshing our glasses.<br/><br/>Only challenge we did have was the small fragment remains from the wine that left a gritty after taste and there was a Disturbing amount that sat at the bottom of the wine glass<br/><br/>Our Waiter was advised of the wine fragments but failed to explain... we noticed quite quickly his tone and change of volume when he spoke, he clearly was frustrated... when I asked if I could take a photo of the contents... his demeanour changed quickly to calmness.... it Definitely made our group very uncomfortable.<br/><br/>We’re almost at the end of our Review promise!<br/>Settling the Bill-Payment 😬😩: <br/>Venue has a one table bill policy... you cannot pay individually... we were told to ask a person in our group to pay... then move to one side and sort out between ourselves... 😮 <br/><br/>Regardless of this one Waiter who challenged us twice... We had a fabulous time and enjoyed mingling in the ambience of the Rich & famous who dined privately in this area... <br/>would we recommend Ostro... most definitely 😎<br/>Exceptional Views... Great food... Great beverages and wines... definitely a once in a lifetime dining experience!<br/><br/>Again! important things to Note... <br/>Website has Set Menus that are out of date Ring direct to check prices what is actually available<br/>$50 Surcharge, if you bring your own cake whatever the celebration <br/>One Bill payment policy<br/>Parking expensive opt for Uber or Train <br/>Lastly... Not for the faint hearted on a Budget 🤣😂<br/><br/>We give this Venue a 4.5/5

Spectacular views on the waterfront, great for intimate moments and has one of my favourite bar settings in Auckland. I’m a big fan of establishments that allow patrons to have the ambience of a sit-down dinner and a casual drink set-up. <br/><br/>As expected Ostro has a variety of drinks to suit most taste buds, however it was weird when we found out that they could have potentially run out of IPA beer and cock tail ingredient. Nevertheless with the warmth of their electric heaters resembling more like towers of fire, I would throughly recommend Ostro for a drink.<br/>
Dinner service was great, as I was detoxing from my recent Melbourne trip I ordered a salad and the beef tartar. I thought I’ll just watch myself a little bit.The salad was had fabulous texture and a refreshing taste. Beef Tartar was rich in flavour as well. Colleagues were a fan in particular of the burger and steak. With one colleague commenting that they would be back soon just to have the steak again.<br/><br/>We came in on a Monday evening and was surprised at how many tables there was around. What did surprise now in reflection was how although there were 2-3 tables around us, I didn’t really seem to notice them at all in regards to the noise.<br/><br/>Showstopper: The steak cooked to Medium Rare.<br/>Overall Grade: A-

Omg! We loved the duck and the fish for our mains! My husband keeps taking us back especially for the duck! Great staff and good seating areas. A bit noisy though.

Wow.<br/>Hands down one of the best meals I’ve had. Everything tasted amazing. This is the wow factor I was looking for. The amazing harbour view, open style kitchen, tantalising plating, taste bud rave party. It’s here. You need to try it.<br/><br/>1. Baguette with seaweed butter - 5/5 Big flavours spread on warm crunchy bread.<br/>2. Fresh oysters - ?/5 I didn’t even get to eat any... the missus ate them all before I finished my baguette...<br/>3. Charred octopus - 4.8/5. I can’t put my finger on it, but for some reason this dish was absolutely amazing. Explosions in your mouth kind of amazing. Only downside was the saltiness. Definitely recommended.<br/>4. Beef Wellington - 5/5 one of the only places in Auckland that makes beef Wellington and it is THE BEST. Comes with 3 sauces and beef sauce. This takes around 40 minutes to make, but well worth the wait.<br/>5. Sides - 5/5 Parmesan beignets were absolutely little atom bombs of flavour! Brussel sprouts were surprisingly good too!<br/><br/>All the above plus a glass of wine - $180. Worth it.<br/><br/>Overall rating 5/5

This place is the only place in Auckland, that I’ve heard of, that does beef wellington. <br/>After a 45 minute wait we were given crispy puff pastry wrapped steak. The steak was slightly rare than medium rare but it made it so tender to cut through and eat. <br/>We also got the fries and garden salad as the complimentary sides. <br/>We also got the bellini ($16!!)and a mock tail. <br/>The decor of the place is beautiful and the staff are friendly.

Possibly the best restuarant I have been to in Auckland. Have been there twice now and love the food, service and the view of the harbour at night is amazing. The carpaccio was fresh and the crepe brûlée is huge. Scallops excellent as well. Love love love

You have got to try out Ostro, one of our fave places so far. We had an anniversary dinner here and it was Devine. Great service excellent food. <br/><br/>We ordered oysters which were amazing (as per my husband) my fav part was the pork belly, so delicious melt in your mouth. <br/><br/>The service was excellent and the team took car of us. We loved it here and will definitely be back to try the beef Wellington<br/><br/>Went there for my birthday and it was Devine they even made me a little bday dessert to take home with me

Recently, I graduated university with a conjoint degree in Commerce and Property. To celebrate this milestone, we chose Josh Emett’s Ostro to have dinner. And it was fabulous. Having seen Josh Emett feature on multiple shows and hearing about his restaurants Ostro and Madam Woo, I was very excited to try out Ostro, which’s known for its seafood and contemporary Kiwi cuisine. We started with a glass of bubbly each (since we’re celebrating!) and ordered the seafood platters to share as well as the banana prawn salad.

Came for the special Mother’s Day high tea and it was delicious! We had a table with a view of the harbour and mum got a complimentary glass of bubbles. There was plenty of food also! Scones, macaroons and cakes were outstanding. Such a lovely experience! Only improvements would be nicer looking teacups and teapots. <br/><br/>Came back for dinner & what a treat! The bread & butter was mouthwatering, the ceviche SO fresh, the smoked duck was yummy. I had the snapper which was also so fresh but the highlight was the creme brûlée! Such a big portion & so so yummy! The best in Auckland!

Came here with my husband for our anniversary. Ordered the beef carpaccio and tuna tataki for entree which were both very good. The beef was in large pieces instead of bite size so you had to cut into it which was difficult and made a mess of the plate. Got the duck breast for mains, hubby got the lamb rump. Both were very good again but the duck was very salty. The tangy plum paired with it gave it a good twist. We looked at the dessert menu and nothing appealed to us. Venue was amazing at night and not too crowded on a Sunday. However I won't come back here as it was good, but not good enough to pay $160 for two people. We also had to wait a while to place our order (which sucks when you're starving) and no one came and checked on how our food was. I'm not a food snob but when you're paying $39 for a VERY small portioned main, you expect good service. Overall we enjoyed our time here.

I can’t record the flavor at all. What I still remember is that this restaurant does picked a wonderful location. I guess no one will reject to a place with sea view. Actually, my husband is the one who chose this restaurant for us, the reason we ate outside for that time was to celebrate my birthday. I said I can’t picture the memory of that day because I had a little bit drunk. Only can I remember is their good service and marvelous sea view.

The decor of this place was absolutely lovely. My mother and I came in on a bustling Saturday night but even though it seemed super busy, the staff were really attentive and helpful. Unfortunately, it was really loud (probably due to the low ceiling) and so hard to converse and the mains were a bit of a letdown. For our order I had the King Prawn Salad and Mushroom Gnocchi, And my mother had Kahawai Omelette and the Duck, The starters were actually pretty decent, My salad actually tasted very interesting not at all bland, it was very crisp and fresh with a rather spicy sauce that added a certain flair to what would have otherwise been an unexciting dish. My Mother said she did enjoy the omelette. But said her duck was somewhat dry, overly seasoned and hella salty. My Gnocchi could only be described as heavy. Also, the "potato chips" stuck on the top of it are a bit weird. There wasn't really anything wrong with it it was just average especially for the price. It is a really nice place though and the staff are amazing but the food just definitely was not my cup of tea

Loved the atmosphere, the setting, food and the service. I literally cannot fault anything.<br/>My duck breast i ordered was incredible! T flavour combos were perfect and the duck was seasoned and cooked to literal perfection.<br/><br/>I definately recommend taking a special someone here for their birthday because they really do treat you like royalty.<br/>Will definately be back!<br/>

Not up to the standards you see on Masterchef. Aioli that tastes like mayo, pork belly without the crunchy skin. The service was okay, we prefer to get our mains and sides at the same time

I have been looking forward for this restaurant for so long, because of the obsession with Gordan Ramsy's Beef Wellington. It really suprised me, the best beef steak ever had! and the Pork belly was really flavourful! Would visit again!

The steak was amazing here and came with an amazing bearnaise sauce, I also had free range chicken nibbles but I cant see these on this menu, fries were great.

The view and the atmosphere are good. We ordered the Beef Wellington. The steak is a bit dry （maybe without pan fry）， the mushroom filling is also dry. The pastry is crispy only at the outside part…

I booked this restaurant out for my leaving party in the weekend. They offered fully vegan catering for this event. The food was stunning and well presented. However I think they could’ve prepared a little more variety than just fruit and vegetables.

Lovely lovely food and view!! I could have given a 5 star but the service wasn’t as good. But I’d definitely recommend this place regardless.

We had high tea here. Pretty good selections for the teas and food.<br/>The view and atmosphere is really good. Really enjoyed my time here and def will come back. Customer service is really good too.

Another place to check off on the high tea list around town, it's pretty good. Service is your usual good standard and the ambience is nice especially with the view. The food was great, everything was delicious and well executed. Tea menu is extensive and unique.

This place is always amazing. The prettiest views, service, foods, drinks, decor etc. etc. only thing I have to say about it that’s not so positive is the cocktails, I’ve tried a couple from here and none of them I’ve found nice. They’re always quiet strong, and I end up wishing I would have picked a glass of sav instead. Other than that, this place is a no brainer for an amazing dinner and long conversations.

My first time at Ostro was for an end-of-year lunch with my workmates. Food and service were both high-quality, but I have to admit I didn't find the flavours or produce to be exceptionally memorable. Since we were a table of about 15 diners, I think we were served a set menu – so some of the dishes described below may not match what is normally on offer at Ostro.<br/><br/>Sitting in the semi-private glass area overlooking the harbour, we shared a range of appetisers – all of which were nicely presented. While these starters didn't look that big, most dishes had at least one element that was either meaty or creamy to keep us full until our mains arrived.<br/><br/>The beetroot appetiser came with dollops of cream and a variety of textures. The salmon dish was beautifully light without being too oily, but my favourite was the fish omelette (I think it was smoked kahawai?).<br/><br/>The most interesting appetiser we had was a soft-boiled egg on a bed of pea purée, which also came with some crumbed meat. The individual flavours in this one were great, but it was hard to appreciate the dish as a whole since we were forced to divvy up the appetiser with half the table. <br/><br/>My duck main was very enjoyable. The meat was cooked well, mushrooms were tasty, and the overall portion was good. Sauce was a little bit salty for my taste, though. <br/><br/>The apple and pineapple crumble I tried for dessert was not traditional, but still tasty and paired well with the crème anglais.<br/><br/>On the whole, I found the flavours at Ostro to be slightly on the forgettable side – since it's not bold (like Baduzzi) nor subtle and refined (like Amano). However, I'm glad I finally got the chance to try Ostro and I would be open to coming again to try their dinner menu with a smaller group.

We have lunched at Ostro a number of times and it has been very good. Even given others gift vouchers to dine there. On this occasion, after booking weeks ahead and it turning out to be a beautiful sunny 25 degree summer day  in the lead up to Xmas, we arrived five or ten minutes before our lunchtime booking (which for some reason prompted a slightly 'looking down the nose' remark from the male maitre d') and were seated at a table beside the kitchen, but adjacent to the balcony and therefore pleasantly cool and open to the sea view  with the glass doors pulled back . We noticed another couple turn up and then decline to be seated in the same area and say they would look elsewhere for a restaurant - curious they must have known something! So there we were sharing  a pleasant seafood platter and sides with a couple of glasses of excellent 'Roaring Meg' pinot gris -  the day was proving to be a good experience. UNTIL , without any warning or apology the glass doors were pulled back to close us in  - with the kitchen now at full speed. On signalling a waiter and asking why we had been suddenly shut in and saying it was not comfortable he replied did not know but  referred to the now female maitre d' and we were told - again without apology or offer to reseat us in the fresh air - that the slight breeze was blowing the gas out in the kitchen. So there we were in a steadily rising temperature, no air-conditioning,  and a waiting staff who seemed to lose interest in the table.  In the end with management showing a 'could not care a toss' attitude to a day spoilt we quietly made our departure. Seems the actual customer experience is  a bit of an afterthought to Ostro. My dining partner commented that their attitude seemed 'dismissive'. Not sure about future bookings if the culture has changed.

It was a really nice experience dining in Ostro. Everything was perfect— from nice, friendly& helpful service to perfectly cooked food& fabulous wine. <br/><br/>Would definitely be a regular here.

Went here for a private function with my work mates and another company just to celebrate a win and the place is amazing, the staff are really nice. Drinks kept coming which was great, the food were just nibbles but they were really good. Atmosphere and the vibe is so good.

So went out for dinner on Saturday after reading about Ostro. I looked at the menu online and immediately liked it. Decided to take the plunge and drive to the CBD. Parking is such a ripoff, I paid $32 for more than 2 hours of parking. Anyways, walked to Ostro and the ambience and decor didn't disappoint me neither did the location of my table. I had good views of the waters. I ordered ginger beer and some fries to start of my evening. The staff is really polite and makes you feel great. Wish I could say that about the food. The menu was different to the one I saw online so I had to order something different to what I had preplanned to order. The seafood and potato pie lacked flavours and it felt more like mashed potatoes with few bits and pieces of seafood. My mate had ordered fish with kale. I know, unusual combination, right!! Both dishes were more than $30 each but the price didn't match the food. Was disappointed. My high score is for the Ambience, staff, the music and the views. Would probably eat somewhere else for $100 than visit Ostro next time.

After you've braved walking in through an empty shop, to the elevator at the back and found your way up to the restaurant itself you've earned a treat and that's good because that's what you've got in store. <br/><br/>It starts with the service which is impeccable. Let the staff guide you through the drinks menu and be prepared to try something new that you've never heard of before. Tell them what you like and let them try things out with you (I had half a dozen tasters during the evening - none appeared on the bill) and you won't be disappointed. The cocktails are tremendous and you won't be bored - just leave yourself in their capable hands.<br/><br/>Then on to the food. The finest New Zealand fresh ingredients make up some remarkable dishes. Kahawai omlette, roast beetroot, beef wellington, or the enormous beef scotch fillet, all are gorgeous.<br/><br/>If you can get a balcony table (great in summer, not so flash in winter) you can watch the sailboats battle it out with the cruise ships as they move around the harbour or watch cargo cranes in operation at the port. It's a science fiction spectacle that makes up for the used cars parked on the wharf.<br/><br/>Highly recommended, Ostro is one of the best restaurants in Auckland and my go-to place for impressing Herself.

Simply amazing ! I had my birthday lunch here and even though it was a long wait for food, it was really worth it ❤️ I really recommend the beef Wellington

Ostro marked the end of the culinary journey to Auckland for the extended weekend and how could it not be so without a hunk of slow cooked NZ lamb. Talked up by a number of the local party it didn't disappoint. Fall off the bone good and partnered with a Pinot, life like the view out to the harbour was looking ok. There were some vegetables in there somewhere also, but I won't bother you with the details. <br/>For dessert, I revisited my childhood with brandy snaps. What a treat to find these on a menu and perfectly made just like mum used to do it. Cream filling I though could have been a little sweeter but maybe that is a memory too. <br/>This is place to does a great cocktail too. Hipster dude bearded barman nailed the Vodka martini. As I have mentioned in a few other reviews, the quality of cocktails in Auckland is consistently impressive and as I have also mentioned elsewhere the service not so much. Again, at Ostro it was a bit of a struggle to get some attention and be attended to.<br/>Overall, a very nice experience though. I love the look of the bar area and should there be a next time, a drink or two prior there would set the mood nicely I would expect.

I'm almost speechless... I'm still blown away by this place. The setting is the premium spot in Auckland, not just for the view but for literally everything else. The floor, the windows, the lights, the chairs - I mean EVERYTHING! You'll wander into the dimly lit setting and be transported on a dining experience like no other. The service is out of this world ✨. They will treat you like royalty regardless of what you look like or how old you are and I really really appreciate that! The menu is creative, innovative and what I would call 'a European adventure' 🍾. This is where you go to celebrate the smallest of feats and the largest of success'. The quality of the food is probably the best I've tried in Auckland let alone the whole of New Zealand. Overall I would recommend anyone and everyone to come here if they fell like treating themselves 💸.

I frequent Ostro and it's always an amazing experience! Birthday dinners, catching up with friends- it's perfect for every event. The cocktail list is fantastic, and the champagne list even better. I usually opt for the pork, or beef Wellington and bluff oysters, and for dessert can't miss the cheese platter or the donuts!! Best restaurant in Auckland

Yumoooo! Enjoyed the roast duck Papardelle and the service was excellent. Throughly enjoyed the sides to, chips were spot on. Defs recommend.

We were so impressed with the styling of the restaurant and the ambiance. The staff were incredible and the chef even came out and spoke to us. I can't fault the food and I think it has to be the best creme brulee I've had in a long time. I had the hapuka which was simple but so tasty. Can't recommend highly enough.

Had a wonderful time at Ostro, our waitress was very helpful with recommendations. Gave us a taste tester of the vino to ensure we would enjoy the full bottle. <br/><br/>Ordered two small plates, just the right amount of food for us. Food was delicious - we had the prawn and avo salad, and the cauliflower. The dressing on the salad was 👌👌👌🤤<br/><br/>Hopefully won't get the bar table next time and book in advance!

Wonderful work lunch here. Amazing service, delicious food and wine, beautiful views. Had the clam spaghetti which was perfect and all the other meals looked great. Would definitely return!

Eye fillet steak is very good, but it took 3 hours to finish a 3 meal dinner... I consider this is too slow because we were not having a degustation.

High tea on a Sunday..Lovely view from the table we were seated at..Service was excellant and the high tea was good and very tasty..<br/>Would come back for an actual meal!!!

UPDATE 29/07: Service was definitely a lot better this time. Thank you to the guy who came and and acknowledged the service last time I'm sorry I didn't get your name! Overall really good dining experience. The creme brûlée was so good!!<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>UPDATE 19/06: a little bit disappointed with the dinner tonight as the other times we dined here the service was a lot better.... it felt like our waiter wasn't really listening to what we were saying as I ordered a Bloody Mary oyster shot and ended up getting a Bloody Mary cocktail. Also the actual cocktail I ordered - Long White ice tea didn't come until I had to chase a waiter up 40 minutes later to have him come back and tell me the initial waiter forgot about it. The service only got a bit better later on when the guy in the striped shirt came to help us. Would like it if the service was more consistent. <br/><br/><br/><br/>Love this place. Service is good and food is even better! Would recommend getting the clam spaghetti and the duck! Also the view is amazing 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

I've really enjoyed the evenings and afternoons I have spent at Ostro. The management seems great, very accommodating and professional, though I would say the wait staff do always seem quite aloof. I think its great they offer afternoon tea, though some of the food lacks a little finesse. Quite a relaxed atmosphere, with impeccable food. Highly recommend the mushroom gnocchi.

Good food but menu needs changing - They have been rotating their menu for too long now. Have always enjoyed a meal here with the views and great food. However, we have tried everything in the menu 2 months ago and int he recent visit found the menu has not changed at all. Regardless we will give the food good marks as it is. The bar staff seems to have changed as our cocktails don't taste the same anymore.

If you like posh dining, posh scenes and posh crowds, this might be the spot for you. <br/>I'll admit, the restaurant is very beautiful, and staff are very professional and polite (10/10 for the staffs professionalism). <br/>This isn't really my type of scene or type of food but I came here on brides orders. <br/>We had ladies brunch and...the only thing I liked was my salad. Lol There was no recommendation of choosing meaty meals. Keep in mind it was a ladies brunch menu so...yeah. <br/>I did have the entree, mains and dessert, and after I left I went and got myself a burger. <br/>But hey! Everyone has different taste.

Awesome restaurant went in Late on a Sunday and was welcomed by the staff.<br/>Had an amazing meal of cow tongue and cheek entree and the steak main.<br/>I beefed myself out but was blown away it was all magic.<br/>Would recommend and defiantly go back thank you ostro!<br/>

I have been to Ostro twice in the last 3 months.<br/>The first time was a better experience.<br/>They do a 3 course ladies lunch which is good for $40 and this was what I had on both occasions. <br/>I chose the duck salad which was way too spicy, I thought the waitress should have mentioned this. <br/>The potato gnocchi as the main was ok and the brandy snaps for desert was disappointing. <br/>Service is ok, ambience and decor is fantastic

Great seafood especially if your looking for oysters!!Right on the water with the finest food ever.The restaurant has beautiful menu and it's great to get a table on the balcony!

What a view,, stunning view. great and friendly service. Food was average.i think the price wasn't too bad, the meal was big enough. The bread was really tasty and the drinks good as well

Been here a few times for dinner. The food is lovely and the service is great. The last time i went was in May last year and the waiter we had on that night was so bubbly and funny, he had the best sense of humor. I wish i could remember his name, because the banter was 10/10.<br/><br/>Lovely views of the viaduct and if the weather is nice sitting outside is the best.<br/><br/>Great place to eat and socialize with friends.

Came here for dinner on a busy night. Firstly, we stood at the door and waited for a while to be seated( we made booking) so wasn't too happy to wait. But then the service following was great and food came around quickly. The whole atmosphere was so nice and classy. The oysters are worth a try! Real nice! I had the gnocchi for main and really enjoyed it, would recommend it if u love mushrooms because the flavour is so strong. Would definitely come back next time!

We went here on Valentine's Day and didn't book a table but we're lucky to got in. Staff are amazing helping us with food and wine! Great food! Great staff! Great location!

Proteins cooked and seasoned beautifully as always. Pasta looks good but tastes not as good as it looks like. Too sweet and the pasta was hard. The sausages dish a little bit too spicy for me. Cheese croquettes was so yum，I ate all of them even I already felt full.

Long white island ice tea cocktail was a bit strong, but the duck and belly was great and service was decent. Nice view of the water from the terrace and lovely experience overall.

Just went there for dinner with family. The waiter who served us was very rude to us. He was intimating when he served us and did not smile once. Felt really uncomfortable with his service. Waiting to pay, he walked past us and spoke to the cashier and back past again. Not one word to us or even eye contact.

Great location beautiful view, nice and spacey restaurant. Everything from the reception to the service and really professional. Huge bar and good barman,s they know about real bar work, it's brilliant. The food is what you would expect in an establishment of this caliber . Fresh products and kept simple my kind of food. Would recommend to foodies. We are going there regularly.

Amazing seaview restaurant located in Britomart. Their menu was designed by a Michelin stared chef. I had roast duck parradelle, which was very delicious. My friend had perfectly medium eye fillet with red wine and mustard sauce, she said it was also pretty good. We were happy with everything in Ostro and will definitely come back to try other dishes.

Visited Ostro for their frosé and lobster/oyster rolls. The food was fantastic, don't let the price put you off. The Naked Lobster Roll and Oyster Po'boy are delicious, and both versions of the frosé are great too.

The lobster roll I had was amazing! The flavour was beautiful. It is a bit pricey for just a little roll and a few chips, probably will only come once a while cause of the price. The waiting time for the food was extremely long, waited around 30 mins which I think is very long for just a roll and some chips. Wasn't too busy either when we went. The service wasn't the best either, the food really did save my experience though.

■ New Frosé (Frozen Rosé) popup<br/>■ Beautiful sea view<br/>■ Friendly staff<br/><br/>What better way to celebrate the end of exams and kickstart summer than trying out the new Frosé popup in Auckland?? I've been so keen to try these bad boys out and I was impressed! The taste of Rosé in slushie form is such a cute idea, although I wish they served slightly bigger sizes. Ostro's city terrace is also BEAUTIFUL - it has a huge open balcony with a stunning view of the city and waterfront. It makes a lovely setting for a summer afternoon!

I couldn't find this place for awhile as the entrance is hard to find. But when you come up the stairs or elevator it's stunning. The views along the waterfront are really nice. The waiter who served us was really funny and helpful with the menu and his personal advice on what he thought was good. But I had been checking out this menu for awhile so I knew exactly what I wanted hehe.. I ordered the tuna & beef carpaccio to start, then the ravioli for my main. Desert was chocolate fondant and everything was 10/10 amazing! You need to find an excuse to come here. It's a bit pricey but so worth it.

First time here and can only rave about the food, staff and the views. Highly recommended if you want wonderful views and a meal to remember.

A great menu accompanies the gorgeous view of Auckland harbour. Ostro was the first 'high class' restaurant I'd ever been to, so I was a little nervous during my visit. At the time I didn't like seafood and I couldn't eat meat that had even a hint of blood in it back then, so my options were very limited. Now that I am accustomed to both kinds of fare, It almost makes me teary eyed when I think about what I missed. I stuck to a burger (blaspheme, I know) while those I was with ordered the most beautiful dishes of eye fillet, oyster and tuna that made me rethink my predilections. In a way, I have to thank Ostro for pushing me in the right direction and challenging me to be more daring with my meals, as the few bites I had of my partners dishes inspired me to eat more adventurously. Ostro take seemingly simple ingredients and turn it into art.<br/><br/>The highlight of my visit was the dessert. Deconstructed, but not pretentious - just delicious. Every bite was uniquely stunning and well presented. To top it off, the place is comfortably laid out, with lots of room between tables and glass walls allowing for panoramic vistas of the water. The service is also exceptional, I hope to eat there again some time and be a little more adventurous.

To be honest, it will be disappointing people if the menu for restaurants of month last forever. The entry is not surprised at all, the service we have been experienced is not acceptable-the waiters filled my drinking water but ignored my friend's empty glass; our desk is needed to be wiped when we finished our entry and main, but it not happened untiled we finished our dessert. For the main course I ordered, the roasted chicken was over cooked. But chef's response is the chicken is not overcooked, okey fine..you offered to replace the chicken with the popular dish you think. Not really wanna be a bitch, the fish is too salty, the flavor was not mixed well when I tasted. <br/><br/>Hopefully someone working in this restaurant can see this review, and looking forward your improvements.<br/><br/>

High tea yes please <br/><br/>Great views and tasty food<br/><br/>We had come here for a lovely dinner a while ago<br/>So thought we'd try their afternoon tea<br/><br/>It was lovely <br/>We recommend!<br/>Good balance of savoury and sweet <br/>Good mix of simple to creative <br/><br/>We had been to the langham a few weeks prior and that was lovely too but very rich and sweet. We left Ostro satisfied with the thoughts of returning

Sorry to say Ostro was big disappointment to our group of 4.  Firstly I was kept waiting for 10 minutes for anyone to take me to our table. There were no seats at the bar to wait or anyone to serve anyway. The young  men/staff were busy just talking among themselves. The food wasn't too bad but nothing exciting compared to what's around these days. Then what really disappointed were all the additions to the bill which we didn't have. 4 extra items....what's that about?? The best thing about Ostro is the view!

Loved everything, warm friendly staff, had a great chat with the barman while our table was being prepared & enjoyed a complimentary glass of bubbles as we were celebrating our anniversary, views of the harbour & food to die for, thank you for an amazing night, will be back!

This is by far one of the best quality restaurants we have been to.<br/>The service was very professional; the waiters for super nice and very attentive.<br/>We ordered the Sunday Roast special, Beef Wellingtons along with Butternut Squash Raviolis and Shrimp Salad with Miso Sauce. The food actually took some time but it was definitely worth the wait! The Wellingtons especially, it literally melts in your mouth. We definitely RECOMMEND for all! (I wasn't able to take all the photos as we dug right in)

Ostro Ostro Ostro - what can I say? Well lets start of by saying I booked a table to enjoy the ladies lunch special for $40 pp. The food all sounded so wonderful.......however it was very average to say the least. The starters were not a good choice to offer, I actually had to steer away from what looked like a fatty slice of brawn and swallow so I wouldnt get sick. I barely finished the dish. I expected more, I truly did. Next was the main course - chicken and risotto, now I can say this was yummy - however I didnt expect the chicken to have bones in it, I just think it was a poor choice to serve chicken with bones in a fine dining element catering for the not so average ladies lunch - in general bones are a no no. Then lastly was the Desert - it consisted of two round puffed doughnuts with a smear of raspberry coulis and a dollop of cream Go figure! I wasnt impressed with the arrangement and neither were my girlfriends - thou I assume it wasn't intentional. Well lets hope not. Thank goodness for the awesome Mango & elderflower sours cocktails and lovely waiter, it made what could have been a terrible lunch a copable one. Ive organised many ladies lunch for both corporate & personal social gatherings and I would hands down say - SOUL BAR is amazing in this department. I really hope Ostro can outshine Soul Bars ladies lunch for $39.95 including a glass of house wine, entree, main & desert. By far my pick for the ladies lunches downtown is offering. Ostro has an epic location, situated in Britomart, over looking Aucklands gorgeous harbour & docks. So at this stage alls I can say is the drinks are amazing and thats what Id come back for. Sorry Ostro better luck next time.

Came here for a babyshower and while there were a bit of hiccups the manager came and apologized and looked after us to make sure everything went smoothly after. It was a beautiful day to be there with a beautiful view to match. The high tea was one of the best I have had in Auckland. The children's menu was well designed the the food was also loved by the little ones. The pork belly roast did not receive as good feedback as I expected.

I am beyond satisfied with the food and service we received at Ostro. When ever a duck dish is available, I take the opportunity to order it, and so I did at Ostro. The duck dish could be shared between two people, but I was able to finish it because it was full of flavour and very tender. The other dishes we ordered also met our expectations, but I cannot exaggerate enough how amazing that duck was! Their beautiful food, location and service deserves more than a 5/5 rating :)

Ostro is a top spot down in Britomart with a great view of the harbour and a nice bar area if you're just after a drink. Everything ice been for dinner, drinks and recently for ladies lunch recently it's been fabulous. Just good food done well and great service!

Ok, ok hold the truck up and get ready for some deep and meaningful chat about Beef Wellington here! I LOVE BEEF WELLINGTON! It's hard to find a place that knows how to own and cook this dish, OSTRO hands down does! My first mouthful was like meting my fiancé again for the first time - Breathtaking!!!<br/><br/>This dish is only around for a few weeks for their Sunday Roast special, have one of there sweet little Red Wine numbers with it.<br/><br/>Ps The Yorkshire pudding and gravy is out of this world!!!!!

We went to Ostro for dinner on a Monday night and we couldn't believe how busy they were despite the bad weather. Me and my partner had in mind a light dinner but we ended up ordering a couple of seafood starters, one main to share and 2 desserts and 2 glasses of wine which by the way were recommended by Edmundo the sommelier at Ostro and they were fabulous match with our meals. The place is very modern with stunning views right in the heart of the CBD.

Didn't find this place too outstanding, except that the restaurant is elevated on the second level of the building and the view overlooks the ports of Auckland

We visited Ostro for one of our work lunches. For the starters, we ordered some cocktails and appetisers. Wanting to try something exotic, I went for the Warm Winter Pimms which was a pretty cool tea-cocktail fusion. Out of the many appetisers we ordered, it was really the ceviche that stuck out.<br/><br/>For mains, I ordered the duck a l'orange which was quite delicious and surprisingly hearty for such a swanky restaurant. Usually the size of the duck gets smaller the more expensive the restaurant is, but the the duck here was a peasant (haha) surprise.<br/><br/>Service was decent - nothing to write home about. For the dessert, we all decided to share the famed violet chocolate fondant which comes with the salted almond ice cream. This was pretty damn good and a great way to finish off the afternoon!

Monday night treats with my girls! Came here after work for an amazing Duck delicacy. The flavours were perfect and the portion was decent. I had the parfait for dessert which was beautiful and colourful. Great service and location. Will be back again!

Hadn't been in a while after not being overly impressed on previous visits, however had a great meal last night.  Tuesday night and really buzzy and busy which was great.  Friendly and efficient service, if somewhat clumsy (tripped over the table next to us a couple of times!), and the food was excellent.  Can't go wrong with Bluff Oysters really, but the steak was excellent and the sides very tasty - and the waiter didn't try and oversell us on the sides which is good to see.  Definitely back on the list of go-to places

Tuesday 7.30PM dinner service - I booked a window seat to celebrate our nz anniversary tonight with the family and left disappointed. I ordered immediately after being seated, only to find out they ran out of oysters already. I was a little annoyed but still optimistic for the kiwi dining experience. The view was disappoint, just a sea of imported cars and darkness beyond. Little did I know, the wait for the mains would be a hellish affair and equally disappointing. Maitre d' came over to apologise and said the desserts will be all on the house. We were going to order the dessert anyway so we decided to order 3 until the waiter reminded us the desserts are "all on the house"  and encouraged us to get one each. Only when it came to settling the bill, only one dessert was taken off the bill. Seriously, Ostro can you please get your front of house staff to be on the same page instead of misleading customers. Food was average, pasta and cerviche I've had better elsewhere - the duck a l'orange saved the day. Overall, an expensive dinner for a underwhelming dining experience.

Ostro is a beautiful restaurant with an incredible scenery!! The food while very good, was not worth the price you had to pay. The one problem I had was when I first walked in (some friends were already at our table) and the guy asked if I wanted water and I of course said yes, it turns out he had given me sparkling water without telling me (the sparkling water was an extra $5) which of course isn't a lot of money but I do feel like he should have mentioned it before giving it to me, thankfully when we went to pay the manager said it was OK as the waiter hadn't actually mentioned anything about it to us and another waiter was adding normal tap water to the sparkling water. I would like to go back to Ostro one day! The ambiance of the place is amazing and the food while pricey is good for a cute fancy night out! The service is good (apart from the one mishap) and I will say that the food did take a while to come out which was disappointing, I also remember having to wait a while for people to come take our orders and eventually we had to wave people down. I do recommend trying. Ostro though!

Amazing food here, their steak selection is off the roof also. <br/><br/>If you are after a meal to impress or some delicious comfort food, this is the place to be!<br/><br/>Great location, parking a bit of a pain, tiny bit noisy when packed, however nothing that cannot be overcome.<br/><br/>Highly recommended!<br/><br/>Food Quality: 5/5<br/><br/>Food Quantity: 5/5<br/><br/>Environment: 3.5/5<br/><br/>Wait time: 4/5<br/><br/>Price Range: $60pp

Loved the view and atmosphere<br/>Very friendly waitor- tall figure with curly hair and glasses? He was so fab made us feel welcome and attended to.<br/>However this one waitress with the strong eyebrow and pencil skirt was so rude when we asked her to take a photo of us for my friends 21st. Learn from your collegue please<br/><br/>Anyhow the food was really good ! Just from the menu it seemed ordinary<br/>I got the poached chicken salad and parmesan ball things which was so perfect <br/>I've never had a salad with such fresh ingredients, every piece perfect from the dressing, crunchiness of the lettuce and ratio of goats cheese and nuts. I'll come back for it<br/>The parmesan balls were top notch as well I'll come back for that too<br/>Friend ordered duck pasta which was very rich. It was alright <br/>In the summer days it'd be lovely to sit outside overlooking the viaduct<br/>Recommended !

Love Ostro! One of Auckland's finest... amazing views of the harbour, fantastic service, stylish modern decor, exceptional food & drinks. Can't go wrong with this one!

I had high expectation for this place, since the menu was design by Josh Emett and they are in same group as Ebisu. However, it didn't meet my expectation. Other than they have a nice interior, I didn't find any special in their food. I had fresh oyster as appetizer, and crispy skin akaroa salmon as the main. I expect to taste an impressive flavour from the sauce. But, they were just okay.

Even after reservation they took some time to provide service. Pretty odd because the place wasn't crazy busy. The general dining atmosphere is great. The view is a fantastic treat. Ordered fish, steak, pork, salad and chips. The expectation was met. We asked for a medium rare and it was a well done so we asked to fix it and the waiter was friendly and soon brought out a fresh new one. Which was really good service. Would give 5stars if the experience from the start was like the rest of the dining experience. great place for relaxing semi casual dining

Can't say I was that impressed with this place. Nice building, views and the service was good, but the food left me wanting. We were a large group and ordered a good chunk of the menu to share between us. The menu is creative and had some good fresh flavours, but for every that impressed me there were others that were mediocre at best. Nothing wrong with anything, but just didn't live up to the hype (or price) for me..

Organized a family lunch for my birthday here at Ostro and the view and atmosphere was lovely. To start I had the pork cheeks which were delicious, followed by the roast duck pappardelle where you could tell the pasta was freshly made and it melted in your mouth. For dessert we had the Creme brûlée with strawberry daiquiri sorbet and chocolate fondant with salted almond ice cream 😍 such delicious food, the service was pleasant although two of us arrived first and were given menus, when the rest of our party arrived we were left seated and waiting for about 15 minutes before we had to ask for more menus for the rest of our party. The wine was delicious we had a magnum of a beautiful French rose along with my favorite Mt Difficulty Rielsing. All in all was a lovely experience

Very busy Sunday night however were able to squeeze inn and wasn't able to book as they didn't answer phone? But definitely need more staff as they were run off their feet! We ordered salmon on veg special with hot and sour broth- was nice and fresh but all very basic and not very tasty really could've done with some more flavour. Duck l'orange was very Delish and had heaps of flavour! Didn't come with anything though so ordered agria mash-very tasty. And sauteed truffle mushrooms! Which were extremely tasty! Dessert: violent chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream and a super great Creme brûlée!! So overall very very over priced but still good food, however some places elsewhere are cheaper with just as great if not more tasty food.

Overall a different kind of view with the shipping containers and the seaview. Good attentive table service, good food, slightly noisy but good casual ambience! <br/><br/>Bluff oyster season is back and they are doing the best deal ever - $20 for dozen oysters. Be sure to book as it gets busy in here. <br/><br/>One thing I love and is not given enough attention is their freshly baked bread with seaweed butter. Delicious and just the right portion!! <br/><br/>For the mains, We had the wakanui beef with horseradish sauce, and lamb rump. Both meat were cooked well. A small sized duck ragu pappardelle was also just the right amount because it tasted really rich. Best pasta I've had though! Perfectly al-dente. <br/><br/>We had the ceviche entree but I've had better! <br/><br/>This place is filled with working class people so gives it a classy vibe. I love the youthfulness of this place. But like any good classy place, there is a small price to pay. So be ready to spend slightly more than you would in your average restaurant.

Four of us tried Ostro on a wet Saturday night. We were greeted warmly and were directed to a table with views over the harbour, part of the table was restricted by a support beam. We had freshly shucked oyster (lovely), pork cheeks (fantastic), cerviche (had better) and beef carpaccio (interesting but a bit bland apart from the dressing). For the mains we had rose veal on the bone (brilliant), steak (good) and duck a l orange (very good and in a different league from Antoines!). We worked our way through the Italian wines (very good but eye watering mark up). Service was attentive. It was a good night and we will return at some stage. We would have scored higher but the background noise was intrusive.

I've heard a lot about Ostro being one of the best restaurants in Auckland. I was dazzled by the view of the harbour and was excited to see the extensive and extremely expensive wine list. The service was friendly and efficient, however I found both meals to over promise and under deliver. The lamb rump was nice, however petite and over priced. The poached chicken salad lacked substance as it appeared to be a jazzed up Ceasar Salad, with limited taste besides the pistachio and feta. I also had the side of sautéed mushrooms in truffle oil which was only $12, and was delicious, so much so that I'd have preferred this as my main and I could have saved the money.<br/><br/>The table itself had a weird retro theme to it, with uncomfortable, cheap plastic chairs and I don't believe it belonged in the theme of the restaurant's elegant ambiance. <br/><br/>It was an average experience, not bad nor good, but an expensive one.

Went to Ostro for our first wedding anniversary - thank god for the chef because the wait staff would have completely ruined the evening otherwise.  Surly, judgemental, rude and all round unpleasant.  It was 6:30pm so too early to claim being busy as an excuse - only about a third of tables had patrons.   I worked in hospo for many years, my kids do and many of my family still do - I am more sympathic than most... But service tonight was an all time low.   My suggestion? -  go somewhere you get service plus good food - there are so many in Auckland it just doesn't pay to settle for this.   Biggest regret - when it came to paying the bill I answered the question 'everything all right?" With a 'yip' - I should have been more honest and I will be next time.   To be fair - the food was extremely good.  If you don't mind terrible wait staff then you'd probably be really happy with your experience at Ostro - for me, I won't be going back.

First time at Ostro and it was a really nice experience <br/>Outside on the balcony with a perfect day the service was excellent and the Tuna starter was delicious <br/>I went for lunch and looking forward to dinner soon<br/>

Went to Ostro on a whim with mum one night- was definitely dressed too casual but was greeted by a hostess very warmly. Didn't have a booking but was told we could be seated in 15 minutes and that we could wait at the bar. Bar staff looked after us very well- even though we complicated it for them by wanting to pay for drinks at the end- they looked after us very well and ensured us it was no problem.<br/>Service was very nice- waitresses checked to see if everything was okay, refilled my water without me waving them over etc.<br/>Food was delish, but I was maybe expecting a little bit more in terms of flavour. In saying that- was a very enjoyable night and the food was still near perfect.<br/>Would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a classy dining experience or is looking for somewhere to take someone for a special occasion. Or just for those who are up for the food adventure and can afford it

Great location, Delicious mains especially the lamb. The duck entree is horrible. The salads are average at best our favourite is the Tuna salad.

Sadly we were left really underwhelmed by this much hyped venue. Food didn't impress, nor did service or the drafty cold space (especially in winter!). Really expected much more, but it didn't intrigue enough to invite a repeat visit. Overrated in my books which is a shame, as Josh Emett's other restaurant, Rata in Queenstown, delivers much more.

Although a few of the dishes were excellent, a lot of them aren’t and everything in this place is extremely overpriced and not worth the money they charge. e.g we ended up with a bill for $250+ for 2 people.<br/><br/>2 x Cocktails we had were tasteless and small, lacked alcohol as well as flavour. They just tasted like a normal basic cocktail that had been watered down.<br/><br/>The Tuna appetiser dish I had was excellent and flavoursome. <br/><br/>The mains we had salmon and a soup. the Salmon was crisped well but nothing special, the “Large Size” soup was a very small basic tomato based soup, with a small amount of basic seafood. <br/><br/>I think this soup was also used as a broth for the salmon main we ordered.<br/><br/>The carrot cake we had was weird and stale. the crème bule was good, but once again very basic and well over priced.

Came here for my birthday back in September. The seared tuna was great although a bit overkill on the edemame. The duck ravioli was nice and the chocolate fondant tasty. I love the cocktails they do here.

I’m rewriting this review because i love the restaurant and the food today. It was such a perfect lunch spot, and the weather absolutely supported my decision to dine here as well. <br/><br/>There’s a selection of seafood and meats, including fresh bluff oysters that were so delicious and came with two types of sauces. <br/><br/>The service was also fabulous, the waiters were very attentive and friendly. <br/><br/>The lamb loin is a must try and wonderful accompaniment of the side salad. <br/><br/>We also tried the octopus which was a starter size, but came in a good portion to share. Highly recommend ostro.

We came here for lunch.... The view when sitting outside is awesome ... We started with the bread and seaweed butter... Then shared 6 different entree size dishes ... The Scampi and fish ceviche was very yummy... The duck ravioli was delicious as was the Fishermans soup... We enjoyed all the dishes and the presentation was excellent as was the service.... We finished off with the donuts which were yum and also asked for some sorbets with it... Definately will be back for more.

Absolutely love this place. We went there first time with group of friends after work for drinks and it didn't disappoint us. Place is buzzy and a lot of fun. The bar was busy yet we got our drinks without delay, very efficient staff.<br/>Decided to go for a quiet dinner with husband post that cause it has gorgeous view. The food was delicious, eye fillet specially was just mouth watering. Cocktails were balanced and quite strong and entrées were of small portion just perfect to prepare your appetite for main course. Very satisfactory experience overall, value for money!

After-workout-lunch !Miso Shrimp Salad - so yummy! The Duck a l'orange was juicy and extremely tasty🍽 the beautiful sea view enhanced my meal. However, the hostess seemed slightly put out with an angry face?..

Good service and a table next to the beautiful view (which my boyfriend had requested previously) was provided for us on my birthday. The ravioli and grilled chicken were tasty but not so fulfilling for the price that we had paid.

Really great dinner out here for business. Recommend trying for a window seat, the view is stunning. I had the white bait fritter entree - it was ok, and then the main came along, the lamb and it was outstanding! Will definitely be back.

This place is amazing. Great location great atmosphere and good food. The service is excellent and it has a good positive vibe to it. Would highly recommend

YUM! This place has an outstanding atmosphere with sweeping sea and city views, and food that is just amazing. Recommend the seafood for two.

Best night Thankyou to the wonderful team, All Blacks and meeting my Irish bestie ! Champagne bottles , Chardonnay all served with a chat and a smile <br/>Cheersx

A friend and I went to Ostro for dinner on Friday night, and we had such a fun time! Set on the second floor, this large, open plan restaurant has lovely views of the viaduct. Always teeming with people, Ostro has such a vibrant and lively atmosphere.. And the plus being, you can actually make a reservation (as opposed to the new trending 'walk-in only' service that a lot of restaurants do). <br/><br/>We had the loveliest waiter as well! Generally when I come here, the wait staff are polite but always a little rushed and often hard to get a hold of. But our waiter was so friendly, helpful and genuinely added great entertainment value to our night. We ordered the chicken salad, duck, yellow belly flounder, fries for dinner and the chocolate fondant and raspberry meringue for dessert. Food is always good, but I find dishes to be a little on the oily and salty side. Would recommend the raspberry meringue dish for dessert - just delicious! Just a note that prices are on the higher end. <br/><br/>Overall, this restaurant is great fun with a classy backdrop to match. Treat yourself to a night out with good food or a few drinks overlooking the water. <br/>

We had dinner with another couple here on a Thursday night recently, having booked online a few weeks earlier for 8pm which was confirmed by the restaurant (I really like places that do that, removing that feeling of "have they, haven't they" received the request...) We arrived at 7.30pm and headed to the bar for a drink, having checked in first with the maître d'.  At 8pm we asked if we could go through to our table but were told it wasn't ready and would be "just a few mins"  At ten past we asked again but apparently it still wasn't ready, and it wasn't until after asking a third time at nearly 8.30pm that we finally made it to the table.  Not really a biggie, but our friends who were visiting NZ for business had not been able to stop for lunch so they were pretty hungry by then...  The food was of a very high standard with a good selection to choose from.  I chose the Savannah fed Eye Fillet which was perfectly cooked and I enjoyed it very much.  I decided to finish with a cheese plate, but was very surprised when the cheese trolley rolled round to find that all the offerings were imports.... Now, that's a bit of a travesty when you consider all the many excellent cheeses produced in our New Zealand, don't you think?  I did, and I swapped to a dessert instead.  C'mon, Mr Emmett - back the locals!  All in all we had a fun night with great food, and pleasant, efficient wait service - the only thing we found was the noise level made it VERY hard to talk across the table, obviously very popular and very full but the acoustics made it louder than it should have been.  Not a place for a romantic dinner for two at all.  And those HUGE menu cards that don't even fit on the table - nasty!

Went here for a work lunch on Wednesday lunchtime. The food itself was pretty good. For starters we had the ceviche was which amazing. The other starters were good but weren't memorable enough for me to recall what they were. For the main the others on the table got duck l'orange. It was quite sizeable. My lamb rump in contrast was pretty small. The staff were pretty mix n match too. Plenty of beards and attitude. There was only one nice waitress.

Second time around. Fantastic service. Tuna yum. Sashimi needed more lemon for my taste. Whitebait fritter was an omelette and too eggy. Snapper nice but bland. Desert yum. Great place to dine, food a tad disappointing.

We came here for my birthday dinner. We were lucky to get a table as the place was really busy!<br/>For my entree i had:<br/>-Squid ink risotto: This was a big dish for an entree. It didn't stain you teeth as much as O' Sarracinos dish. It was nice, but drizzled in quite a lot of olive oil<br/>My mum had:<br/>-Line caught Tahitian tuna: It was nice, tender and fresh!<br/>-Yellow belly flounder with capers, lemon and parsley: This was nice but nothing special<br/><br/>Overall the food was good. The restaurant was noisy, so it was hard to have a conversation. It was also quite dark so my parents had to use a torch to read their menu. Haha! :D

Great seafood done really good! million dollar views whilst you eat! you gotta love this place for their professionalism and where they have placed themselves on the market! the oysters are amazing and the pork belly is done extremely well!

I had my birthday dinner party at Ostro. It was a party of 10+ and they were very accommodating in holding our table when we were (typically) running late. When we arrived, we spotted a table outside in their function area that looked more comfortable for the occasion than where we’d been seated, and the waitstaff graciously allowed us to move the party out there. It was perfect! The flow of restaurant to bar to large balcony is excellent for a small function like that and we made the most of it. A lovely evening. Sarah Forsyth #g4

Definitely a must visit for fine dining and atmosphere in Auckland! the food is divine and is a place of distinction. I had a few bits and bobs off the menu and have absolutely nothing but high praise for the place #g1

I had high expectations for this place, but unfortunately I was disappointed with the food. The interior however is great - modern, sleek, industrial vibe, city and sea views, large deck at the back etc. Came in a group of 5, I ordered the duck ravioli which was really average. My friend ordered the chicken - it was literally just a marinated chicken leg with 2 or 3 roasted cherry tomatoes.. she also said this was very bland. Everyone did enjoy the oysters. If you come here prepare to pay a bit more as it seems you have to order side dishes as well as a main. Would be handy for staff to explain this and advise us prior to ordering... Overall - average dining experience.

Our daughter took us there to celebrate the Father's Day. <br/>We have the table which was quite and have a good view to the outside.<br/>We had order the oysters from bay of island that were fresh and tasty. <br/>My dish was lamb and the meat was so tender and matched with the sauce.<br/>The lady served us was so profession and offer a free beer for my husband to celebrate the father's day.<br/>We really have a great time there.<br/>The good food there would remind us to go there again .<br/><br/>

Ostro does amazing food, particularly if you're looking for a fancier than usual dinner. I've been twice for dinner with friends, but also tried some of their food at a Spark Lab food styling event.<br/><br/>The bread was a bit tough and chewy for my liking, but the seaweed butter that came along with it was divine. With a softer perhaps warmer bread I think it would be a really delicious start.<br/><br/>You'd think carrots would be a strange dish to praise highly, because it sounds deceptively simple. But Ostro's carrots are soft and drowning in oily honey butter with a dusting of coriander that everyone at the event only had praise for. Seriously, try this side for yourself. It was amazing.<br/><br/>The tuna was a beautiful texture, like a creamier sashimi. The wasabi mayonnaise isn't too strong, if you're usually not a wasabi fan, but I found the texture overwhelmed the tuna and personally would have preferred the dish to be a lot more bare bones. The pea shoots made for a well-presented dish and also counteracted the over-creaminess a bit, so it saved the appetiser I think. Perhaps with a little less mayo on the plate, the tuna would have been perfect.<br/><br/>Another quite nice dish was a salad on a base of tomato that was really refreshing and the basil and avocado helped give it a bit more substance.<br/><br/>The grilled half chicken with baby leek, field mushroom and truffle vinaigrette was really good; the chicken meat was slightly tougher than I expected but it was really flavourful and the baby leek was a delicious touch I thought.

Too expensive for what you get. Please check what medium rare is guys!! For the price I would expect the steak to be spot on! But it was not. Overcooked! Rookie mistakes all over the place. From seating to exit. Great location though. Staff just weren't friendly! Have been to much better places for far less $$$

I really like Ostro. Good atmosphere, good view, good food. We had a table that looked out to the harbor, very romantic. The music nice, not too loud, good service, overall we had a good time here. We started with a unique and delicious pear cocktail and 6 tuatua. the tuatuas were over priced for what it is. For mains we had lamb and beef short rib pie. I really liked the pie. It was beautifully presented. Both meals good portion. The only down side for me was that the service was a bit slow, maybe because its on a busy Friday night. This place is classy. Good for special occasions.

Went here for dinner recently. The oysters were amazing and so was the tuna entree. However, service was not as good as I thought it would be. There were about 4-5 waitresses/waiters and we were seated near the kitchen however it took quite a while for us to place our food order, which we made pretty obvious we were ready but were curious to see how long it would take for someone to notice. <br/><br/>My drink was finished and I felt like another but no one came to ask so I had to raise my hand. Worst part was the waiter bought the new drink but left the empty glass sitting on the table till the bitter end. 0 for attention to customers. <br/><br/>Service really impacted on my experience here. However the food was alright. I ordered the duck ravioli- pasta was a bit tough, but portion size was perfect for me (probably would not order it again). My partner ordered the trevally fish which was slightly burnt which ruined the overall taste. Best part of the night was the entrees.

Really nice place for dinner. We had a perfect table looking out to the water. The duck ravioli was my favourite dish and the lamb was also delicious! Great service and great tasting food!

Ostro was absolutely fantastic! Great meal, great view and great service! Ordered the Wakanui Scotch with a side of Sautéed Mushrooms and it was phenomenal! Managed to fit in a dessert as well! Would definitely recommend

Always a 5/5 here! Amazing food and a great atmosphere. Loved the extra effort that was made by our waiter and the added birthday candle into the dessert :)

Amazing local produce that is cooked with care and flair. Even in a cold winter night the restaurant is fun and busy. Service is great and drinks are well balanced.

I’ve booked my bosses in for meetings and drinks at Ostro before but had never actually been in myself. It’s hidden away in the Seafarers Building on Tyler Street and you have to walk through Supreme, (the cute coffee place that also sells jewellery and other bits and pieces) to actually get up there. The menu at Ostro is designed by award winning chef Josh Emett who has worked alongside Gordon Ramsey, so I had high expectations.

First visit to the Ostro and loved it. Experienced a beautiful hospo environment and friendly customer services. Will love to go there again. Price is average compared to other fine dining restaurants in the city. Food and drinks are lovely, as expected.

Too noisy, food not as good as expected.<br/>Don't think we would go again.<br/>The view from the restaurant is very good.<br/>I think this restaurant is over rated

I have heard great things about the restaurant and I have been to Rata in Queenstown also by Josh Emett, and really enjoyed it.. Unfortunately, I don't believe this is near that calibre.. I had the wild venison dish and the clam linguine, but the flavours were simple, the linguine was swimming in oil, the venison was overdone and some of the components were quite bland.. The server we had was quite rude which didn't help, my colleague end up complaining to the manager...

I picked a great time to give this place a whirl. Lunching early on a weekend meant that my party had the terrace to itself. It was a cracker of a day and the views brilliant. We opted for the seafood for two. The food kept coming and did not disappoint. This is on my list of sure fire good eats.

Very tasteful, modern decor with a gorgeous view of the harbour. The live band was an extra special touch that really added to the ambience. The food was very tasty. We trialed the Auckland restaurant month menu; smoked kahawai omelette, beef brisket burger and cinnamon doughnuts with cream and jam. All delicious and beautifully presented. Excellent value for money and the service wasn't too bad either. We did have to wait awhile for our order to be taken but were each given a glass of complimentary dessert wine. Overall a very pleasant dining experience that I would recommend to others.

We went with friends on a Friday night to celebrate their engagement. For us this was a great special occasion restaurant. Together we shared a selection of seafood for the appetizer. All were great but the trevally ceviche was our fave.<br/><br/>She said: The lamb was a standout - perfectly cooked and great presentation.<br/><br/>He said: I ordered the duck ravioli as a main which came with poached pear slices. The combination of flavours was a great blend of salty and sweet. <br/><br/>Would recommend for special occasions or if you're rich go often!

Wednesday night dinner for two. What a treat! We shared ox tongue entrée, and each had the gorgeous lamp rump for main. The ox tongue was enjoyable, the lamb rump absolutely delectable. We followed with the macadamia and white chocolate parfait and the violet chocolate fondant for dessert, which were lovely but not to die for. Good service. Excellent ambiance with nice view out over the port. Pricey though: $180 for all of above plus 4 glasses of wine. All in all a lovely experience. Would recommend.

Very nice setup with great staff, interior and views. High endish.<br/><br/>Good range of seafood and no seafood main options. Mushroom gnocci and beef wellington is pretty awesome. Lobster pie bit salty, hard to taste the meats within.<br/><br/>Good selection of sides and drinks.<br/><br/>Overall very nice yet pretty dear. A full on lunch or dinner for four people just under $400, including drinks.<br/><br/>Score of 4 Yums

Ostro is great for a cold winter Sat evening. Arrived early and had a nice drink at the bar (cocktail making is a real show). We were seated by the window with a great harbour views. Three of the five of us had the poached chicken salad which was sumptuous. For mains the lamb rump was excellent. Deserts were good but not a standout. Great venue for a special occasion.

Gorgeous place - I went in the evening so missed out on those infamous views over the water but very cool view over the city. Had the beetroot salad to start (so beautiful) followed by the flounder. I think the starter was the highlight for me. Friend had the clam risotto to start and duck for mains, enjoyed both hugely. Generous portions, very fresh, well seasoned. Brussels, carrots and fries on the side, all fantastic. The service was exceptional, the best I've had. Beautiful wine and lots of choice. Whilst it feels exclusive and special, you are made to feel very much at home as soon as you arrive. Hope to be back!

We have not been here for ages and Sundays have often been fully booked-usually a good sign.<br/>We booked her for my birthday treat as I wanted to sample the roast lunch, something I don't get very often.<br/>Service was impeccable and the roast was a good size with well cooked pork. (Great to see free range pork and chicken on the menu btw)<br/><br/>Unfortunately, this is where the praise must end. My Yorkshire pudding was lukewarm at best and the vegetables closer to raw than cooked- and don't get me wrong..I like my veggies with some bite to them.  My husband doesn't eat meat and so chose the flounder from a very limited fish selection- tarakhi is what I get in far less esteemed establishments. The flounder was oily and most underwhelming and the Brussels sprout side was tasteless and bland.<br/><br/>Overall a disappointing lunch and not somewhere we will be rushing back to again.

We have been on this place few times. The food is always great, the place has a nice view to the sea and in my opinion they serve the best duck in town.

Service was great but unoriginal menu and can get just as good food at many other places in Auckland for half the price. Probably best during the day to make most of deck and water views. We dined in evening and the place had a very business meeting vibe to it. Disappointing.

My partner booked us in for a date night at Ostro and I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I was arrived I was amazed by the incredible views. It was packed but the room is so large that you don’t feel squished in. <br/><br/>There are so many delicious options on the menu that it’s hard to choose what to get. I ordered the South Island Wild Venison Lion with cinnamon roasted cabbage, chioggia beetroot and black garlic puree ($42). It was a lovely dish with lots of flavours. My partner ordered the Fisherman’s Soup ($31) which was full of clams, market fish, prawns, mussels and grilled sourdough. He really enjoyed his dish but said that it was slightly on the salty side. <br/><br/>Every dish was delicious but my favourite was the violet chocolate fondant which was to die for. It was so warm, rich and chocolately - just the way that I like my fondant. It was served with salted caramel icecream which was equally delicious.<br/><br/>The service was impeccable and it was definitely a really special night. The location is perfect for a romantic date overlooking the harbour and it is worth every penny.<br/><br/>I’ll definitely be back again soon.

The restaurant's wonderful senior waitress, Tatum will make your experience the great one. You must try their Bellini Cocktail, Clams, Beef Brisket and Hand Cut Fries... Ostro is no.1 amazing hangout spot, the best service, the experience in the hospitality industry in Auckland. You Must Visit! <br/><br/>My favorite place to sit in the restaurant is next to the kitchen where you can watch chefs cooking and also talk to the chef about the dishes. They are very friendly and love to talk you. If you are regular visitor like me, they will never forget you.

Great venue, although a little cramped and can be fairly loud. Have eaten here a number of times and each visit was tasty. The menu isn't very extensive but nicely balanced with something for everyone. Service was top notch. Great place for a work lunch.

After dinner, we decided to have pre drinks here before work with some co workers at the end of last year. <br/><br/>We chose to sit outside in their smoking area. It is fairly windy sitting outside but they have a huge open fire place - where you can also have a view of the kitchen. <br/><br/>The service was great, the Asian waiter who took our order was extremely attentive and helpful with cocktail recommendations, always came out to double check if we needed water refills or anything else - I highly recommend his service. <br/><br/>We ordered fries that comes with chipotle mayonnaise, 2 cocktails I can't remember the names of (although I think one was death and glory #2) and a ginger beer (Frank brand, not Bundaberg).<br/><br/>The location is perfect and the layout is perfect, it's great for a catch up over drinks with friends. I'm definitely coming back for dinner sometime as the menu looks very enticing.

Finally made it to Ostro for lunch. Lucky enough to have a table by the window. Glorious view of the harbour even on a grey day! We had the Express lunch deal - excellent value and recommended. An entree, main and a glass of wine for a set price. I had the Poached Chicken breast salad for entree. It was a very generous portion. Fresh snapper followed - cooked to perfection. Service was efficient. A perfect lunch.

The view is good. Menu is simple and does not have anything special. The food is so so, maybe a little bit salty for my taste. I've had better food than what are served here in many restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney. The service needs to be improved a lot, not up to the level that they claim themselves to be. Well, I don't think this is a fine dinning restaurant anyway. After all, the view compensate the food and the service. Will I come back again? Simply not. Once is enough. Nothing special to keep me going back again.

I first visited Ostro for a date night with my partner, where we enjoyed a lovely meal of Grilled Chicken and Pan Fried Snapper along with cocktails on the balcony. Recently, I returned with two of my girlfriends. We had an amazing night! From the restaurant’s vibrant ambiance to its friendly and accommodating customer service, we felt warmly welcomed and looked after, enjoying an array of cocktails, seafood, mains, sides and dessert.<br/><br/>Every food dish served was absolutely delicious, however, my highlights were our dozen very fresh, succulent bluff & rock oysters and our very flavorsome and tender lamb shoulder. These were accompanied by cocktails, saffron & clam risotto, roast duck ravioli, and two sides. <br/><br/>Personally, I was a little disappointed by the cocktails, which simply didn’t taste as appealing as they read on the cocktail menu - Raided & Traded, which I had on my first visit, is by far my favourite as its taste is reminiscent of a Pina Colada. However, the risotto and ravioli certainly lived up to our expectations with perfect flavour and juicy texture! We also enjoyed our sides, my favourite being the carrots, which were soft on the outside while staying crunchy on the inside, and tasted of creamy, sweet honey butter mixed with orange.<br/><br/>Dessert was Violet Chocolate Fondant with salted almond ice cream, which was generously served along with a complimentary plate of assorted sorbet & brandy snaps! The chocolate fondant was warm and very rich and decadent, well balanced with the mild salted almond ice cream. It was a heavier dessert compared to the refreshing plate of sorbet. My favourite of the dessert was the mango sorbet, which had a strongly authentic flavour.<br/><br/>Overall, a truly wonderful second visit to Ostro. We were all extremely pleased with the friendly and professional customer service, attentiveness and generosity of the Ostro staff, and of course, the absolutely flawless quality of the food. Even though the prices make dining at Ostro quite a splurge, every dish is evidently worth the expert culinary knowledge and experience that has gone into it, manifesting into perfection you can taste. <br/><br/>Pregentiere Rose Wine $16<br/>Espresso Martini $19<br/>Salted Caramel Mai Tai $19<br/>Seafarers Saffron Collins $18<br/>Bluff Oysters $5.50 ea<br/>Rock Oysters $4.50 ea<br/>Lamb Shoulder $74<br/>Saffron & Clam Risotto $34<br/>Roast Duck Ravioli $34<br/>French Fries $9<br/>Honey Butter Carrots $9<br/>Violet Chocolate Fondant $17<br/><br/>Photos & dishes from first visit:<br/>White Peach Bellini - $17<br/>Raided & Traded #2 - $18<br/>The Lay of Land - $19<br/>Grilled Half Chicken - $35<br/>Pan Fried Snapper - $38

Where to start... well I had been wanting to go to Ostro for a long time and my previous company gave me some vouchers as a leaving present and so we thought we would go to celebrate our sixth anniversary.<br/><br/>We arrived nice and early for our 8 pm reservation but that's not a problem as they have an excellent bar and could relax with a couple of drinks. Another couple arrived after us and sat near us and it turns out they also had an 8 pm reservation.<br/>They were seated sometime before us and by 8:15 we asked how long we would need to wait. Shortly afterwards we were finally seated at the back of the restaurant near the kitchen where another couple were sat at the counter.<br/>Service was slow and got slower. We ordered a couple of glasses of sparkling wine and then ordered our food. <br/>When the food arrived it was just put in front of us with no care or love. There was no formal presentation it was literally dumped down in front. By that stage I had an empty glass in front of me and the server neither asked me if I wanted another glass nor took it away. <br/>Shortly afterwards our waitress came and I asked to see the wine list. Five minutes later she took the order and a further five minutes later my white wine arrived which was at the point I was finishing my starter.<br/>The couple at the counter were clearly VIPs as they were receiving the level of service that you would expect from this kind of restaurant.<br/>Service was incredibly slow and we noticed that the couple who were in the bar with us received their check before we received our mains.<br/>When the mains finally arrived they were again put down in front of us with no care or attention. They looked good but by this stage I was feeling somewhat disappointed.<br/>I finished my white wine and decided I would have a glass of red to accompany my meat. And I waited for someone to come over. And waited.<br/>During my wait, what appeared to be one of the managers topped off the wine of the couple at the counter. Walking past us and ignoring our empty glasses. A few minutes later he walked back to them with a couple of complimentary glasses of wine. Whilst we still had empty glasses in front of us and it was only after I called him over and complained that he did anything about it.<br/><br/>When I go to a restaurant to spend $250/300 on a meal I expect excellent food and excellent service. I do not expect to be treated like an inferior customer. I can accept a bad day from the floor staff, it happens, but not when someone else is getting outstanding service and attention.<br/>The manager came over and apologized and adjusted our bill in way of an apology however it is just basic service and basic manners to look after your customers.<br/>We've had outstanding service in very busy restaurants in NZ - Kazuya, Prego, Cafe Hanoi were outstanding and equally busy. <br/>You watch cooking shows like Masterchef with Josh Emmett on and they talk about a love of food. But last night there was no love in the way the food was served and there was no love in the way that we, as customers, were served.<br/>I was so looking forward to last night and I was exceptionally disappointed.<br/>

The outlook is fantastic and really makes the experience especially on a cold wet night! Have dined for dinner on two separate occasions with groups. The smoked Kahawai omelette is outstanding, the tongue is excellent however other dishes were not standouts. The wine list is a good one, but extremely expensive, even for average wines. Worth a visit, but better value for money and food can be found in Auckland city.

Came here for high tea with my girlfriends. <br/><br/>The view was really nice and the food was really good and nicely presented. The clotted cream was amazing and I never thought I'd enjoy a savoury scone. <br/><br/>Our teas took a while to come but we were too occupied with the food anyway. <br/><br/>It was really hard to find parking though.

What a cool place!  A group of us couldn't get a table till 9pm which initially I was a little put off about but I wanted a table with a view of the harbour. However the guy on the phone suggested coming in an hour earlier and hang at the bar. Well, what a bar!  On a beautiful evening the positioning was awesome. We ended up drinking and ordering platters to start with in their very groovy bar area. Then moved onto our mains at the restaurant at 9pm. I think in the end we weren't seated till 9.15pm but that wait was fine.   Defiantly a place I'd go back to.

Eaten here a couple of times food is good and a nice atmosphere, good views over the harbour. As you come into the entrance it is up a few flights of stairs take the lift if your not up for the stairs. The lift is an old original old lift to be blunt it doesn't reflect what's upstairs at all. You come into reception and it is a it all over the place needs a wee bit of order.

One of the best Oysters I have ever had ! And the lamb was perfect. Over all a good lunch! I would surely go back ! <br/>Make sure you try the oysters !

I had seen and heard so many great things about Ostro before I had the chance to go, and couldn't wait to try it for myself. <br/><br/>When I go to a restaurant I usually will only get two courses; main and dessert (because I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth ever). As soon as i saw the menu, my normal choices went out the window. There were so many yummy looking things to choose from, and man was it a struggle to decide. In the end, my sister and I decided we were going to share an entree and have our sneaky main and dessert too.<br/><br/>For the entree, we chose 'braised duck agnolotti with pickled pear, parsnip and duck crackling'. When we ordered we mentioned that we were wanting to share the dish, and from past experiences you would either share from the plate or be given extra plates. When the waiter bought the dish over, it was so nice to see that had beautifully plated a half portion with as much detail as they would with the full plate (I thought that the half portion was actually an ideal size for a starter!). This was by far my favourite course! The pasta was so thin, and the filling inside literally melted away in your mouth, The parsnip puree beneath aided the plate as a sauce along with the jus, the richness cut by the thin slices of pickled pear. Last but not least was the duck crackling. If you love classic pork crackling found at a sunday roast, you would love this 1000x more! De-freakin-licious!<br/><br/>For my main I chose 'roast cantebury lamb rump, farro, cauliflower, capers, raisins and pedro ximénez'. I love lamb, and the combination of cauli and raisins sounded really interesting, so I had to choose it! The lamb rump was cooked perfectly, and I thought the portion was very generous! The flavours worked really well together, and the farro was amazing with the charred cauliflower. One of the only downfalls to this dish was the saltiness of the meat and the farro, it was a bit heavy handed but it's an easy mistake to make, other than that it was a really tasty dish.<br/><br/>The last course of the night was 'chocolate mousse, espresso, hazelnut doughnut and milk sorbet', one of eight choices on the dessert menu. I'm a sucker for chocolate desserts, and as soon as I saw doughnuts I was sold (typical me hahah). When the plate came to the table, I was most intrigued by the milk sorbet, only after devouring the doughnut of course; which was filled with a nutella type filling, which automatically meant I would loooooove it! The milk sorbet worked as a almost palette cleansing element amongst other very rich items, but it was almost a bit plain. The thing I was surprised by was the center of the mousse; a sweet but slightly bitter coffee mousse, which really helped break the sweetness in the chocolate.<br/><br/>The positives to my experience definitely outweighed the negatives, and I would happily go back again soon.

Was very excited to go to Ostro. On arrival such a beautiful view of the city, we sat out on the balcony which was very pleasant. The food was absolutely divine would recommend the lamb rump. The huge downside was the poor service, not usually one to complain but considering we were paying top dollar for everything would have expected better service.. Found ourselves having to hunt down our waiter and ended up walking up to the bar to order another wine as we had already waited 15 minutes for our waiter to come to our table. Won't be going back in terms of poor service but would recommend the food as being spot on with flavours and presentation

Went with 7 friends for high tea in summer for a different venue and to try Josh E's take on high tea - expectations high! Lovely view on beautiful day of waterfront action from our table just inside open doors. Service friendly though busy. Champagne high tea option. However high tea traditionally offers dainty and delectable foods with enough to still satisfy hunger. Ostro did not deliver on food.. Clumsy big scones, not a great variety, nothing looked that appealing and fairly bland flavours. Definitely not their forte! Go to The Langham for a truly great high tea experience. Put me off going back for a meal some day which is a shame.

Good environment and nice view if you sitting outside. Seafood platter just average but the fish salad is very yummy. Cost is not very high.

This is the restaurant you'd want to visit if you're feeling fancy or want to impress a date. The food is always perfect (considering the price it better be). Like all European restaurants the time spent waiting can grind on your nerves. But hey good food is worth waiting for right? The atmosphere is perfect for any occasion, birthdays, get-togethers, family dinners or just to eat before a night out in the town.

Had a great night here with the girls - waiter was amuzing, and while I was struggling with the menu he recommended the duck, which was to die for - crispy skin and an amazing sauce. Really good for after work drinks too.

I died and went to heaven when I had their duck. It was perfectly cooked and full of flavour - easily the best duck I've had so far. I really enjoyed my night there. Everything we ordered was good and we ordered HEAPS! Will definitely be back!!!! <br/><br/>Ps: the amazing view is a bonus too! So beautiful!

I never have written a review before but I felt that I needed to this time!<br/>We are a middle aged couple with 2 kids, we don't get many chances to go out just the 2 of us so when we do we like to one try new places.<br/>We made a booking for 8pm and decided to head in a bit earlier for a drink first, we arrived just before 7.15, told the matre de we had a booking and if our table was free earlier then please let us know. <br/>We ordered a drink at the bar and moved out to the balcony to enjoy our drinks. <br/>At 8.05 we asked about our table and we were told it wasn't ready yet, but we would be advised as soon as it was.<br/>At 8.35 we asked again and after 5 minutes, with lots of flustered looks and finger pointing from the waiting staff we were shown to our table, unfortunately it was right by the kitchen, not the nice romantic evening we were hoping for, we were given menus, which had grease spots all over them from other diners before us and we were left by our waitress who never introduced herself by name? <br/>So when she came back we told her we were not having the evening we were hoping for, she apologised, then 5-10 minutes later someone whizzed past and dropped some bread on the table "complementary from the kitchen" no explanation given?<br/>We looked at our grease spotted menu, waited for the specials and decided to order half dozen bluff oysters cooked in tempura batter, they arrived, definitely not tempura more like a very heavy beer batter! <br/>We were then brought another dish from the kitchen, tuna of some description, but again no explanation given.<br/>My husband ordered the flounder, which he had last time, very delicious and I ordered the beef brisket burger, it sounded great on the menu description, but again I was very disappointed, to me a brisket is slow cooked meat that falls apart, unfortunately this was just tough mince that tasted like tough mince that had been kicked about the kitchen a few times, I couldn't eat it.<br/>We were full and disappointed by this time so we decided to head somewhere else and try and rescue the evening.<br/>I have looked and read other people's reviews about the restaurant and I have to agree that the name of Josh Emett is probably a lot of the reason people go to the restaurant, I would struggle to give it a 4/10 disappointed with service, food and atmosphere.

Savannah Bone in Scotch with Bone Marrow. Savannah Bone in Scotch (for two), bone marrow, caramelised shallot and PX sherry, grass fed, dry aged, 750g - $90

Top Notch Food. I don't visit the CBD often, so when I do I want to make the make of the trip. There were 6 diners in our party. We we warmly greeted by the staff on arrival and ushered to our table, Then then hard choice and discussions began, what to order. After several visits from the patient waiter we finally had our selection. He kindly offered to talk us through each dish and explain what they were.<br/><br/>For Appetiser, I chose the Seared Yellowfin Tuna and for Mains Honey- Glazed Grilled Poussin. Although we did share most of the dishes between the group. I really enjoyed everything I tried.<br/><br/>Looking out over the harbour was a great backdrop to a great meal. The staff were very helpful and knowledgable. The only slight downside was that once we moved out to the firepit for coffee's we had to open a new tab. If it was added to the table bill it would have been a perfect evening.<br/><br/>I have found excuse to venture into the CBD more often

Our short visit to Auckland became that much more memorable because of Ostro Brasserie & Bar . They served great food, had great service and provided great view!

I've heard a lot about this place, but I called to book up a few times for a meal. I got voicemail over and over inviting me to book instantly online. So I went to the website to book. I was however advised that it was not working and suggested I try calling them on the phone! <br/><br/>Perfect example of poor customer experience and a terrible first impression. <br/><br/>I'll be heading somewhere else tonight. <br/>

Swung by here for a work lunch one sunny day.  After some confusion, we settled at the city terrace which seemed pretty quiet and empty.   Had a hard time deciding on what to eat but ended up having the most amazing Salmon & Miso salad here.  Would go back just for the salad.

Had the set menu. Costed $105 and is worth it! The Tahitian Tuna was fresh and tasted as good as the tuna I had in Tahiti. I was being unadventurous and had the chicken as my main. The chicken was tasty but not close to the best I have had. However the overall combination with baby leeks, field mushroom, truffle vinaigrette and tarragon pushes this up the list. Can't recall the taste or remember what I had for dessert but I do remember being pleased with (Clearly not to the extent that I actually remember it!)

great views and trendy interior. Your waiters are hip and the food is great. This is not your fine dining, nor does it pretend to be, but a great place to enjoy some great food in a buzzing environment.

Well , ... I have to write this review after tonight dinner at Ostro. It was one of bad experience we never had. We have got moved the table from Seaview to right in the middle of noisy bar by the front door because we booked the table at 6pm and our High  court judges friends came late about 45 minutes . We been rudely told off by an young guy manager that we have to  finish the dinner by 8 pm if we booked th table at 6pm!!!!  And I have got twice confirmation phone call by a woman that She didn't even mention that if we booked the table at 6pm that means we have to finish dinner by8pm!!!!! If you are looking for fine dinning, don't go there.  Celebrity restaurant as we got it!!! Food taste as different compare we went few times over the Christmas period....disappointed .

Sexy, chic and cool. International flair. Expansive views over a bustling port. This places just oozes class from every pore. A great space with bar and brasserie, plus a function area. I was pleasantly surprised after having navigated a windy and derelict staircase to get to this second floor venue. The restaurant was buzzing with diners and bar goers, which seemed mostly a mix of models and lawyers - this place certainly was attracting the upper quartile of the local business elite. All of us were impressed by the amazing food and service. Particular thanks go to our charming French waitress who recommended us the best dishes and gave outstanding service! Although in my case she was wrong, for me the duck ravioli definitely beats the beetroot maltagliati in a head to head entree battle :-) Of course it goes without saying the creme brulee was fantastic. Altogether a superb experience!

Awesome food ! Would definitely recommend if you want to go somewhere nice the view is amazing out to the waterfront and really nice atmosphere

Great views but hard to find from the street. We came at a very busy time, so the service could have been more prompt. The food was delicious though. The trevally a la plancha in particular was amazing! The tables are awful though - they look old and dirty just through bad design. Still, would be happy to recommend and visit again!

Food - 3.5/5 beef rib was good, very tender, sweet sticky. Scotch w marrow was perfeclty cooked, didnt love the sauce. Pork belly was so-so, needed better sides/sauces -the Salsa verde was overpowering. Fries, mushroom sides were ok, nothing to get excited about. Overall great presentation, but flavours could do with some work - this may just be a personal preference.<br/>Service - 4.5/5 servers were very and polite pleasant and, would have been perfect if they had checked on us a little more often. To be fair the place was packed.<br/>Ambience - 5/5 we were a group of 8 and managed to get an end table with a semi private area which was spacious and breezy. This area was great as there was some separation from.the main dining area which got quite noisy when full.<br/><br/>Overall.score is based on the food.<br/>

I'd been told that Ostro was a really great eaterie to have dinner at with freinds. That it was buzzing with life and the food was great. Well it was all of that.Inside there is roar of happy voices like in a corner pub I guess. We were seated outside with a fantastic view of the Auckland harbour. Frankly i was impressed.The food was well presented and tasty. The service was top notch .The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about their food. About the only critique would be that unless you are happy sitting outside in fairly cool area it didn't seem to be a place for an intimate dining experience.

Definitely one of the best restaurants in the city - hands down. Friendly service, unpretentious, unique and locally-sourced ingredients that make up the yummy-licious food... and if you're lucky - a personal hello from the celiebrity owner himself (Josh Emmett, in case you were wondering!). <br/><br/>A great place to bring guests and knock the socks off their feet by showcasing the best of what NZ has to offer!<br/><br/>Update July 2016: Came here with a couple of friends for high tea. Very very impressive. We enjoyed the food, tea and just the overall experience!

Hostess refused to seat us in an empty restaurant on a Sunday night. We had an 8:30 booking and arrived early in the hope they would have room for us. Looking around only a few tables were occupied and she said we would have to wait until our booking (hour later). We then asked if other restaurants below would be open and suddenly a table opened up - Snobs.

Had lunch there yesterday<br/>It was a bit of a mixture<br/>Lots of staff but a lack of control<br/>The food was in the main very good or better<br/>The room is excellent as is the view<br/>Some of the service was poor<br/>Particularly the port man<br/>Had been before and although still good not as much so as previously

The place is just meh. I think it gets a long on josh emett's name. We had the ox tongue two ways which was a saving grace. The tuna, pie & poussin were just ok. Not worth the price or the effort of getting a reservation

The snapper with chilli peppers was absolute perfection. Also I'm strictly paleo and without asking the staff at Ostro brought me this beautiful and divinely good salad because I couldn't have the other starters. Very impressed. Great food and brilliant staff.

Dank, Manky stairs give a false first impression of this satisfyingly good eatery. A large room with big windows and terrace overlooking wonderful views of the harbour awaited us on the 2nd floor. An Interesting lunch menu meant we were spoiled for choice. Starters were Oysters, kingfish ceviche, tua tuas and tongue served two ways - all delicious. Mains - Short rib beef with mustard mash,  Lamb with harissa and aubergines,  whole Yellow Belly Flounder with salsa - very good. Desserts - Bombe Alaska and Coconut Meringue - fresh and delightful. Some interesting cocktails began our session - Clover Club and Ostro Spritz, followed by some Milton Opou Chardonnay. All in all a wonderful lunch. Highly recommended.

The view, the service and the decor is stunning! The foods awesome and the cocktails are great aswell. Can be a little pricey but well worth it..

Very disappointing. Overpriced and poor service. Our waiter had no personality and was unable to explain things about the dishes apart from how big they were. Our drinks did not arrive until after we were half way through our meal. I ordered the kingfish and a side of butternut squash. The kingfish was pleasant but overpowered by chilli and I couldn't complain about the squash except for that it wasn't outstanding. My drink was pretty awful as well. However, the worst part of the evening was dessert. I had the violet chocolate fondant. The violet made it taste like dish soap and the salted almond ice cream was salt ice cream with no taste of almond whatsoever. <br/><br/>The only thing that made up for such a lacklustre dinner was the stunning view.

definitely high fine dining. All the food here are lovely and enjoyable to eat. I love sitting next to the waterfront especially on a sunny day over a glass of Kumeu Valley pinot gris. <br/>Quite expensive but worth it! strongly recommend a visit here :)

I was recently invited out to dinner at Seafarers Ostro restaurant in Britomart and…FLASH!! Now I am not a flashy person in any way so walking in to Ostro and having a gentleman open the door for me was quite a surprise, I didn’t know how to react as I am usually opening doors to try and impress girls. Feeling out of my depth and not knowing if I was in the right place I gingerly entered a people-less room containing tiny furniture, a rich aroma of coffee and some retro decor..ummmm, “The bar is upstairs sir”, these words instantly relieve me and I scurry up the stairs to my safe place.<br/><br/><br/><br/>After scaling three flights of dungeon style brick lined stairwells I arrived at the top, YUSSS this place exists and I made it, what a relief this whole thing wasn’t a set up. The dimly lit bar was full of business suits and classy dressed professionals talking loudly over each other while sipping wine and overlooking Britomart out to Queens Wharf, it definitely has that feeling of style and sophistication you don’t get in McDonalds. We were seated in the bar leaner style high tables by possibly the worlds friendliest waiter (are they even called waiters in a venue of this calibre) who professionally rattled off the specials from the top of his head and took his time to clarify all questions asked “what is a dijonnaise?”, “does the steak come with fries?”, “what does ceviche mean?”. Quickfire answers followed, what a patient and knowledgeable person!<br/><br/><br/><br/>The food was a celebration of extremely fresh and local ingredients. To me, the dishes were a kiwi take on some classic international dishes, uncomplicated and served ready to eat, you won’t find any “deconstructed salads” here. Every dish was thoroughly enjoyable and there was plenty of food envy going on at our table. I can however only specifically comment on my dishes because no one would share. Smoked Kahawai omelette – Deliciously rich and silenced me until the plate was licked clean. Wakanui scotch – Candyfloss-like steak, literally melted off my fork!!<br/><br/><br/><br/>Ostro boasts a clean and elegant decor throughout the top floor restaurant, even the bathrooms are worthy of a mention, and that says something about this place! The huge heavy doors and marble literally everywhere made me feel like I was in a mansion. Don’t judge but I actually washed my hands before and after using the bathroom because the Ecoya hand soap is too good to pass up, much better than the Palmolive at home!!<br/><br/><br/><br/>This is a venue you want to save for a special occasion, dress up nice and enjoy if for what it is. It is in the slightly higher price bracket but worth every cent I paid (Ok Dad paid). Overall a fine night in a fine establishment with great atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing food. I might have to dust off the credit card and return to sample more of the menu when the occasion calls for it. Oh and for the record you can get a side of fries for your steak.

Came here for my 21st dinner with my parents in June on a Sunday evening after hearing from friends that they had enjoyed their meal here. We enjoyed a lovely view of Auckland Ports through the glass. We had ordered oysters, the ceviche, lamb rump, short rib, Wakanui scotch, squash and green salad. First the oysters arrived however, they were oddly flavoured,noting that there were pieces of peppercorn in the vinegar, spoiling the dish as you could not taste the oyster at all. The ceviche was nice, just lacking a bit of acid. My parents enjoyed their meats, the lamb and the ribeye, however, after a couple of bites into my scotch fillet, I was disappointed. I had ordered medium however it was more well done, with a grainy texture as if there was too much steam when cooking, ruining the lovely cur of meat. The sides were lovely. Uniforms of the staff were quite casual for the place. A let down was when we were asked what water we wanted, we were asked still or sparkling. I asked for still assuming it was normal tap water like most places. We received a surprise when our bill arrived, charged $7 for our water. Now on I only ask for tap to ensure it doesn't happen again. This visit left me disappointed, not wanting to return again.

When we ventured up the rickety elevator to ostro we had no idea what to expect, my mind had conjured up pictures from what I had heard or read of a beautiful space with a massive balcony full of rich older men in suits, and this was exactly what was waiting for us.. The restaurant surely was beautiful, and it was packed.. Like really packed. The service from the maître d was pretty slack right from the start, she seemed a little dis interested and when we asked to be taken to our table we we're told quite sharply that it wasn't ready so we would have to take a seat in the bar until it was, which we were ok with, but the tone which we were told put me on edge immediately... The bar staff we're very attentive and our drinks came out promptly but we had to wait quite a while for our table to be ready.. So we did and about 20mins after out scheduled time we were escorted over to a pretty decent, albeit very loud table and introduced to our waiter...The wine list was presented by a quite young and very cocky sommelier who drew out his descriptions of wines padded out with some technical jargon about vintages in his attempts to show how much more he's knows about wine that us (as young sommeliers do... I know, I was once one myself until I grew up and realized it's not about me, it's about the wine) but found the list a little one dimensional and there were a couple of the cheaper wines missing so forced us to go up this list, which we were going to do anyway as we both have a huge appreciation for fine wine but thought I looked like a ploy to drive up wine sales... Eventually we were recommended a bottle of calyx Pinot noir as I had ordered the lamb, which I found slightly boring and a little over priced but drinkable.. My wife ordered the pork belly main and I chose the lamb rump, the food came out in good time and the lamb was awesome, the cauliflower and farro underneath we're seasoned to perfection and it was just beatifully rare, the jus, served on the side in a cute little jug was awesome also and really topped the dish off nicely. The pork belly was cooked really well and fell apart but really lacked seasoning unfortunately, the crackling was perfect and crunchy and stuck to your teeth like the way mum used to make it which left me with a big smile in my face but the jus for this one, served on the side also was totally boring, under seasoned and thin and really added nothing to the dish and left the whole dish overall quite dissapointing. We had a selection of sides, the brussels sprouts with bacon and potato croquettes were both really tasty but the mushrooms were amazing!!! Def the highlight of the dinner..<br/>We shared desserts, the chocolate fondant and the brûlée.. The choc was delicious and decadent and oozed over the plate to the last bite, in the was that you pray that your fondant does when you make it yourself (but hardly ever happens) and the salted caramel ice cream was amazing and created a huge amount of good envy at our table due to my brûlée unfortunately being not great... Texturally it was perfect, creamy and smooth in the middle and the top had the satisfying crack that you demand from a brûlée but I just couldn't get over the heavy dose of cinnamon on the top, it just overpowered the dish so much that all the other perfections got lost, such a shame... Overall we left pretty satisfied with our dinner and will definitely return..

Too many people talk about Ostro so we have decided to give it a try. Restaurant : Beautiful design, simple and effective. Great idea to place Bar in the middle to separate drinkers from diners.Breath-taking views  and good spacing between the tables able to move around. Quite noisy, but of course expected for busy night. Don't go there if you looking for a quite night. Service : Excellent, obviously they sorted their little issues they had from beginning.Food : I felt my chicken dish disappointed me. The meat was not easily slipping of the bone and needed little more cooking time. Not so much on the plate but it was my fault not to order the entrée. Dessert to die for. I will not tell you which one, but the chocolate taste was still in my mouth the next day.I am not a food critic and I appreciate the meal cook for me . I will try to come back again in hope my meal will be better next time.

We went to Ostro a few days ago - at lunchtime, to try their Auckland Restaurant Month deal.  Two courses for $55.  The Kingfish entree was quite superb, the Butternut Ravioli sublime, the wine excellent, the service efficient and cheerful.  It was somewhat noisy when we first arrived but there was a generally calming down as the frenetic lunch time diners reluctantly left to return to their offices.   We had a great table overlooking the container wharf.  There was nothing not to like.   We would certainly return.

Was a little bit apprehensive as some of the more negative reviews compared Ostro unfavourably with Rata, and we had loved Rata earlier in the year.Couldn't book a table on Saturday night, but on turning up and asking extra nicely we were accommodated on the proviso we vacated our table by 830, which was fine by us. The sommelier was very friendly and knowledgeable, pushed my husband and his friend out of their normal pinot noir comfort zone, and the Italian wine he recommended was lovely. Three of four of us has the seared Tahitian tuna tuna and the short rib, and every single mouthful was absolutely divine. The tuna was perfectly seared, the peas tasted as if they had just been picked and the wasabi mayonnaise was delicious.  The beef short rib that followed was absolutely sensational- the mustard mash, the tender beef rib, the spiced sherry jus- all melted in my mouth and the Brussels sprouts side was so delicious my friend reconsidered her lifelong hatred of Brussels sprouts. My husband had oysters and the lamb rump which were also given the thumbs up. Following this we shared crème brulee which was slightly disappointing- the dish was very shallow and the sugar layer wasn't very thick so there wasn't that lovely crack followed by creamy custard- it was yummy but not as amazing as the previous courses. The violet fondant was being enjoyed on a neighbouring table and that looked pretty good. Great night.

Went in for dinner tonight - i ordered the scotch fillet, partner had the chicken. My steak was ok - well cooked but a little on the cold side. I think they let it sit for to long. Partners chicken was average - nothing to write home about! Sides were standard fare chips, brussel sprouts and pumpkin. We ordered the donuts for dessert, which were so bland they tasted like dry balls of dough, sparingly sprinkled with cinnamon and served with a tiny dish of cream and blueberry sauce. Overall i would come back for the view and maybe some drinks but not for dinner and i have to say, its just missing 'something'. I cant quite put my finger on it though! Its missing a bit of soul - the decor could do with some warmth.

Fantastic service and sophisticated but unpretentious food. <br/><br/>We came to this restaurant having been turned away rather rudely from Cafe Hanoi. Although we'd been hankering for Vietnamese, we were delighted with the quality of the meal and the service. It was fully booked on a Saturday night, and a private function took up half the bar. The wait staff still managed to accommodate us in the bar area.<br/><br/>The Canterbury lamp rump was delicious, although served just slightly too cold. The pork belly was fantastic - beautifully tender and crunchy at once. Desserts were also fabulous, especially the creme brûlée.<br/><br/>The service was the perfect mix of unobtrusive and knowledgable. Our water glasses were kept full and our plates removed without fuss. Out waitress was happy to recommend particular wine matches when asked.<br/><br/>The only reason we'd give 4 stars, not 5, is because some food was just slightly too cold and the music was a little too loud for comfortable conversation. This is the perennial problem of many Auckland bar/restaurants which try to be all things to all people, especially those in reclaimed industrial spaces with echoey acoustics.<br/><br/>Nonetheless, highly recommended. This must be one of the best bistros in Auckland. We will be back to try the raw bar in future.

Went to Ostro for the first time on Sunday for lunch. We booked a table and arrived to the smell downstairs of rotten fish. The restaurant was packed and the service was slow. It took over an hour and 20 mins to get our food. The band playing was so loud we couldn't hear the waitress. I had the roast chicken and it arrived raw and pink inside, the accompanying veges were cold and ordinary, the kind of thing I could've made at home without too much effort. Very disappointed. Very poor service too. After approaching three different members of staff I was finally able to alert someone to my uncooked meal. I was given a full refund but left very disappointed and won't be returning.

What a shame. A great site for a superb view out over the harbour. Every 'second' item on the menu is exceptional. I had the Oysters- brilliant, then the risotto arrived with pastry cooked just right but hardly anything inside! The kawhia was very good.<br/>If you want to have a disco, have a disco, but if you want to have a classy restaurant enjoying a $130 meal with a beut outlook then don't spoil it with a venue so noisy the waitress had to talk to 2 at a time at a table of nine because the noise was so great.<br/>We were sitting on uncomfortable bar stools at a bar table- we were booked but were not given a proper table!?<br/>I know it is June but the place was freezing- what is it that architects always go for concrete floors these days everywhere.<br/>I will take my noise cancelling headphones next time and a heater- oh I forgot, I am not going next time.

A little bit hit and miss<br/>The outlook from Ostro is special; we often bemoan the lack of Auckland restaurants that let us see the harbour, and Ostro maximizes the view with floor to ceiling windows looking straight out over Quay Street. It was my wife's second visit but my first and she highly recommended it. So why hit and miss? The hit was when my wife wore some broken glass and spilt bubbles when the glass was dropped onto the table as they delivered it, the miss was when the steak knife landed beside rather than on my foot as another waiter cleared our mains. Oops. They did take the bubbles and our entrees off the bill which we felt was a reasonable compensation. To the good, the kingfish crudo (sashimi) and pumpkin ravioli were two excellent starters. The fisherman's soup as a main was nice but not special, the steak was cooked perfectly and the presentation great - béarnaise in a tiny saucepan plus jus in a porcelain jug plus beetroot and baked shallot. Didn't stay for a third course - might have been tempting fate on this occasion. But I do have to go back another time for a second try

Such was the disappointment that was our dinner experience at Ostro last night, I felt I had to write this review. The service was shockingly bad. For a $500 dinner for four people I would expect some decent service but there was NO service. We had an 8.30pm reservation, and the table was not ready. That was fine but when they did come to get us, they sat us down at a dirty table that had not even been set yet. It still needed a wipe down from the previous patrons. They then proceeded to set the table with us sitting there which I thought was rude and unnecessary. <br/>No one came to take our order nor explain the specials or answer any questions. When our bluff oysters arrived they were plonked down on our table with not even an excuse me. We had to ask for service three times, and felt like we should be pouring our own wine. The straw that broke the camel's back, was seeing our so called waiter sit down at the table next to us for the remainder of the evening and chat with some ladies instead of serving us or introducing a new server to us if he had finished for the evening. Terrible service Ostro... Extremely disappointing and totally unnecessary. The food was all lovely, but hard to enjoy as we felt so disregarded. I hope Management listens to these reviews about the service, it truly is shocking.

Outstanding menu - at last some great taste sensations at a reasonable price. Lamb shoulder for two was as good as any I have ever had - superb touch with the anchovy<br/>Agree, the brussel sprout side is a winner.<br/>Could not fault the service.<br/>See you again soon

Having looked at many reviews I wondered if Ostro was going to live up to my expectations of Josh. To start we tried the web site booking system which didn't offer a time that suited, but I really wanted to try Ostro so called and left a message. They called back promptly and offered a spot for our party of 8 at my preferred time. The moral, call them. <br/><br/>Arrived and got a fantastic table overlooking the harbor, what a shame our City fathers fail us miserably and allow POA to unload and park cars on the edge of one of the best harbors in the world. The sooner POA are moved out (or squashed towards the east) the better for us all.<br/><br/>On with the meal, we all had a range of entrees, mains and deserts. Without exception the food was great, one hungry teenager was disappointed that the King fish crudo was not the whole fish (he is still growing). The Pork chop was to die for, and do get the Brussel sprout side it is fantastic. Two of my party had the Savanna feast, big appetites and both left happy. Don't want to explain every dish in detail, give Ostro a try.<br/><br/>Wines, chose a mid range Seresin Pinot Gris, very nice two bottles between 3 of us. Wine list was not massive, but had a good range to suit most pockets.<br/><br/>Our waiter was Collin, he did a great job running through the menu giving us the run down on most dishes, made us very welcome and was part of the experience. Not overly involved in the meal, but playing a supporting role. Did not see Josh in the kitchen, but his team did him proud.

Nice appetizers, mains and dessert were good. Cocktails however were terrible, ordered 3 different cocktails (Gundeck Love Affair, Clover Club &amp; the Grape Ciroc) all 3 were awful. Waitress was nice after we sent the 1st cocktail back but could not be bothered telling her the next 2 were worse than the 1st. Disappointing as you would expect the drinks to be knockouts in a place such as Ostro. Please get some decent cocktails on your menu or bartenders who can actually make them properly and taste before serving.

When we arrived I asked if we could sit next to the window and was told they were pushing the tables together for a big group. 10 minutes later they sat 4 people at that table and the tables were not pushed together.<br/>Ordered a 2011 bottle and they gave me 2012 then told me that was what was on the menu. I checked the menu and it was 2011. They informed us that they forgot my wife's main meal and when it arrived 15 minutes later it was too salty to eat. My meal was just ok.<br/>Charged us for a bottle of wine we didn't have.<br/>I am fortunate enough to dine at the finest restaurants in NZ with overseas suppliers and I can honestly say this was one of the most disappointing restaurants I have been to. I will not be recommending this place to anyone.

I was so looking forward to going to Ostro. Particularly as Rata, Queenstown, is one of my favourite restaurants, in the country.<br/>I am afraid I was a bit disappointed.<br/>The food was fine, a reasonable standard, but difficult to enjoy in a restaurant that was so noisy and frenetic! The bar area across from the restaurant created a huge amount of noise that echoed and bounced around the room. Also, being told we had to vacate the table, because they needed it for the next sitting was in excusable in my eyes.<br/>I'm sorry Ostro, I won't be returning.<br/>Gutted!!

I organised my graduation dinner here which was obviously an important occasion. Our table was in the best location of the resteraunt, our waiter was amazing (happily accommodating and seamlessly explaining for one of our guests who was gluten free), making sure we all were happy with meals etc. When I had friends join me later we occupied the outside brassiere area where the waiter continued with great service , desert outside and let us stay a little longer to continue celebrations. Thank you Ostro &amp; team for going over and beyond on such a special occasion for me, it was perfect :-)

I feel like rating this a five and a one star for two different reasons, but will go in the middle. We just had dinner at Ostro tonight. Beautiful restaurant, with great food and lovely staff. Couldn't fault a thing on any of that. My only gripe is paying a $10 surcharge for 3 glasses of wine at the bar while waiting for our table, followed up by paying a $45 surcharge on a $310 meal. $55 extra because we dined on Anzac Day evening is steep and in this day and age unnecessary I think. You can factor in extra wage costs evenly across the year without hitting up patrons for that kind of money on an evening when the joints packed out. That left a sour taste in my mouth after what was otherwise an amazing evening. I future i'll patronise restaurants that don't charge surcharges sorry

Food &amp; setting spot on. Service was the most arrogant I've ever experienced in New Zealand. Could not in good faith return to encourage the culture that's being fostered there. Such a shame.

Starting with some advice.<br/><br/>Drinks from what we saw was quite expensive, pre made cocktails in the bottle were cute but personally preferred freshly shaken. Did not try any of the mains but from the other tables it looked like some of them seemed rather disappointing in size. Also could work on attention to people just arriving at the restaurant who could be standing quite awkwardly as they try to get floor staff attention. <br/><br/>But...<br/>Amazing experience here, hitting the par for food, drink, ambience and service. We did not have to wait long for our table as it was only 4 in the afternoon and was fortunate to be seated close to the sea view. We were taken care of by a super amiable waiter who was very apologetic with small mistakes he made and made it no fuss to fix up any problems. Service throughout the night was very consistent even when his shift was over and another waiter attended to us.<br/><br/>Menu was explained to us very intricately but not condescending.<br/>My friend and I ordered the seared tuna and the beef carpaccio which were both divine.<br/><br/>Ambience of the whole set up was great, at first we thought having two separate kitchens was strange but effective as dinner time rolled around and people could enjoy different experiences.<br/><br/>Would come back in the near future.

The staff were friendly and helpful but we were disappointed. Neither of us could really decide what to have as the menu did not inspire. Our choices in the end we rated as average with our desserts even more average. I had the Black Forrest Eton Mess which was so deconstructed as to be boring. Just mini meringues, cherries and a blob of cream on an oval dish as far as I could tell. I say as far as I could tell because it was so dark neither of us could see. My main course came on a rectangular wooden board which rolled around on the table, there are no table cloths or mats and the restaurant is VERY noisy so it was hard to hear anything our waitress said. The portion sizes are small and all sides are priced separately. The wine list is expensive with few options by the glass. Overall expensive for what you are getting, we would not return.

To be honest we were very disappointed. As a bar it seems to be the place to be but the good really let it down. Two of us had risotto, one as a main and one as an entree, we both agreed is was terrible and if Josh had presented that at Masterchief he would not have made the cut. The steaks where ok but very expensive at between $50 and $56 without sides. Three out if the six of us dinning would not return to this restaurant based on the food served

We had our parents 50 wedding anniversary at Ostro Restaurant, we had a fantastic evening overlooking the harbour with a balcony seat. Our waiter was excellent and very attentive and patient with us explaining menu options and meals. Very happy with our choices and meals were top quality, great setting and service. Thank you Ostro team you made our night special

We had dinner with our friends who were up from the South Island on Sunday night before Bruno Mars concert. What an experience! the staff were fantastic, friendly (as were we, I always think this helps) and extremely helpful in recommending food choices. Great atmosphere with beautiful views. Felt thoroughly spoilt.

Had been there 2days before for lunch enjoyed ourselves food was great and what we expected. <br/> Came back for dinner with friend completely different experience. Asked to wait at bar and order drinks while outside table being prepared. Bar staff busy talking amongst themselves, had to find our own wine list, eventually spoke to passing staff person to order a bottle of Chablis, the waitress collected us but returned later with our bottle of sparkling water and to advise no Chablis so we ordered a bottle of cable bay Chardonnay which took some time. Ordered our meals and then had our sparkling water glasses topped up with tap water....<br/>Meals were well presented and what was expected, when plates taken away asked for a wine list for our mains. Mains arrived no wine so asked if they could speak to the mitred about a glass wine match for each main. After we were 1/2 way thru our meals and no attention I left the table to remind someone about the wine. They returned with 3 glasses and dumped on table with no explanation as to suggested match. <br/>Overall poor service for a Wednesday night. When paying I explained our displeasure only to be told that a VIP table had also found 3 wines not available to them on the wine list. Gee makes me feel so much better.....

We visited Ostro to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We went for lunch, at 12.30 had a great table over looking the harbour, I recommend this time to enjoy the views. The place was packed after a very short time, service was friendly helpful and attentive. Food was great! Atmosphere buzzy and nice, not noisy due to no trendy concrete floors. We were fortunate enough to meet Josh which made it a fabulous experience! What a lovely man!<br/>Tried Ox Tongue at his recommendation, was enjoyable entrée, had seared yellowfinTuna gorgeous, scampi, bluff oysters and Fillet Steak. Great menu and difficult to chose. Amazing wine list, for us, an outstanding experience!

If you want to enjoy good food and good conversation then this is not the restaurant for you.<br/>We visited one week ago (evening 8.30) and found the noise made it almost impossible to talk and hear across the table and it was so dark it was impossible to read the menu (one of the three of us had enough light to see). We asked if they had had torches to help and whilst we were offered the waiters phone torch it was a pained offer.<br/>We decided the experience of possible great food was not enough to keep us there and we left. <br/>Maybe we will try a lunch and see if that is better.

We didn't have a meal but did order some bread with seaweed butter with our drinks - it never arrived. Very uncomfortable stools to sit on in the bar area. I thought the décor would be really sharp and add to the experience, but it was already looking a bit shabby and dirty. Attention to detail in every aspect should be the aim for someone like Josh Emett. Generally disappointing.

I visited Ostro, 21/2 2014, with my son (10) and arrived at 6.30 on a Friday night and no booking and asked for an outside table. The place was busy with drinkers and lively. We waited only a few minutes and given a table overlooking the harbour, a balmy night. Service was good and brisk and my beer arrived ($9) and a lemonade. I ordered the bread with a seaweed butter, the butter weighed more than the bread which was( $9) and while I liked the bread which was light and had a salty sugary crust what do they do with all the leftover butter? Lets be honest here I had no illusions on price as someone has to pay for the set up of the place. Moving on we took selfies and decided to order My son wanted fish so we took the steamed snapper but without the mussels as he is too young to meld these flavours on a medley of green veg ($33) and I ordered the Beef Brisket burger and chips($26) on a Brioche bun with a pickle and chips and Aioli and a side of shoestrings for the fish. We waited maybe 15minutes and I threw back another corona enjoying the ocassion. The fish arrived and a nice portion skin on and plenty of vegetable medley. It also had a mussel emulsion/ beurre blanc in a sauce jug. It was light and tasty but happy they presented it but my son tried it, however not his thing yet! The beef Brisket burger, now to be far they did say was served medium rare and i thought mmmm okay lets give it a go. A dog ! Absolutely no flavour and like eating a half cooked Merguez Sausage as you know your eating meat. It was warm. What happens here is when you have Brioche and a liquid from meat you end up with a wet bun and so I thought do I send it back which would mean my son would be eating alone or deal with it and tell the waiter after. I chose the latter as the former would have destroyed our night out. The probably twice cooked chips were fab and hot and had less Aoili than my bread? We were asked if we wanted dessert and declined. The Bill came to $99 and so I informed the waitress of my complaint and she came back after forwarding info to the kitchen and I received no response from Maitre d, so I left it at that. My advice Josh Emmett, as I have been cooking longer than you have is you have failed on that dish big time as Brisket should have plenty of flavour and not be lumpy and for a burger to cost $26 it had better be good because there is many establishments that do a superb job for half the cost, like Burger Fuel. I left a tip( $11) for service and offering us the outside table. Iguasu was far superior under chef Peter Bekker as a Brasserie. Maybe look up online how to cook Brisket.

Went there with some friends passionate of food. The environment is stunningly designed and the view is great.....but food, is another story. Overall a mixed experience at best. My tuna entree was fresh, nice, nothing innovative and husbands oysters fresh as any oyster you expect in NZ. Husband went for risotto with scampi, and it was hopelessly overcooked. We are Italians, and from Milano, so saffron risotto is our thing...the Chef explanation from the Kitchen was " I know it's wrong...but here they like it like this." Husband was astonished and speechless.The name on the front is a Michelin starred chef!! I had the doughnuts as sweet...and were totally tasteless by themselves unless you drowned them in chocolate sauce. Our friends were luckier, lamb and Ox tongue were ok. A good wine selection...very few by the glass. Overpriced.

Could not score a seat at the main dining area so the group of 6 of us settled at the bar table. The environment was vibrant with beautiful modern architecture.<br/><br/>Food quality was good, but overpriced for the portion size. Staff are friendly but disappointingly lack of the knowledge of the food that they were serving. One girl does not know what are the type of meat serving on the meat platter, and another told us different serving size for the platter.<br/><br/>Overall beautifully presented food, but be prepared to pay for the upmarket environment and not very well trained staff.

I had read the varied reviews for the restaurant before tasting for myself. After the experience I would have to side with those who had positive experiences.<br/>The wait staff were friendly and professional, although there was the odd time where the wait was getting close to too much.<br/>The Stewart Island oysters we had from the raw bar were as good as any oyster I've tasted; firm flesh sweet yet salty with sharp metallic aftertaste mmmm. I followed these with the kahawai omelette, which was soft and creamy balanced with the salty fish. Around the table the prawns were tasty, the kingfish crudo was elegant and the scampi risotto was exceptionally light and flavoursome. Most of us had steak for main, my scotch fillet done rare was juicy and very tender well cooked and I do love a nicely made bearnaise sauce. My vanilla pannacotta with mixed berry sorbet mixed berries and muesli was a light zingy finish to a very good meal. Don't expect cutting edge innovation, but head to Ostro for a tasty meal executed very well in fine surroundings

Took my family there for a celebratory dinner and could not fault the experience. Great space, attentive and friendly service and the food was very, very good. Standouts were the smoked kahawai omelette, the kingfish crudo, the steamed snapper but all dishes we tried were admirably understated and packed with flavor. Sure, it's a little pricey (wine list especially) and noisy (what do you expect, it's a big concrete room) but the atmosphere, view, food and excellent service more than compensate. Will definitely return.

Great atmosphere and lovely food. Totally let down by our awful waiter (I think his name may have been Gethine) who argued with me about what we has ordered for dessert. We were discussing two desserts with him (one was the Eaton Mess and the other was something with an odd name like rumbas bravas or something that included a grilled pineapple and a brandy snap). In the end I said we would go with the brandy snap one that we had been discussing. <br/><br/>When our dessert arrived we took a bite but it looked just like plain brandy snaps (which were also on the menu). I called the waiter over to clarify. He said they were the plain brandy snaps. I said that we had ordered the other dessert we had been discussing that included the brandy snap. He said that I just said brandy snaps so that's what we got. I asked him to get the menu and showed him the one I ordered with a brandy snap. He said I did not order it by the correct name. I can't believe how rude he was and all over the cost of some $9 brandy snaps. After that he just ignored us for the rest of the evening.<br/><br/>I had taken my husband out for his birthday and the waiter put a dampner on the whole evening. Very disappointing!!

Fabulous lay out and we did get a window table as requested, clear night so gorgeous views.<br/>Could not fault the service, systems working very well and friendly wait staff.<br/>I don't mind paying for a top quality meal but 2 steaks out of 4 were not cooked to required liking, a fundamental of good cuisine. Starters were all good especially my Scampi on Saffron Risotto.<br/>I am not a dessert person but everyone complained about the lack of choice and disappointing presentation. We had to wait a long time for the desserts and nobody was impressed, all different choices(5).<br/>Wine was very pricey and beers are exorbitant. Extremely noisy but I don't mind that. I feel it is going to be a while before we venture back there, a shame when it is such a perfect position.

Lunched here on Saturday with friends, the service was so friendly and the food met all our expectations. 3 of the party had the duck pasta as an entree and the other had the Tuna and all followed with the Scampi Risotto which had been recommended and was a generous serving with plump scampi. We finished with a cheese board that was made even more special with the raw honeycomb. I can highly recommend a visit to Ostro and bookings are essential but the wait totally worth it.

This was our first visit and we were really looking forward to a really nice meal and a very cool fit out and location. <br/>It began badly by being seated at barstools right by the bar on a very busy night. There were so many people around us and the volume so loud we couldn't hear ourselves talk! I hate barstools full stop and just about walked at that point. So we asked to be moved which they grudgingly did. Having booked a table we didn't think it was too much to ask to be sitting on a chair. <br/>So now happily seated at a table on a chair, we ordered our meals. From there it went badly downhill. My risotto was terrible and his pork pie was so salty it was hardly edible. We would have complained but really didn't think anyone would care. <br/>The other shocking thing is the state of the toilets - he said that the mens were so shocking that any woman would be horrified. Beer bottles everywhere, whiskey glasses, rubbish, just disgusting and that is a comment from a bloke. I didn't use the ladies so can't comment on that.<br/>The location is second to none and I really hope when the crowds dissipate, it becomes a great restaurant and not a rowdy bar posing a restaurant! Or just ditch the food and be a great bar but the two things can never sit well together. <br/>Oh yes view is to die for so just go for a drink and save your money!

We thought the restaurant and bar was very cool but were disappointed by the service. When we finished our main meal we sat with empty drinks and plates for 20+ minutes so eventually just got up and paid the bill and left. The food was average for the location and price.

Delicious food, portions are quite small but as expected of fine dining. Service was amazing, there was a small fly in my glass of wine and when I informed the waiter, he immediately topped it up without hesitation. Highly recommended!

I was a bit worried to try Ostro after reading bad reviews, I am glad that I tried this place! Food, service and views are amazing! We had steak and lamb and all was delicious and cooked as we asked. Definitely will recommend this place!

Walked in Sunday arvo at 1.30 , had to wait for a table outside .... Saw at least four available on arrival .... Sent to the bar ... Waited and waited and ..... 20 minutes later we were shown our table ( which had been free since we arrived ) . Come on guys.... Love your food but the unexplainable wait which was not necessary ! Guess you wanted us to spend at the bar while waiting for our table that was there available all along ! Might work for you ... But pissed off me !!

Beautiful location. Lots of staff, service was good but we were there at 5.30pm for our booking so not super busy you would expect to get great service. I had the tomato salad as a starter &amp; the duck pasta for a main very disappointing serious lacking the wow factor. Ten of us in the party and every one agreed the food was very average. Very expensive restaurant, I would go back but only for a drink.

Costing $150 per head for our new years eve dinner we were more than disappointed.<br/><br/>Staff unorganized, slow and unprofessional service.<br/><br/>The food was terrible and every course came with ice berg lettuce as well as it being a side, chocolate mousse was solid and not smooth and creamy as you would expect .... I believe some more creative thought could have gone into this very expensive 4 course meal. To top it off the comedian came on for 5 mins and couldn't be heard at all ?<br/><br/>Maybe Josh Emett should stick to TV instead of putting his name to restaurants that are well below the normal great standard of food we get in New Zealand.

This is the first time ever in eating out that I have left my table to try and get service, both for drinks, water and food menus!! One of my dining companions waited 35 minutes for her glass of red wine to appear, and her comments are they ruined her night for her, she will not return, nor will I or the others that were at our table. The food was good, but the service levels were way behind what is expected and the worst crime of the night was in clearing our table while one diner is still eating!!! We were given 2 bottles of French Champagne to make up for what was a shocker - however too little too late

Lunch on Sunday.<br/>The food was outstanding, we had great expectations after having had dinner at RATA in Queenstown, a sister restaurant.<br/>Marinated king fish, a great tuna entree, superb main courses.<br/>And fabulous dessert.<br/>Like others have reviewed the service was a let down, friendly but untrained staff spoils the experience.<br/>And the wine list was a tad over the top price wise.<br/>The setting very nice with harbour views.<br/>Sugest to immediately hire a full time trainer to train staff on a one to one basis

The most perfect location for a restaurant/bar over looking the inner workings of the port and harbour. We found the service to be ok-ish.. After taking us through to the bar because our table was not ready, they rang our mobile looking for us as we had not turned up.<br/><br/>The food was well priced and we all enjoyed our selections, I really liked the pork pie. However the wine list was over priced and the selection very limited.<br/><br/>Worth a try if you want to check out the location.

Well we finally managed to get a table at Ostro last Saturday night after booking 4 weeks ago! So our party of 8 fronted to Josh Emett’s latest offering in the Britomart precinct on Saturday night at 7 o’clock high on expectation based on what we’d heard. <br/><br/>We were one of the larger parties and scored a great spot in front of the glass wall which allowed the first 4 to arrive the get the seats with a view out over the wharf area/car storage area!!! Gorgeous early-summer evening and with the gentle breeze zephyring through the open panels on the glass wall we were set for what turned out to be a most enjoyable night.<br/>Service was prompt and in fact pleasantly attentive throughout the evening.<br/><br/>To the menu. I hate it when there are about 3 items for each course that you’d love to have. Normally I then spend the night looking longingly at other people’s plates and thinking “I wish I’d had that”!<br/>I started with the SMOKED KAHAWAI OMELETTE with hollandaise and watercress while others had the OX TONGUE TWO WAYS with mustard, cornichons, sauce gribiche and grilled sourdough, MARKET FISH CEVICHE with meyer lemon, avocado, red radish and cucumber and the ‘CURIOUS CROPPERS’ TOMATOES with fresh herbs, compressed watermelon, avocado and cucumber. All were declared very tasty. I particularly liked my omelette which was light and flavoursome. <br/><br/>I was dying to try the two way ox tongue and tried to put the evil eye on Tom but there was no offer forthcoming. Had it been Deb I’d have nicked a bit off her plate; but she’d never have had it in the first place. Al wanted me to specifically refer to his curious croppers tomatoes – curious choice is all I’d say!!<br/><br/>For mains we covered a fair bit of the field. The ROAST SCAMPI RISOTTO with Marlborough saffron and parmesan was one of the dishes that I could easily have had but I felt like a steak so went for the Grain fed, 250g WAKANUI SCOTCH with béarnaise and a jus which I just loved. Others had the HONEY-GLAZED GRILLED POUSSIN with harissa and blackened tomato, the BRAISED DUCK AGNOLOTTI with parsnip, pickled pear and duck crackling, RICCOTTA &amp; SPINACH TORTELLI with Tomato, basil and parmesan and the LINE-CAUGHT TARAKIHI with Candied grapes, fennel and toasted almonds.<br/>We shared sides of MIXED LEAF SALAD with lemon and avocado oil, FRENCH FRIES with fresh herbs and STEAMED ASPARAGUS with picada – all passed the test.<br/><br/>Verdict. Well I’ll leave that to my fellow dinner guests. Tom said the Scampi risotto was scrumptious, Marie said the fish was gorgeous, Deb declared the poussin “perfection on a plate”, Lena loved the rissotto, Murray said the duck was excellent, Juls rated the tortelli really nice and I can’t remember what Al had haha. Ah yes I can after texting him, it was the tarakihi which he pronounced very nice!<br/><br/>For dessert there was a fair bit of couple-sharing going on with the BOMBE ALASKA with Orange &amp; mascarpone parfait with lemon sorbet and CHOCOLATE &amp; COFFEE MOUSSE with Hazelnut beignet and milk sorbet. No sharing for me though!! I had my own Bombe Alaska and it was gooood. Of course with me not sharing there was no chance of getting a taste from anyone else!! Both desserts were declared very yummy.<br/><br/>So all in all it was a most enjoyable evening and Chef Cobus Klopper and the team at Ostro did a fine job.

Bittersweet for me.<br/>It has to be said that the decor, location and view are all very pleasant. I had the pork Belly Pie with a side of Truffled Mushrooms. The pie was nice, but a little under seasoned for my liking - nothing that a dash of salt couldn't fix! The mushrooms were divine, but could have done with a bit more truffle oil on them. The food highlight was the Pannacotta and funnily enough, the seaweed butter that came with the bread!<br/>The service was a bit sporadic. It was either really good, or a bit average depending on who was serving.<br/>The lowlights for me were the revolting state of one of the toilets. Even after mentioning their condition to a waitress, 90min later, they had not been cleaned. And the espresso martini...yuck! Not the way that I'd hoped my meal would end.<br/>So yeah, still a little way to go guys. Thank goodness you have the business of the Christmas season to start you off well.

It's a great spot and it has the right atmosphere.<br/><br/>Full with Christmas bookings it was hit and miss of getting a good table even though I had booked more than a month ago.<br/><br/>The food was not spectacular. And in Britomart and the city at the moment it needs to be. The competition is tough and these guys aren't quite up for it.<br/><br/>The service was poor. The staff were new, inexperienced and flustered.<br/><br/>We had an earwig in our salad. Wouldn't get away with that on Masterchef!<br/>Usually there would be an apology from the maitre'd and something done about it. But I had to bring it up when settling the bill. <br/><br/>A long way to go. <br/><br/>Hope they get it right eventually. Nice setup and great location.

Bit of a mixed bag and judging by recent reviews it was to be expected. Location as everyone has attested to is great, although walking through an empty cafe to start with isn't a good look.<br/><br/>Service was a mixed bag our waitress was great but the guys from the bar delivering our drinks need a good sorting out. Dour look on his face and mumbled something before spinning on his heel and departing. Probably in embarrassment of what he was delivering. I always order a Mojito to start the night and this one was below average. The other halfs Margarita was equally bad both tasted watered down.<br/><br/>Onto the food - Ox tongue done two ways was tasty enough as was the wife's Ceviche. I had the Pork belly pie which again was ok although the accompanying salad was very bland, I've seen better between the buns of a Big Mac. But if I thought that was bland then I only needed to taste the wife's Steamed Snapper to understand the true meaning of the word. Severely underseasoned to start with and totally lacking in favour. Very disappointing.<br/><br/>There is a consistency in the reviews now that would indicate something is amiss at Ostro. I sincerely hope they're addressed quickly the location and star power of Josh should be a great combination that adds not detracts from the Auckland dining scene.

Our visit to Ostro on 29 Nov was a very disappointing experience and we would not recommend eating there.<br/>We chose Ostro expecting a high standard from Josh Emett but the food was just not up to scratch.<br/>Entrees chosen were OK<br/>Eye fillet steak had a chewy membrane and the scotch fillet to thin.<br/>Asparagus side dish overcooked but the french fries were nice.<br/>Desserts chosen were OK but nothing spectacular.<br/>While the wine list was extensive it was so overpriced with us having to pay 3 times the retail price.<br/>Nice venue but we will not be going back

I was a member of a party of 5 folks in their twilight years who had specifically made a booking a few weeks before for a special night out. Fortunately 2 of us arrived early to discover we were to be seated at a bar leaner with bar stools for an evening that included dinner for 2 guests from England. It was early in the evening with many tables still vacant. So waiting staff were advised politely that it would be a predicament for our host and guests to be seated on a bar stool all night. The response was that they were unable to make any changes for us. However, special thanks to "Cory" who obviously saw our concern, took the initiative, brought 2 tables in from outside and gave us one of the best dining views in the restaurant, particularly for our overseas guests. We went on to have an amazing night, great food and wine, and once the staff had sorted who would wait on the table couldn't fault the service. Otherwise at the initial outset I would have rated the restaurant one star. Going forward staff should as part of their service find out whether a table is required when booking is made. Again thank you Cory and some of the staff who made our evening very enjoyable.

We had a 6pm booking for 2 on a Monday, was a great evening so we asked to be seated on the rail outside to take in the sun. <br/><br/>Restaurant and bar looks great - fantastic location over looking the harbour. <br/><br/>The food was glorious. We had the ceviche, some oysters, ox tongue, scampi risotto (the best) and shared savannah bone in scotch which was great. Food came out fast and was presented well. High standard<br/><br/>Service was average at best. They weren't very busy at the start of our night but at around 630pm it looked like they were getting busy - which i can appreciate as it was pretty new. Despite this, we still expect a level of service, nothing flash but its the simple things that need to be done right. For example, finishing our entrees and then waiting 20 mins for them to clear, no water for 15 mins or drinks for that matter (I had asked for wine list but couldn't get anyone to take our order). Perhaps all the new / quality restaurants in Auckland has put a strain on the supply of quality service staff. It was good to see that another service person (neighbouring section) saw our plight and cleared plates and refilled etc.<br/><br/>I enjoyed the environment and food, service needs work if they want to compete. Recommend Ostro as I'll be back but hopefully to some better service.

We were excited to dine at Ostro as have had amazing experiences at Rata (both food <br/>&amp; service).<br/><br/>The view and setting is stunning but was let down by the service and food. The service was average at best and definitely below par for this kind of restaurant.<br/><br/>The food once again was average. The 'seared' tuna was not seared but looked like it had been poached. The scotch steak was okay and little over cooked (probably because it was paper thin). Came with a béarnaise (waiter forgot to ask what sauce I wanted) The burger was okay, a bit dry but the brioche bun &amp; pickled courgettes were nice. Donuts were dense and came with a 'chocolate sauce' that tasted like milk mixed with cocoa powder. Bomb Alaska - was okay, Milse definitely does better.<br/><br/>Overall a disappointing experience as we had high hopes for Ostro Restaurant. I don't mind average service if the food is amazing but that was definitely not the case here.<br/><br/>Would not recommend going for dinner but would be good for drinks as the setting is spectacular.

Interesting, the problem for celebrity chefs when they add their name to a restaurant is that they can be judged as they judge the cannon fodder on Master Chef. To whit, Ceviche, average, no explosion of flavours, just basically raw fish with specs of avocado etc. The seared tuna dish, OK, but what you'd get in any brasserie and as for the Kawhai omelette! If mine was the standard, Avoid! A flat circular dish arrived with a beautifully browned egg crust about 2 mm thick and the rest was a thin soupy thing the maitre D called a Hollandaise sauce with a few bits of bony Kawhai swimming. I'd love to see the other judges comments if this dish was served on Master Chef! Hollandaise as a Soup! The Maitre D dismissed my comments, (bad move), as really misunderstanding the nature of the dish. Possibly in my ignorance and time in the provinces I've missed the reconstruction of the omelette. I hope the French don't find out!<br/>Service, very good, setting great.

Amazing food great service, this will be my new local, and I cannot recommend Ostro to enough people.<br/><br/>Oysters were beautiful and massive, Eye fillet done to perfection, and the mousse dessert and alaska bomb we perfect.<br/><br/>Definitely 5 stars

Our night at Ostro did not begin well. It was my husband's birthday and we'd ditched the kids to stay at a hotel in the city. We'd dressed up and we were excited about checking out Auckland's new hotspot.<br/><br/>How disappointing then to be barely acknowledged on arrival, <br/>then ignored, left standing awkwardly at the entrance, waiting... and waiting... and waiting... in spite of having made a reservation a week earlier! We were not invited to have a drink at the bar or ushered into a waiting space. <br/><br/>Eventually, after complaining to the girl on the till and flagging down the maître'd, we were seated. The maitre'd, to his credit, was extremely apologetic and swiftly arranged for complimentary bubbles to soothe our indignancy. <br/><br/>I began to wonder if my initial expectations for Ostro were a little too high. The view is amazing, without a doubt, but a couple of things confuse me. The wait staff are dressed in t-shirts with silly salty sea dog phrases and Converse Chuck Taylors (why?). There are no tablecloths. The bar area was filled with young scruffy guys wearing sneakers and hoodies. My husband joked that a pool table and a jukebox would not have looked out of place. And it was really loud.<br/><br/>Anyway, we resolved to get over the frosty reception and enjoy ourselves. The food is (mostly) sensational. The smoked kawhai omelette might quite possibly be the most delicious thing I have ever eaten. Pillowy soft, rich omelette with generous morsels of smoked fish buried like little treasures. With a side of asparagus and glass of something cold it would be the perfect summer lunch dish. <br/><br/>The slow cooked rib for two was everything we imagined - deliciously unctuous, meltingly tender beef. Half the fries were cold, but those that were hot were delicious, though a rip off at $9. On the other hand, the petit fours represented excellent value at the same price, with macarons, marshmallows, fudge and strawberries, which proved a delightful little end to the meal. <br/><br/>Sadly, the service didn't match up to the excellent food. <br/>We anticipated that the maitre'd would check in with us and he did, which was good. But it was little things that let them down - our table was not wiped between courses which meant we spent the evening in the company of a rather sorry looking prawn leg. Somehow I ended up with two entrée forks and one was left with me during the main. The cold fries.<br/><br/>The view, the food and the celebrity chef will mean that Ostro Restaurant does really well, and I'll probably be back - although not for a special birthday dinner.

Went there unexpectedly. Finished work late Friday evening and was feeling like a bite. Headed along Tyler Street and walked past a friendly well dressed doorman who invited me in for something to eat. Was a bit hesitant as it looked nothing but an empty cafe but the doorman assured me that the view upstairs was amazing and the food would be the same. I got upstairs and the place was buzzing. Restaurant was full but I got a table at the bar. Service was a bit slow but was made up for with the delicious food I was served. View was absolutely spectacular! I enjoyed the vibe so much that I invited some friends to join me dinner and drinks the following night. I was impressed with the doorman downstairs who remembered my name and made my friends and I feel like special guests. We have already made plans to go there next week. Fantastic location with stunning views and Josh Emmet's food was divine. Thank you to the Doorman for inviting me in.

The wife and i have been looking forward to coming here for weeks and last Saturday we managed to get a booking and was very excited, when we arrived outside the entrance on Tyler street we were surprised to be met by security and that you have to walk through a cafe to then get into the an elevator to then take you to the next floor where the restaurant was situated, when the elevator door opened the place was busy and buzzing, it was fantastic, it looked elegant and sophisticated and the view overlooking the port and the harbour was breathtaking, we were seated up at the kitchen pass which was fantastic so you can see everything going on in the kitchen, overall the food was sublime offering great flavors throughout, but what lets this place down to me is value for money first of all side dishes portion sizes did not equal the cost charged, tiny little tin of fries for $9 and also a few mushrooms again for $9 also the wine list is very good yet very very inflated in price, waihekei island wine that we ordered we later discovered had well over a 100% mark up that you could buy it on-line for, we both came away enjoying the food and the service, we do not however feel we got value for money, there are plenty of other places in Auckland that can offer food and wine just as good at better value

We went for lunch on a Saturday as we wanted to check it out. The service was good, view amazing and food very average.<br/>We had the kingfish and the tuna to start which was delicious.<br/>The mains were very poor.<br/>I had the scampi risotto and my husband had the pork belly pie.<br/>The scampi was fine but the risotto had no flavour and very disappointing, couldn't eat it!!. <br/>The pork was bland, pretty dry, tasteless and was served on a wooden board which kept spinning around on the table. My husband ate it because he was hungry, but otherwise he would have left it. Needed a yummy sauce.<br/>We both thought it was like pub food at best.<br/>We didn't have to pay for the risotto after we mentioned our thoughts.<br/>Loved the atmosphere - cool place just really have to work on flavour, as you would expect a lot more for your money.<br/>Food was really disappointing that is why we give it a 2 star rating - the rest was a four star!

The views and location are amazing. The staff less so. On arrival I had to wait 3-4 minutes for the staff to stop chatting... one waiter even asked the maître de to assist, but he carried on chatting. The table service was good but not exceptional at all. The tables are all very close and have a bar feel. The food was good and the value about right. It's a nice place to go for lunch or dinner because of the good food and awesome views. Other restaurants might have better service or food, but you can't go past this place when you add in the location and views.

A fantastic experience. The restaurant was fully booked when we tried to reserve a table at 3pm for this evening. The staff were great to fit us in. The food was amazing: fresh, creative and wonderfully packed with flavour. The space is really well used, although the entrance through a cafe is a bit bizarre. Beats Euro hands down for modern flavoursome food served in a vibrant lively atmosphere.

6 Nov 2013. Without realising this was the first night open to public, we'd decided to check out Josh's new restaurant, Ostro. Well, what a treat! The food was simply perfect. Couldn't fault anything &amp; we're pretty fussy. Service was excellent too &amp; the new staff were very attentive. Wine list was comprehensive without being overwhelming, with a nice selection of NZ &amp; international wines. And the venue - OMG - fantastic location to cater for everybody. Great water views overlooking Auckland Harbour from the elevated site looking across Quay St. <br/>Josh has really excelled here &amp; we plan to return frequently to work our way through the delicious menu! Highly recommended and likely to be a very busy &amp; popular place. Nick, Auckland NZ.

nice view, awesome oyster. The service is not that great. Waiters and waitresses are always busy. A nice dinning place, had a good night there.

Had a wonderful night at Ostro with two of my friends. We were all looking forward to Ostro and it did not disappoint!<br/><br/>I booked a table three weeks ahead to make sure we could actually get a table and asked if we could be seated by one of the windows, because Ostro has stunning harbour views. I recommend booking this early just for this reason!<br/><br/>All three of us agreed to order a main dish each and then share two desserts, as the meals are quite pricey. Entrées start at $16, while main dishes range between $29 to $90!<br/><br/>My dish of Seared Yellowfin Tuna with garden peas, wasabi mayonnaise, karengo (like seaweed) and pea shoots ($16) was fresh, delicious and I would happily order it again. My friends ordered the Roast Scampi Risotto with Marlborough saffron and parmesan ($29) and the Ricotta & Spinach Tortelli with tomato, basil and parmesan ($29) both of which were tasty.<br/><br/>For dessert, we ordered the Violet Chocolate Fondant with salted caramel ice cream and the Bombe Alaska - both were great, but the fondant definitely hit the spot!<br/><br/>I thought the service was great. Our waiter was very chatty and attentive. He kept our water glasses full and asked how our meals were throughout the evening.<br/><br/>What a fantastic night - I cannot wait to go back!

Fab location. Great waterscape vista. Really good burger.

Ostro is one of my favourite restaurants in Auckland. Located in the seafarer's building, it looks over the stunning Auckland wharf. I love everything about this place - the atmosphere, the service, the food is to die for and they have an extensive list of drinks. <br/><br/>I've had the following dishes (on two separate occasions) and they were all delicious. <br/><br/>Seafood: The oysters, fish ceviche and seared yellowfin tuna as starters and the steamed snapper on mussels as the main. <br/>Meat: The Angus short rib of beef (for 2 people) - it was tender and full of flavour.<br/>Desserts: My favourite was the Chocolate & Coffee Mousse with hazelnut beignet and milk sorbet. The Vanilla Pannacotta with mixed berry sorbet and muesli was also really good. <br/><br/>I definitely recommend trying this place out for a nice treat and if you want to show someone one of Auckland's best :)

A fantastic location overlooking the harbour..we had a cruise liner in that day...and sunny! Well the food was divine...delicate and fresh..although we just had appertizers to share the other food we saw looked amazing to...we had the raw fish.beef and tuna..bread with seaweed butter..yum! It was a fri afternoon..and packed! Staff were excellent..easily could have stayed longer..so definitely will be back! Quite upmarket. ..very nice.

Snapper was great but friend disappointed by the burger, also pork chop a little over. But the atmosphere is amazing and the view is to die for. Will def go back to try more of the seafood dishes

I had been wanting to try Ostro for a while, I had been there for drinks before but was keen to try the menu. The menu is heavily seafood based and seafood is not my favourite thing, but there were plenty of non seafood options to choose from.<br/><br/>I had the pork chop which is not something I would usually order, but combined with the pear flavour, was amazing. My friends had the duck pasta and seafood soup, both much enjoyed although the pasta main size was still quite small so if you want to order it, it is probably worthwhile ordering some sides as well.<br/><br/>I also had the chocolate fondant dessert, which with salted almond icecream was yummy. My friend had the bombe alaska dessert which was a close second choice for me, and both were presented beautifully!

Went their anniversary weekend had to try it as its one of josh emetts .eaterys .(master chef judge )<br/>arrived late after noon walked up to bar and asked for table for two was told to wait untill a waiter was ready after 5 or so minutes we were seated out side on the balcony with grate views over looking the auckland harbour but no menus were given. we had a beer each which we had ordered from the bar. ten or so minutes passed and still no menus or service so i went inside grabbed a couple of menus from a table the menu looked good classic brasserie fair with some modern twists and some asain influence maybe a little pricey another ten minutes passed and still no service at this point made the call to leave as our beer was nearly finished and still no service finally as we were about to leave a waitress approached us but by this stage was well over it although she was friendly we told her we were ok for food but thanked her anyway.<br/>overall the service was rubbish infact the worst ive had in auckland keeping in mind they weren't even half busy and the menu a bit pricey for brasserie style would rather go to depot as an alternative as the service is fantastic and the food is good also better atmosphere and priced. I wonder if josh knows how bad the service is?

We went to Ostro last night to celebrate our wedding. It was an amazing day, which was topped off by our experience at Ostro. <br/>We had dinner with 4 friends, the food was delicious and the wine very good. I cannot express how amazing the staff were, they really looked after us and were extremely friendly. <br/>They went above and beyond. I would highly recommend Ostro.

On arrival, everything screams FRESH - the view, the sleek bar, the raw bar...I guess partly due to the fact that it's so new but partly because of the superb styling. We went at lunch on Waitangi Day and I was expecting it to be heaving with over-dressed Remuerians...but i was pleasantly surprised to see a decent amount of tables available and casually dressed diners. Not pretentious at all which is lovely. A glimpse of Josh Emmett by the kitchens was very reassuring as well. We had cloudy bay clams (tua tua were plumper and creamier than the diamond ones), the seared tuna to share and then the ricotta pasta and the risotto as mains with a side salad. The pasta wasn't a huge hit but the risotto was lovely. The raw bar is great and we left feeling not only full but like we'd had a healthy lunch too...good all round! we'll def be back, more for the views than the food and also to try out the very chic-looking bar on the city side in the evening.

Only went there once but felt everything was done right. <br/><br/>We didn't have a booking so I gave my phone number over and in the mean time and had a couple of cocktails making use of the different spaces, the bar, the lounge area and the out door fire overlooking Tyler street. <br/><br/>We were seated on the other side of the building that is next to the port, at the kitchen. Great to see the food being delicately prepared and watching the celeb chef work and later agree to have a photo with us. <br/><br/>We had the mahurangi and Stuart Island oysters which were perfect, not over done with sauces and garnishes. Then the scotch fillet on the bone with marrow and a side of mushroom with sage and truffle oil. The food is simply done but perfectly fresh local ingredients. <br/><br/>Later our friends joined for a drink. It's comfortable to either drink or eat till late. Beautiful restaurant with fantastic food.

Britomart is truly becoming the new hip place to be. Although Federal Street is giving it a run for the money, the development of Britomart precinct keeps getting better and better.The latest dining option, located in the Seafarers building, is Ostro, Josh Emett’s latest venture in Auckland.<br/><br/>My advice: If you were to give Ostro a try, go for lunch on a bright sunny day. The view of the Waitemata is captivating and if the weather is nice, you can sit on the balcony and relax with one of their many cocktails. We went on a Sunday afternoon and the atmosphere is everything that you can hope for. The weather was nice, the view was perfect and most importantly, it was not over crowded and we got to stay till we wanted to leave, rather than be pressured to free up a table. It was a perfect way to celebrate my friend’s birthday.<br/><br/>As it was a celebration, we went slightly over the top with the Ostro seafood platter ($150) to share. The platter, a combination of raw Glory Bay and Pacific Rock oysters, cockles, Cloudy Bay clams, prawns, mussels, crayfish and a refreshing ceviche, was served cold and presented on two plates of ice. I’ve quite surprised at the amount of fresh seafood in the platter, seldom do you get such a large variety from the raw bar! My favourite part would have to be the lightly seasoned market fish ceviche with a mixture of cucumber, avocado and red radish.<br/><br/>Because there were three of us, we ordered another dish to share. The ox tongue, two-way ($19) was exceptional. The tongue, served in thin strips and crumbled were tender and I mean, melt in your mouth tender. I’ve eaten a fair share of ox tongue, cooked via Japanese Robata and traditional Chinese cooking, this was my first time eating such tender cooked ox tongues. It was even softer than the Baduzzi version which was served raw! The cornichons and pickled radishes added a tart taste and the two dollops of mustard sauce gave the meat a slight kick. We throughly enjoyed this dish.<br/><br/>We left room for dessert, so we ordered one each (none of us wanted to share dessert). I enjoyed my rich vanilla pannacotta ($15) served with fresh raspberries, berry sorbet and topped with nutty granola. The pannacotta was rich and creamy and the vanilla flavour combined with the raspberries was divine. My friend’s luscious chocolate mousse ($15) had a coffee centre and this was plated with crushed hazelnut, vanilla ice cream and a fried doughnut. The star of our desserts would have to be the bombe Alaska ($15) with orange and pink grapefruit. Layers of creamy citrus mascarpone, lemon sorbet, sponge and meringue, it was a complex burst of flavours. Just perfect!<br/><br/>Produce-driven Ostro is a delight and their ingredient-centric culinary style is a huge hit in Auckland (clearly evident in their full booked dinner schedule from now till Christmas). This is a place that I know I will be coming back time and time again!

I intend to do a fuller review of Ostro on repeat visits, but for now I thought I could give a brief run down. Ostro is a restaurant that fits within the mold of the burgeoning semi-rustic cuisine that is epitomised by many of the Auckland’s most popular restaurant. The restaurant is upstairs in the Britomart district and has a beautiful view of the water. It is a large room almost warehouse type room which features a central bar and high ceilings.<br/><br/>The food itself was relatively simple and straightforward with an emphasis on ingredients and cooking technique. The menu is a relatively standard mix of French/Italian with some other Mediterranean flavours sneaking in. I think this is a smart sort of menu to serve given its consonance within the Auckland food market. At a personal level, I admit to be less than excited by such menus, because they seem to be everywhere, but good cooking is really the important aspect. Although there are some interesting items, like an omelette and ox tongue, both of which I will have to try in future. <br/><br/>The Food<br/><br/>Ceviche - A simple gurnard ceviche. The fish was fortunately superb, fresh, vibrant and perfectly textured. It had not been over marinated in acid which was excellent and the cuts of the fish was consistent and perfectly inline with the other components of the dish. The dish itself was surprisingly understated, despite ceviche’s normal intensity. I think this allowed some of the other flavours, particularly of the fish to stand out. A really good dish.<br/><br/>Braised Duck Agnoletti - This dish really impressed me. Two elements were superb, the first was the duck. The duck itself was beautifully flavoured, the volatile flavours in particular were strong and this surprised me, the aroma of the dish pervaded the senses. However the pasta contained this wonderful mouthful, so you had little hint of the exquisite flavour until it popped in your mouth, releasing a torrent of head complex flavours, including the mirepoix of the braising liquid. The pasta was beautifully al dente too. <br/><br/>Savannah Bone in Scotch - This dish was a demonstration in what beef has to offer. Firstly was the bone marrow. Now I am a big fan of bone marrow. This was a bit of a surprise. Unlike your more standard presentation where the bone marrow is served as is. It was mixed here with breadcrumbs and other ingredients including I think sugar and then inserted back into the bone for presentation. This was a little odd in its flavour, but it worked. I prefer to maintain the texture of the bone marrow and all its fatty goodness, but I do not think this was bad, but certainly an interesting choice. <br/><br/>The Beef itself was superb. Excellently cooked with browned and crusty exterior, I’m sure it never saw the inside of a sous vide bag. This allowed for an excellent gradation of textures from the crusty exterior to the slightly rare centre of the meat. The maillard reaction on the exterior providing a plethora of rich roasted flavours. The Savannah beef, is really delicious. I have cooked myself and it is a superb meat with plenty of flavour. The sherry jus was also good (although a little thin for my liking in terms of gelatin content). The flavour however was excellent a great accompaniment to the beef, its powerful stock and sherry fuelled complexity and savoury/umami overtones were delicious. They also served the beef with our choice of sauces, to be honest, I see little point in serving a jus and say bearnaise, but I went for the Horseradish. This was satisfactory, but not perhaps that impressive. I like horseradish a lot, fresh horseradish with walnut and cream sauce is one of my favourite simple Escoffier sauces. This was a more vinegar based sauce, rather than a creamier based French style sauce. I liked it, but it lacked the really wonderful intensity of very freshly grated horseradish. Horseradish is in season, so it may well have actually been fresh, but that intensity and particular character did not bite through sufficiently in the sauce. Not terrible, but unnecessary, a masterful jus is generally all that I think is required. <br/><br/>Asparagus - One of the sides we ordered was asparagus. It was perfectly cooked and really enjoyed this. The addition of the picada added interest and a bit of intensity, which helped to balance the rustic flavours. <br/><br/>The service was friendly and pretty good, although they forgot one of our sides, but realised before we did and corrected it quickly. They also forgot to serve the horseradish for the beef, but that was quickly rectified.<br/><br/>All together Ostro is a pretty good restaurant. Since it is relatively simple, without a high component count, Ostro fits nicely amongst a number of current restaurants that serve rustic food with a serious attention to detail. The bolder flavours and rejection of ultra modern food movements, makes it accessible. I like Ostro, it is good food that manages to mask its pretensions well.