Review Boulcott Street Bistro - Wellington

Hands down the best meal we had in Wellington! The steak melted in your mouth and the pork had the most delicious crust on it. Our starters were delicious as well, and the elderflower sour that my partner got was perfect. Highly recommend!!

Outstanding service and every dish was impeccably done. We had the calamari, the beef, and the duck. Wish we had a chance to try the lamb but would definitely recommend you save room for dessert - The apricot tart with rosemary ice cream was 👌👌

Amazing food lovely atmosphere everyone was friendly especially the brother who made a coffee shots in his machine kept us up on the drive back to Auckland. Food was great especially the steak and lamb shank. Would highly recommend dinning in Wellington.

Really enjoyed coming to boil city street bistro. The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. We got the steak and the lamb, and they did not disappoint. The meat were cooked to perfection with the beef being medium rare and the lamb just fell off the bone. I would highly recommend this place and would definitely come back again.

We had one evening in Wellington and we were fortunate in choosing to eat at the Boulcott Street Bistro. Our waitress, Audrey, was one of the best we’ve had eating in restaurants on four continents. Audrey had an infectious lovely attitude and made a brilliant wine recommendation from her home town of Martinborough. We started with the octopus as our entree, then My wife had the Lamb Shank and I had the Duck Confit. The food was excellent! Our only regret is that the Bistro isn’t closer to home so we can enjoy it more often then this one trip.

After reading through a few lists of "Wellington's best restaurants" online, I spotted Boulcott Street Bistro being mentioned in most, if not all of the lists, so it was an obvious pick for me to try out. Seated at the bar, Sam the bartender whipped up a really delicious rosebud cocktail and made me feel very welcome. I couldn't fault the service for the evening. The french onion soup was moreish, and while the fish was a bit overcooked, the aubergine caponata made the dish. I'd be keen to come back and find out all the raves about the steak here.

The place is run very well by the manager who is friendly. Beautiful inside, fantastic wine list both by the glass and bottle. The filet was cooked to perfection and was a high quality piece of beef. French onion soup was solid though I've had more flavorful versions. Excellent bread provided as well. I would definitely come back if I am in Wellington again. The waitress provided the right amount of attentiveness.

Very good for price. We got the special lunch T-bone steak for 2 for $50. White peppercorn sauce was delicious. The only disappointment was the fries - a bit dry and the oil tasted a little funny - but having said that, it’s optional to order. Staff were awesome!

I was here for Wellington on a plate, second year in a row. Both times, the food and service was outstanding. I tried the smoked baby beets with goat cheese and crayfish marseille for the starter and main. Both were delicious. I also tried the oysters and margarita, they were soooo good. I am a big fan of good margaritas and their version of it made me so happy. Overall it was a 5 star experience, both times.

Busy weekend dinner so there was a 40 minute wait, which was fine as we didn't have a reservation. Staff were all friendly and accommodating to dietary requirements and will keep your hat safe while you have your meal until you're ready to leave. Seating arrangements were very tight; these close vicinity seating can make it overwhelmingly noisy for some. Food was fine, the lamb could've been better but the overall experience was pleasant.

Nice restaurant, great service, good wines and drinks selection. Delicious food, the beef fillet was great. Nice vintage atmosphere and yummy deserts, we will comeback 🙂.

Went there with my partner to celebrate a birthday and was impressed with the food and service. Our waitress was very friendly and cheerful and really made the visit a great one.

A lovely 3 course set menu featuring their Welly on a Plate festival dine dish. Giving them 4 stars only because their portions are quite small and when the bistro is busy, it gets crowded and noisy.

This amazing restaurant is set inside a Victorian house. Oozes warmth and sophistication when you step in. Casual yet professional service. One of the best meals i’ve had so far in NZ. Price maybe a little steep, but definitely worth a visit especially if it’s a special occasion.

We were there for the Sunday roast. Excellent food and service, reasonable portions. If you're particularly hungry, you'll need to add some sides. The potato gratin was decadently soft, buttery and creamy, not something your cardiologist would recommend.. but everything in moderation - delicious decadence included. The Sunday roast isn't your average pub roast; think of a very posh way to serve roast and you might get close. The roast varies and it was sirloin when we were there. The Sunday roast includes bread, wine, roast with some veggies and a dessert. We had a lovely desert of meringue on ice cream and sorbet, with what appeared to be raspberry coulis, a nice refreshing way to finish.The restaurant decor is semi formal, with fairly close seating, music was light and upbeat; it felt upmarket informal. Coffee was very good, served in a nicely warmed cup. Overall a very nice dinner, Sunday Roast was excellent value for money.

We had such a wonderful dinner here. I especially wanted to highlight the staff, everyone that we interacted with was lovely and warm and friendly. The whole atmosphere was warm and comfortable, which made our dinner such a delight. The food was also fantastic of course, but it was the staff and general atmosphere I would return for again. Thank you!

Found this hidden gem with the best food, cocktail and wine selection on our travels through New Zealand. We enjoyed the calamari entree and chicken and duck mains. We splurged and had the speciality dessert of the evening as well.

Nice atmosphere, great service. Steak cooked perfectly.

Awesome waitresses, friendly manager, incredible food. Definitely coming back next time we come to Wellington!

We popped in here on a whim and were so pleased we did!! Excellent food. The service was a bit slow to start but they were busy. Tables are pretty close together so not the most intimate of places but the food was just delicious. We will be back

An absolute delight of a place. Top notch service, an excellent drinks menu, and a crafted food menu. I ordered the market fish with desert and it was absolutely perfect. I had food envy for their steaks - also looked delicious.

We began with Southern Alps Venison. Medium yet very tender. Put a couple of those together and it would be a meal. For mains, he had aged fillet of beef with Bernaise medium rare; I had tender braised Wagyu short rib Cauliflower gratin and twice cooked fries for sides. <br/><br/>Why don't we come here more often? The traditional Sunday roast is also phenomenal.

My friends and I had high hopes as we approached these inviting premises. The restaurant on first impressions looked relaxing and we were guided to our table. Our experience was soon to be made memorable and not for the right reasons unfortunately. The young camp waiter who was serving us made a rude remark that we found quite insulting. The food was really nice but we didn't enjoy it after this horrible experience. We won't be back.

We went for the WOW pre-show set menu. The service was great but unfortunately the food was quite unpleasant. The flavours were totally off. A shame because our expectations were every high.

Excellent dining. Started with cocktails for pre dinner. Lambs liver for an entree was great then onto the Lamb Shank. Finished off with a coffee and Benedictine. Service was ordered and pleasant. I like being able to see a kitchen work so I enjoyed that. This was calm and well organized. I’ll be back.

Many friends have recommended this restaurant because they are known for excellent food and service. We had friends visiting from out of town so we wanted to treat them to a nice lunch. My husband and I settled on the sweet potato gnocchi and when it arrived it looked beautiful. Unfortunately the taste wasn't good. It wasn't gnocchi but rather a bland, pasty dumpling. My favourite parts of the dish were the blistered tomatoes. One friend ordered chicken pot pie which was delicious, and my other friend ordered snapper. It was perfectly cooked, but also very bland. Our server was polite & professional and he suggested an excellent wine for us. I think we caught the chef on a bad day because our other friends were shocked when I described our experience.

Boulcott Street Bistro was a may. It's not often I hand out a 5 star rating, but this place really deserves it. The food, setting and service was excellent. I had the mushroom ravioli, roasted snapper fish and shared a creme brulee. My wife had crumbed calamari and aged fillet steak. We tried to be critical, but couldn't. All the dishes were delicious and full of flavour. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the ravioli. Try it! The truffle aroma and flavour were strong and punchy. Wish there were more than 2 piece cos I could've eaten more. The fish was generous and perfectly cooked. Most restaurants overcook their fish, but not here. Steak was smoky and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Creme brulee was best we've ever had.<br/><br/>The young man that served us was casual, friendly and very helpful.<br/><br/>We really enjoyed our evening here. Well done to all involved. We'll be back.

Guests from USA wanted NZ lamb - Sunday night we arrived and had the most gorgeous meal topped with a Central Otago Pinot. Thank you to the wonderful staff who allowed us to sit and chat for ages after we had finished our lovey meal (no-one was waiting as it was after 9.30) Thanks guys you are awesome!

Extremely slow service and somehow a couple who arrived 40mins after us have had their mains served before our starters. The upstairs area needs desperate ventilation as it's all stuffy and feels like you are literally just breath in someone's breath also very terrible acoustics upstairs you cannot have a conversation without yelling. Very comfortably venue.

What a hidden gem! The restaurant is set in a beautiful old home in the middle of the city. The food was beautifully prepared and reasonably priced. The service was a bit lacking, however the restaurant ambiance was abuzz!

Such a nice place to eat. Food is really good. There were 4 of us and we really enjoyed our meals. The place was cozy and the service was spot on. Can't wait to go back. Wish I had taken a picture of how good the food was but next time I will.

This place has really hit the nail on the head, from ambience, to food and to service! I had the aged fillet of beef and it was divine - cooked to perfection. The bearnaise sauce and red wine jus were moorish and the double cooked fries crispy and crunchy. The ambience was cosy, warm and inviting and the service couldn't be faulted - you are looked after from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave.

Went for Sunday family lunch with the whole family. Had the set Sunday Roast from the menu which was roast chicken with sweet corn, potatoes, pumpkin and broccoli followed by dessert which had a grape like sauce in the bottom topped with sponge then vanilla cream with bits of white chocolate and fijoa ice cream.<br/>The food was delicious and immaculately presented. The chicken was tender and the vegetables flavourful and the jus perfectly tied the whole dish together.<br/>The dessert was awesome. Served in a wine glass it was the perfect amount of sweetness to end the meal.<br/>Because we had a group of 16 people we were in the private room upstairs. The room was quite small and it was quite cramped and a little uncomfortable.<br/>Service was brilliant and the waitress was very friendly and accommodating as we had a member in our party who was vegetarian. He was given a great looking meal of gnocchi and vegetables.<br/>Although this is not an everyday eatery as the price is quite steep, it is definitely a place I would return to once in a while to spoil ourselves.<br/><br/>Food - 10/10<br/>Ambiance/Comfort - 7/10<br/>Price - 7/10<br/>Service - 10/10<br/><br/>Would I return - Yes

Had a birthday dinner with some friends here tonight and we had a really good time. Food was really good.. crunchy skin on the roasted pork was perfect and the chocolate pudding for dessert was really delicious. They served complimentary bread with the mains and complimentary truffles with the desserts as well which was really nice. Service from ALL of the staff was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommending this place and will be back for sure!

We came here for WOW and had the WOW menu. Up first was calamari, not gluten free but they made it gluten free for us and it was delicious! The wine matched Perfectly with out meals. The fish main was one of the best plates I've ever had with a chowder like light sauce and roasted potatoes, they also served bread for the table and offered gluten free bread at no extra cost. Really accomodating. At the end everyone also received a small noodle box filled wih four different dessert pieces to nibble on during the show! One was elderflower something and chocolate slice and a cookie and shortbread - super thoughtful and delicious - very much appreciated! Will return hopefully soon.

Dined here recently - the food was delicious and the cocktails were addictive. The staff were really friendly while not being intrusive. The entire experience felt private and relaxed. Perfect date night dining.

Still love it，the meal for me was great but might not for my friends.... A friend who ordered a beef dash obviously overcooked also we all tasted but she didn't want to ask for replacement so that... I love the dessert and was surprised even I can't recall the nam. I'd like to recommend to others！

Came here for a wine stop straight from the airport at roughly 9.30pm. The place was buzzing with customers and the ambience was so inviting. My brother, who is a repeat customer, had the sticky date pudding and I had the creme brulee. Both were heavenly! I will come back to try all courses on my next visit.

My birthday dinner here was exquisite. Bluff oysters, french onion soup with gruyere, pork cheeks, unbelievably good lavender shortbread... Immaculate service from our waiter. Still the best in Wellington.

The food its nothing special ! The price its quite expensive but the mist important thing the flavour ! And when i was ate at there the worst one the food its taste less like i ate something without seasoning

I first came here when it was "Plimmer House" - all starched linen silver service and Crepe Suzette flamed at the table.<br/><br/>The vibe these days is more relaxed but the standard or food, service and wine list is top of the class.<br/><br/>Classic bistro dishes expertly prepared and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere makes for an excellent experience every time I have been.

Had the aged fillet of beef here and it was cooked medium rare to the dot. The steak was juicy and tender however the bearnaise had a bit too much lemon.<br/><br/>The whole feel of the restaurant is a bit weird being in a house, but it works. Quite a nice and relaxed atmosphere inside.

Wellington on a Plate - 3 course dinner. Portobello Mushroom soup followed by braised Pork cheeks and olive oil cake. Excellent start, soup was delicious with a hint of cheese. Pork cheeks were delicious but the portion was very small in fact just couple of bite of porks and rest of the plate was filled with mash and apple puree. Olive oil cake was a bit dry but went well with icecream. This restaurant has got wide collection of beers and barman knows about his products so do not hesitate to ask for his recommendations.

Was overpriced for the quality of food we got , but the waiter was extremely welcoming and the atmosphere and environment is vey comfortable.

I go monthly for the famous $20 lunch which is always made to impress. a Wellington icon and perfect for any business lunch or romantic dinner

My wife & I visited Boulcott Street Bistro deliberately for the calf livers. To our disappointment, they were not available. We resorted to "surf & turf" -  Angus sirloin, garlic tiger king prawn, hand-cut fries with red wine juice, as mains. Both of us had onion soup as entrée. I must say, it was one of the best onion soups we've had for a long time  - hot & rich in cheese. King prawn was of a good size & delicious, while steak was medium rare & matched well with red wine juice. Coffee was hot & lovely to finish off our lunch. (Food - 4.5/5; Service - 4.5/5; Ambience - 4.5/5)

I love a bargain and you all may think it's a bit too flash here. Every month they have a $20 lunch special, this month is lamb shanks on mushy peas, creamy mash and a delicious lentil jus. You also get a piece of bread to mop I the sauce. Can't wait to see what they have next month!!

Boulcott has always been a favourite. Food is great, atmosphere and service fantastic! love the fillet bernaise and wine list is always interesting. highly recommended!!!!

For a long time Boulcott used to annoy me lots - it was one of those restaurants where you couldn't book. That seemed OK if it was somewhere in the CBD and you could walk past and move on if it was full, but not Boulcott. Parking is OK in the car park opposite, but its still not a walk past. It is also a restaurant that really is special, and therefore if you have a special occasion, birthdays etc or you're taking out elderly parents (who well remember Plimmer House), you can't guarantee a table and that is a pain. So its usually off to Logan Brown.<br/>After some years however I returned with a new strategy - go early. And that works - I am actually happy to eat at 6.30pm and as a consequence I now go reasonably often.<br/>Apart from the beautiful Victorian house , the restaurant interior has been done up very well. the old house is divided into smaller dining spaces which add interest and cosiness. The cream-lemon walls add to that and give it a French bistro feel, but perhaps a little more upmarket. My only irritation is the single round table between the entrance and the bar - its a bit like a roundabout and not particular Feng Shui - but other than that the interior is great.<br/>Aesthetically this isn't a "cool" modernist restaurant, its white table cloths and professional service make it more classic establishment, but the atmosphere is relaxed with a warmth that tops Logan Brown. <br/>The menu isn't large which is a good sign, but I find it easy to choose something that I want. Nothing is pretentiously overworked, it is simple honest well cooked bistro food. For entree I've recently enjoyed the English pea soup as well as the perfectly cooked calves liver. Ignoring cholesterol, I'll often go for the aged beef fillet, rare with Bearnaise and french beans on the side - (and yes fries). The roast parsnip side is gorgeous. Dessert last time was the pinot noir chocolate mousse - seriously delicious and beautifully presented.<br/>The wine list is excellent, you can get champagne and many good reds and whites by the glass. I really like the fact that they have half bottles which for two sometimes is all you need.<br/>This is one of Wellington's best restaurants - its just a pity that I can't book for the special occasions that the restaurant warrants.<br/><br/>Returned 18/05/15:<br/>Excellent evening with superb service:<br/>Excellent fried squid - tender, moist<br/>Short rib - slow cooked - good , found the sauce on the verge of cloying but not quite..<br/>Tomato tart - subtle delicate - excellent.<br/>Kings fish - a little dry but the anise flavoured rice base arresting, delicious<br/>Eclair - delicious but no match for the Pinot noir mousse.<br/>Three excellent wines - Tattinger/ palliser Pinot noir / Waiheke man o war claret - all delicious. <br/>

An excellent bistro in Wellington. I had the French onion soup to start with and then the lamb rack for the main and the Pinot noir chocolate mousse to finish off. Patric had their calamari as a starter, the aged fillet as the main and the creme brûlée for dessert. <br/><br/>The only letdown was the calamari. It was chewy and the sauce was bland and underwhelming. Otherwise all the other dishes were cooked perfectly and well seasoned. <br/><br/>The highlight for us was with no doubt the chocolate mousse. It was rich and velvety with a note of Pinot noir. The brittle and wafer lifted up the mousse, providing a layer of different texture. It was so good that I made it my personal mission to come back to the bistro the next day to have another one. <br/><br/>Yum love this place, will come back the next time we are in town.

A bit disappointed with overcooked fish. The setting of the restaurant is good. I ordered the today's fish (King Fish, $37), which was overcooked. I advised the waiter and no one followed up.

Great Ambience. Good value for money. Staff are hospitable. More of an experience than great food.<br/>Had the rack of Canterbury Lamb. 4 perfectly cooked pieces of lamb with smooth mash. The vegetables and ju were average.

EVEN BETER THAN THE BEST! W.... EVEN BETER THAN THE BEST!<br/>Wrote that my favorite restaurant was in NZ was in Dunedin. Boy was I mistaken.<br/>If you desire fine dining with excellent service and the best food; look no further than Boulcot Street Bistro. <br/>If you are in Wellington you must dine here!!!<br/>Great wine selection and a bar that knows fine craft beers!<br/>Tonight's seafood special was Monk fish with clams - I hope they have it when you visit - just perfect!!

Family of 8 descend on this restaurant the service was good the food was great and the environment was good . Highly recommend,

I actually really enjoyed the pumpkin and basil soup despite my hatred for pumpkin, the fish and potato some-a-rather was tasty enough, lamb racks were delicious, but the highlight was the rhubarb pudding with ginger ice cream. Take that earthquake!

Rex Morgan, head chef of Boulcott Street Bistro , will be the final chef rattling at the pans at the Wellington pop-up restaurant in Sydney . We were fortunate to visit his restaurant, a charming gothic cottage wedged amongst office blocks and cement buildings, during last month's trip to Wellington, Nestled behind a white picket fence, the cottage is a surprise but welcome sight in the inner city jungle. The house was originally built in the late 1870s, a wedding gift from a well-heeled Wellington lad to his lucky bride. In 1991 it opened as Boulcott Street Bistro, and has attracted a legion of loyal diners ever since. We hang our coats on the coat rack under the stairs, feeling like we've just entered a family home for dinner. Copper pots hang gleaming in the open kitchen, and after unwinding with locally brewed Tuatara pilsners at the bar (the wine selection is particularly impressive), we're escorted to our table, a French bistro style dining room that feels straight out of Paris.

A bit late with this review. Spent New Year's Eve there with friends. Fantastic dinner and service was excellent. One of the best in Wellington.

Fabulous Fine Dining<br/>Wanted to take our Italian visitors somewhere special in Wellington and Boulcott St Bistro certainly delivered. Food was excellent, from whitebait starters to blue steaks served warm or cold. Great menu and great selection of wine. Service was excellent and helped that our wait person was also Italian.

Absolutely outstanding. Service was flawless and can't even go close to commenting on how good the food was. Favourite / best restaurant in Wellington.

Sorry for the poor rating but we are well travelled and have dined at some amazing restaurants around the world. We know our food.<br/> I was delighted that on our recent trip to Wellington that my husband offered to take me to Boulcott Bistro for our evening meal.<br/>Frankly i wish we hadn't bothered. First of all I must say that Sam the bar manager was professional and friendly. We enjoyed sitting at the bar prior to dining until the foul mouthed language just became a bit to much from a group of 3 gentleman(?) beside us,. Then to find out that the foul mouth man was one of the owners was quite a shock. We should have gone then and there. OK I'm not a prude. I can over look the occasional slip and lets face it sometimes the "F" word is just somehow appropriate. However every 2nd to 3rd word is what you expect down at the local public bar or gang headquarters. NOT a supposed top of the line restaurant. We moved ourselves away to our table and the foul mouthed part owner. (Incidental It was NOT Rex Morgan doing the swearing)<br/>We shared a calamari for starters. We often do this at other establishments but we were surprised that the starter was only 7 small pieces for $22. It was ok, nothing spectacular. I then ordered the Lamb Shank and my husband the steak. The lamb shank was frankly terrible. It had no flavour and little colour. Was it steamed? it tasted like it. It came on a bed of uninspiring mashed potatoes and peas. I must send them my recipe...they need help with this dish. I would rate it a 3-4 /10. Husbands steak was perfectly cooked but again rather mediocre in flavour. He rated it 7/10. We decided then and there that we would not be staying for dessert and coffee. They weren't getting a $ more from us. What a terrible disappointment this meal was. In finishing I must comment that the service was very good from our wait staff. The following week we traveled to Auckland and ate at Euro. Now that's a restaurant that delivers!. It was faultless , would give any top international restaurant a run for it's money and the prices exactly the same as Boulcott. Maybe Boulcott Street Chefs need to take a day trip to Euro in Auckland and see how its done. Sorry that is sarcastic but Boulcott Street you need to take a look at yourselves.

On a busy night, please to be able to get a table for 6 so promptly after going to see the WOW show. The meal choices were great and the food was superb. Beef Bearnaise med rare, was first class and the accompanying chips were hot and crunchy - yum!. Exceptionally good were the chocolate pudding with peanut brittle ice cream and also the classic cream brulee. Friendly and very competent waitress. Great evening with delicious food - compliments to chef and staff - would recommend to everyone.

Enjoyed the hot smoked salmon entree but my medium rare steak was barely room temperature in the middle and the fries were disappointing as well, pale and no crunch. Didn't have desert.

Wow- this was an amazing dining experience! Service was quick and prompt- attentive, yet not overbearing or stiff. Food was amazing, although we already knew that would be the case when we saw rex in the kitchen. great classic flavours- nothing too OTT, just good classic Bistro dining. <br/><br/>Once finished our 4 course WOAP menu- We took a place at the bar for a bit of banter with the barstaff- Sam, you are a legend- this man knows how to make you feel comfortable and partook in conversation with us- we felt like we had known him for ages. A++ champ!<br/><br/>Wine was delish- Gisselbrecht Pinot Gris was fantastic.<br/><br/>Our entire evening was such a success, not a single thing was out of place- it all deserves 5+ <br/><br/>Well Done- we now know why you have been around since 1991 and are still going strong.

Dinner here was outstanding. A great experience. <br/>They made space for the family on a very busy night. <br/>Service was excellent. The food was amazing. The beef berenaise was fabulous. And the desserts wonderful ... Must try profiteroles next time. <br/>Can't believe we haven't been there before.

Took the daughter and son-in-law from Sydney to the Boulcott St Bistro on Wednesday - they were very impressed! We knew that the food would be fantastic. Don't know how they do it but it is always absolutely superb. Coromandel scallop entree was sooo good. Fish of the day was yummy and beautifully presented. Classic lamb shank and ox cheek were just as they should be - succulent and delicious. Finished off with creme brulee. As always, staff were attentive, well-informed and very pleasant. We love this place!

Perhaps the most consistently excellent restaurant in Wellington, I've been here several times and swear by it. If you feel like quality Bistro meals, cooked by an award winning Chef - Rex Morgan, then treat yourself here. It isn't cheap but is a great way to celebrate in style.<br/><br/>I recently had the Fillet Bearnaise and my partner the Fish of the Day. Both were amazing, the fish was Trevally. We also shared Ravioli and Calamari for the entree.<br/><br/>The service is particularly good, and helps as they wine range is broad and matches the food perfectly. If you haven't been before then make a date, you won't be disappointed.

You know it's been years since you've been to a restaurant when the last time you went was with an ex-boyfriend and you're now married with a child. Having said that, my Boulcott Bistro memories were good, so I was excited to be going back!<br/><br/>We had the calamari to start. It was perfectly cooked, and the tartare that accompanied it delicious, but missed the magic zing that would have made it great.<br/><br/>For mains my husband had the beef with handcut chhips. It was absolutely incredible. Melt in your mouth tender, perfectly cooked and seasoned and the Bearnaise was the best I've ever tasted. I had the ox cheek which fell apart at the touch of the fork and served with a gorgeous gravy. One point to note here - it is advertised as being served with gnocchi. Don't make the mistake that I did and assumed that would be the carb component of the meal - with only four of them to be found, in my book that's a garnish. Fortunately, we'd ordered a delicious side of carrots and parsnips which, along with the lovely complimentary house made bread, rounded out the meal.<br/><br/>Dessert. I wasn't going past the creme brulee. It was listed as being served with poached fruit so I was a little bewildered when it showed up accompanied by a lonely little perfect slice of fresh orange and a little jug of mandarin jus, which was bland and watery. My husband had the chocolate tart which was decadent and smooth.<br/><br/>Service was attentive and polished. <br/><br/>HIghly recommended.

SUPERB!! A meet in the middle weekend (5 of us from Auckland, P North and Chch) for a family birthday, the choice couldn't have been better. Creative cocktails were served by an entertaining barman, the waiting team were attentive helpful, our menu choices ..... mmmmm, superb (I would recommend my choices of Westcoast Black Pudding for entree and Beef Cheek for mains - delish) The menu isn't huge, but there is more than enough to select from, and the wine list offers excellent food matches. A fantastic evening, the BSB have created a delightful atmosphere for their patrons to be indulged in, our seating in the bay window helped I am sure. These out of towners will be back! And oh, don't forget the Fruit Cobbler to finish - scrummy :-)

Her Indoors booked a classic Wellington weekend away from the kids, so we took the opportunity to dine at the Bistro. Brilliant service from relaxed but attentive staff and a very special atmosphere about the place. But the food was disappointing. Her calamari, though light, lacked any zing (although the tartare was lovely) and the subtlety of my venison carpaccio was sadly overpowered by lashings of parmigiano. My ox cheeks were perfectly cooked, but somehow lacked the depth of taste, however, the braised red cabbage is a delicious must with this dish. Her fish, again perfectly cooked, was accompanied by creamy leek noodles which lent little to the dish. Unfortunately, not enough high notes for $200 plus. We will go back one more time however, they deserved that.

I ate there recently and found the food to be the best I've ever had. This establishment is run by geniuses with food! It's exactly what you want for a meal you cannot get out of your mind for weeks later - because it was just that great that you will swim in its elegance for long after you've reluctantly left this great establishment. If you go to Wellington, as I did from Australia, and don't eat here, you've wasted your trip. I kid you not - the place is unbelievable - I've never eaten anywhere like it!!! Five star at a minimum, because there is no six.

I've been once for dessert and once for lunch, both were excellent, well worth the price, great decor, location and service! I can't wait to return! Nice for a romantic night too :)<br/>I had the snapper and it was some of the best I've ever had.

Best Birthday Dinner at one of the top restaurants in Wellington. <br/>My son and daughter took me here last night for a wonderful meal. The calamari was brilliant as was the fillet steak. The service was delightful, and wine was beautiful. All in all it was a great meal. Highly recommended. Thank you, from one happy mother!

This stylish little Bistro has a big personality and is a gem in the crown of the Wellington restaurant scene. We eat there often, and enjoy the cosy atmosphere, the excellent service and hilarious barman, Sam. <br/>A five star establishment. Highly recommend it.

We had a lovely meal at Boulcott St Bistro last week on our way to a Christmas function. Arriving early, there was no waiting for a table and we were served quickly. The poisson du jour was tarakihi poached in lemon butter nage and came with peas and a large, single saffron and prawn ravioli. It was absolutely delicous! The ravioli was unusual and completely filled with prawns. My partner had steak florentine, a medium-rare sirloin grilled in herbs, garlic and lemon with potatoes and a roasted tomato. A really enjoyable meal with pleasant service in a villa-style environment. We will definitely be back when we're not in such a rush and look forward to sampling more of the menu.

Popped into this quaint little villa on the way back to the Terrance on a Girls weekend - wow...........the chef, bar staff, matride were all fantastic, we had a few drinks and some sample desserts - we will be booking on our next trip to wellington to sample the menu in more depth. What a wonderful experience - Thank you

Had a business lunch here and it fitted the bill perfectly - good food, top notch service. No complaints, if you need a professional place with all the trimmings this is a place to go.<br/><br/>We had fish and steak with a bottle of wine, all done well.

This is our favourite restaurant in Wellington, if not the world - which is a big statement we know. However, we have been here for lunches and for dinner. Most recently we had family over from Ireland and decided to try all the top restaurants in Wellington. This was our favourite by far - others were either too stuffy/formal, too pretentious, too cold, too expensive for what was served, too boring or lacked atmosphere. Also they lacked consistency. However, having now been to Boulcott Street Bistro severals times in the last few months, we love the atmosphere, the layout and ambience and the food is divine! We love the fact that you can have a nice relaxed drink at the bar before the meal. The staff are all professional but warm and friendly. It is also great to see the same staff - a sign of good management, who are all very appropriate and know how to "read the customer". The menu varies and is always offering something fun, challenging or comforting. This weekend, we tried Garlic Snails (which were lovely - not something we thought we would ever try) but the Black Pudding was out of this world. The bread and butter is so delicious too - it's the little touches that make the difference. The noise level is just right - no scraping furniture on the floor, everything arrives in a timely manner and nothing is an issue for the staff. Well done to Boulcott St Bistro and the staff - we will pick you every time. Do not change a thing - you are just perfect on every level!

I've been going to the Boulcott for years. The reason I'm such a regular is because of the consistently fine level of food and service.<br/>We had the classic fillet bearnaise and the pork belly, both of which were cooked to perfection. The maitre d', a very charming young man named Haydn, matched our mains to fantastic wines and engaged in some light chit chat much to our amusement. The prices seem very reasonable when considering the excellent quality.<br/>I highly recommend it.

We were in a celebratory mood. I received my first paycheck EVER in New Zealand, and we were rollin' in the dough.<br/><br/>Well, not really, but one can dream, right? 45% of my paycheck went straight back into the pockets of the government, but I digress.<br/><br/>Mr. Kiwi and I had some drinks after work and got hungry. I've been thinking about steak for a while so he suggested the Boulcott Street Bistro.<br/><br/>It's a cute, two-story converted Victorian home. The bar is spacious for a Friday night with a very knowledgable bartender and average selection of wine. We got in around 7:00pm, and waited about an hour before being seated. <br/><br/>The menu is meat-centric, with classic French-NZ fare. I ordered the plat du jour, which was a grilled aged sirloin on top of more tasty meat, some dauphinoised potatoes and soft herbed butter. The thought of meat served on top of more meat made my heart skip a beat. <br/><br/>I was starving so we shared the Gremolata Crumbed Calamari entree and Mr. Kiwi ordered the ox cheeks for the main.<br/><br/>The calamari was a disappointment. Although the crumb was very flavorful with a gorgeous tartar sauce on the side, the calamari itself was completely overcooked. I felt like I was chewing on a car tire. Mr. Kiwi wanted to send it back to the kitchen, but I was hungry so I told him not to bother.<br/><br/>However, the night was redeemed when my main arrived and I made my first slice into the meat. If you happen to go and they're serving this dish, YOU MUST ORDER IT. The sirloin was grilled to medium-rare perfection. The potatoes were heavenly, with a crunchy crusty bite melding into a creamy melt-in-your-mouth interior. The braised meat under my sirloin added a smoky, hearty texture. <br/><br/>Mr. Kiwi was equally infatuated with his meal and we took our time enjoying our dinner.<br/><br/>The service was good, and we ended up having a great time overall. <br/><br/>A bottle of wine, one entree, two mains and a glass of whiskey set us back about $170-ish. It was well worth it, and I highly recommend this restaurant.

If you don't want to wait, get there just after it opens. Arrive at 7pm - 8pm and make the mistake that your gonna be eating late! as it is sooo popular. You will be standing at the bar waiting what feels like an eternity, and I must admit...I was starving! They don't take bookings for dinner, so if you are going to a show, concert etc get there early!<br/><br/>The service however is great.<br/><br/>Given a small roll and a very small cup of cold something to start which tasted like bitter bland apricot onion jelly (not sweet at all), so discusting I tried to wipe this into my bread to get it over and done with, where the waitress said I should have just taken the whole small cup down as if a was taking a "shot". Probly fast down the hatch would have been better to just get it out of the way. (just like ripping of a plaster, it hurts, but its quick!)<br/><br/>I ordered the shanks, and it wasn't amazing! Had peas on the side, which wasn't fancied up in anyway. Literally just peas. Had to order extras if you wanted more, as I did, from such a long wait.<br/><br/>Glad to have been, but wouldn't be a regular thing.<br/><br/>Would rate Logan Brown in higher esteem, with tastier meals and starters (love the NZ virgin olive oil selection with local breads), and the desserts always a pleaser!

Wow, what a busy little bistro! With the winning combination of prompt friendly service and fresh delicious dishes that so many restaurants seem to neglect these days it's easy to see why this place is so popular.

I saw Rex Morgan cooking on TV and really wanted to dine at Boulcott Street Bistro. I loved his prior culinary haven, Citron and wanted to check out his new residence. Similar to Citron, Boulcott Street Bistro instantly sets itself apart in setting. It's a beautiful Victorian cottage with a classic bistro decor.<br/>As I had hoped our meals were perfect, a great combination of traditional and unexpected flavours. <br/>I really appreciated our service, the waiter was chatty and attentive without being over the top. <br/>I'm not a big drinker, but my friend (who is!) was really impressed by the range of NZ wines and boutique beers on offer. <br/><br/>Overall, I'd definitely recommend a stroll up Boulcott Street to check out this gem of a bistro.

I dined there recently, I waited at the bar for a long time the place was full no one else seemed to mind except me I was starving I was suggested a double calamari with chardonnay, Wow best anniversary ever they do it well.

As a small group Boulcott Street Bistro is a great choice. It is intimate but still has a fun atmosphere.<br/>All the dishes look and taste amazing.We shared Bluff oysters to begin with, and ordered our choice of main course. I loved the shank and tasted the ox cheek which was a really interesting dish, delicious. <br/>There were lots of 'mmmmm's and 'yum's all round! <br/>I'll definitely dine there again.

When you walk in all the noise of the busy city surroundings disappear and it feels really personal and comfortable. The staff are friendly and knowledgable without the snobbery you might expect. The menu has a good variety of the bistro classics and I guess the difference between bistros is how these classics are prepared and cooked. The food here never fails to impress, it's cooked and prepared perfectly. <br/>Highly recommended.

I had a really enjoyable evening here. The food was fresh and perfectly cooked. The service wasn't as formal as I had expected but was very efficient and friendly. <br/>I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quality dining experience.

Amazing place, I went there for the first time the other night and it is going to become a regular!<br/>It has a really unique and lively atmosphere with a menu to die for. Despite the restaurant being very busy the service was top notch. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a great evening out.

Have eaten at the Boulcott a number of times over the space of many years when visiting Wellington. Apart from reiterating that the food and service is very very good the big thing I find is that it is consistent. The prices I think for what you are presented with and the way it is presented is I believe reasonable. I've paid more at other Wellington establishments and haven't received the same level of food and service. Would recommend to anyone and would happily take friends and guests there.

Quite pricey but supurb food and service, you pay for what you get and it is 5*. Is in the entertainment book (buy 1 main get one free) so ourbill was under $100 including drink. They don't take bookings but we have never had to wait long at the bar. They served up fresh bread which was the best I have had in a long time. We didnt get starters but they brought us out a wee cup of soup. Lamb shanks and steak mains were divine. Desserts was even better, I had the creme brulee. Great place to go, friendly staff too.