5 - 9 Point Chevalier Road,
Pt Chevalier
Auckland,


(09) 815 9595

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3 out of 5 stars

Heading out to Pt Chevalier I had my reservations about what awaited me. Other reviewers of Point had not been kind, the theme usually centred on the customer service, or lack of it. However what I found at Point was pleasantly surprising.

The bar and restaurant is tucked in behind the Pt Chevalier library on the corner of Pt Chevalier and Great North Rd. A small courtyard out the front with trees and greenery helps buffer the traffic noise, but on a dark and drizzly August night the outside tables weren’t that inviting.

It looked quiet inside, but a hand written sign on the heavy double doors assured me the restaurant was in fact open and we were welcome. Years ago the building was an antique shop, but has been refurbished into a warm space with an eating area at one end and a bar at the other. Upstairs above the kitchen is a function room, which had been booked out for a 21st the night we were there.

A young and friendly face greeted us, showed us to our 1920’s inspired clamshell booth and promptly explained the specials for the night. Water also appeared as we browsed the diverse menu and settled on Turkish bread and dips ($8) for starters and market fish on prawn risotto ($19.50) and creamy chicken penne ($15.50) for mains.

As usual I enjoyed a glass of sav ($9) and my companion a beer ($6.50).

So far there were no signs of the poor customer service others had experienced. The restaurant end of the venue was separated by the bar. There was exposed brick work at both ends and the rest of the surrounds had been decorated in art deco style with wooden floors, wrought iron features and high ceilings, but low lamps and lights created an air of intimacy.

Pity the background music changed mid song, purely on what seemed like the chefs choice. Some songs were louder than others and the interruption flowed through to the conversation. Perhaps it was just more noticeable because there weren’t many other diners and only a regular drinker supporting the bar.

This isn’t a reflection on the service or the meal though which came quickly to our table. My pasta serving was more than adequate and I shared the last third with my companion who had already devoured his fish.

After our mains we moved to the bar area for another drink, dessert (white chocolate tart, $12.50) and to watch what everybody else had stayed at home for, New Zealand’s first Beijing Olympic medal. Unfortunately it wasn’t a gold medal, but that would come later in the night. This is much like Point itself, not quite a first class venue yet, but the potential is there.