47 The Parade,
Bucklands Beach
Auckland,


(09) 533 0408

add to my map

As the name suggests The Beach House in the eastern suburb of Bucklands Beach is idyllically located right on the beach. The immaculate view looks out across the water to the boats bobbing up and down and further across the horizon are houses perched up on the cliffs. And sometimes, depending on what time you dine, the ferry going to and from the central city floats across the water.

Just the view itself is enough to cause you to relax.

The Beach House self promotes itself as a ‘unique fine dining restaurant’ offering ‘European cuisine with a Pacific twist’. I ventured to the restaurant for brunch on a sunny Sunday morning. And we weren’t the only ones.

Staff smartly dressed to reinforce the fine dining image showed me to a table where the rest of my friends were already waiting. Unfortunately we spent more time talking than browsing the menu so it took two or three approaches by the waitress before we were ready to order. Our coffees and hot chocolates were just about finished by the time we ordered food. Be warned, the tea spoons accompanying the hot chocolates are easily lost in the tall glasses.

On the menu is a range of egg options including poached eggs, eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce and bacon and an omelette filled with spinach, mushrooms and cheese which is exactly what I ordered. Two of my friends went with the eggs Benedict while the other sweet tooth ordered pancakes with maple syrup.

Although the meals were presented picture perfect, again reinforcing the fine dining label, unfortunately my omelette did not measure up in taste to the presentation – it was a little bland. Also, I had to ask for the accompanying hash brown which was to be delivered shortly after my omelette on a different plate.

On the plus side, the serving sizes were more than adequate with each us of struggling to finish what was on our plates.

I haven’t dined at the Beach House for lunch or dinner so am unable to compare brunch with other meals, but reputation suggests I may not have been as disappointed. The Beach House certainly bills itself as quality fine dining experience, but my experience suggests it was a little below the standard it strives for.