Metro Magazine/Audi Restaurant Of The Year 2012 Awards - Supreme Winners

Auckland's most prestigious culinary awards were announced at the official ceremony on Monday 23rd April, with acclaimed celebrity chef Al Brown taking out the highly sought after gong for his new venture Depot Eatery and Oyster Bar.

In addition to the 2012 Supreme Restaurant of the Year, the native Wellingtonian was also awarded the Best New Restaurant, Best Casual Bistro titles for Depot and the Audi Progressive Restaurateur award in what was a highly successful night for the culinary over-achiever.

Of Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar, Metro Editor and Judge Simon Wilson had this to say about Al's latest venture:

“We’re getting more casual and Depot leads the charge here, providing a great dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere and some of the fine dining restaurants are getting more casual in response."

Despite missing out in 2011, Clooney in Freemans Bay picked up the gong for Best Fine Dining Restaurant - a great achievement for what has become an Auckland dining institution.

The Metro Restaurant of the Year 2012 awards are judged by a panel of 12 experienced food industry people – a combination of both restaurant critics and professionals from within the industry.

For the full list of Metro/Audi Restaurant of the Year 2012 award winners, please read below. We'd also love you to share your experiences from these restaurants - please feel free to add your own reviews and help build our foodie community!

Supreme winner: Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar

Best fine dining: Clooney
Runner-up: The French Café

Best smart dining: Cibo
Runner-up: O’Connell St Bistro

Best upmarket bistro: The Engine Room
Runners-up: Ponsonby Rd. Bistro, Pure

Best casual bistro: Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar
Runner-up: Coco’s Cantina

Best Asian: Cocoro
Runner-up: Ebisu

Best Italian: Totó
Runner-up: Poderi Crisci

Best rural:Poderi Crisci
Runner-up: Casita Miro

Audi progressive restaurateur of the year: Al Brown, Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar
Runner-up: Sid Sahrawat, SidArt

Best chef: Michael Meredith, Meredith’s

Best service: The French Café
Runner-up: Coco’s Cantina

Best dish: Fish soup at Roxy

Best drinks list: The French Café
Runner-up: O’Connell St Bistro

Best short drinks list: Cocoro
Runner-up: Molten

Restaurant personality of the year: Ganesh Raj, The Tasting Shed

Best new restaurant: Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar



See the full list of Metro's Top 50 Restaurants here.


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