Restaurant Review: Latitude 37

Who: Latitude 37
Where: 181 Maunganui Rd
Contact: Ph 572 3037
Email: latitude@37.co.nz
Hours: Monday: 4pm to 1am; Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 1am
Price range: Entrees $10.90- $15.90; mains $21.90 to $37.90; desserts $12.90 to $14.90
On the menu: Classic cuisine with a contemporary twist. Plenty of Bay seafood on the menu. Organic beef and corn-fed free range chicken. Vegetarian options on main course and exciting specials. Children's menu for under 13 years. Bar snacks also available in large bar area. Tables outside in summer.
I'll have: For starters, pan seared scallops with a mango-chilli salsa set in a poppadom basket served with lime curry cream sauce, $17.90. Scallops cooked to perfection and curry flavour made for an interesting twist without being over powering. For mains, the special of local snapper with roasted vegetables. Fish light but delicious flavours with the mediterranean-style sauce.
He'll have: For starters, Mussel Steamers, New Zealand green lip mussels in white wine and cream reduction with herb bread, $18.90. The crusty bread was perfect to mop up beautiful sauce. Mussels always a messy affair but these were cooked so well, they fell off the shell. Huge serving but he made it through. For mains, Confit Duck, $28.90, crispy duck leg on lemon scented rice, Chinese cabbage, shitake spring roll with a fragrant soy sauce and orange onion marmalade. After much jesting about a one-legged duck, verdict was it was an outstanding take on the classic Chinese duck.
We shared: Latitude's plate of small treats $14.90. At the end of the meal if you can't face a huge dessert but would love a bite of other people's, Latitude present the perfect solution - a plate of bite-sized treats, including a mini plum pie, espresso cheesecake, chocolately treats and ice cream. The chef changes the selection daily.
For the adventurous: Salmon 42 Below: Salmon marinated in 42 below vodka, beetroot and manuka honey.
To drink: Comprehensive wine list with more than 62 wines including champagnes. Approximately half of the list is available by the glass. Mostly New Zealand wines including Central Otago pinot noirs, Marlborough savs, Hawke's Bay chards, some very good Australian shiraz, French champagnes and a French organic red. We shared a Lake Chalice 2009 merlot.
The staff: Outstanding. Our waiter was helpful at exactly the right moments and even laughed at our jokes.
The buzz: Friday night was buzzing at Latitude. The restaurant was full of both intimate diners and large groups. The bar was lively but the spacious environment meant you could still relax and enjoy your meal.
The verdict: With its decor of timber, stone and open fires, there was a real Friday night feeling, with a full bar and restaurant - it seemed like the whole of the Mount was in the popular Latitude. Superb food and a great vibe. Latitude 37 can stand up to any Auckland restaurant.