Delicious schnitzel from Restaurant Carinthia.Photo / NZ Herald online
Delicious schnitzel from Restaurant Carinthia.Photo / NZ Herald online
Last month Central Auckland's dirtiest eating establishments were named.
Food grades in the former Auckland City region show 10 restaurants and cafes have received E grades, with 29 given a D grade.
The New Zealand Herald online asked readers if they were influenced by the food grading system.Nearly 13,500 readers responded and just over half said they used the rating to make a call about whether to dine there. Or not.
But to the every day diner, how do these places really stack up?
A few brave members of the online team have decided to put their bellies on the line and review all 29 of the D listers, revealing one a day for the month of September. D grade eateries are reviewed twice a year, according to Auckland City Council. While they are subject to change, our list is correct as of the last week of August, 2013. If the grade is changed at the time of publication this will be made clear in the review.
So join us on our journey eating through the D list. Check in at lunch each day, read our review, and let us know in the poll if you have - or would - eat at the outlet.
Photo / NZ Herald online
Restaurant Carinthia, 17 Roberta Ave, Glendowie
We ordered: The chicken gypsy schnitzel, with tomato, capsicum, mushroom and paprika sauce, roast potatoes and asparagus ($28). This main was big enough to share and so delicious we asked to bring the leftovers home to make sandwiches the next day. The pastry cabinet also looked very alluring, but we couldn't fit any more in.
The vibe was: Deserted during this dinner service, but we thought the place looked delightful and were surprised it wasn't more happening.
The décor looked: Austrian inspired - complete with cuckoo clocks, beer steins and other paraphernalia. It was curious and quirky.
The Austrian inspired interior of the restaurant.Photo / NZ Herald online
The service was: Very nice.
We left feeling: Like this place looked far better than most of the other Ds we had visited.
We could see their D grade: Leaning discreetly against the wall by the till.
The most D-grade thing about it: We couldn't figure it out, so mentioned our surprise at the visible D rating. The man who appeared to be the owner and head chef seemed disgruntled at the rating system and thought it may have been personal rather than professional.
