Butter chicken, garlic naan and rice.Photo / NZ Herald online
Butter chicken, garlic naan and rice.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
Pakwan Indian Restaurant, 547 Great South Rd, Otahuhu
We ordered: The most popular combo - butter chicken, garlic naan and rice for $11. This was more than enough for both of us. The naan was good but the (too) chunky curry lacked flavour which we suspect was because we may have looked like we couldn't handle the heat.
The vibe was: Pretty fun thanks to a huge, happy family dining right next to us (the only other patrons). The noise and hubbub of 20-odd people, their kids and the windy evening made for a bit of a buzz at this takeout joint.
The décor looked: A bit grubby.
The service was: Very friendly and warm.
We left feeling: A bit disappointed with the below average curry, but we had asked for the most popular, so we have ourselves partly to blame.
We could see their D grade: On the wall when we paid.
The most D-grade thing about it: The decor didn't feel that flash and the bathroom was a bit icky.
