Restaurant Review: Regent of Rotorua

FINE DINING: Regent of Rotorua Restaurant and Wine Bar is a fine dining option. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

REGENT of Rotorua Restaurant and Wine Bar has firmly established itself as one of Rotorua's leading restaurants over recent years.

It offers a selection of Pacific fusion food, elegant cocktails and a sensational boutique wine list.

It has not skimped on its decor either - think glamour with rhinoceros heads, diamantes and crowns. This place has quickly become known as one of the places to go and caters for everything from a quiet breakfast or brunch (we recommend the corn fritters) right through to lunches, tapas and evening meals.

The food is among the best presented we've seen here in Rotorua - and the taste doesn't disappoint either. Hubby remarked, on being presented with his plate, that he felt there should be Masterchef tasting music playing in the background. The starter of a selection of artisan breads and dips ($14) was plenty for two but the mains were the real treat. The aged beef fillet, blue cheese potato rosti, pea puree, mushroom croquette, parsnip crisps, black pepper tuille was to die for, with the beef cooked to perfection and full of flavour. The rosemary crusted lamb rump, whipped kumara, spinach mousse, ratatouille, red currant jus was also a treat for the tastebuds. While the meals are definitely fine dining, we found there was ample food. There's an impressive dessert selection and we can vouch dark chocolate marquise is divinely rich but a perfect ending to a meal.

The service is prompt and friendly. The staff are professional, nothing is too much trouble, and we had our meals quickly. They were quick and observant if anything was needed, and were happy to answer any questions.

The drinks are completely in line with what you'd expect from a restaurant touting itself as a wine bar and cocktail venue. There is an impressive variety of wines as well as a good selection of beers and all of your favourite cocktails. We enjoyed a glass of the Spy Valley Savignon Blanc ($10) and a bottle of the Hawke's Bay Summer Ale ($8), which we were rather impressed with.

The prices are on the pricier side of dinner options, but for the quality of what you get, they're well worth the money. Dinner mains sit around the $38-mark, with entrees $18 and desserts about $15. Breakfast and lunch options are accordingly cheaper.

Overall if you want a meal out, and want to know you'll enjoy it, we recommend heading here. It's one of those restaurants that's consistently serving good quality food, and we're not sure we've ever heard anyone say otherwise. But don't just keep it for those special meals out. While it does fine dining perfectly, it's also a great option for a casual brunch or a lunch and a few drinks. Unless you are a real foodie, expect to see some items you're not entirely familiar with on the menu but don't let that put you off. Instead, embrace it.