Reviews for Sails Restaurant

by Emily
1st September 2010

This business is a MenuMania SponsorOne of the Business' Favourite Reviews

Beautiful setting and atmosphere. We had the degustation menu with wine pairing and it was excellent. Great range of food and the desserts were delicious! Definitely would go back.

by Franklin
18th May 2012

We’ve been to sails restaurant about three times prior and each time had been enjoyable experience. Writing the review this time based on the voucher deal we got for degustation for two at Sails.

As we’ve never had a degustation dining experience before we weren’t sure what to expect, and our biggest concern was regarding the portion size (from reading degustation @ other places). I can say that this is not a worry at Sails, the portions end up just right (the angus will fill you up) and the dessert wine we decided to have with the baked lemon creme was something I’m missing now as I’m typing this review. The voucher was worth it ($120 for two) and I’d definitely come back @ full price for a special occasion, and possibly with the paired drinks option!

by Janine C.
11th April 2012

Went with our family for a special birthday dinner. We ordered a range of meals so that we could taste each others. While the portions were not huge so we could only share a bite the food was perfectly prepared and tasty. Service was unobtrusive but attentive. Wine prices a little on the high side but very good. A very enjoyable evening.

by Cayenne
16th March 2012

Sails needs to make some big changes.

They still seem to be resting on the laurels of their past reputation. The wait staff are cold and businesslike, the food is ordinary and the only thing that sets Sails apart is the location.

We hadn’t been to Sails for a while and took some visitors from overseas, wanting to give them a special treat. However we were embarrassed to find that this former gem has become just another bland restaurant in our absence. What has happened?

We won’t be back in a hurry when there are so many top notch eateries providing consistently high quality food and service. Sails, we have fond memories of good times gone by – but sadly now it is “Sayonara”.

by 'Gemma S.
27th February 2012

Awesome! Friendly professional waiters, well presented food, great view of the harbour bridge and city. Very happy to recommend this establishment!

We ordered two mains (Kingfish and Hapuka) both cooked beautifully, as well as 2 sides as well. My friend recommended the fries with parmesan and truffle oil – very nice. We also had the beetroot / goats cheese / hazelnut side as well.

My friend requested assistance choosing a wine and our waiter graciously asked another to help. He seemed very knowledgeable and the choice made was a good match.

Will definitely be back again soon

by Al
29th January 2012

One of the top 5 best fine dining restaurants in Auckland. Dim lighting brings perfect ambiance to celebrate that special occasion. Quality and workmanship of furniture and the interior deco is truly 5 star. A must visit if you enjoy seafood. We had a great experience at Sails, friendly staff and food cooked with lovely European favours. A visit to Sails will never be regretted, does come with price tag but surely worth every cent.

by Miles J.
11th January 2012

Celebrated New Year at this restaurant. Brilliant service and perfectly presented, delicious food. Worth the little extra cost.

by Sue L.
1st October 2011

We came to Sails to celebrate our daughters 21st. The set menu was chosen. Our guests were young teenagers to 60 years of age. Every person that night had fantastic service. The food was sublime, every serving, the wine that was suggested was perfect for our dinner and our two younger daughters felt very special from an attentive waiter topping up their sparkling grape juice. We had two tables of guests who were easily able to communicate, we were placed in a private area a wee bit away from other dinners so had a sense of this being all about us…a special feeling. The attention to detail was definately present. We stayed very late and not a sign was made that we had out stayed our welcome. Our family have a life long memory of a very special night out. We feel very priviledged to have been able to celebrate this occasion with such care and attention. Thank you so much to everyone who was part of that evening, July 2nd 2011.

by Libby
5th August 2011

Went to Sails Restaurant after hearing much about its refurbishment. Very dissapointed, decore still 1980′s, nothing changed at all. What refurbishment? Clientel mostly 70yrs plus. Very boring and very formal. Food Ok but over priced. Good service. Only good feature is its views, even then you have to look through old joinery which nees replacing.

by Josephine
5th July 2011

Super friendly staff! Very helpful and professional, food was delicious, definitely a good place to dress up for and dine!

by Karen R.
5th July 2011

Beautiful flavours coming out of this kitchen. Loved the beetroots juxtaposed with feta, caramelized(?)walnut, and other scrumptious natural seasonings in my entree.

Gorgeous views out across the marina (floor to ceiling windows), and to the Harbour Bridge, Bayswater and beyond.

I noticed the excellent acoustics of the sloping ceiling make it easy to converse even in the packed-out restaurant.

Impeccable service by very professional and unobtrusive wait-staff.

by Jen
28th June 2011

Good food, perhaps the flavour a bit too home cooking. Good quality oyster, crayfish is lovely. Their produce seem quite fresh. Selection of wine slightly limited, good view but big open room, not the best place for romantic dinner. Nice toilet. Will recommend for corporate functions.

by jacqueline C.
2nd May 2011

Although the food was excellent, I have to say I was sorely disappointed with the poor service by the waiting staff. I have dined at many other fine restaurants before but have never encountered such cold (almost rude) behavior. I certainly expected more from a top-class restaurant; it would not hurt them to indulge their patrons with some smiles, humor and light-hearted conversation to make the dining experience a truly world-class one.

by machine
10th March 2011

went here for our 10th wedding anniversary, and sails delivered. We had a large group, around 10 people. Perfect waiting staff, very helpful with the wine matching.

Main course was ordered and arrived promptly. Heavenly. Desert was brilliant. Great wine selection too!

A bit pricey, but always good for that special occasion.

by Diiya
4th February 2011

i have been such a big fan of Sails but sadly my last 3 visits have been dismal.the staff have lost their mojo somehow and the chef his. i was disappointed in their cocktails that they never seem to have all the ingredients for. the wait for food was way too long…30 minutes after ordering for entrees and almost an hour before the mains arrived. no smiles were forthcoming from the service staff and i dont know why that is. these are the same guys that were wonderful once upon a time. we brought friends and had talked up sails to such an extent that the let down was even more so. i give most things in life 3 lives. Sails just died for me because it was my birthday that will be my last visit. Arrivederci.

by Dave
16th December 2010

Great views, good food, but disastrous service.
Tired, bored, and unhappy wait staff were thoughout the restaurant. This is supposed to be a ‘high end’ restaurant – certainly the prices are. Go somewhere else, as the service kills a good night.

by Love f.
18th June 2010

Lunch today at Sails proved a most enjoyable experience. And one of the better ones in recent months.

Starting with the sourdough rolls, well made bread has been with us for several millennium and the joy of fresh bread is one of life’s simple pleasures. Followed by plump oysters, then onto the salmon with scallop ravioli, asparagus and a deliciously flavorsome broth. Finally the chocolate delice with a coffee parfait, this excellent dessert alone was worth going to Sails. The kitchen is working well at Sails. Highly recommended.

by Stephen C.
9th June 2010

If you’re looking for quality seafood, this is the place to go. Bart Littlejohn, the owner and host, does a great job of keeping service top-notch. Very expensive and portion size is a bit lean, but you can expect that at this sort of establishment. This is the place to go if you want to impress. One of Auckland’s better establishments.

by tony B.
2nd February 2010

Sails has an enviable site and its always a pleasure to go there. I think the food was better last year but its fine but not top class.
Always plenty and the fish is good.
Provided you are close to the windows it’s good venue but further back I would not be so sure
However saying that we will try it again next year

by glen s.
9th December 2009

Good meal here at the weekend. Nothing bad to say, but failed to excite my party.
Good but not great.

by Amoora
4th December 2009

Sails is one of our favourite restaurant we have been going there for years and its one of those places where, people, service, food is always consistent you defiantly know that you will get great fresh food and professional service.
I wish there were more places like Sails

by Al Kumar
29th January 2009

Went to Sails for the first time last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Read some nice reviews so it was a must visit restaurant on our list. As we entered the beauty of the large chandelier caught our eye. It looked so beautiful, the mirrors, views not to be missed. It was a little noisy just past the reception, due to the lounge next to the dining area. But we were greeted and introduced by a fine gentleman who had a great smile. He showed us to our table which was on the other end of the room, pulled the chair for my wife and placed the napkins on our lap. Great service. The view from our table was magnificent. Recommend seating toward the far end near the large mirrors. Nice quite and intimate. I ordered Whitebait for entrée and Grilled prawns for my wife, these were delicious, loved the prawns…for mains we had Pan fried Hapuka and Snapper with snow crab..these were very mouth watering, well cooked and garnished to detail. There was a little delay in getting our meal as the place was a little busy even during a week day so bookings recommended. I wouldn’t say the meal sizes were large and filling, but good enough and we were full at the end of our meal. The staffs were being very friendly and attentive to see if all was going well through out the night. The prices, well it wasn’t that bad if you have been out fine dining, a little expensive but well worth it. With a bottle of white wine, bread, 2 x entrée and 2 x meals we paid around $180.00. Will surely go back again.

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