Palate - Hamilton New Zealand

As I made my way down to the basement, I wasn't sure if I was in the right place. It felt like maybe I was using the staff entrance. However, what I found behind that door was a hidden food paradise, a secret that I was now privy to. Back in the days when I lived in Auckland and had no children, I considered myself a true food enthusiast. But since then, life has changed and this was the first time we had gone out in months. In the past 2 years, I had only tried two restaurants, Chim Choo Ree and Madam Woo. Palate exceeded my expectations. The duck appetizer was exquisite, perfectly paired with persimmon. My eye fillet was expertly cooked, tender and practically melted in my mouth, with no toughness to be found. The beef cheek ravioli added a nice touch of beef, contributing to the richness and tenderness of the dish. When it came to dessert, we couldn't decide on just one, so we ended up ordering three! The ice cream with donuts initially surprised me with its unique flavor, but by the second bite, I had fallen in love with the unusual combination. I couldn't help but make faces of delight and even let out some awkward moans as I savored the perfectly cooked flavors. The walk back to the car was necessary after such a satisfying meal! Thank you, Palate, for reminding this homebound mom of the joys that a fantastic dining experience can bring. P.S. The server was exceptional at his job.

Went with a group of 12. Meals came out at the right time space so that you were not too full. Having gluten other food allegeries the chef was willing to cater for this. Some of the other diners at our table were rather envious of my specially chosen, by the chef, gluten free entree. Great food service. Highly recommend this establishment.

Last night, we had dinner at this fantastic restaurant. The food was incredible and they were able to accommodate my gluten-free dietary needs. The customer service was excellent and the restaurant's decor was lovely. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be returning in the future.

Thank you to Mat and the entire team at Palate for providing us with an incredible dining experience. We enjoyed 9 amazing dishes paired with exceptional wines from around the world. My husband and I couldn't pick a favorite dish, but I have already decided to try the Quail with a glass of Man O War Pinot Gris from Waiheke Island on my next visit. Whether you entered the competition or not, I highly recommend making a reservation at Palate for a memorable evening. Don't wait for a contest to come back - life is short, so make the most of it by indulging in delicious food.

Travelled from Auckland again for a beautiful weekday lunch. The service is excellent, the setting pristine and relaxing, the food as always amazingly tasty. Great value for that special occaision. I would rather drive an hour south for this experience than sit 2 hours in traffic heading into Auckland City for unpredictable food any day of the week.