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18 Aug 2011 (LeighF)
After driving past Totara a few times and thinking it looked really quaint we finally decided to give it a try. Baby sitter booked we were ready for date night. What a fantastic evening. Food was good, atmosphere was fantastic and the music even better. I had the beef (and do agree with a previous review that the olives didn't go with the dish) but the meat was tender and extremely tasty. Hubby had the lamb and said it was fantastic. The highlight had to be the cheese platter and the tiramisu. Can't remember what wine we had (unoaked chardonnay) which was superb. I felt the bill was priced a little high however due to the thoroughly enjoyable evening didn't mind paying. We will definitely be back! Thank you

8 Jul 2011 (Milford Eye Clinic)
Just a note to thank you and your staff for the wonderful evening we spent at Totara Restaurant last Friday 1st July. The food, service and atmosphere were excellent and we all had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thank you again

4 Jul 2011 (Rochelle H)
TOP NOTCH! Me and my partner dined here a few months back now, excellent food, funny and friendly service! Atmosphere is cozy and romantic. But you do pay the price

28 Jun 2011 (DWO1954)
Our family had dinner on Saturday, 25th June, at Totara. We enjoyed the ambiance of this lovely restaurant with exceptional service. The menu presented unique and variety of dishes. Our family explored with several of these on the menu and which was truly enjoyable and excellently prepared. I personally enjoyed my best tuna dish ever. We highly recommend this restaurant.

9 Jun 2011 (CB)
Had dinner last night at Totara and had a wonderful time. The food was excellent and I especially enjoyed the John Dory with smoked fish dumplings, yum. The others in our party also raved about their meals. The service was friendly and attentive and the restaurant was full with other happy and chatty diners. We would definitely recommend this restaurant and will be going again when the budget allows.

1 Jun 2011 (tangochilli)
I haven’t been to the totara for a long time and had heard that it had changed hands. My partner and I were in the area on Saturday night and decided to give it a go as we knew the chef was still there. WOW, it just gets better. I’m hooked again. Love the place. What a lovely romantic evening we had and the food was to die for. My lamb dish was perfectly cooked and my partner’s fish dish was exceptional. The desserts to follow were equally so. Our waiter recommended the wine for our meals and it was a superb match. What a lovely spontaneous night it was. So enjoyable and we will be back again soon. Thanks Totara for a beautiful evening. Highly recommend to all (and I often do). Easily the best restaurant on the shore.

25 May 2011 (Louis)
My wife and I, plus a group of friends had dinner at Totara restaurant last Friday evening. What a great night we had. The staff in the restaurant was very friendly and efficient. We all relaxed from the moment we arrived which is very important to me when dining out. Besides the good service, the food was the highlight of the evening. Within the group we pretty much covered most of the dishes on the menu and everyone around the table was more than impressed. Great all round performance! Recommended and a must for all food lovers!

24 May 2011 (Hugo)
We enjoyed a lovely dinner with friends. Friendly hosts, great service, cosy surroundings (perhaps the heaters could be set slightly cooler or perhaps it was the wine?), and fantastic food. No wonder the chef wins the awards year after year. We had the whole shebang – starters, mains and desserts. Awesome flavours, great presentation and generous portions. We’ll be back.

10 Apr 2011 (jayvonhero)
10 of us went there for a dinner on this friday night, food and services was great, 110%, especially the duck confit and duck rabbit terrine...Such a nice restaurant, best on the shore, highly recommended. Jay

7 Apr 2011 (Fiona)
Fantastic service and divine meal bursting with flavours I had never experienced before. Lovely intimate setting (indoors and outdoors) perfect for romantic night out or small groups 4 – 6 max. Very attentive service and great atmosphere – will certainly be back again!

21 Feb 2011 (ArianaB)
What an awesome experience!! I have heard many great things of this restaurant and thought I would go and find out what it is all about...my partner and I went there on Friday the 18th of February 2011. From the moment we were greeted by the friendly hostess at the door, our great experience started; the table setting was elegant and the menu very appetising; both the food and service were superb. For mains I had the Fish of the day – it was succulent and a great choice. My partner had the Beef fillet – an excellent choice and we both agreed that the NZ Beef and Lamb Excellence Award was truly earned. For dessert I had the Cappuccino brulee, and my partner had the Lemon tart. Both these were exquisite and beautifully presented. The interior is refreshing, cosy, and intimate. The music was well suited and complimented the atmosphere. It is a unique and outstanding restaurant. We had a relaxing evening and will definitely be going back soon!!

6 Feb 2011 (BradN)
A spur of the moment dining decision, we were attracted to the balcony dining in the garden. We were treated to spectacular flavour combinations from an award winning chef (we were to discover) Friendly, attentive service from the owners helped make this our pick of North Shore’s ‘top-end’ restaurants.

30 Jan 2011 (Anvilaccounts)
I enjoyed my dining experience, not only was the food excellent but the waiters are always pleasant and helpful and always on hand though the restaurant was quite busy. I have been there before and the food has always be beyond expectation. Great wine and service, this is a high end restaurant but really worth it

9 December 2010
I took my husband to Totara Restaurant for his birthday the other night and it was one of the best dining experiences we have had. From the welcome, to the service, to the quality of food, we were very impressed. An excellent 'special occasion' restaurant........more on www.finda.co.nz

3 December 2010
Went here for dinner last night as been meaning to for ages - should have done a long, long time ago! If you want quality meals in an unpretentious relaxed setting this is the place to go. Our mains (eye fillet and duck leg) were beautifully cooked - we've been to other well known restaurants who supposedly specialise in steak/game and been disappointed, but this chef clearly knows his stuff and this was quite possibly the best we've had. Only teeny niggle would be some of the veggies were maybe a bit plain for our taste (might just be due to our liking interesting add-ons!), but overall the meals were superb. Owners/hosts are friendly and attentive too, appealing range of menu choices, and we spied the outdoor seating area which looks good for summer - this gem deserves support and we'll definitely be back.......more on www.dineout.co.nz

27 November 2010
Simply amazing! Delicious food, and, more importantly, great, professional service (a rarity in NZ). One of the best restaurants I have ever been to......more on www.menumania.co.nz

24 July 2010
Wonderful experience. Food exceptional. Gracious hosts - new owners doing justice to the reputation of the restaurant. Highly recommended. Martin.....more on www.viewauckland.co.nz

28 June 2010
2nd visit, this time with our children. New managers are excellent. The chef is still the same therefore the food, presentation were all exceptional again. 10/10 for a wonderful birthday dinner....more on www.dineout.co.nz

23 June 2010
I would like to say my partner and I enjoyed our meal and found the service excellent. The waiters are always pleasant and helpful and even have a sense of humour. We have been there 6 times and the food has been without fault. Great food, wine and service, this is a high end restaurant but really worth it.... more on www.finda.co.nz

9 May 2010
Headed to Totara in Albany last weekend and had a great meal - the decor is nothing to write home about but the service was efficient and the food fantastic. Definitely recommended. more on www.viewauckland.co.nz