This restaurant is my all time favourite so far. First time time I went was not because of Sean Connolly’s name, little did I know about him, nor the fact that it was a new eatery at SkyCity Grand Hotel. All I was looking for was a great steak! I was not disappointed. Friday night was my fourth visit and I am still loving this restaurant.
We had two visitors in this party of five for a Good Friday dinner. We were lead to our tables on arrival, but to found that there was one missing set. After it was all settled, we were brought back to the table, happily set on our way.
We were first served with bread – choice of macadamia nuts white bread, white sourdough or brown sourdough, with Lewis Road Creamery butter. Those who live in New Zealand would know the latest craze with this creamery’s chocolate milk. Their other products are just as nice. The butter is creamy and rich, slightly salted, but I wish it was less salty. I had it with a piece of white sourdough.
Butter
For five people we ordered a seafood platter with Queensland prawns, Cloudy Bay clams and king crab claws and scampi sashimi with olive oil, chilli, coriander and lime to start. This was my first time having seafood at The Grill. It was alright but I was hoping for more variety. To be fair we asked for no oysters as three people in the party were not interested in those. I was still hoping for other types of seafood, or different clams to replace the oysters.
Scampi sashimi
Seafood platter – Queensland prawns, Cloudy Bay clams, scampi,
king crab claws
As for the main I asked for my usual “Study of Beef”. They never disappoint. Recently The Grill introduced a lot more wagyu so we had wagyu beef skirt, wagyu scotch fillet, and grain fed angus on the board. The wagyu had just the right amount of fat and nicely distributed.
Study of Beef
We also ordered a slow roasted lamb shoulder with raspberry vinegar in star anise gravy. It was slightly crunchy and the lamb shoulder was so tender we didn’t need knifes. The lamb literally melted off the bone.
Slow roasted lamb shoulder, raspberry vinegar and star anise gravy
As a guilty pleasure, I ordered a potato gratin. Yes, one where you overdose yourself with cream, butter, and lightly sprinkled cheese for the crunch. Hmmmmm, no words could have described it. This one, you will just have to try for it yourself.
Potato gratin
Pity we were too full for dinner. Otherwise the valrhona chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream is always my faviourite.
I simply don’t go there enough, but I’m sure will be back again.
The Grill by Sean Connolly
SKYCITY Grand Hotel
90 Federal Street, Auckland
Phone: +64-9-363-7067
Booking can be made online, or via email: reservations@thegrillnz.co.nz
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