Culprit.

This one is a hard review - impressions left after visiting Culprit. are more than mixed.Staff is really friendly, the service was good.. However, I was expecting much more from kitchen.First, not clear how they decided on meals from Chefs menu - for a company of 4 people, they brought 1 tartar, 2 pumpkins, and 2 brussels sprouts for bites part.. Tartar was a really good one. However, sharing one meal gave a thin impression instead of full experience. Pumpkin was plain, sprouts were honestly burnt and bitter. Sprinkling sprouts with cheap chips supposed to add a glimpse of fast food..? Strange move.Second, portions are really small, and the ingredients didn't seem that premium. Watermelon jelly tasted like soap. Brisket and duck were quite mediocre for a 600+ dollars bill. Subjectively, value for money is about 0.1 here.Long story short, this place should rethink the value they are trying to create before I come back here.

I recently revisited one of my older reviews and to my surprise, it had been deleted. It seems that the restaurant couldn't handle the truth about their food, so they resorted to manipulating reviews. Well, let me share exactly what happened that night, as it deserves to be heard.Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were filled with anticipation for a delightful dining experience. Little did we know that our expectations would be shattered. We were made to wait an excruciating 40 minutes just to receive our mains, and that was solely for the mains! It felt like we were going through a never-ending degustation, only to be met with disappointment at every turn.The food itself was nothing short of a disaster. My favorite dish of the day, if it can even be called that, resembled a lump of coal. Honestly, I believe a cup of cold water would have offered more flavor and satisfaction. Each bite was an assault on the taste buds, leaving me wondering how such a tasteless creation could make its way to the table.To add insult to injury, the staff displayed a shocking level of laziness and apathy. Instead of attending to their duties and ensuring a pleasant dining experience, they were more engrossed in their own chit-chat and personal enjoyment. Not once did they offer an apology or show any remorse for the excessive wait or lackluster service.It's disheartening to see a restaurant prioritize manipulating reviews over genuine customer satisfaction. Deleting negative feedback only proves their inability to accept constructive criticism and improve their offerings. It's a clear sign of their lack of integrity and dedication to providing a quality dining experience.In a world where honesty and transparency are valued, it's disappointing to encounter such behavior from a restaurant. Customers should have the freedom to express their opinions and share their experiences without fear of censorship or manipulation.I write this review in the hopes that others will be spared from the same disappointment and frustration that I experienced. Before considering dining at this establishment, I urge you to think twice. There are countless other options out there where you can truly enjoy a satisfying meal and receive the service you deserve.To the restaurant, I hope you take this review as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Learn from your mistakes, value your customers' feedback, and strive to provide a dining experience that exceeds expectations. Only then can you regain the trust and respect of your patrons.In conclusion, my deleted review speaks volumes about the restaurant's inability to handle honest feedback. It's a shame that they choose to manipulate reviews rather than address their shortcomings. As a discerning customer, I believe it is essential to shed light on such practices and encourage transparency in the restaurant industry.P.s. Let's not manipulate reviews, as it is pathetic and disgracefulEdit: I see that you didn't read my entire review from start to finish. Yes, you're right that the review and photos were from two years ago. But didn't I mention that? I deleted and re-uploaded my review because you removed it to boost your restaurant's rating, just as you wanted. Furthermore, if we follow your logic, then the $120 I spent on food at your restaurant two years ago should no longer be considered my money, right? Haha what a mindset you have. And if you truly couldn't find any areas where you need to improve based on my review, then it's clear that you didn't read it properly. I listed everything in detail. Also, if you wanted to say that things have changed since two years ago, why not invite me back politely with a welcome drink? That's what I would have done if I were you. Let's think before we act, please.

Amazing NYE dinner! Service was 10/10, catered to coeliac with the best tasting GF bread I’ve had in a while. We sat at the kitchen bar which a fantastic experience watching the chefs in action. Our favorite were the wild paua and pork sausages and the heirloom tomatoes with the tarragon leaves.

Set menu was delicious! Some that really jumped out as something different was the Shitake Milk Bun with Mushroom Butter and the Salt & Vinegar Brussel Sprouts which was served with small pieces of Salt and Vinegar chips. The dessert was also delicious and well sized in relation to the set menu

Culprit had been on my list for a while. So when we started looking for restaurants that could host lunch for a large family reunion I reached out. Rebecca the Manager was AMAZING. She was quick to respond, detailed, and even offered to open the restaurant for us on Sunday! First the space is beautiful. Second, the food was generous and delicious. Would highly recommend for private events!

Highly Recommend if you’re looking for a tasting-style menu highlighting local fare. I recommend you get the duck for 2, well worth waiting for!! The add-on you can get is great for seafood lovers. As a table of 4, we got it for 2 people as not all of us were that hungry.

Loved this place. Enjoyed the tasting menu and the bar seat experience was excellent with the fast-moving kitchen giving plenty to see. Food was also plentiful as we ended up taking some of the duck away to eat later.

We had a set dinner, chef’s selection. The ambiance was nice, but they started to play hip-hop/rap style music which I found awkward for the location. I had the brisket which was tender and delicious. I tried bone marrow as an extra. It was not as interesting as I thought it would be. All in all it was a good experience except for the music.

Culprit had been on my list for a while for their contemporary New Zealand cuisine. We had a chance to dine in on our 10th year wedding anniversary dinner and we really enjoyed the dining experience. We had their seasonal menu with wine matching and added a culprit classic too. Love it, love it, love it!The restaurant's soft music, style and lightings gave it a romantic and relax ambiance.Thank you also to the professional and friendly staff who attended to us. Keep up the good work.This is now one of our favorite date night place in Auckland CBD.

The dining experience at Culprit is like no other. The care and thoughtfulness from the staff was felt throughout the entire evening, the atmosphere was phenomenal, and the food was out of this world - both in terms of flavour and texture. 10/10 would recommend!