Mr & Mrs Bistro (Permanently Closed)

The Verdict

Meet Mr & Mrs Bistro, the Parnell eatery where casual Kiwi/European-inspired fare and cheeky cocktails sit side by side in perfect matrimony.

Tucked away behind Winona Forever on Parnell Rise, this tasty spot is slinging all the bistro grub you know and love. From fish and chips and burgers, to pizza and steak with all the trimmings, this is the place to go for classic comfort food that will have you legit licking the plate.

While these guys offer a solid range of starters (including a rather impressive platter laden with onion rings, garlic bread, crispy chicken, and the like), it's their mains that are making the biggest impression. And we mean that in more ways than one—the portion sizes here are low-key out of control.

The pork belly is especially delicious—crispy and juicy in all the right places and of such a generous serving, there's room for little else on the plate (not that we're complaining, of course). Paired with parsnip puree, roasted fennel, sweet corn, and red wine jus, this is one dish we can guarantee you'll be excited about 'cracking' into.

The seafood risotto is another stand-out. Boasting a bounty of kai moana (clams and calamari, to name but a few) and topped with chunky fillets of grilled market fish, this delightfully subtle rendition is sure to make any pescatarian's boat float (and even the non- pescatarian's, for that matter). The homemade pesto is also a nice touch.

We're always down for a restaurant-prepared steak, and Mr & Mrs' version does not disappoint. Choose from a 180g grain-fed Angus eye fillet or 250g grain-fed Angus rump, served alongside either fries and salad or kumara mash and blanched broccolini (we like the latter). Of course, everyone knows that sauce maketh the steak, so they have a jug of red wine jus on hand especially for the occasion.

Which brings us to dessert. The bombe Alaska is every bit as moreish as it looks, bringing together torched meringue-covered ice cream, chocolate crumble, and berry compote (a combo like this could never NOT be delish). As much a feast for the eyes, as it is for the taste buds.

Second place goes to the chocolate tart, served with vanilla ice cream and again, berry compote—scrumptious in its own right.

But what of those cocktails? Where the food keeps it classic, these babies are fun and flirty, something which can be surmised from their tongue-in-cheek names (Foxy Lady, Kitana, and Fijian Passion, for example).

All promise a good time but if you're keeping it to one drink and one drink only, we recommend the Strawberry Fields—a pretty pink concoction laced with gin, apple, strawberry, and lemon. It's sweet, sultry, and straight-up sublime.

So if you like the sound of classic, flavour-packed dishes with a cheeky cocktail or two to wash it all down—be sure to make the acquaintance of Mr & Mrs Bistro. We're sure you'll become fast friends.

Image credit: Mr & Mrs Bistro | Instagram