Orphans Kitchen

The Verdict

Any New Zealand restaurant that proclaims itself home to naughty wine is alright in our books, but Ponsonby's Orphans Kitchen has much more to offer than a really, really good wine cellar. Seasonal share plates that manage to be both high-end and unpretentious are made to be enjoyed in the casual, homey restaurant. 

Tuesday night at this Ponsonby restaurant is Test Kitchen Tuesday, where diners can experience a four-course dinner of the chef's dishes-in-the-works before they hit the plates for real. Orphans Kitchen also has a private dining room upstairs for more intimate affairs.

Orphans Kitchen is now open for brunch from Wednesday through the weekend, much to the delight of Auckland's foodies.