Bianca — Restaurant in Ōrākei

The BEST restaurant experience I have had in a very long time. The service was the best I have EVER experienced. The staff were all super friendly and happy. They took time to engage in conversation, gave us fantastic recommendations, were super quick with all food and drinks and gave us very generous servings. The owner served us and he was next-level amazing. We bonded over bread chat and he even took the time to teach us how to look after a sourdough starter offering us help if we need throughout the process!

We had the sourdough focaccia which was perfectly fluffy and super tasty!! We also ordered the beef cheek rotolo and scampi pasta - both were SO delicious. The flavours, presentation, and quality were all so impressive. Would definitely order both again. Although would love to try the other dishes too! We were super full by this stage but didn't want to leave without trying a dessert. We got recommended the panna cotta so we got one to share and not even exaggerating this would be my death row dessert....... super silky panna cotta with a velvety caramel sauce and the perfect sprinkling of sea salt! Also got a negroni and if you are a negroni fan - GET ONE....... it was perfection.

This place has easily become a top favourite and I have already made another booking. Thank you to all of the staff at Bianca for making this such an enjoyable and...

Absolutely AMAZING experience. The restaurant invites diners to rediscover the beauty of understated elegance and the artistry of well-crafted pasta.

Upon entering, one is greeted by an unassuming ambiance that exudes warmth and authenticity. The modest décor, possesses an undeniable charm - a welcome respite from the ostentatiousness often associated with fine dining.

But it is the food that truly steals the show at Bianca. Here, the chefs pay homage to tradition while infusing each dish with a touch of innovation, resulting in a menu that celebrates the essence of Italian cuisine in its purest form.

The pasta, in particular, emerges as the star of the culinary ensemble. Simple yet sublime, each creation showcases the delicate balance of flavors and textures that epitomize Italian gastronomy at its finest. Special mention to chef Johnny whose food represents well-executed cuisine.

Accompanying the culinary delights is a thoughtfully curated selection of wines alongside unobtrusive yet attentive staff who exude a genuine passion for hospitality. Their warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm add an extra layer of charm to an already delightful dining experience.

For those seeking an authentic taste of Italy in an unassuming setting, this hidden gem earns a resounding five-star rating—a beacon of culinary excellence in a sea of mediocrity....

I’ll start by saying most of my review revolves around the lack of service, so lets start at the end - I still have half a plate of food and all of a sudden they start clearing plates around me with no warning or explanation. We are then asked if we would like to see the dessert menu in which we reply that we are still eating. About 2-3mins later we are approached by who I assume is the maître d' saying basically if you want dessert it will need to be take away as we have less than 10mins. As we finish our drinks they clear the table around us… at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if they started spraying the table with cleaner while we looked at the bill that was basically chucked on the table by waitress number three.

Now the food was good but trust me there are far better Italian restaurants at similar prices ($30-35 ish a main) that far exceed this place. I would have given the food 3.5 / 5. Pasta is good but nothing to remember.

I quietly mentioned at point of paying that I was really unimpressed by how that meal ended. The lady behind the till couldn’t have cared less as she was more interested in sitting the next heard of cattle through the gate.

Looking at other reviews this seems to be a reoccurring problem. I suggest they address this moving forward.

Good causal spot for a quick eat but don’t bring your...