Jano Bistro — Restaurant in North Island

From the onset we knew we were in for an experience. I had been highly recommended the restaurant by friend's step daughters, and for me recommendations are a great place to start. This quaint tiny two story cottage is nestled between wellingtons towering buildings, reminding us of an almost forgotten era. On entering the front door you are instantly transported back to an atmosphere of warmth with its brick fireplaces and warm glow, and I couldn't help cheekily yelling 'honey we're home' as I entered. We were greeted by the friendliest of faces and they offered to take our coats. We were then led upstairs to the main dining area where we were seated in another cozy environment, for what we thought would make it perfect for that special date night. I had requested gluten-free options for myself and gluten-free and dairy free options for my friend, so when our server ran through the menu they pointed out where these ingredients were hiding and how they could be left off or substituted. Our server was warm in nature with a big genuine hearty smile, she was attentive, knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations which were only to happy to try.

We had three small sharing plates and two large sharing plates, followed by two more dessert plates. Every dish was a flavorful masterpiece. It's hard to describe the amount of oohs and ahhs we produced, as each new dish opened our eyes further. Each dish was balanced, fresh and full of surprise! Everything was cooked perfectly. Every plate accompanied by the staff came with a breakdown of the highlights of the dish and where it was locally sourced. I loved that they were delivered and explained by the chefs (including head) with such enthusiasm and respect for their local area. The standout dish for me is usually a main and always something savory, but to my own surprise it was a dessert. For me the flavor experience grew for me as the night progressed, finishing with an absolute hero dish 'Organic Blueberry Pitachio Black Garlic Meringue' which you will just have to try for yourself. These guys truly deserve some hype for thier mouth-watering dishes, that have been constructed with creativity and respect of thier locally sourced ingredients, and served by genuinely warm passionate staff. In summary (incase you haven't already picked it) the food quality, service and atmosphere made for a 5 star experience.

Hats off to the Chef and his team! I will most definitely be back when in...

Jano Bistro is truly superb. Jano is in the class of restaurants that are studios featuring amazingly talented chefs who approach their craft as artists. Each dish is prepared with such careful attention to fine details that final presentations are all worthy of photographs. If these dishes were paintings, they would be in museums. Absolutely in the highest class of culinary creativity. I have only recently experienced such artistry and it takes getting used to. The portions are not large. The focus is on appearance and elegance as well as texture contrasts and complimentarity, a tantalizing of all the senses including hearing (for example the crackle of candied rosemary) and phenomenal multiple flavour profiles. This type and level of gourmet expression is graceful and subtle. Each dish is to be savoured slowly with full attention on the different components. My dinner experience lasted two and a half hours. The pace is super relaxed and very layed back. Jano Bistro offers pre-set 4 course and 8 course regular, vegetarian and vegan degustation menus both available with beverage matching options. I had the 8 course vegan selection and from start to finish everything was perfect. The service is superb and professional. The waiter explains exactly what is in each dish and how to eat the selection (technique and best use of cutlery). The staff consists of the award winning head chef, his partner/assistant and one very kind and courteous waiter. Jano Bistro is set in a restored old Wellington two storey house and the decor is cozy, cute, homey and warm. The tables are in separate booths that give patrons privacy but are still open so the bistro's overall friendliness is celebrated. Jano is absolutely brilliant. The menu changes perhaps every two weeks. The wine list is impressive with local and international selections and there are vodkas, rums, gins, whiskeys, various aperitifs and liqueurs as well as tempting non-alcoholic mixtures, teas and coffees. If you've never had the experience of cusine as fine art, Jano is a must. You won't find many restaurants in New Zealand at this level...

A superb dining experience. One of Wellington's fine dining highlights. We visited on the Thursday and enjoyed the slightly cheaper 'tasting' menu.

Food, flavours, presentation and service out of this world.

Even the pre-dinner cocktail showed unique care and attention to detail. (Sami mixes available). I had the first ever, in my experience, whisky cocktail which enhanced the whisky rather than wasting it: "Whisky & Wai" Described as "Suntory 'Toki' whisky, orange and sparkling Wai manuka".

I have experienced Noma, Logan Brown, and an early predecessor restaurant at this address (Petit Lyon) and this experience was the equal of all of them.

For illustrative purposes, the menu for our visit was:

Snacks

BBQ Zucchini, Macadamia, Chickpea, Mint Match: Rippon Estate Riesling 2019 (Central Otaqo, NZ)

Line Caught Kahawai, Green Bean, Nectarine, Seaweed Match. Hawkes Ridges "The Wild Rose" 2021 (Hawkes Bay, NZ) (With Stewart Island Scampi + $15)

Easterbrook Farm Duck, Plum, Daikon, Orange, Tarragon & Jano's Homemade Sourdough Bread Match: Domaine Louis Jadot Pinot Noir 2019 (Burgundy, Fr) replaced on the night by a Montepulciano grape from the Hawkes Bay

(We added the Cheese Course +18pp / +30pp inc. match) * Kapiti Kikorangi, Cherry, Pistachio, Red Onion, Buckwheat Match: Romain Paire La Colline en Flamme St Romain 2019 (Loire Valley, Fr)

Apricot, Coconut, Flight Coffee, Sesame Match: Churton Petit Manseng 2018 (Marlborough, NZ) - a slightly botyritised dessert wine.

Treats

What this place delights in is providing beautiful in mouth combinations of texture,...