The Rainforest

Our little Dunedin has some outstanding dining options for the size of our population. This is another one of those fine dining place with a Scottish flavours. Very well presented food with multiple complimentary flavours on each plate. The courses keep rolling and the flavours keep dancing on your palate. Love the lounge as well. Wish had more people in the restaurant to justify what this couple can deliver from their culinary repertoire

The place, people and presentation were top notch. I was hungry, so went for the 8 course. It was all very beautiful to look at, but missed the super yum melt in your mouthness, I expect from these types of menus. The pork belly/ Chop was super tough, but the black pudding scone was super flavorful. My venison was cooked nice but still super chewy. I loved the consumé w the fish but the fish was a tad dry Maybe that's how those meats are supposed to be. I love a good creme brulee, but their oatie version seemed a bit dry. Again, everyone was lovely and I wanted to love it, but didn't.

This is fine dining with a warm galic heart. Beautiful, clever, pretty and superbly tasty food which is also hearty so you don't go home hungry. The owners are a perfect pair, he chefs and she looks after her guests. Their story is on their walls and in their food and the story is very worth reading. We will be back again and again. Ngā mihi Janie and Brian

Overall experience was fairly average. Food was underwhelming, service was okay and despite saying we had a peanut allergy I still managed to be served peanut brittle for dessert. We tried to come from the George Street entrance (in June) and it was closed and we had there was no indication to go around!? Once we found the restaurant we were taken from the main area into a sitting room with not much indication of what was going on. It was uncomfortably odd. We came for the set-menu as advertised on the website but were told in restaurant that they forgot to update that they weren't doing that as per the current situation. Once seated in the main dining room, the lack of sound buffers made a mostly empty room rather jarring. The vegetarian entree was a mess, the mains looked nice but lacked basic seasoning and portion sizes weren't exactly filling. Dessert served up peanuts despite saying we had an allergy, but easy enough to recognize it stairing back at me. Meringue overly eggy and the panna cotta was just not working at all. Probably not going to go back for the set-menu when it's back. The hosts were lovely though, putting it down to some miscommunication and an off night.

The restaurant isn't that easy to find, just keep an eye out for a white house with a B on the menu by the front door. There are no other signs outside to tell if its a restaurant. The dining area inside was cosy enough, particularly the back end. We almost missed eating here because the booking wasn't confirmed. We had an email going and it sounded like everything was finalised but it turns out they call you (I had a missed call but didn't know who it was) to do a final confirmation (which was never mentioned). The only reason we were able to stay was because they had a cancellation. Turns out they only buy enough food for the number of bookings for the night so there are no walk-ins at all. The service was friendly. The food was ok. Some courses were better than others. The potato and leek dish along with the Eve apple were the stars of the evening. Didn't like the sauce on the fish but everything else was alright. The lamb was good but the portion was a bit small. Food and service was good but the initial mess up tainted the whole evening for me.

Based on my experience from 2017: One of the best degustation restaurants i have visited. Staff were very welcoming and friendly. Service was superb and on time. Food was super delicious and we loved the experience. Our family from India enjoyed their 1st degustation with the best in town. You girls are doing a fantastic job. Keep it up and good luck!