Amok

They were very busy and when I arrived I had to wait about 20 mins after the booked time got a table. I was hungry so was probably a little grumpy about this. The food and wines were excellent. Probably due to business the service was ok. Generally very friendly but with a tasting menu I think it’s important to explain the dishes and not just plonk them down which happened with the majority of courses. Despite this, I would go again if ever in Wellington as the food was very well cooked and presented.

I was lucky to be part of a group tonight and had Amok's tasting menu. From start to finish it was amazing..some of the highlights were a beautiful potato bread, sashimi, steak tartare on potato rosti , eggplant that was gob smacking delicious, smoked snapper with a wonderful squid ink sauce packed with so much flavor, and a fabby tiramisu at the end.. needless to say service was impeccable and wine suggestion for me was spot on. Don't make the mistake I did and that was not going sooner..do it now as only a few weeks left ..

To not go into too many details - have travelled NZ and the world, this restaurant is one of the best I have been so far. The dishes, which are simple in words yet complex and well balanced, prepared with so much ingenuity, i have only seen in few places in the world. Absolutely a must when visiting Wellington. Congrats to the team!

In 2023 we have been told to expect more, to be challenged, to demand standards of excellence in our food choices and our choices providers... I'm glad to say, New Zealand... I found it tonight. Passion in both the shared plates (embrace them and stop being so sad and angry) and the educated and thoughtful wine pairings. Ethical but not pretentious sourcing of ingredients. And finally, the ingredient missing in so many celebrated eateries we've supported... honest raw conversation, whilst receiving good old hospitality in a way seldom experienced these days (groan..."okay Grandad"...).

Amok is hands down the best dining experience in Wellington. It is incredibly humble, the ingredients are simultaneously seasonal, conscious and intellectual. If you’re lucky enough to be served by the manager you get an insight not only to the flavours of the day, but the ethos of the restaurant. That would be enough of a recommendation on its own but then we turn to the wine. They have such unique, intentionally held bottles that are one of a kind at the time you get them. Their background is fine dining and they’ve taken all of the best elements of that whilst retaining what makes dining a shared experience - not too hoity toity. This place makes the other city eateries look like dinosaurs. Delicious food, impeccable wine pairing and unmatched service. These guys will be an institution, no doubt.

A truly unforgettable dining experience, we ordered 4 dishes/works of art to share between the both of us however that wasn’t enough, we had the skirt steak, the oyster mushrooms, the potato bread, the pork belly and finally as a staff recommendation (forgive my memory) the spicy fish and sausage pasta, all of them, 11/10 the mushrooms are a standout dish, not just in this restaurant, I’ve never had anything like it, of course we had to get all of the cocktails, all of which were amazing, however one took me to a very special nostalgic place, The flavour, the smell, it brought a tear to my eye, I don’t expect this has the same effect on other diners, but this was incredibly special to me, to the amazing front of house staff, you are an employers wet dream! The chefs know exactly what they’re doing and I can’t wait to see more additions to menu as there is clearly no shortage of talent, I hope to someday see the little Amok sign hanging off a building in Auckland as most of the restaurant there do NOT stand a chance! All of our friends will know of this place. We will be back.

I booked Amok for dinner as I was aware they changed their menu often to include the best seasonal produce. When we arrived we were welcomed like old friends despite this being the first time visiting. The owner Tashie leads the floor and runs the bar and menu with a knowledge second to none and her chef husband Thom creates the magic you get to enjoy on your palate. We chose the set menu to include the amazing (recipe please) potato bread, seafood platter, agnolotti pasta, pork belly, tuatua and radicchio, parmesan, fennel salad followed by delicious tiramisu (and we added on the Basque cheesecake too). The entire meal was well constructed, considerate and sumptuous. We left wanting for nought. The hospitality Amok provides only heightens the culinary experience. We enjoyed it so much we waxed lyrical to 3 ladies on the street looking for tasty morsels who headed indoors for their own experience. Will definately be back and if you haven't tried Amok.. do!