Culprit.

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Reviews

1. Casey Sholson ★★★★★

   I will be actively singing the praises of this restaurant. The Chef Tyler and incredible hostess Lauren with the team, put on a showstopping evening that delights all senses. The food is playful and irreverent yet elevated to a sublime level. We cannot fault the service and execution, particularly catering towards coeliac/gluten free needs. I hungrily look forward to the refreshed menu every two months. This is an experience not to be missed. 11/10

   almost 3 months ago
2. Gerardo Raagas ★★★★☆

   This place has such a great vibe! Almost all the tasting dishes went well! However I didn’t like 1 or 2 of the dishes. The tomato dish and fried black mussels weren’t for me. However the other dishes were wonderful! I liked the duck and wagyu! Be prepared for a 2 hour dinner or longer since this is a tasty menu! I would have given it a 5/5 but some things seemed to be under seasoned. But everything tasted rich and wonderful. I would recommend this place if you’re looking for a place to go for a special occasion.

   almost 4 months ago
3. JJ F ★★★★★

   Beautiful restaurant, very welcoming and helpful staff. Food quality was superb. Family was happy with the meal, though the portions felt a bit small. As a person who doesn’t like seafood, the tuna sashimi, market fish tostadas and mussel fritters were actually really good and were very fresh! The madeleines were also a highlight and the jet planes were delightful. Somehow the meat dishes weren’t as great as the rest, the veal was a bit tough and the duck lacked a bit of flavour. I personally didn’t like the music but the overall experience was lovely. But even my picky Asian parents liked all the dishes, and that’s saying a lot.

   almost 4 months ago

1. Sienna Kim ★★★★★

   The Sept and Oct tasting menu is awsome! All dishes were great, asian inspired but not overpowering flavours, well balanced., here are few dishes; We started with oyster which came with ice tray with salty ice flakes which enhance the oyster experience. The crunch brussels dish gives a hint of Kakiage. Duck and lamb meat was perfectly cook rare/medium, cant be better! Quite full after all dishees! Funk cocktail was so special and well balanced with scent and sprit. Yuzu cocktail was also very refreshing. Want to come back again for summer menu.

   almost 5 months ago
2. Regie G. ★★★★★

   Culprit had been on our must-try list for a while, thanks to its reputation for contemporary New Zealand cuisine. We finally got the chance to experience it for our wedding anniversary dinner—and it did not disappoint! We opted for the seasonal menu with wine pairings and couldn’t resist adding a Culprit classic as well. Every bite was a delight. Truly loved it! The restaurant’s soft music, stylish décor, and gentle lighting created the perfect romantic and relaxing atmosphere. A big thank you to the professional and friendly staff who made our evening even more special. Keep up the amazing work! Culprit has officially earned a spot as one of our favourite date night spots in Auckland CBD.

   almost 9 months ago
3. Fa que Cant ★☆☆☆☆

   I recently revisited one of my older reviews and to my surprise, it had been deleted. It seems that the restaurant couldn't handle the truth about their food, so they resorted to manipulating reviews. Well, let me share exactly what happened that night, as it deserves to be heard. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were filled with anticipation for a delightful dining experience. Little did we know that our expectations would be shattered. We were made to wait an excruciating 40 minutes just to receive our mains, and that was solely for the mains! It felt like we were going through a never-ending degustation, only to be met with disappointment at every turn. The food itself was nothing short of a disaster. My favorite dish of the day, if it can even be called that, resembled a lump of coal. Honestly, I believe a cup of cold water would have offered more flavor and satisfaction. Each bite was an assault on the taste buds, leaving me wondering how such a tasteless creation could make its way to the table. To add insult to injury, the staff displayed a shocking level of laziness and apathy. Instead of attending to their duties and ensuring a pleasant dining experience, they were more engrossed in their own chit-chat and personal enjoyment. Not once did they offer an apology or show any remorse for the excessive wait or lackluster service. It's disheartening to see a restaurant prioritize manipulating reviews over genuine customer satisfaction. Deleting negative feedback only proves their inability to accept constructive criticism and improve their offerings. It's a clear sign of their lack of integrity and dedication to providing a quality dining experience. In a world where honesty and transparency are valued, it's disappointing to encounter such behavior from a restaurant. Customers should have the freedom to express their opinions and share their experiences without fear of censorship or manipulation. I write this review in the hopes that others will be spared from the same disappointment and frustration that I experienced. Before considering dining at this establishment, I urge you to think twice. There are countless other options out there where you can truly enjoy a satisfying meal and receive the service you deserve. To the restaurant, I hope you take this review as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. Learn from your mistakes, value your customers' feedback, and strive to provide a dining experience that exceeds expectations. Only then can you regain the trust and respect of your patrons. In conclusion, my deleted review speaks volumes about the restaurant's inability to handle honest feedback. It's a shame that they choose to manipulate reviews rather than address their shortcomings. As a discerning customer, I believe it is essential to shed light on such practices and encourage transparency in the restaurant industry. P.s. Let's not manipulate reviews, as it is pathetic and disgraceful Edit: I see that you didn't read my entire review from start to finish. Yes, you're right that the review and photos were from two years ago. But didn't I mention that? I deleted and re-uploaded my review because you removed it to boost your restaurant's rating, just as you wanted. Furthermore, if we follow your logic, then the $120 I spent on food at your restaurant two years ago should no longer be considered my money, right? Haha what a mindset you have. And if you truly couldn't find any areas where you need to improve based on my review, then it's clear that you didn't read it properly. I listed everything in detail. Also, if you wanted to say that things have changed since two years ago, why not invite me back politely with a welcome drink? That's what I would have done if I were you. Let's think before we act, please.

   almost 2 years ago

1. Oleksandr Honcharov ★☆☆☆☆

   This one is a hard review - impressions left after visiting Culprit. are more than mixed. Staff is really friendly, the service was good.. However, I was expecting much more from kitchen. First, not clear how they decided on meals from Chefs menu - for a company of 4 people, they brought 1 tartar, 2 pumpkins, and 2 brussels sprouts for bites part.. Tartar was a really good one. However, sharing one meal gave a thin impression instead of full experience. Pumpkin was plain, sprouts were honestly burnt and bitter. Sprinkling sprouts with cheap chips supposed to add a glimpse of fast food..? Strange move. Second, portions are really small, and the ingredients didn't seem that premium. Watermelon jelly tasted like soap. Brisket and duck were quite mediocre for a 600+ dollars bill. Subjectively, value for money is about 0.1 here. Long story short, this place should rethink the value they are trying to create before I come back here.

   almost 2 years ago
2. Rena Huang ★★★★★

   Set menu was delicious! Some that really jumped out as something different was the Shitake Milk Bun with Mushroom Butter and the Salt & Vinegar Brussel Sprouts which was served with small pieces of Salt and Vinegar chips. The dessert was also delicious and well sized in relation to the set menu

   almost 2 years ago
3. AR G. ★★★★★

   Culprit had been on my list for a while for their contemporary New Zealand cuisine. We had a chance to dine in on our 10th year wedding anniversary dinner and we really enjoyed the dining experience. We had their seasonal menu with wine matching and added a culprit classic too. Love it, love it, love it! The restaurant's soft music, style and lightings gave it a romantic and relax ambiance. Thank you also to the professional and friendly staff who attended to us. Keep up the good work. This is now one of our favorite date night place in Auckland CBD.

   almost 2 years ago

1. Ofel Epicorus ★★★★★

   The dining experience at Culprit is like no other. The care and thoughtfulness from the staff was felt throughout the entire evening, the atmosphere was phenomenal, and the food was out of this world - both in terms of flavour and texture. 10/10 would recommend!

   almost 3 years ago

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