NZ's best restaurant named

The Grill by Sean Connolly has been hailed as New Zealand's best restaurant.

The Auckland eatery has taken top laurels in the prestigious nationwide Cuisine magazine Restaurant of the Year Awards 2012.

As well as the overall Restaurant of the Year award, The Grill was also named Best New Restaurant and an elite five-star restaurant.

Chef Sean Connolly, who flew in from Australia following the opening of his new Sydney restaurant The Morrison, is ‘blown away’ with the acknowledgements.

“You work really hard to create something you hope people will like so it’s genuinely thrilling to be awarded New Zealand's best restaurant – it means we’re doing something right and we are determined to keep it up in the months and years to come.

“Since The Grill opened in August last year I’ve been bowled over by the support from Aucklanders and everyone who comes to visit.

“And we’ve had a lot of fun along the way. I’ve got a stellar team – the best team – and they’re a pretty cheeky bunch too.

“We like to keep it light in the kitchen – anyone who knows me will know I’m not one of those growling, howling chefs – and hope this is reflected in the food and service at The Grill. We try to foster an atmosphere of relaxed calm with exquisite food.

“I’d like to thank Cuisine magazine for thinking us worthy of these awards. And also my amazing kitchen crew and front of house team - without them these awards would not have been possible.”

The awards were announced at an event last night (Monday 6 August) in Auckland.

The Grill by Sean Connolly is located on Federal Street with complimentary valet parking available at SKYCITY Grand Hotel on the day of dining. For reservations call +64 9 363 7067 or email reservations@thegrillnz.co.nz