Mecca @ the Viaduct + Water

I had a meeting in the Viaduct area yesterday, and decided to pop into Mecca down in the Viaduct with a colleague for a quick bite for lunch. I decided to have Salt and Pepper Squid and my colleague had a Lasagna. We both enjoyed our meals, they arrived in a timely manner, the wait staff were courteous, and there was a good ambience about the place.

My squid was super tender and was a reasonable sized portion.

Apart from the slightly inflated prices (as expected in the Viaduct), we were a bit annoyed that when we asked for water we were presented with mineral water, which as we found out later was $7.50 . It is not the cost of it I care about, but more that when I ask for water I expect that by default it is (free) tap water and they can then upsell from there to mineral or sparkling water.

Other than that, a fine experience and I would defintely go back.

Portofino at the Viaduct

Last night was a 'I don't feel like cooking, and not only that, I don't feel like deciding what I'd like you to cook' night. And after being most impressed with the buzz in Courtney Place at 11pm on Saturday while I was in Wellington, we decided that our closest environment to that in Auckland would have to be the viaduct.

So we wandered down and settled on Portofino for dinner.

Impressions....
Decor and Environment - pretty cool, bathrooms snazzy (despite inappropriate affordances on the door handle - will designers never learn?); nice and warm despite being a freezing evening and us sitting out on the deck.
Service - very European. :) Adequately attentive, but by no means worthy of note, positive or negative. Hmm, although now that I think of it, we never did receive water.
Food - very 'sitting in a touristy coastal area of Italy'. The food was very reminiscent of meals we had in Italy - so yes it was authentic, but equally, it was basic. It was good, hearty, trattoria style Italian food.
What we ate

• SG - seafood risotto - personally I think I do a better risotto. I avoided the risottos and most of the pastas as they all had cream in them.
  
• JG - white veal picante - I enjoyed this, (although the potatoes were burnt on one side), nice Capsicum and tomato sauce with black olives. Veges were lovely.

What we drank

• SG - partook of my favourite beer - Nastro Azzuro - which, as always was divine.
  
• JG- a Pinot Grigio from the Roma region. A little thin, strong pear on the palette, taste developed with increased temperature and with food.

Price - as expected for the Viaduct - overpriced. :) Especially given above comments about the food.
Overall - fairly indifferent - although the people-watching opportunities really are fabulous at the Viaduct. :) I'd go back, but I wouldn't make a point of going back.

And that brings me to tonight. Argh! Its 6:55 and I'm still at work. :( And I really want to let the cats out tonight, so its going to have to be a home meal, but its another one of the those moods I fear! Ah well. You'll see soon enough......