I love love love Poderi Crisci.

Situated on Waiheke Island, about a 25 minute drive from Kennedy Point Wharf, you will find Poderi Crisci, a vineyard and Italian restaurant owned and run by Antonio Crisci and his family. Surrounded by rolling hills and immaculate gardens, together with a stunning setting including an Italian style kitchen, displays of Italian cheeses and cured meats, and copper pots and utensils, you will feel like you are in Tuscany. 

I dined here for my birthday with my family and it was a very memorable meal… and day overall. Everything was exquisite – from the surrounds and views, to the alfresco dining and beautiful food and wine. The service is also very welcoming, professional and friendly.

For starters, we enjoyed a glass of prosecco, accompanied by three platters, all of which were beautifully presented and each dish was savoured:

Pane & Olio
A selection of homemade grissini, Italian inspired bread and olives with Poderi Crisci olive oil

Contorni
A selection of Antipasti style side dishes, including free range egg frittata, braised capsicums with smoked olives, chargrilled eggplant and garden zucchinis

Affetato
A traditional Italian selection of cured meats, Mozzarella cheese, olives, grissini and truffle paste

For the main course, I loved their Gnocchi alla Norma – Homemade potato gnocchi with buffalo mozzarella, garden eggplant, cherry tomatoes and basil. It was dreamy and melt in your mouth.

My parents also enjoyed their mains, which included the Agnello – Hawke’s Bay lamb rump served with potato and sage, zucchini, garlic sauce and jus and the Salmone Marinato – Home-marinated King Salmon served with almond and rocket pesto, mustard dressing and garden herb salad.

And of course, dessert. You simply cannot dine at an Italian restaurant without ordering tiramisu. I think Poderi Crisci makes the most superb Tiramisu in all of the land – think Savoiardi sponge fingers with espresso and Italian liqueur, layered with mascarpone sabayon and dusted with rich dark cocoa powder. Dreamy…!

And the best part? It arrived at our table with a lit candle, while all the staff sang ‘Happy Birthday’. The Tiramisu was divine and it made for a very memorable lunch and birthday.

Food aside, service was excellent – the waiters were attentive, welcoming and very knowledgeable about the menu and wine.

I would happily re-visit Poderi Crisci in a heartbeat… and I think you should too!

Note: If you can’t get over to Waiheke, head to Non Solo Pizza (NSP) in Parnell as it shares the same owners as Poderi Crisci. Their food is heaven.

205 Awaawaroa Road, Awaawaroa Bay, Waiheke / Website / Instagram