Frantalia

My partner and I went to Frantalia, initially lured in by the super reasonable pricing ($ 30 for three courses — heck yeah!) We found the food to be delicious, the portion sizes large, and the one staff member we encountered was polite and attentive. I ordered the antipasto, pollo parmigiana and tiramisu: each dish kicked ass. Don’t be put off by the lacklustre aesthetics, this place is a winner!

Don’t let the building fool you. Outside you’re greeted by large banners claiming the best restaurant deal in Auckland and it’s absolutely true!
The menu is authentically French /​Italian (not a huge amount of choice for vegetarians) and it lives up to the great reviews. I started with the cheese stuffed mushrooms and garlic bread, which was some of the best I’d ever tasted. The Gamberoni piquante were to die for as well, particularly with such a big portion. I finished off with the crêpe suzette which was similarly massive and delicious.
The staff were all really friendly and helpful, taking the time to explain all of the menu and answer any questions you might have.
If you’re looking for great food in unpretentious surroundings then you can’t afford to miss Frantalia. Especially at $ 29.90 for three courses!

Not sure if this place is French, Italian or perhaps a fusion of European cuisine, but who cares because it is awesome! There used to be a Turkish café here, but now it’s an intimate little European restaurant that sells great food and some great coffee. Bring a date here and you will surely get some action because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a romantic French/​Italian dinner?
It’s not too lavish in terms of décor, but the building is old and the interior doesn’t try to hide its simple and natural beauty. And as an added bonus it’s very reasonably priced for what you get. The takeaway options are even a little bit cheaper.
I’ve only met the one staff member here, who probably owns the place, but he was the barista, chef, and cashier. Pretty impressive really.

Frantalia is well out of my usual stomping ground but we were double dating with the father-​in-​law and this was his pick. What a find!
It’s in a strange kind of 70s industrial building and inside the décor is fresh but unpretentious, with a classic wood panel and leadlight bar. It reminds me of the restaurants my parents took me to when I was a kid — Gumdiggers and Cobb & Co styles.
In some ways the food here is reminiscent of those times too, with gargantuan portions and veges included with every main at no extra cost. It also has a richness that was de rigeur back in the day, with the French menu particularly being loaded with heavy creamy sauces.
They have both a French and Italian menu with a lot of meat dishes. Vegetarians are not so well covered but I didn’t mind because they were happy to do my favourite creamy Fettucine minus the chicken with a salad, both of which were really good.
Pricing is excellent too with the top price being $ 26 for the two lamb dishes; in fact I don’t know of another place in Auckland where you can get Steak with Red Wine Sauce and vegetables for $ 25 (oh ok maybe the RSA). Take your own wine for only $ 3 corkage per person and take your dad too — he’ll love it.