Ok. down to the details.....I would like advice on midrange eating establishments with excellent food and a relatively quiet atmosphere..in the center of Auckland..thanks

Hypatia,
If you're catching a public bus in it could come through either Parnell, along Parnell Road and a great number of eateries along a distance of several blocks there, many in small laneways in what could be ol houses or places of business - it is one of Aucklands eating out precincts you could say and only a 15 -20 minute walk down a hill and through something of a wharehouse area and you're at the start of the Harbour precinct and a few pubs and restaurants about there but somewhat noisier.

If the bus runs more directly, it'll likely enter the CBD on Wellesley St or perhaps Hobson St. where the Sky Tower is and that's where the AirBus terminates at, there being a national bus depot there.

Wellesley St will have you coming in from the south and first CBD Cross Road intersection is Queen St, two blocks south of Hobson St. which runs parallel to Queen with Albert in between.

There's quite a few eateries down Queen St from Wellesley, a quaint Indian place back up the hill a bit from Wellesley but nothing flash.
There's a smaller Elliot Street, more a Lane that runs off Wellesley between Queen and Albert and I think it was about halfway down there that I found a bit of an entry into commercial places and there was a good Chinese restaurant there which is quiet and was well priced.

But if you want a real selection of places, do get a taxi from the CBD if need be back to Parnell Road.
Another area just north of the CBD a bit, Ponsonby is also supposed to have a reasonable number of restaurants but have never been there myself and you'll need a taxi to get there.

Hi hypatia,

As Bushranger has advised, Parnell offers some good options. I particularly like Gion (Japanese). Non Solo Pizza is a good Italian place with an outside courtyard. St Tropez, towards the bottom of the Parnell strip has good French bistro-style food and right next door is Oh Calcutta for Indian cuisine.

Ponsonby has a number of good options. It's a ten minute cab ride from the city. Prego is an old favourite - it is mainly pizza/pasta and has a courtyard out the front, but it is not necessarily very quiet. It does not take reservations.

In the central business district, the Merchant Mezze Bar in Durham Lane East is a good spot for mezze and a glass of wine. It is pretty casual.

O'Connell St Bistro is a more expensive option with excellent food and a good wine list. It is small and bookings are required.

I love Bellota which is in Federal St (and backs onto the Sky City casino). It has great tapas and interesting wine by the glass. I don't think they take bookings.

There are many restaurants in the Viaduct area but none are, in my view, particularly fabulous and the area can get rowdy on weekends.

Cheers
igrane

I ate at a place along the harbor that was excellent. I am not 100% sure of the name. Portside or Dockside I think. Great fish.

Outside of Auckland, NZ food--from what I experienced--leaves much to be desired (greasy fish and chips, meat pies, etc.)

thank you

Check out wildfire http://www.wildfirerestaurant.co.nz/index.htm

An excellents Brazilian all you can eat BBQ the food was reallt excellent and all served on massive skewers fresh off te bbq right onto your plate.