Based on the earlier reviews, I selected this restaurant for their veggie and salad options. However, the menu must have changed since the reviews of more than a year ago, as the non-meat options were limited. The setting is open and pleasant. The kitchen is in easy view and there are palm trees scattered thoughout the large room. Service was inconsistent. It started off great, perhaps because we were early, and later by 7 pm we were searching for our waiter to bring us the check. This is a slightly overpriced restaurant, perhaps because it is in a hotel. Yet, this is not my definition of «fine dining»…it is strictly a casual affair, both in service and quality/presentation of food. We had a grilled chicken breast, w/salad, $ 38. My King Salmon w/pesto slaw(see photos), was $ 32. A side of steamed veggies was $ 8. A reasonable option to dining in downtown.
Tracey C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
For all the years I have both lived in Auckland and been vegan I only heard of Hector’s last year! As soon as I made this discovery myself and a couple of my girlfriends made a reservation, curious to see what Hector’s had to offer. First off the setting is very nice, you don’t feel like you are in the CBD, sitting amongst palms it feels more like a resort setting. They have a kitchen totally dedicated to plant food only which is good, I am slightly concerned by cross contamination eating at other restaurants. Heritage Hotel have done a tremendous thing here, wanting to ensure their guests eat healthy food while staying with them, Hectors offers vegan, vegetarian and also carnivore options that are all mindful of nutrition. The menu is pretty diverse, it may take you a while to decide on what you want that is for sure. The first time I came I had the vegan pizza, that was incredible. Chutney was used on the base, which was very thin, slightly crisp and topped with eggplant, peppers, zuccini, kumara and Spanish onion, so delicious. I’ve had the pizza a few times but it is no longer on the menu :(The balsamic poached beetroot is damn good and so is the grilled vegetable salad it had a parsnip purée. My friends usually don’t go the vegan or vegetarian route, fish dishes mostly of which they were all very pleased with. Wonderful service, a beautiful setting, Hector’s is one of my favourite restaurants now.
Vibhuti P.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
Hector’s is different. Being the first really fancy fine-dining type restaurant I’d ever been to, I felt a bit out of my depth, but this faded quickly. I have so many good things to say about this place. What drew us here is the extensive vegetarian/vegan menu, and the genuine desire that the restaurant has for providing sustainable, earth friendly meals(even if not vegetarian). A lot of thought has been put into the menu to make it inviting for carnivorous, herbivorous and gluten-free diets alike, and the chef they have is award-winning. As a vegetarian, it is extremely difficult to find consciousness and variety in restaurant meals but you definitely find it here. I had the Spinach & Vegan Cheese Arancini’s which I can honestly say is one of the best vegan meals I’ve ever had. They also have set menus on special days like Valentines(I had a crumbed artichoke dish — I now have a new found love for artichoke by the way) and Earth Hour(dinner by candlelight — yay!). When I was there I found that the vegetarian/vegan menu items were more popular than were the others. That’s definitely saying something. The ambience for the restaurant is lovely — it’s set in an atrium — makes you feel like you’re indoors and outdoors at the same time. The service is also spectacular, with accommodating friendly staff who seem to genuinely care about the experience you are having at their place. Pure excellence in terms of vegetarian/vegan fine dining.
Trevor C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
We got a gift voucher to come here as I think normally it would be a bit out of our league — and most peoples I suspect. The emphasis here is on fine dining but Hectors is not snobby and I felt quite comfortable here. What attracted us was the fact that there is a wide ranging vegetarian and vegan menu. Often when vegetarians go out for dinner, they have to make do with a veggie pasta but there is some innovative and original dishes on this menu. We both the got the mozzarella salad to start and the cheese was melt in the mouth gorgeous. I got a steak for my main and my wife got a pasta — they were both something special. Probably the real star was the desert — I got this tasting plate thing with a selection of deserts and it was superb. I imagine vegans face a tough time finding good food in Auckland but if you want something special, this is the place to go.