Restaurant Rec: Non Solo Pizza

Apparently I’ve been eating in Parnell a lot lately and have another Restaurant Rec for that neighbourhood: Non Solo Pizza. It is part of the Savor group. These are the people behind many other big names in Auckland dining like Amano, Ortolana, and Ebisu among others. I’ve been twice lately: the first time with a large group of girlfriends and the second time with my husband… who didn’t want to try it because he thought it was a pizza place. The name is deceiving, and while there are pizzas on the menu, they are a more gourmet experience then a pepperoni pizza.

The front of the restaurant is a small bar area, followed by a larger outdoor garden room, though this is a covered space and useable year round. Finally there is an indoor dining area, but to be honest, the garden is the best place to be. There is plenty of space for larger groups to dine together, but you’ll need a reservation. We managed to walk in on a Tuesday as a two-top, and there were only two empty tables left in the whole place.

The wine list is more extensive than most places in Auckland, with a focus on Italian wines in addition to some Kiwi favourites. They’re also quite fond of negroni variations, which my husband loved after I convinced him to try it out after parent-teacher conference night. In addition to the aforementioned pizzas, there are plenty of Italian-inspired dishes to choose from including fresh seafood, lots of pastas, and a few meat-based dishes. There is always a special (or two) and when I visited they focused on truffles. If you’re a fan (like me) then choosing the truffle risotto is a no-brainer. The only thing I’ve tried so far that was anything but delicious was the duck fat roasted potatoes. Those were bland at best.

Non Solo is a casual atmosphere with more upscale food. I wouldn’t go here to have a romantic date night, but I would go here for a fun night out with friends or a casual dinner with a partner. It’s laid back and delicious… a great combination!