On a rainy Auckland night, high above the faded grandeur of a century-old Jervois Road flat, two gourmets decided to embark upon a challenge. It was pledged that they put stomach over pocket and visit every eating establishment listed in the latest Metro magazine top 50 restaurant guide by May 2011.

A commitment would need to be made and friends would have to be roped in. Without doubt, extra Zumba classes would need to be attended to allow for heavy consumption of saturated fats and carbohydrates.

The menfolk shared a look. Did this mean that their Friday nights at the pub were soon to be replaced by three courses and no cigar in suburban Mt Eden?

But the decision stood and the girls are not ones to back out of a challenge lightly. Especially if that challenge involves eating mouth-watering food, sipping on Central Otago Pinot Noir and ending an evening with ‘just a taste’ of pudding.

And so the journey begins, in no particular order, but with one goal in mind. Cover the restaurant aristocracy of Auckland in one year and enjoy the ride.

This blog is not going to be page after page of restaurant reviews. This is a food lover’s journey around the best of the city, telling tales and getting inspired to cook along the way. It’s about taking pleasure in the edible things in life in that so very French way. The people, the tastes, the sounds and the joy of being among others in the one place everyone but the chef can relax – the dining room.

Or you can take it for what it is. It’s one more way to make the daily grind just that little less horrendous. The glass will always be half full - preferably of champagne - on this page.