SCORE: 18/20

The ingredients speak for themselves at Capitol in Wellington, where chef and owner Tom Hutchison has travelled the globe in his quest for culinary excellence. Over the past 23 years Capitol Restaurant has become a cherished dining destination, where Tom and his wife Kate Hutchison – who manages this Kent Terrace gem – serve the wine and food that they love. Never overlook the specials at Capitol as they offer you opportunities to taste ingredients that have jumped out at the chefs and inspired them to whip up something new. But it is the classics on the menu that are the rock stars: the seasonal risotto will always be outstanding; the parmesan-crumbed lambs’ liver is a must-have for liver lovers everywhere; and the linguini alle vongole in a sensational broth with parsley, garlic and chilli has all of the mandatory requirements for the perfect bowl. At Capitol the philosophy embraces a ‘less is more’ approach, focussing on enhancing the natural taste of ingredients rather than overwhelming them with complex layers. The warm and inviting atmosphere of Capitol makes it the perfect spot for any occasion and you may find yourself imagining you are in a little hotspot in Paris, London, Melbourne or New York, although the food and the drink definitely demonstrate a fully committed Wellington romance.