Azabu's karaage chicken.

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best fried chicken in town

These days, a fried chicken craving needn’t be fulfilled at a greasy fast food joint or on a bad hangover. From karaage to buttermilk, Korean fried to Southern-style, the number of eateries putting their own spin on this crunchy, tender, deep-fried delight is impressive to say the least — for which we count ourselves lucky. For your perusal, we’ve compiled the best places in Auckland to get a fix of the good stuff.

Azabu
What do you get when you combine Peruvian and Japanese cuisine? Criminally tasty buttermilk karaage chicken with pickled daikon and mayo laced with aji amarillo — a yellow, fruity South American pepper. Both Ponsonby and Mission Bay locations have their own take on this classic dish, so you can get your fix wherever suits.

Gochu.

Gochu
There are many reasons to visit Commercial Bay’s modern Korean restaurant Gochu, and the fried chicken is a strong contender for the top of the list. Head chef Jason Kim has made sure his signature fried chicken is irresistibly sticky, crunchy and juicy. Heat seekers would do well to order ‘Jason’s fried chicken, but spicier’.

Hello Beasty.

Hello Beasty
An essential addition to any order at this Viaduct favourite, Hello Beasty’s kaarage chicken is served with a sweet-leaning Japanese-style BBQ sauce. A lemon wedge on the side means you can cut through the richness with a refreshing zing of citrus — making this one seriously moreish dish.

The Chamberlain.

The Chamberlain
A fresh new fried chicken menu has landed at Britomart bar and eatery The Chamberlain, and it’s described as being ‘tasty as cluck’. Tailored to your liking, you can pick from white meat (breast and wing), brown meat (thigh and drum), tender fillets or classic wings, and choose your spice level from four tongue-tingling options. Served with sliced bread and pickles, the only thing that could make it more perfect is pairing it with one of The Chamberlain’s 15 top-notch tap beers.

Nook.

Nook
This St Kevins Arcade yakitori spot from the duo behind Lowbrow (read more about its irresistible wings below) and Culprit does great bite-sized pieces of karaage chicken. Free-range pieces of chicken thigh are lightly coated in delicious batter and served with delectable wasabi mayonnaise and a dusting of sesame salt. What more could you want?

Kai Eatery.

Kai Eatery
If you like your fried chicken as big as your face, you’re in luck. Serving modern Taiwanese street food, Kai’s infamous ‘XL’ chicken is the Mount Everest of fried chicken — a mighty bite begging to be conquered. Take your pick from three flavours (original, five-spice or flame-kissed charcoal sauce). If you’re not up to the challenge, the fried chicken bites are a good option.

Ebisu 
As the home of some of the city’s best sushi and sashimi, Ebisu is our go-to when we’re seeking excellent Japanese fare. It’s no surprise then, that the Britomart stalwart has karaage chicken down to a delicious science. Served with crunchy, fresh mixed carrot salad and soy onion dressing, we even feel a little virtuous after polishing off this perfectly balanced dish.

Peach’s Hot Chicken.

Peach’s Hot Chicken
Specialising in authentic Nashville hot chicken, Peach’s Hot Chicken is so popular the former food truck transitioned to a restaurant in East Auckland’s Panmure. Choose your spice level (ranging from mild to Holy Cluck — described as a religious experience) and enjoy it served on either a piece of soft white bread, inside a tender brioche bun, or piled atop waffles.

Simon & Lee’s KFC (Korean Fried Chicken).

Simon & Lee
Get your hit of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) at Simon & Lee, the Parnell eatery that indulges our desire to order chicken for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There’s the KFC chicken lunchbox, which pairs chicken with slaw, pickles, shoestring fries and aioli; chicken nibbles ranging in spice level up to ‘danger spicy’ (you’ve been warned); a fried chicken burger and finally the fried chicken bao. Consider this fried chicken heaven — complete with disposable gloves to keep your paws pristine.

Beau.

Beau
Fans of Freaky (the now defunct CBD cafe) are eternally grateful that its famous fried chicken lives on at Beau. A triumph with sesame mayo, this Ponsonby wine bar makes fried chicken and a crisp glass of something good taste like the height of sophistication.

Winner Winner.

Winner Winner
Born in Hamilton, this joint is so popular it’s since established branches in Wellington, Pukekohe and Takapuna. Specialising in all things chicken, these guys know a thing or two about creating a winning chicken dinner. Brined for 12 hours and fried in buttermilk, boneless bites can be ordered with ranch and pickles, in a sandwich or stuffed in a burger with white BBQ sauce and crispy onions. With three spice levels to keep any palate happy, this is the perfect quick pitstop for a no-frills feed.

Ockhee.

Ockhee
Ponsonby Korean restaurant Ockhee serves up two different (yet equally delicious) takes on Korean fried chicken. The sweet chilli and a roasted peanut glaze is delightfully sticky and syrupy while spicy soy and sesame glazed has a deep umami flavour. We recommend pairing with the Chun Sa Chae noodle salad for a deliciously fresh contrast.

Lowbrow.

Lowbrow
As our go-to purveyors of fancy fast food, Lowbrow throws down a bloody good fried bird, taking its interpretation of this naughty nibble very seriously. The chicken sando is a thing of beauty, incorporating American cheese, iceberg, McClure’s pickles, and mac sauce with free-range chicken thigh, and the organic chicken wings… let’s just say a bucket disappears remarkably quickly.

Chop Chop’s Cobra Kai ramen with fried chicken.

Chop Chop Noodle House 
If ramen is the first thing you think of when Chop Chop comes to mind, fried chicken should be a close second. The Ponsonby noodle house can’t get enough of the stuff, whether its dripping with chilli sauce, crushed peanuts and yum yum mayo, crispy with hot Ssäm sauce or placed atop of a piping hot bowl of ramen as a delicious pièce de résistance.

Gastronomy

From epic events to new menus, our November Dining Guide has everything worth enjoying this month
Denizen’s Insider Guide to Hawke’s Bay: All the best wineries
We’re giving away an exclusive Wairarapa escape for two, including a luxurious stay and VIP experience at The Runholder — worth $5,600
Land Rover Discovery.

Three key updates to look out for on the new Land Rover Discovery

As an SUV with a stellar reputation for both practicality and luxury, the Land Rover Discovery needs no introduction. What might need more of an introduction, however, are the facelifted features of the new Land Rover Discovery — freshly debuted in the New Zealand market this year, with an extremely impressive array of updates since Discovery’s last version. 

Encompassing both the exterior and interior in a sleek design refresh, the new Disco also boasts superior technological updates such as a new, highly-intelligent infotainment system, plus even more capacity for both passengers and luggage. There are three tiers of model available on our shores; the R-Dynamic S, the R-Dynamic SE, and the R-Dynamic HSE. 

Without further ado, here are the key updates to know about the Land Rover Discovery.

New style upgrades add even more refinement
Forging ahead in its streamlining of exterior aesthetic elements, the front grille is now rendered in a more visually regular honeycomb-style, rather than the previous split frontage. Headlights and rear lights have also been updated; continuously-flowing LED lights now grace the front, replacing the former, dissected lights and new wheel designs are available in 20-to-22-inch, five split-spoke style.

Inside, the stylish updates continue, with a new steering wheel brought over from the latest Defender, and a new toggle-style gear selector. Seats have also been given a facelift with the second row now offering longer bases for improved under-thigh support, and the choice of materials spanning classic leather or a new, sustainable non-leather trim. 

The most intuitive infotainment system yet allows for ultimate connection
It’s always a joy when automobile technology is effortless (especially when you’re trying to concentrate on the road) and the Discovery’s new ‘Pivi Pro’ touchscreen interface not only incorporates a high-definition, 11.4inch touchscreen — that’s 48 percent larger than previous models — but it also facilitates advanced features such as an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot powered by a 4G LTE data connection, able to give real-time traffic-and-weather updates without any slow-down.

There are nine USB ports dotting the cabin, and it’s easier than ever to keep little ones entertained on longer journeys with novel tablet-holding accessories that can be set up in the rear seating. The Pivi Pro system also enables wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, while two Bluetooth devices can be connected at once — no more disagreements on that front.

More space than ever before makes every journey tremendously comfortable
Even long-distance roadies can be undergone in a breeze thanks to seven genuine seats. The R-Dynamic S also incorporates heated 14-way electric front seats with a comfortable captain’s armrest, while the R-Dynamic SE is even more luxurious with heated 18-way electric memory front seats. The R-Dynamic HSE takes the overall comfort one step further with heated second-row seats as well. With all the seats folded down, there’s a vast 2485 litre boot volume, and 41.8 litres of cubby spaces means those belongings will be saved from rattling around in what is clearly a very roomy vehicle. 

Design

Presenting a rare opportunity to own a unique slice of paradise, Taiharuru Cove is officially on the market
We delve into the life and storied career of architect and designer Jean-Marie Massaud, via some of his most iconic pieces
Phoebe Nicol’s Kings Road project unfolds as a testament to architectural evolution — shop the edit to emulate the timeless aesthetic vision

Love entertaining at home? These sleek new pieces are essential for your bar cart

Whether you love hosting your nearest and dearest for drinks and dinner, or simply prefer the ritual of mixing a cocktail or two after work, a well-stocked home bar is nothing less than essential, particularly as winter rolls around.

Luckily, renowned tableware and home accessories brand Christofle has recently released a series of new additions to its lauded Graphik collection, designed to take your humble, homemade cocktails to a whole new level.

Comprising a line-up of pieces that will have you making drinks as professionally as your favourite local bartender might, the new Graphik additions include a double-walled, isothermal ice bucket (carefully designed to keep cubes intact for longer), a sleek Champagne bucket and a similarly-shaped wine cooler, a jigger, which for anyone unfamiliar with the term, is a pouring tool used for measuring the exact amount of liquor needed for each drink, and the pièce de résistance, a three-piece shaker.

The shaker in question is not only silver-plated, and etched with the Graphik collection’s signature geometric lines (as with the other pieces mentioned above) but it features a specially-made strainer to filter pre-mixed cocktails, and encourages cooling so as to ensure that every drink poured from it is exactly the right temperature.

Available locally from The Studio of Tableware, these exquisite pieces deserve to take pride of place in your at-home bar and promise to make at-home entertaining sleeker than ever.

Design

Presenting a rare opportunity to own a unique slice of paradise, Taiharuru Cove is officially on the market
We delve into the life and storied career of architect and designer Jean-Marie Massaud, via some of his most iconic pieces
Phoebe Nicol’s Kings Road project unfolds as a testament to architectural evolution — shop the edit to emulate the timeless aesthetic vision

These clever locally-made supplements are making it easier than ever to make wellness a priority

For those of us who lead a busy lifestyle (let’s face it, a frenetic mode of existence seems to be desirable social currency in the modern, Western world), finding ways to seamlessly integrate wellness practices into our everyday routine is essential. Note the key concept here: seamlessly. Too often, we find ourselves eschewing supplements that require excessive effort, even if they promise a host of positive benefits. 

That is why, when we came across the dietary supplements by local company Botanistry, we were delighted to learn of their versatility. Taking the form of 100 percent plant-based powder formulations, Botanistry’s targeted supplements have been developed under the expert guidance of Ayurvedic practitioners, medical doctors and food technologists, each blend a balanced combination of five nutrient-dense plant ingredients.

Suitable for most lifestyle choices including vegan, keto and paleo diets, these organic health powders can be added to drinks and dishes any time of day — from soup to smoothies, salads, coffee, even salad dressings or sprinkled on toast.

The Boosting Ambers supplement is particularly appropriate for the winter months, promising to help promote better immunity. Containing turmeric, for anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin C-rich lime zest, ginger, lemongrass and black pepper, this tangy, citrus-flavoured powder aims to help that immune system stay strong. We can vouch for it being delicious incorporated into a bowl of granola with fruit.

Beauty starts on the inside, and the Glowing Greens supplement is a testament to this (we love ours on a piece of avocado on toast). With mineral, vitamin and amino acid-rich Moringa powder, plus soothing peppermint, antioxidant-laden green tea and more, its main goal is to help revitalise and support skin health and metabolic function.

Botanistry currently offers a further two blends — Active Corals to help relieve muscle tension and stimulate circulation, and Digestive Jades to assist the digestive system and alleviate discomfort.

Taken daily, any of the brand’s clever supplements will harness both function and flavour to effortlessly deliver a dose of goodness — and when it comes to improving our day-to-day wellbeing, we can certainly get on board with that.

Wellbeing

A new, innovative facial treatment has our Editor-in-chief feeling revitalised with a positively youthful glow
With summer just around the corner and SPF high on the agenda, we’ve uncovered a natural yet efficacious new sunscreen
From saunas and ice baths to sleek at-home gyms — here’s the inspiration you need to create your own private practice

Photographer Holly Burgess on wish lists, pantsuits and unforgettable advice

Holly Burgess (Ngāpuhi, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) is one of New Zealand’s most exciting young fashion and portrait photographers. Increasingly in demand, the Loupe Agency-repped creative has a packed roster of clients clamouring to collaborate with her skilful eye, including Harris Tapper, Deadly Ponies, An Organised Life — plus, the pages of Denizen. A dynamic force whose reputation is a testament to her uplifting energy and beautiful imagery, here Burgess shares what’s inspiring her and what she’s enjoying currently.

What I do for a job described in one sentence: I am a photographer, I capture moments in time and space.

My personal style can be defined by: I don’t think it can be defined. My style is always in a state of flux, but vintage and retro op shop finds remain constant.

The last thing I bought and loved was: My Lady Shaka hoodie! Designed by Ngaumutane Jones. If I’m not wearing vintage I’m wearing my friends. 

An unforgettable place I visited was: The Hokianga every time. It’s home.

The next place I’d like to go to: Back to the Hokianga! I am planning a shoot with cuzzie/model Roimata up there in a few weeks. 

An object I would never part with is: My pounamu.

On my wish list is: I would love a pair of Prada loafers. My feet need a treat after wearing chunky sneakers on set from Monday to Friday. 

When I was younger, I wanted to be: I always wanted to have a corporate job because I loved pantsuits (wore one to my year six formal even). I realised later it was fashion that I loved. Phew.

My favourite app is: I hate to admit it but … TikTok. 

My guilty pleasure is: TikTok! Lol.

From left: JessB; RuPaul’s Drag Race, Burgess’ pounamu; Lady Shaka hoodie; Whose Futures? book; Emma Lewisham skincare; Prada loafers.

My secret talent is: Touch rugby.

My style icon is: My mum and aunties inspire me. I love that timeless aunty style. 

The best book I’ve read in the last year is: Whose Futures? My sister Hana and her friend Te Kahuratai Painting wrote a book chapter about Māori futurisms. I am on journey learning about my whakapapa.

Three people I’d have dinner with, living or dead, are: My mum, her mum Maata, and her grandmother Te Hana. Our matriarchal line connecting me to the Hokianga. 

I can’t miss an episode of: RuPaul’s Drag Race

In my fridge you’ll always find: Chocolate, cheese and wine.

My favourite room in my house is: My bedroom. I currently have artwork from loved ones on all four walls.

I recently discovered: The West Coast of the South Island! Stunning. 

My favourite website is: Pinterest.

A gadget I can’t do without is: My camera! 

If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Nikau Hindin.

The podcasts I listen to are: Nuku, After Work Drinks and Guys We F****D.

The best gift I ever received was: My taonga from my whānau.

The beauty product I can’t live without is: All Emma Lewisham products. 

The last music I downloaded was: JessB

I have a collection of: 10-plus years of film negatives. I will get to archiving them one day. 

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: When I was nervous my Dad would always tell me “it’s good to have butterflies, just let them fly in the same direction”. That will forever stick with me.

Culture

We sit down with artists Shintaro & Yoshiko Nakahara to discuss collaboration, creativity, and continuous evolution
From internationally touring comedy shows to riveting exhibitions, our November Culture Guide has everything you need to book this month
Dust off your fascinator, the races are back — here’s everything you need to know

Step confidently into winter with our round-up of the best boots to buy now

Forget the rubber soles of old. This winter, we’re casting aside our classic wellies for a pair of polished (but practical) boots that will see us confidently stomp through puddles without a care in the world. From Dior’s sleek iterations to Bottega Veneta’s supremely practical pairs, whether you opt for rubber or leather, the boots of the season are as much about making fashion statements as they are about keeping our feet warm and dry.

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Gucci Matelassé Chelsea boot

Gucci Matelassé Chelsea boot

Gucci Matelassé Chelsea boot

Gucci Matelassé Chelsea boot

Available from Gucci

Isabel Marant Remko boots

Isabel Marant Remko boots

Isabel Marant Remko boots

Isabel Marant Remko boots

Available from Workshop

D-Major boot

D-Major boot

D-Major boot

D-Major boot

Available from Dior

Louis Vuitton Laureate desert boot

Louis Vuitton Laureate desert boot

Louis Vuitton Laureate desert boot

Louis Vuitton Laureate desert boot

Available from Louis Vuitton

Isabel Marant Demar boot

Isabel Marant Demar boot

Isabel Marant Demar boot

Isabel Marant Demar boot

Available from Workshop

Prada Monolith boots

Prada Monolith boots

Prada Monolith boots

Prada Monolith boots

Available from Prada

Rebe riding boot

Rebe riding boot

Rebe riding boot

Rebe riding boot

Available from Rebe

Diorcamp ankle boot

Diorcamp ankle boot

Diorcamp ankle boot

Diorcamp ankle boot

Available from Dior

Bottega Veneta waved-sole leather boots

Bottega Veneta waved-sole leather boots

Bottega Veneta waved-sole leather boots

Bottega Veneta waved-sole leather boots

Available from Matches Fashion

Louis Vuitton Rhapsody high boot

Louis Vuitton Rhapsody high boot

Louis Vuitton Rhapsody high boot

Louis Vuitton Rhapsody high boot

Available from Louis Vuitton

Alexander McQueen Chelsea boots

Alexander McQueen Chelsea boots

Alexander McQueen Chelsea boots

Alexander McQueen Chelsea boots

Available from Net-a-Porter

Coveted

At Moncler: City of Genius in Shanghai, some of the world’s greatest talents flex their creativity in an unrivalled showcase
Within Swarovski’s Party of Dreams holiday campaign, Ariana Grande enlivens the spirit of the season
From cream coats to crisp white shirts, make a holier than thou statement with our round up of the white pieces worth investing in

Our highly-anticipated new Winter Issue is here, announcing the winners of the Denizen Hospo Heroes Awards

Denizen was built around the inherent philosophy of celebrating the best of the best, shining a light on those dedicated to a particular cause and drawing attention to notable up-and-comers across a range of industries.

Aiming to lift people up and keep our readers abreast of the seemingly endless pool of talent we have on our doorstep, we have never been (nor do we ever intend on being) a platform that criticises or passes judgement.

Denizen’s Winter issue unveils the Denizen Hospo Heroes presented by American Express winners, runners up and top ten of each of the award categories — as voted by you — our food-savvy, enthusiastic readers. Once again we celebrate and honour the dedicated people who keep us satiated and drive our hospitality industry forward.

Elsewhere, we delve into awe-inspiring design, the best forward-looking fashion, the newest trends and treatments to know about in wellbeing and a comprehensive cultural guide on what to read, watch and listen to while tucked up on the couch.

We also garner exclusive access to inspiring people including renowned interior designer Virginia Fisher (who delivers a fascinating masterclass), former ‘it’ girl and prolific writer Garance Doré, lauded radio DJ and Apple Music’s Global Creative Director, Zane Lowe, and rugby great-turned-entrepreneur Dan Carter.

And with the forthcoming season likely to see you heading south to our own version of wonderland, we have curated a concise edit on the very best places to wine and dine in the Queenstown region this season.

Coveted

At Moncler: City of Genius in Shanghai, some of the world’s greatest talents flex their creativity in an unrivalled showcase
Within Swarovski’s Party of Dreams holiday campaign, Ariana Grande enlivens the spirit of the season
From cream coats to crisp white shirts, make a holier than thou statement with our round up of the white pieces worth investing in

An InterContinental hotel is coming to Auckland as the prestigious One Queen Street redevelopment kicks off

Ever since Precinct Properties opened Commercial Bay last year, the development has had a significant impact on the vibe and character of downtown Auckland. Packed with premium retail and hospitality, Commercial Bay has become the elevated, one-stop-shop for discerning Aucklanders seeking dining and shopping experiences that feel more aligned with the kinds they might have had overseas.

InterContinental-Auckland

Now, Precinct (the country’s largest owner and developer of premium, city-centre real estate) has announced that the second stage of the development that began with Commercial Bay, is set to commence construction shortly. The One Queen Street redevelopment will take up residence on the floors above Commercial Bay, and will comprise Auckland’s first InterContinental hotel alongside 14,000 square metres of premium office space and a variety of exceptional food and beverage outlets, including a spectacular rooftop bar on Level 21.

Welcoming such a globally-renowned accommodation offering as the InterContinental is certainly an exciting prospect for Auckland. The hotel itself is designed to be fully integrated with Commercial Bay and will comprise 139 rooms across floors 6-11. Its enviable position will not only allow guests unprecedented views across the Waitematā harbour, but will place them squarely at the heart of Auckland’s bustling waterfront and give them direct and easy access to some of the best restaurants, bars and retail this city has to offer.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce the construction commencement of this flagship project,” says Precinct’s Chief Executive, Scott Pritchard, “as we continue to play our part in the creation of a world-class waterfront destination.” Indeed, the construction of One Queen Street will mark the completion of Precinct Properties’ $1 billion Commercial Bay development and solidify the mixed-use, urban precinct as a destination of international quality, matching the increasingly cosmopolitan demands of this City’s residents.

Design

Presenting a rare opportunity to own a unique slice of paradise, Taiharuru Cove is officially on the market
We delve into the life and storied career of architect and designer Jean-Marie Massaud, via some of his most iconic pieces
Phoebe Nicol’s Kings Road project unfolds as a testament to architectural evolution — shop the edit to emulate the timeless aesthetic vision

Parnell welcomes Va Bene, a promising new eatery channeling the convivial spirit of European wine bars

Having just opened its doors this week in Parnell, Va Bene is bringing its own, elevated take on the friendly charm of Parisian and Italian wine bars to the neighbourhood. 

Helmed by friends Paul Patterson, Esmeralda Kasmara and Brent Newdick, who all bring their global experience to the venture, Va Bene has set up shop in the corner site previously occupied by Kopio. An interior refresh is breathing new life into the space with a long, shared table that takes centre stage.  

The trio brings a wealth of combined hospitality nous to the table; Kasmara was the renowned maître d’ at Non Solo Pizza for years before opening modern Indonesian restaurant Bandung last year — nearby at 119 Parnell Road — while Newdick (the Olympic decathlete) owns Aperitivo cafe next door.

Chef and co-owner Patterson is in charge of the culinary side, having travelled back and forth overseas for years and worked with restaurants both here and in Australia, Paris and wider France. Head Chef Leo Hendra is also bringing his talents to the kitchen — he has recently arrived in the country with a CV that boasts experience at Michelin Star restaurants like Pollen Street Social in Mayfair, London.

Va Bene’s beef bourguignon.

Va Bene’s offering is inspired by both Patterson and Newdick’s travels — as well as Patterson’s overseas experience, Newdick spent a hefty amount of time training in Italy.

The darkly-marbled, shared table aims to encourage the camaraderie of bustling wine bars and aperitivo spots in both the European destinations, which the team is hoping will invite people to get to know their dining companions even if they didn’t arrive together. There are also smaller, high tables around the edge of the room (the restaurant seats around 45) for those who prefer their own, controlled environment when dining out.

Food-wise, the menu centres on sharing dishes that can be ordered as either small or more substantial plates. “Big flavours, but really simple,” is how it was described to me. Nothing is overly fussy, but it’s high-quality, seasonal fare that delivers a substantial and satiating payoff.

One of the first pieces of kit to be installed in the kitchen was a smoker, to be utilised for all manner of ongoing gastronomical experiments. It adds an unreal depth of flavour to an already delicious beef bourguignon, served with silky kumara purée. Wagyu beef bavette is expertly seared and served with a moreish burnt eggplant purée, while grilled halloumi joins a medley of smoked garlic and thyme; and parma ham sings with a fennel bulb, cherry tomato and citrus salad.

In terms of the drinks offering, Va Bene has enlisted the help of friends at acclaimed Parisian cocktail bar Le Syndicat, who have created a unique and boundary-pushing cocktail list for the Parnell venue. A comprehensive Champagne selection is also a focus, along with a varied offering of both local and international wines and beers.

Whether you’re in for a glass of something good and a tasting platter, or a full meal of mouth-watering sharing plates, we’re sure Va Bene’s polished yet welcoming sensibility will see you in very good stead indeed.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12PM — 11:30PM
Sunday: 12PM — 4:30PM
Monday: Closed

Va Bene
131 Parnell Road,
Parnell

www.instagram.com/vabenenz/

Gastronomy

From epic events to new menus, our November Dining Guide has everything worth enjoying this month
Denizen’s Insider Guide to Hawke’s Bay: All the best wineries
We’re giving away an exclusive Wairarapa escape for two, including a luxurious stay and VIP experience at The Runholder — worth $5,600

Artist Grace Bader’s new solo exhibition opens today and it’s set to be a sell-out

In early 2020, up-and-coming New Zealand painter Grace Bader held a solo exhibition that showcased her unique métier of layered, textural paint, confident colours and experimentation with form, and set a precedent of success for the young talent. (It was a sell-out.)

Now, the artist is back with another solo exhibition in which she continues to play with perception, creating works that balance abstract ideas and shapes with simple figures, objects and tones. The female form, specifically, is explored, alongside a range of everyday objects, as Bader delves into the dichotomy between intimacy and separation, and how our internalised view of ‘self’ impacts our external presence and surrounding environment. As in her first exhibition, Bader has again employed colour in a bold, unapologetic way, giving substance, tension and depth to her tableaux via a clever use of contrasting and complementary tones.

Speaking to the simple beauty that can be found in everyday life, this body of work sees Bader seeking out moments of peace, which translates into a sense of overarching calm and stillness that reaches out from the canvas between the undulating, dynamic forms.

Opening tonight at Melanie Roger Gallery on Karagahape Road and running until the 12th of June, Bader’s new exhibition is (if her last one is anything to go by) set to be hugely popular, and we would advise anyone interested in picking up a piece for themselves to hasten along (lest you miss your chance).

Culture

We sit down with artists Shintaro & Yoshiko Nakahara to discuss collaboration, creativity, and continuous evolution
From internationally touring comedy shows to riveting exhibitions, our November Culture Guide has everything you need to book this month
Dust off your fascinator, the races are back — here’s everything you need to know