With a long history of partnerships in Christchurch, ECC has opened the doors to a new Showroom at the shopping destination that is Victoria Street in the city’s centre. Following the opening of the brand’s Architectural Lighting Showroom in 2019, just around the corner on the same street, this proudly refined and meticulously considered store space was the natural evolution for ECC.
Bringing the world’s leading lighting and furniture brands exclusively to New Zealand, the new curated space is designed for exploring. Family-owned and operated since 1909, ECC is currently run by third-generation Mike Thorburn with sons Richard and Andrew. Their current range includes contemporary and timeless classics many design aficionados will know well.
Made in Italy, the stand-out brand Minotti blends tradition and technique with clean lines, comfort and impeccable attention to detail. For a feel-good factor, the Netherland’s Linteloo has the right balance of structure and softness, with a hefty dose of Dutch design, for furniture that is a joy to live with. Meanwhile, another Italian brand, Magis, incorporates cutting edge technology, and creativity, into its smart designs. Other furniture labels include Giorgetti, Henge, Glas Italia and Piet Boon.
For lighting, look to those that spark new design ideas. The iconic Flos provides legacy lamps that are a testament to timeless design with technical excellence. Vancouver and Berlin-based Bocci brings sculptural glass lighting, while Melbourne based Christopher Boots is a conduit for the material and metaphysical exploration of quartz crystal light fixtures. Other leading lights include Astro, Marset, Tom Dixon and Gervasoni.
With such highly regarded brands in its new showroom stable, ECC has every element of a design-oriented home covered, from floor to ceiling.
After the year we’ve all had, we’re more than ready to embrace a relaxed and restorative festive season. This includes Christmas day and the lead-up — we’re not in the mood to be stressed and breaking a sweat while trying to get egg whites whipped for a pav. This doesn’t mean a lacklustre dessert centrepiece is on the cards, however, with The Pantry’s incredible Christmas offering available to impart significant wow factor to any spread.
Park Hyatt Auckland’s popular daytime eatery, this season The Pantry is a veritable treasure trove of incredible edible Christmas goodies, both made in-house and from traditional Italian makers.
Within the housemade selection are showstopping trifles and tarts, moreish mince pies, roulades, gingerbread houses and even a gingerbread wreath. Designed and created by Park Hyatt’s Executive Pastry Chef Callum Liddicoat and his team, each sweet sensation is a feast for both the eyes and the stomach, created with expert finesse and attention to detail.
While many of these desserts are of course traditional, Liddicoat and the team have put their own, fresh spin on each creation. Take the trifles, for example — available in three flavours (Tropical & Coconut, Berry & Peach, and Chocolate, Cherry & Mascarpone), they encompass silky panna cotta, fresh fruity compotes, airy sponge and clever gels and meringues. While we’re sure your grandmother’s trifle is tasty, these are next level and come in a glass trifle bowl that the recipient gets to keep.
The tarts are also exquisite; from lemon meringue to strawberry, chocolate hazelnut to raspberry, each is a colourful symphony of flavour and luscious presentation. For fans of a classic mince pie, The Pantry’s have a boozy touch from the fruit mixture being soaked in New Zealand-made, six-spiced botanical rum from Honest Spirits.
Any of the goods on offer would make a special gift, too — the gingerbread houses, in particular, are great for this, or the gingerbread wreath.
Additionally, within the broader Christmas Shop selection, find Dolce & Gabbana’s famously beautiful (and tasty) panettones as well as various flavours of panettone from traditional Italian pastry company Fiasconaro, chocolates from Bombones Cudié via Sabato, and more.
Whatever your choice, it’s sure to make sweet work of dessert this festive season.
When many of us think of newly built apartments, what might come to mind are potential compromises that have to be made in terms of space and character. But this need not be a worry with Shelly Beach, the new luxury development that’s set to raise the bar of apartment living to magnificent heights.
Located at 87 Shelly Beach Road, the secluded 1890m2 site will be home to eight penthouse-sized apartments, set over four levels. Hidden from street view down an extensive driveway, Shelly Beach will cut an elemental figure as it takes in unsurpassable views of the sea, the stone-anchored materiality of the building set to draw from its immediate coastal surrounds.
The project has been designed by renowned architect firm Monk Mackenzie in conjunction with respected Auckland-based property developer Vanguard & Co, and Interior Architect Ella Dallimore — Ella is the designer behind the Ocean Suites and a number of private homes at Tara Iti. From the outset, the team has approached Shelly Beach with a level of design focus and plan for bespoke detailing that is normally reserved for an architect-led residential build or a luxury lodge.
The strongly defined exterior will be punctuated with outdoor terraces that are recessed into the overall form, with overhanging planters adding verdant texture. Balance is to play a large part in creating a sense of liveability here; curved concrete internal and external walls will add a sculptural element to offset more linear shapes, and interior solidity will be balanced with softness from lush planting in winter garden spaces and high-quality, tactile fabrics used in the furnishings.
Each apartment is to have a generous floor plan of over 255m2, offering three bedrooms plus a flexible media room. The exquisitely appointed show kitchen, butlers kitchen, living and dining area in every home will boast an expansive 2.9m floor-to-ceiling height, and master bedrooms are designed to have an adjoining ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. The living areas are to be open plan and embrace an airy outlook, while the master bathroom is set to envelop the inhabitant in a zen-like retreat.
Spaces to display wine, art or classic car collections are an intrinsic part of the brief, and each apartment will also have its own lockable basement garage for up to four vehicles, all with an EV charger.
“Liveability is changing and New Zealanders are embracing the thoughtful design practices they see internationally,” says Developer Michael Dallimore of Vanguard & Co. “Our market wants house-like proportions and spaces that are flexible and efficient, enabling rest and relaxation while also providing the ability for people to work from home.”
Shelly Beach’s prime location offers short walking proximity to local Herne Bay and Ponsonby stores and eateries, as well as to Point Erin and Westhaven Marina. Looking out over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Westhaven Marina and Rangitoto Island on one side, Auckland CBD and the Waitakere Ranges on the others, one is sure to be reminded every moment that there’s no better place to be than home.
Shelly Beach apartment sales particulars and pricing are by application, and an on-site display suite is available with viewings by appointment through Pene Milne at NZ Sotheby’s International Realty. Construction is scheduled to start in 2022 and the development will be completed in 2024.
Take Kate Moss’ early noughties festival circuit signature — the waistcoat — to the boardroom and beyond. The way to wear it is either alone, as a top itself, or layered to add a touch of sleeveless structure to a lightweight dress or shirt. Pair with wide-legged trousers, choose a print or colour-blocking, and you have the reinvented look of the season.
This is an easy Japanese recipe and requires a succinct list of key ingredients. To transform this simple dish into a varied and nourishing meal, serve the salmon with steamed rice, teriyaki sauce, steamed seasonal vegetables and pickles for a satisfying, salmon teriyaki donburi bowl.
Teriyaki SalmonRecipe Serves 4
Ingredients 2cm fresh ginger root, finely sliced 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced 3 Tbsp soy sauce 2 Tbsp maple syrup 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine) 4 salmon fillets (about 500g in total) Vegetable oil Salt and pepper to taste
Method 1. Put the ginger and garlic into a bowl and mix with the soy sauce, maple syrup, mirin and a drizzle of vegetable oil. 2. Place the salmon fillets in a dish, season with salt and pepper and pour the sticky dressing over them. 3. Cover and set aside in the fridge to marinate for up to 2 hours, but for at least 20 minutes. 4. Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add a dash of oil. 5. When hot, add the salmon, skin side down, reserving the marinade. 6. Cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the reserved marinade and cook for a further minute or so, until the salmon fillets are opaque halfway up the sides. 7. Turn them over and cook on the other side for 3–4 minutes, basting with the sauce so that the salmon is well coated. 8. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. 9. Serve the salmon fillets on individual plates, spooning over any teriyaki sauce left in the pan.
Developed by Viewpoint Collection and designed by Noah Walker of renowned architecture firm, Walker Workshop, The Carla House is a luxurious monument to Los Angeles living. Located on a sloped, 1.2-acre Carla Ridge property, in a prominent Beverly Hills neighbourhood, this awe-inspiring residence is about as ‘LA’ as it gets, sporting views from the Griffith Observatory to the Hollywood Sign and designed with entertainment in mind.
Constructed over three storeys and broken into two wings connected by a low-lying central volume, the house comprises seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, as well as a number of special features (like a fitness studio and state-of-the-art movie theatre) across its sprawling footprint.
Wanting to create something that felt grand without sacrificing subtlety or sophistication, the team at Walker Workshop focused on a design that would integrate seamlessly into its surrounding landscape. Heroing long, elegant lines and an organic palette, a profusion of glass not only lets in natural light but maximises the home’s panoramic views.
Inside, materials like Western red cedar, concrete and white stucco combine in spaces that feel pared-back, modern and sophisticated. Grey tile flooring contrasts perfectly with the honey-toned timber on the walls and ceiling, while in the kitchen, spectacular marble islands and white oak cabinetry serve to conceal a suite of high-end Gaggenau appliances.
Elsewhere, the bedrooms are accessible by wooden, concrete-framed staircases, and feature generous balconies, offering moments of privacy in a home that is largely defined by its openness.
Aston dining chairs by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti gather around Henge’s Ly-table, available from ECC
Driven, seemingly, by the playbook of Californian living, Walker ensured a strong connection between the interior and exterior spaces, utilising motorised sliding doors in the middle part of the house to dissolve the boundaries between indoor and out. Out the front sits a long pool, cleverly placed to bounce refracted afternoon light into the house, while out the back is a series of patios and gardens alongside a 26-metre infinity lap pool.
In true Los Angeles style, this house becomes the ultimate party location via the middle structure’s rooftop, where a purpose-built, 2,000 square-foot party deck will offer a convivial experience that is second to none.
A sitting space overlooks the tranquil green lawn, furnished with Jensen low back armchairs by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti and Henge’s Rio stools, available from ECC
Putting aside the bells and whistles, The Carla House exemplifies quiet architecture — where a home is designed with as little drama or extravagance as possible, to derive the maximum value and square-footage from a property. It plays into Walker’s design mantra of warm, organic modernism, something that sees the architect typically adopt a softer approach in the homes he conceives.
It’s in the simple, practical details that Walker is able to make a project sing, creating timeless, transcendent moments. Offering pause for thought in its carefully considered materials and injections of nature into the manmade structures, this incredible property is a sanctuary on a grand scale.
Architect — Walker Workshop Interior Design — MASS Beverly Photography — Mike Kelly
You’ve got to feel for the hospitality and service industries — each time there’s a government announcement, it must be akin to whiplash as they scramble to pivot, pivot, and pivot again. As the latest ‘traffic light system’ confirmation has resulted in an avalanche of bookings for many restaurants, cafés and bars (for which they are undoubtedly grateful) we see fit to remind you that although we’re all looking forward to a proper Friday night meal out, thinking outside the box for reservations is another great way to support eateries.
It might be a Tuesday after-work dinner, a mid-afternoon high tea on the weekend or an early supper with the children, but spreading the love will help take the pressure off during those peak times and give eateries a steadier schedule to work with.
From left: Huami; Prego.
For an early supper with the children…
Masu An eternal family favourite, kids can enjoy a bento box with all the beloved Japanese delicacies, all while mum and dad enjoy some delicious fare from the regular menu and soak up the relaxed atmosphere.
Azabu Mission Bay Swing by this Eastern Beaches beauty on the way home from school, and the kids can tuck into a special menu of sushi, bento boxes, chicken karaage and more. Did we mention a complimentary ice cream scoop for dessert?
Huami SkyCity’s sophisticated Chinese restaurant bridges the traditional and the modern. The expansive menu is sure to have something for everyone and serves dinner from 5:30pm, Wednesday to Saturday.
Baduzzi Get ’em started on the good stuff at a young age with Baduzzi’s kids’ menu. Book for dinner from 5pm for dishes like handmade buttered pasta with herbs and parmesan and organic lamb meatballs braised in tomato sauce.
Prego The Ponsonby Road stalwart is famed for its welcoming attitude to those of all ages. Park up in the late afternoon for an early bite and experience Prego’s much-loved hospitality and Italian fare.
From left: Gochu; Soul Bar & Bistro.
For a tasty weekday lunch…
Culprit The innovative Wyndham Street eatery has one of the best weekday lunches in town. Pull up for its Trolley Derby menu, designed to be speedy, seasonal and most of all utterly delicious, or order a la carte.
Gochu Open 7 days, 11:30am until late, Gochu is an ideal spot to pull up to if you’re working in town or simply just have a craving for its big-on-flavour modern Korean dishes.
Ebisu Head down to this elevated Japanese favourite between Tuesday and Friday, and enjoy a midday meal of classic favourites and Bento boxes — or settle in for a longer lounging lunch.
Soul Bar & Bistro Soul is an excellent choice for lunch, especially on a sunny day with the water sparkling beside. We’ll have the crayfish capellini, thank you — and a glass of something good. Why not, it’s festive season!
The Crab Shack Head down to Princes Wharf for one of the best lunchtime deals in town — between 12-3pm, the $15 lunch special includes a choice of either ‘Bang Bang’ chicken salad, barbeque prawn tacos or sensational seafood chowder.
Cafe Hanoi The fresh, flavoursome food at Britomart’s Vietnamese institution Cafe Hanoi is perfect for a weekday lunch when you want to be satisfied but not too weighed down. Book in for lunch Monday to Saturday.
The Engine Room Nip over the bridge (or down the road if you’re local) Wednesday to Friday and Northcote’s neighbourhood restaurant will have you well taken care of with its beloved bistro fare.
Sid at The French Café While it’s usually open for dinner Tuesday to Friday and lunch and dinner on a Saturday, the Eden Terrace fine dining favourite is offering lunch on Fridays for the month of December. A great way to see out the week, we think.
Jervois Steak House The famous Steak Your Claim lunch-for-two offer returns to JSH, boasting two mains, two sides, and two glasses of selected wine for only $90. Now, that’s sure to put a pep in your step for the rest of the day.
From Left: Ahi; Bar Celeste.
For dinner on a Monday or Tuesday…
Ahi With Commercial Bay’s eateries open seven days, Ben Bayly’s “truly New Zealand restaurant” Ahi is a fantastic option on a Monday and Tuesday.
The Lodge Bar & Dining Same goes for The Lodge Bar & Dining, delicious any day of the week but we think its incredible oysters, small plates and mains are a perfect way to end a Monday.
Bar Celeste The K’ Rd cutie is bound to be booked up on peak nights for December, but why not try your luck on a Tuesday for some of the best French neo-bistro food in town?
Pici Across the road in St Kevins Arcade, the pasta masters at Pici plate up dinner from Tuesday to Sunday, with lunch available Wednesday to Saturday.
Ghost Street Head downstairs to the cosy and atmospheric Ghost Street, open Monday to Sunday, and dig into its punchy, elevated Chinese dishes.
The Blue Breeze Inn Open seven days for lunch and dinner, Blue Breeze has us covered whenever we’re craving that pork belly bao. Which is, always.
Onslow Described as ‘refined but not fine-dining’, the menu spans the likes of fried chicken with caviar to the fluffiest soufflé we can ever recall sampling, making for the perfect spot to celebrate the festive season on a Monday or Tuesday.
From left: Siso; Bucks Bistro.
For a Sunday family catch-up...
Siso The expansive Remuera restaurant has plenty of room for groups of any size, and its contemporary Mediterranean menu will appeal to all.
Andiamo We’ve certainly missed Sunday lunches at this Herne Bay neighbourhood stalwart.
Akarana Eatery Take in one of the best ocean views in Auckland at Akarana, which has plenty of plates for the whole family to enjoy.
Bucks Bistro Giving its ocean view a hefty amount of competition, this recent addition to Bucklands Beach is open from 8am on Sundays, and its food is excellent.
Non Solo Pizza Another restaurant sorely missed over lockdown, get everyone together for Non Solo’s family-style long lunches on the weekend.
From left: The Living Room; Hotel Ponsonby.
For a mid-afternoon weekend session…
The Living Room Enjoy a light meal or indulge in Park Hyatt Auckland’s Afternoon Tea, a journey of discovery served in a playful style where nostalgia and modernity merge.
Ostro Book in for high tea, Sundays from 12 to 3pm, and enjoy exquisite savoury and sweet treats washed down with a flute of Veuve Clicquot.
Hotel Ponsonby While this popular watering hole heaves on a Friday and Saturday night, the vibe on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon is positively wholesome.
Parasol & Swing Offering an incredible view across the waters of Viaduct Harbour, this rooftop bar is a summertime favourite of ours. Indulge in one of Parasol & Swing’s seasonal cocktails and you’ll be setting yourself up for a perfect afternoon.
Northcote Tavern Grab a crew and a brew, and park up in the sundrenched garden for an afternoon at this North Shore gem.
Rooftop at QT Nab a spot on the balcony at QT’s Rooftop bar, and stick around for the impeccably mixed drinks as well as Mediterranean bites.
Saint Alice Glorious views and lip-smacking food collide in this enticing spot. Expect to find woodfired delights, ranging from pork spare ribs to pizza, alongside top-notch seafood and refreshing sangria and Pimm’s jugs.
Exceed all expectations with outdoor living spaces that are at one with the landscape, while being in step with your lifestyle. From poolside lounging to pillowy seating and dining among the elements, these are the furniture and outdoor decor pieces to consider for both comfort and style.
A summer by the pool is one excellently spent, so why not invest in cohesive lounge suites and recliners that enhance your sense of serenity. Refined forms with calming cool-toned cushions and natural wooden frames are the ultimate in laid-back luxury.
Clockwise: Shady umbrella by Royal Botania from ECC, Hora Sexta lounger by Antonio Citterio for Flexform from Studio Italia, Aquila Nest of tables from Coco Wolf, Rere Sun lounger from Devon.
The Thousand Oaks home by Nicole Hollis and Rios Clementi Hale Studios.
Where Slim Aarons meets David Hockney, a pool pavilion encourages colourful outdoor entertaining. Strong concrete tables and durable domed ottomans make it possible to bring the indoors-out — in a confident reversal of interior design prowess.
Clockwise: Harp armchair by Rodolfo Dordoni for Roda from ECC , Kyoto rug by Minotti from ECC, Tobi-Ishi table by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby for B&B Italia from Matisse, Tono pouf by Kris Van Puyvelde for Royal Botania from ECC.
Marenco outdoor sofa and armchair by Mario Marenco for Arflex from Studio Italia.
As you create shapes from the billows above (and your own imagination), float into a reverie on pillowy lounge chairs and soft sofas. Add an anchoring coffee table, and you’ll have all you need for a blissful afternoon in the breeze.
Clockwise: Boogie armchair for Bullfrog from Sarsfield Brooke, Opito low table from Devon, Butterfly outdoor sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia from Matisse.
While the elements may form the backdrop of an al fresco meal, allow a well-appointed dining suite to be the star ingredient. Echo nature’s colour palette with wood and clever wicker-effect pieces, as seen on Studio MK27’s teak Quadrado table and Minotti’s Tape Cord dining chairs.
Clockwise: CTR Club chair by Piergiorgio Cazzaniga for Tribù from Dawson & Co, Echoes dining chair by Christophe Pillet for Flexform from Studio Italia, Rere side dining chair from Devon, Erica dining chair by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia from Matisse, Lapel dining chair by Busetti Garuti Redaelli from Ligne Roset, Serpentine outdoor chair by Eléonore Nalet from Ligne Roset.
Since launching in 2014 and winning the Worlds Best London Dry Gin award in 2018, independent New Zealand distillery Scapegrace has solidified its reputation for trailblazing spirits that bottle our country’s unique, clean flavours for enjoyment around the globe.
Its latest launch is no different, encompassing a range of new craft spirits that celebrate the true diversity of New Zealand’s seasonal produce and botanicals. Named ‘Uncommon’, every spirit released within this new category is to be limited edition, with 3,000 individually numbered bottles of each that only amplify the range’s exclusivity.
For the first outing of the Uncommon range, two completely distinct styles of gin have been created that showcase two different regions, and varying harvest periods.
There’s the Central Otago Early Harvest, with its botanical profile of nectarine and lavender, smoked hay and pollen, bringing young, fresh and ripe flavours to the fore. The Hawke’s Bay Late Harvest, on the other hand, encapsulates raspberry leaf, pear and olive brine for a slightly sweet yet tart drop that lingers with residual flavour.
From left: Central Otago Early Harvest; Hawke’s Bay Late Harvest.
Having collaborated with acclaimed hospitality virtuoso Mikey Ball on a selection of signature serves, Scapegrace’s Uncommon cocktails are just the quenching creations we want to be sipping this summer. Mix up a Bianca (a light and refreshing ode to the Negroni) which combines 20ml of Central Otago Early Harvest, 15ml of Americano Vermouth, a dash of orange bitters and is topped with soda water.
The Karamu Sip recipe sees 50ml of Hawkes Bay Late Harvest combined with 10ml of dry vermouth and a dash of hopped bitters, garnished with kaffir lime leaf for a fragrant take on a martini.
Thanks to their thoughtful, craft-centric creation and exclusivity, the Uncommon spirits make a brilliant gift — both for yourself, and someone else, and can be found at all good liquor stores nationwide and on the Scapegrace website.
With residents of Tāmaki Makaurau enjoying increasingly social outdoor gatherings over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been enjoying the chance to explore some of our favourite eateries in a more casual, al fresco fashion with friends and family. As we eagerly await the return to restaurants in-person, we’ve become aware that several local hospitality businesses who have tweaked their offering to include picnic-specific packs and selections will be stopping these when we move to the new traffic light system. This is your last weekend to enjoy our pick(nic) of the bunch below, and for other special takeaway options see our very extensive level 3 takeaways guide.
Left to right: The NSP Ultimate Picnic; OJI Sushi Sando Pack.
Savor Goods With its varied and extensive stable of eateries, Savor has a whole host of picnic packs to order online. Curated by its chefs at Amano, Ostro, Lobster & Tap, NSP and Oji sushi, these picnic boxes take the hard work out of picnic planning, with an assortment of treats for the ultimate al fresco feast. From Amano‘s bakery, find varying boxes of sweet and savoury selections, filled with its famous pastries, sandwiches and Kumeu orange juice. Oji Sushi has a fresh spin on a sandwich lunch available with its family pack of Japanese-style sandos that includes a katsu chicken, katsu prawn, spicy lobster and Japanese egg rendition. Oji also has large sushi platters on offer. NSP will bring Italian flair to any sit-down session with its aperitivo picnic box, and Ostro is very appealing indeed with its picnic roast (including organic, free-range roasted chicken, baguettes, potato salad and more), its seafood platter or takeaway high tea. See Savor’s website for pick-up or delivery options.
Left to right: Andiamo PICNIC TO GO; Park Hyatt.
Andiamo Linger even longer at a beachside lunch with Herne Bay Italian staple Andiamo’s picnic boxes that contain a generous selection of goodies. Expect the likes of housemade focaccia; fresh crostini with whipped cannellini beans, preserved lemon and roasted garlic; chicken liver pâté, pickled cherries and pistachio tuille; an antipasti selection; Ceasar salad; fresh cannoli — and more. Order by phone on 09-378 7811 or email [email protected]. Contactless collection times are Monday to Thursday, 4pm – 8pm and Friday to Sunday, 12pm – 8pm.
Park Hyatt Auckland For a truly next level al fresco experience, we suggest ordering one of Park Hyatt’s afternoon tea boxes — with sizes available for small to large groups. Available every weekend, Friday to Sunday, each box contains a scrumptious selection of sweet and savoury treats, similar to what would be served for Park Hyatt’s famous Afternoon Tea in non-lockdown times. Order a box per person, or there are more decadent options — the ‘luxe picnic’ for four includes a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne while the ‘extravaganza picnic’ for 10 comprises a truly indulgent selection of treats — plus two bottles of Champagne to really take things up a notch. In both boxes, expect the likes of parmesan éclairs and bacon & egg quiche; salmon & dill sandwiches and ham brie & chutney rolls; strawberry shortcake, dulcey honey petit gateaux; salted caramel chocolate tart… and more. Find all ordering details here.
Côte.
Côte The bespoke caterer has a delicious selection of platter boxes to perk up any picnic, available for delivery Auckland-wide. Choose from the Luxury Charcuterie Platter Box, featuring a host of lip smacking snacks including artisan cheeses and Cote’s popular seeded crackers; the Mānuka Smoked NZ King Salmon Platter Box with cashew caper cream, house-made pickles, seeded crackers and caper berries; or the new Champagne and Oysters Platter Box, which is deliciously self-explanatory. With all boxes feeding eight to ten people, orders must be placed at leat 48 hours in advance. Email [email protected] to secure your platter box.
Left to right: Bar Céleste; Orphans Kitchen.
Bar Céleste Each weekend, Bar Céleste has conjured up seasonal specialties to enjoy with our nearest and dearest. This weekend, the delectable range includes a freshly baked baguette with seaweed butter, saucisson, porchetta with salsa verde and relish, and a pithivier pie with jambon blanc and gruyère. If this wasn’t enough of a feast for the senses, you can also add freshly shucked oysters, prawn cocktails, and a fresh strawberry and almond tart to your picnic scene. Did we mention, Bar Céleste’s sommelier will pair a bottle of exquisite wine with your selection?
Orphans Kitchen The Orphans picnic box is sure to have you feeling sunny even if the clouds are blocking out those rays. It’s a make-your-own-sandwich kind of a situation, with a very enviable selection of Orphans favourites including nasturtium pesto, red lentil hummus, pickled egg with aioli, Mt Cook salmon gravlax and more — all on Daily Bread’s famous baguette. Pick up is from the Ponsonby Road cafe window, between 10am and 2pm, 7 days a week.
Poni Picnic.
The Poni Room Those of us who have missed the fun, fusion flavours of Commercial Bay eatery The Poni Room now have the opportunity to serve up a different kind of picnic. Feeding six to eight people, Poni Picnic comes ready to eat in steam baskets that you can take home for good and comprises twice-cooked duck breast, duck legs, bao buns, pancakes, hoisin sauce, chilli dressing, pickles and lettuce cups. See The Poni Room’s website for pick-up details.
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