As the space where meals are enjoyed and drinks are imbibed for occasions ordinary and extraordinary, one cannot underestimate the importance of a good dining table. Whether your needs call for a communal table fit for entertaining a crowd or an intimate setting for a chosen few, these dining tables are sure to inspire.
There’s trouble brewing on the high seas this weekend. With Sir Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Team UK already four losses down in the race to seven wins against Prada, there’s some serious work required by him and his team to take control of the challenge. Those who think this could be a landslide win to Prada may want to get a little more clued-up on the man behind Ineos Team UK, and understand that this is a sailor with fire in his belly.
1. Ainslie is the most decorated sailor in Olympic history with four gold medals and one silver. His first one, a silver, was won in 1996 when he was aged 19. He won medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards, including gold at the four Games held between 2000 and 2012.
2. He has a famous temper on the water — for example, he was involved in a war of words with fellow sailors Jonas Hogh-Christensen and Pieter-Jan Postma during the 2012 Olympics when he claimed the two were ganging up against him.
3. Ben Ainslie’s wife, Lady Ainslie, is better known as Georgie Thompson and is a successful and highly respected TV and radio presenter in the UK.
4. Ainslie began sailing on an Optimist as a 9-year-old at Restronguet near Falmouth in England.
5. Upon receiving his Knighthood in 2013, he was quoted as saying, “For me, it is probably the proudest moment of my life and it’s even more special to be able to share it with my family and friends. It’s a huge honour and a day to remember, but life moves on to the future and the next project and challenge. For me it’s the America’s Cup, it started in Britain in 1851 and yet we haven’t won it and that’s something I feel is missing from our maritime history so it would be great if we can achieve that. We have a lot of great sailors in the UK so I hope that we can win the Cup, that’s the next challenge.”
6. Bad blood currently exists between his team INEOS Team UK and Luna Rossa after the Italians successfully protested against the British team’s use of a sail control system early in the regatta, which was found to be outside competition rules. Luna Rossa’s protest cost INEOS Team UK $5,000 and left the British team entering the first-to-seven-win with the Prada Cup final with effectively one strike against it. The rivalry has since continued this week, with Ineos happy to wait until Level 2 restrictions are lifted before racing again, while the (COR) Prada insistent on racing immediately.
References: Yachting World, TVNZ
Hallelujah! Auckland eateries have been given the green light to re-open their doors for dine-in customers during Alert Level 2, under the requirements that diners must be socially distanced, seated and served by a single staff member during their visit. From special offers to must-try dishes, these restaurants are re-opening with a bang. Remember to record your visit via the Covid tracer app and, most importantly, be kind to hospitality staff as they readjust to the rules.
Ahi
It’s back to business for Ahi, where you can find some of the best food and views the city has to offer. Open from lunch ‘til late, we recommend staking your claim on the airy balcony and enjoying Ahi’s irresistible snacks — the tahr tartare, scampi corndog and Te Matuku oysters are musts. Follow @ahirestaurant for updates
Andiamo
Andiamo’s popular Locals Lunch is back, offering a two-course menu and glass of wine for just $35, available Wednesday — Sunday, 12pm-4pm. Follow @andiamoeatery for updates
Azabu
Secure a spot in Azabu Mission Bay’s sunny Roku Gin garden and order the Harajuku Brunch, an Azabu-style long lunch which rolls out several courses including oysters, sushi, dumplings, ceviche and its infamous fried chicken and tostada (to name just a few) for $55 per person (minimum four people). Follow @azabumissionbay and @azabuponsonby for updates
Clay
K’ Road cutie Clay is back doing what it does best, serving up natural wine, excellent pasta and some of the best pizza in town — of which the burnt cream, marinated chard and parmesan is an absolute must. Follow @clay_366krd for updates
Culprit
Inner-city favourite Culprit has kickstarted its trolley derby once again, with four trolley bites and one main for the pretty price of just $45. While the menu changes every fortnight, currently you can expect the likes of hot-smoked fish on toast, braised brisket corn dog and Culprit’s iconic pig face. Available for dinner from 5pm Tuesday — Saturday and lunchtime Thursday and Friday.
The Candy Shop
If brunch is what you crave, make a beeline for Newmarket’s The Candy Shop. As the winner of the ‘Most Innovative Brunch’ award at last year’s inaugural Denizen Hospo Heroes, The Candy Shop’s clever menu is sure to impress. We rate the croffles (yes, croissant waffles). Follow @thecandyshopnz for updates
The Crab Shack
Nothing says celebration quite like crayfish. The Crab Shack is offering an unbeatable lunch special which sees half a crayfish available for $40 and a whole crayfish for just $75, from Tuesday — Friday. Follow @crabshackauckland for updates
Euro
With Prada Cup racing confirmed for the weekend, Euro is the place to be. Offering a complimentary glass of G.H Mumm Champagne on arrival for bookings on race days, Euro’s special Race Daze menu includes the likes of its fruits de mer platter, with fresh oysters, clams, mussels, king crab and a tempting selection of raw fish. Follow @eurobarandrestaurant for updates
Hotel Ponsonby
Hotspot Hotel Ponsonby is back just in time for the weekend, serving up its much-lauded Scotch eggs and chicken schnitzel. Keep an eye out to learn how the bar and beer garden will operate under the new guidelines. Follow @hotelponsonby for updates
Masu
Missed Masu? Its special Year of the Ox menu takes you on a journey through seven delectable courses, featuring the likes of its beef taco, wagyu gyoza, beef maki, wagyu steak with shallot miso and truffle salt alongside sashimi, vegetable tempura and more. Finish strong with the Masu dessert platter and you’re in for a treat. Available for $188 per person. Follow @masurestaurant for updates
Miann Chocolate Factory
For the ultimate socially distanced dining experience, Miann’s Morningside location is taking bookings for its Wintergarden Glass Houses. Book in for an afternoon tea including Miann’s famous sweet treats, savoury pastries, scones with clotted cream and jam and a hot drink. Bookings are available for 2-6 people per glasshouse. Follow @miann_chocolatefactory for updates
Onemata
Whether the prospect of breakfast, lunch or dinner is luring you out of the house, Park Hyatt Auckland’s Onemata restaurant has all your bases covered. From fresh seafood to 55 day aged scotch, Onemata is a delicious destination to spend your first meal of freedom. Follow @onematarestaurant for updates
Ostro
Celebrating Lunar New Year in style, Ostro’s special menu created in honour of Year of the Ox is not to be missed. It includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne to start, a delicious seafood platter (with an option to add crayfish), the infamous beef wellington (complete with sides) and a dessert platter to finish. Available for $200 for two people. Follow @ostroakl for updates
Saxon + Parole
Brunch and Bloody Marys are a recipe for success, and no one does it better than Saxon + Parole. Trot along to this Commercial Bay favourite between 10am-3pm on Saturday and Sundays to make the most of the weekend-only brunch menu, where you’ll find the everything from Turkish eggs and grilled cheese to pancakes and pies. Follow @saxonandparoleakl for updates
Soul Bar & Bistro
Find all your favourites available at Level 2, with Soul swinging back into action to offer its full menu and cocktail list. We can’t choose between the bone in scotch fillet with crispy gourmet potatoes and scampi oil hollandaise (swoon) or the Cloudy Bay clam linguine with chilli and fennel (drool). Follow @soulbarandbistro for updates
If there’s anyone who deserves a drink after the past week, it’s you. Support your local bartender and cheers to good times ahead at these top spots for a strong tipple. Just remember to record your visit via the Covid tracer app.
Boxer
From the brains behind Pasture, the boundary-pushing Boxer is more than a bar — it’s an elevated drinks experience.
Little Culprit
Always a top choice for an after-work tipple, this inner-city cocktail bar may be petite, but everything it does, it does to perfection. Try the new Milk Punch, a play on fruit punch that’s infused with fruit loops and clarified until crystal clear with milk.
Captain’s Bar
Opulent but not ostentatious, Captain’s Bar at the Park Hyatt Auckland is the perfect place to while away the hours, rum cocktail in hand.
Deadshot
Let the experts take the wheel at menu-free Deadshot (and sister bar Caretaker), they’ll do all the hard work for you to craft a top-notch tipple based on your tastes and preferences.
Sabrage Champagne Bar
Having newly reopened within Sofitel Auckland, Sabrage celebrates the re-emergence of the classic Champagne bar, with seasonal cocktails, a local wine list and enticing platters.
Ghost Donkey
Mezcal and tequila lovers: Ghost Donkey is your spot. Boasting dozens of variations of the spirit, plus a moreish Mexican menu, this Commercial Bay bar is the scene of many a memorable night.
Parasol & Swing
A well-appointed balcony is a must when proximity to Viaduct Harbour is this premium, and Parasol & Swing does the view justice; as do its cocktail and food menus.
Pineapple on Parnell
Boasting a comprehensive cocktail list, and an intimate setting with a touch of eclectic character, this Parnell Road bar is ideal for a cosy drink with friends.
Rooftop at QT
Featuring an extensive cocktail menu, complemented by a sophisticated local wine list and Mediterranean-style tapas, this Viaduct Harbour bar is the place to be. Find outdoor lounge seating that allows revellers to take in the exquisite surrounds while sipping on expertly-poured libations.
If you’re feeling indecisive or uninspired about what to watch next, let this concise list guide you in the right direction.
Framing Britney Spears
Watch on ThreeNow
Quite possibly the most talked-about documentary of 2021 so far, Framing Britney Spears examines the highly-publicised life and career of pop icon Britney Spears, exposing the media’s toxic and troubling treatment of the superstar, her controversial conservatorship and the battle to control her estate. This feature-length film, produced by The New York Times, has seen a fresh wave of concerned fans and onlookers calling for the legal system to #FreeBritney.
Lupin
Watch on Netflix
Abandon your phone and turn all your attention to Lupin, Netflix’s new French language crime drama. Subtitles make this a requirement, although we would advise following this rule regardless. Inspired by the famous French tale of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief and master of disguise, this ten-part series follows Assane Diop as he avenges his father’s downfall at the hands of his wealthy employers. With twists and turns abound, this series has been likened to Sherlock Holmes and Luther in its addictiveness.
Your Honor
Watch on Neon
Fans of Breaking Bad will be pleased to see Bryan Cranston back doing what he does best — taking a turn from the norm to do terrible things. In Your Honor, Cranston stars as Michael Desiato, a respected judge whose son commits a hit-and-run, of which the consequences spiral into a web of deception, lies and impossible choices. A nail-biting watch that’s nerve-wracking to say the least.
Euphoria (Special Episodes 1 & 2)
Watch on Neon
Euphoria returns with two special episodes to placate eager appetites while season two is inevitably delayed due to Covid-19. In a departure from the bouncing soundtrack and drippingly rich visuals synonymous with the teen drama, the paired-back specials focus on characters Rue (Zendaya’s historic Emmy Award-winning role) and Jules as they hold one-on-one conversations with a sobriety sponsor and a therapist respectively. Intimate and intense, these bonus episodes are a must-watch for fans and newcomers, acting as an important bridge between the first and upcoming second season.
The White Tiger
Watch on Netflix
With an impressive 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix’s new film The White Tiger is proving to be a hit with critics and audiences alike. Based on the Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, The White Tiger explores the intricacies of class and caste in India, examining the divide between the haves and the have-nots through the journey of a poor villager turned ambitious entrepreneur.
Just because we’ve gone to Level 3, doesn’t mean we have to stop supporting the local hospitality industry. They need your custom now more than ever, and while for the short term we can’t dine-in, we can get online and see who is offering takeaway services.
It’s important that we all appreciate the ramifications of shutting an operation’s doors so swiftly, particularly when it comes to the fresh meat, seafood and produce that has already been ordered to prepare meals. Most of these food supplies are perishable, and therefore must be used, or worse still, disposed of.
So doing your bit to order from your favourite spots, who are doing everything they can through this new wave, to remain as unscathed as possible, is a charitable endeavour.
At Level 3, many of your favourite eateries are offering contactless pickups and delivery. Remember, we’ve done this before, we can do it again. We’re all in this together.
We encourage you to check the websites, Instagram and Facebook accounts of your favourites to see what you can do to support them.
Stay tuned to Denizen.co.nz and @denizenmagazine for more updates.
Is there anything more quintessential during a New Zealand summer than fish and chips on the beach? We’re always on the lookout for purveyors of our favourite deep fried goods, and whether you’re a resident of the Eastern Beaches or just visiting, this recently-opened Mission Bay chippie is one to try.
Named Fishboy, the “casual seafood eatery” is the brainchild of the team behind thriving Herne Bay outpost Fishsmith, and anyone familiar with their offering can expect the same level of delightful fish-oriented bites.
A key difference is that Fishboy has the capacity for dine-in eaters, thanks to larger premises with both interior and exterior tables — should the glory of dining on the sand at Mission Bay beach opposite not quite appeal. It is also licensed for beer and wine, of which it has a succinct selection from Garage Project and Soho, respectively.
Aside from the selection of excellent fish fillets, available battered, crumbed, grilled or with gluten free batter, and both potato and kumara chips, there’s a plethora of other dishes to branch out to. There’s salt and pepper squid, dusted with five-spice salt and pepper mix, and panko-crumbed halloumi; a mussel po boy burger, and a grilled fish salad for those feeling virtuous. The battered fish burger is always excellent, as are the fish tacos, and the variety of condiments including smokey aioli, hot sauce mayo and curry ketchup are sure to make each dip of a chip even more delicious.
While we’ve certainly had a good summer so far, we’re not ready to say goodbye to it yet, and next sunny weekend day you’ll be sure to find us flocking to Fishboy — see you at the beach.
Fishboy
55 Tamaki Drive,
Mission Bay,
Auckland
Aside from its high-tech vessels and the skills of its participating teams, one of the key magic ingredients integral to those involved in the America’s Cup is passion. For Patrizio Bertelli, president of Luna Rossa Challenge and CEO of Prada Group, a passion for sailing has enriched his life since well before the Italian team was established in 1997, and continues today.
The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team was born one evening in Milan after a meeting between Bertelli and the Argentinian yacht designer, German Frers, and over 20 years later is now a team of seasoned Cup professionals — this is the sixth time they have launched as Challenger of Record.
Indeed, the current regatta would not be possible if it weren’t for the energy and funding of Prada Group and Pirelli Group. While Prada has supported Luna Rossa since 1997, this year it is the presenting and naming partner for America’s Cup and the Prada Cup challenger series.
An inspiring entrepreneur, Bertelli was born in 1946 and started a company making belts and bags at a very young age. This was to be a precursor to his future ventures as, in 1977, he met his now-wife Miuccia Prada, and together they expanded the Prada brand to become one of the world’s most important luxury goods companies.
The couple’s cultural interests also led to the creation of the treasured Fondazione Prada in 1993, and Bertelli is the first Italian to have been inducted in the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Charismatic and driven, Patrizio Bertelli’s love for the Cup is not motivated by commercial considerations but a deep respect for the uniqueness of the challenge. As he said in a recent America’s Cup video interview: “That’s what makes it special.”
Providing a family-friendly environment for everyone to enjoy, Viaduct Harbour’s purpose-built structure the Upper Deck is the ideal location to catch all the racing action this summer. Located in Market Square directly opposite Hello Beasty there’s plenty of seats, including comfortable bean bags and sofas positioned beneath umbrellas, from where you can recline and watch the teams go head to head.
Order takeaway food from any of the surrounding eateries including Hello Beasty or O’Hagans or simply bring a picnic of your own and settle in for an afternoon of waterfront action.
Please note: In keeping with the family-friendly nature of this area, it is an alcohol-free zone that is suited to all ages.
The most romantic day of the year is almost here. Chances are you’ve sourced the perfect gift, booked the best table in town or maybe just taken the liberty of planning a lovey-dovey activity or two. Whether you’ve done all of the above (or none at all), this sweet dining experience is sure to be the cherry on top.
Miann Chocolate Factory is serving up dessert with a difference this Valentine’s Day, with special sittings available at its Wintergarden Glass Houses on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th February.
The glasshouses, which opened last year at Miann’s Morningside location, offer an intimate, Insta-worthy dining setting like no other in Auckland.
For the pretty price of $50 per person, couples can expect an a la carte dessert, drink, a cake each to take home and a bar of Miann’s craft chocolate — all to be enjoyed inside the chic surrounds of the glasshouses.
With bookings available for parties of two, it’s the ideal opportunity to celebrate love in all its wonderful forms with your better half, best friend or beloved family member. Sharing a sweet with your sweet has never been so, dare we say, sweet.
Sittings are limited, so best be in quick to secure your spot. Book online here
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