Known for her international career in modelling and movies, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky has asserted herself as an undisputed style icon too. Here, taking our cues from the striking cover story we shot with her for our most recent Winter Issue, we have curated a line-up of exceptional pieces to fold a little necessary glamour into your everyday looks.
Photography by James Tolich. Styling by Claire Sullivan-Kraus. Makeup by Sarah Tammer. Hair by Brad Mullins.
Holding some of the country’s most coveted bottles in their expansive cellar, the newly-opened Somm Cellar Door at Princes Wharf has introduced a new series allowing guests to taste its range’s depth and breadth. Initially designed as an inner-city wine-tasting concept, visitors can taste flights from some of the country’s best wineries — including Te Kairanga, Vavasour and Mt Difficulty. Very swiftly, it has established itself as one of the preeminent and most delicious dining spots in the City under the delicious leadership of Chef Gavin Doyle.
Somm Cellar Nights effectively cracks open the institution’s impressive vault of wines, where for one night a week only, anyone will get to try a wine from the cellar, hand-selected by Somm’s team. While the wine will change each week, Somm’s cellar proudly boasts an extensive back catalogue of library vintages, limited edition releases, and large-format wines, so excellence is almost always assured.
As these wines are not generally sold by the glass, and some extremely rare, it makes these Tuesday night sessions very tempting. After all — there are few better reasons to rally a crew for a night of delicious plates and pizzas to share, especially with this unprecedented access to some of the country’s finest wines.
Available every Thursday from 3pm.
When it comes to reimagining classic Italian-stone surfaces in a more durable and sustainable way, Dekton has once again proven itself a pioneer. Fresh inspiration is found in the brand’s recently-unveiled Pietra Kode collection, a series of sublime stones that can now be acquired through Cosentino, renowned for its innovative and sustainable surfaces.
Designed by the esteemed Daniel Germani, this collection reimagines the beauty of three classic Italian stones: Vicenza, Travertine and Ceppo di Gré, and thanks to its architectural aesthetic and exceptional quality, is poised to transform both our interior and exterior spaces in a way that delivers an appeal beyond its sleek looks alone.
Dekton’s innovative manufacturing process crafts purpose-made, ultra-compact surface stones that surpass the limitations of traditional mined materials. For starters, this engineered approach ensures exceptional durability, where each stone is made to be scratch and stain resistant, ideal for high-traffic flooring and heavily-used surfaces. There is also a significant focus on sustainability, where Dekton’s robust decarbonisation plan and commitment to offsetting 100-percent of its CO2 emissions has rendered the Pietra Kode collection entirely carbon-neutral, making Dekton the only cradle-to-grave carbon neutral surface on the market. And if all that weren’t enough to convince you of quality, the collection also carries a 25-year warranty — so that you can rest secure in the knowledge that the most important surfaces in your home have been made to last.
For these reasons, and for its striking aesthetic advantages too, the Pietra Kode collection is virtually limitless in the range of applications it can offer, exuding contemporary elegance via its rich shades and textures and strong, durable finishes, fit for any kind of surface. From cladding and flooring to kitchen and bathroom surfaces, Pietra Kode’s timeless allure can be seamlessly integrated into both modern and classic contexts, offering a harmonious aesthetic that transcends trends.
In coming up with the visual language for this collection, Daniel Germani was inspired by Italian architectural heritage in decoding and recoding three classic Italian stones. Take Nebbia, for instance, which captures the beauty of Vicenza with a fine-grained creamy base dotted with warm taupe hues — a harmonious tribute to the architectural masterpieces created by Andrea Palladio during the Cinquecento era. Upholding Vitruvius’ principles, the reimagined material pays homage to a rich heritage of design and craftsmanship.
Sabbia, on the other hand, reinterprets Italian Travertine, its irregular and colourful vein adding charm to rustic or natural environments. It is a technological reimagining of the stone that laid the foundations of Rome, evoking the brilliance of classical art and speaking to the kinds of inspiring architectural marvels that thrived during the Renaissance. Here, via Dekton’s unique ultra-compaction process, the stone’s inherent beauty and properties not only endure, but are improved.
Pietra Kode’s Ceppo pays tribute to the distinctive blue-grey multiform structure of Ceppo di Gré stone, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. With a reimagined beauty and character, this stone (which etched its mark on Milan’s architectural history) shapes spaces that inspire and forge a deep connection with nature, perpetuating a timeless narrative of harmonious design.
As such, Dekton’s Pietra Kode seamlessly blends architectural beauty with innovation, sustainability and durability. In its rejuvenation of classic Italian stones, it has become a beacon of versatility and exceptional performance, sure to enhance any project with timeless elegance and lasting resilience.
Few restaurants are heaving on opening day, but walking into Tacoteca on a wintry Monday to see the venue humming speaks to the reputation this new destination has already garnered. Such is the pull of Edmundo Farrera’s vision — the enigmatic figurehead behind Snickel Lane’s La Fuente, the City’s only mezcal bar that has garnered somewhat of a cult following since it opened. Joined by Chef Patron Jean Brito helming the kitchen, their cumulative decades of experience have inspired the quest for the perfect taco. Here, we think they have achieved it.
Until now, Tacoteca has existed as an inner-city lunchtime pop-up, only spoken about between those in the know. And yet when the perfect location presented itself, Farrera and Brito knew it was time to plant some firmer roots. Now found where Food Truck Garage once stood at City Works Depot, it feels like a new destination entirely, where authentic Mexican is served at its most vibrant and brilliant.
For those unfamiliar, Tacoteca grew much of its popularity for its blue corn tortillas, all handmade on-site (when we visit, they’re being rolled through a press at the back of the open kitchen). They’re naturally gluten-free and, as such, feel slightly healthier, so you’ll find a good helping of them (made into corn chips) on the side of most dishes. These also form the base of Brito’s tacos, which come in an impressive array of flavours, like the rich lamb barbacoa, the fresh fish and the vegan smoky cabbage. (They’re also available in packs to take home, which we think is the perfect touch.)
After indulging in more than our fair share for a Monday lunchtime, what we loved the most was the small details, like the thoughtful introduction of caramelised crunchy nuts throughout dishes and grilled pineapple atop the fresh, citrusy (and gently spiced) guac, plus a surprising standout, the vegan cabbage taco, charred and exploding with flavour, although still light enough to comfortably eat more than just one (or two). For more indulgent sharing plates, the queso fondue, topped with chorizo, and the chilaquiles (almost like a shakshuka-nachos hybrid) are essential.
And while City Works Depot is primarily a daytime precinct, Tacoteca’s hefty bar menu means that this delicious venue is open well into the evening. Given its roots, a comprehensive margarita menu is, of course, on offer, while wines are drawn from global vintages and an impressive craft beer menu sits alongside, too. Horchatas and jarritos are served as teetotalling alternatives; the former is a traditional milky Mexican drink, and the latter is a soda popular across Central and South America.
In Tacoteca, we’ve found exactly what the City has been missing — genuinely authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in an elevated eatery setting. It’s the kind of destination where neither experience nor legitimacy is compromised. And given its convenient proximity to the Denizen office, we can assure you that it is a destination we will frequent often.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 11:30am until 10pm
tacoteca.co.nz
Tacoteca
City Works Depot
1/90 Wellesley Street West
Auckland CBD
Mere moments after completion, only two apartments remain within St Heliers’ Sonata — the latest luxury living development redefining our approach to downsized urban living. Thanks to its enviable lifestyle proposition, this collection of luxury private apartments swiftly became one of Auckland’s most sought-after addresses when its plans were first unveiled, drawing potential residents for the way it embraced the beauty of St Heliers and its refusal to compromise on the requirements of a luxury forever home.
Ideally suited to those seeking to downsize as much as those seeking a second address in the City, these exquisitely crafted apartments showcase meticulous attention to detail, where no stone has been left unturned. And yet the build, a vision of the award-winning team at Buchan (and the pioneering approach of developers Reside), is not overly opulent or ostentatious but rather timeless and gorgeous, leaning into quality finishes that speak to the deliberate nature of the development.
Take the kitchens, for instance, all designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Poliform in collaboration with Studio Italia, which anchor each apartment and cultivate a sense of community and connection. Poliform is an international leader in furniture design, founded in 1970 by Alberto Spinelli, Aldo Spinelli and Giovanni Anzani, and its work brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to every home. Expansive wardrobes in every residence have also been carefully crafted by the brand — a testament to the developers’ commitment to maximising storage solutions, ensuring that residents can do their downsizing with ease. If all that were not enough, the apartments’ lighting has been sourced locally from ECC, proving an assurance that only the most discerning finishes have been applied here.
This attentive approach is echoed in the exterior, too, where Sonata’s silhouette depicts something artistic and sculptural, boasting a unique curvature that almost mirrors the famous bays it overlooks. Each residence is luxuriously appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling out onto substantial balconies and, in the ground floor apartment’s case, a generous courtyard — offering the perfect space for any pets to make the move as well. These are apartments with home-like proportions, where the transition to this low-maintenance style of living is seamless.
The execution of Sonata is flawless — as one would expect given developer Reside’s enduring reputation of excellence. Behind landmark developments such as Victoria Quarter’s Grace, and Mission Bay’s Horizon, Reside is a legacy residential developer that, since the Location Group’s inception in 1972 (of which Reside is just one part of), has pioneered a new, elevated standard for urban living. This latest address feels like the pinnacle of this. As only two apartments remain at this coveted Devore Street address, we recommend expressing your interest with the listing agent, Paul Neshausen, at Barfoot & Thompson.
A celestial celebration, Matariki is a time-honoured occasion to celebrate with your nearest and dearest. It can be seen as a time for renewal, connection, and honouring life around us — while acknowledging those who have left us too, as per tradition. With this in mind (and the welcome extra day in our long weekend), we’ve consulted our agendas and discovered all of the cultural and dining events to uncover this weekend for those staying at home, and some for those that may be holidaying too. For an extensive list of everything going on in Auckland, the Matariki Festival directory has something for everyone at this fortuitous time of year. But in the interest of a more curated programme, here’s our edit.
Adding to Auckland Art Gallery’s burgeoning programme of Matariki’s events is a specialty menu, courtesy of Denizen favourite, Passa Passa. Having returned from a short hiatus, this marks Passa Passa’s first pop-up back in Auckland, where the menu has been inspired by the land. Dan will be slinging his signature pizza fritta, topped with local delicacies like creamy paua or kumara and watercress. Divine! More info can be found here.
Able to be viewed by the public from Viaduct Harbour’s Te Mata Topaki (the waterfront pier structure at 117 Customs Street West), IWA comprises nine illuminated buoys that float on the water in the formation of the Matariki stars and comes to life in a captivating audio-visual performance at 6pm and 8pm every evening until Sunday the 23rd of July. Discover all of the details behind this spectacular show here.
Considering Matariki is a celebration written in the stars, Stardomes’s celebrations should be essential visiting this long weekend. Following three years of sell-out runs, the Epsom observatory’s annual Matariki celebrations return with a new show that explores the stars and stories of significance at this time of year. Bookings are essential and filling up fast — further details here.
To celebrate this shift into the Māori New Year, The Hotel Britomart’s Kingi is hosting one of the most discerning dining experiences that draws inspiration from Kai Māori and the bounty of produce our waters offer. Hosted with Chatham Island Food Co, the menu is filled with delicacies like crayfish, black foot paua, kina, blue cod and even wild boar from the furthermost limits of our country. Having worked closely with Delwyn and Gigi Tuanui since the early days of Kingi, the restaurant has invited the duo behind the kaimoana over to speak candidly about their life on the island. Reservations are essential for this set menu and can be made here.
At Silo Park, standing at an impressive 26 feet, this luminous waharoa is a captivating masterpiece that seamlessly blends artistry and spirituality, designed by artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu) in collaboration with Hawke House, Angus Muir, Fresh Concept and Eke Panuku for Matariki on the Waterfront 2023. Find out more details here.
This transcendent performance at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki was created exclusively for Matariki and takes place on Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th of July. Directed and choreographed by the visionary Taane Mete, this immersive dance and music experience pays homage to the celestial mother star, Matariki, while celebrating hauora, hope, reflection, and the interconnectedness of all beings with nature. Discover all of the info here.
When the rain eases, Auckland Zoo offers the kind of Matariki celebration that families of all ages will love. With the new addition of self-directed activities, a celebration of our most precious wildlife, and the invitation to share food at Te Puna, it’s the perfect reason to take the kids in tow. Find out more about Matariki at Auckland Zoo here.
This inner-city celebration marries so much of what we love about our indigenous culture. Taking over Auckland Town Hall, there’ll be food, art, live performance, discussion panels and shopping from local Māori designers. Discover more about the celebration here.
For those taking the opportunity to head up north, the award-winning Sage is offering an exquisite four-course menu perfect for the occasion. Drawing inspiration from the world around us, the lunchtime feast is $80 per person, with a glass of Paroa Bay Wine and free transport to and from Russell; it makes for essential dining for anyone up north. More details are available here.
“The biggest expression of a culture, after the language, is through the food,” Chef Fabio Bernardini explains, speaking to the vision for his new restaurant, Tempero. The Pan-Latin restaurant has this week opened its doors at an iconic address (which, until recently, housed Peach Pit), and the ethos here is to offer pared-back, bistronomy-style dining that hits the spot just as this kind of cuisine was always meant to.
The restaurant is a journey back to Bernardini’s ancestral roots, who, alongside working in some of Auckland’s top kitchens with the likes of Michael Meredith, brings some seriously impressive international credentials to the restaurant. He has served as the Executive Sous-Chef at Mexico City’s Pujol — which was recently awarded the 5th spot on last year’s World’s Best 50 list — as well as Michelin-starred Saison in San Francisco and D.O.M in his native Brazil, not to mention being named a finalist in the prestigious San Pellegrino Young Chef Latin America competition. With this resume at its helm, it’s fair to say Tempero is already punching well above its weight.
Joined by his partner Tiffany Low to manage operations, whose past also includes a tenure as Maitre d’ at New York’s Mercer Kitchen, the intention was always to create something intimate and approachable that reflected the cuisine’s heritage. As the menu brings together diverse flavours and influences from Latin countries, so too does the fit-out — all of which was a hands-on process for the owners. The simple 40-seater space underwent a significant transformation that included extensive tiling, licks of paint and reupholstering. The bare bones of the room initially spoke to the duo, I’m told, where the high ceilings and colonial structure felt reminiscent of buildings in Brazil. The couple brought a playful approach to the space, with modernist art and minimalism, and like most, sustainability, as an overarching principle.
The latter concept is applied to the food too, where Bernardini adopts a nose-to-tail approach to cooking, ensuring a more sustainable practice, introducing new flavours to the palette, and leaning into a traditional Latin approach to cooking. After all, anyone familiar with the cuisine can see its immediate influence on the menu — from emphasising meats and traditional dishes like moqueca to introducing delicious pantry staple ingredients like cassava, beans and farofa — a treasured addition. Low explains that because of the ingredients, much of the menu is (almost unintentionally) gluten-free and there’s much that can accommodate vegan and vegetarian preferences too.
Tempero’s dishes you can’t get away without trying include the pão de queijo, a moreish little Brazilian cheese bread that is perfect for sharing, and the tamal of potatoes, which, when drenched in green salsa and topped with bean salad, feels like a modern rendition of the Mexican classic. For something heartier to share, opt for the acarajé, which is a flavour-stuffed morsel designed to share, the confit chicken leg (which is perfectly cooked), and the fish moqueca, a traditional Brazilian stew, served with rice and farofa with banana. And while all of these plates are packed with new and intricate flavours that offer a sense of intrigue, and are served in such a way that could be seen at some of the world’s best restaurants, there is a sense of familiarity at the menu’s core — each dish is flavoursome but inherently simple, like something you might find in the home kitchens of Central and South America.
Beverage offerings here also consider the notions of nostalgia and simplicity while speaking to the rich tapestry of Tempero. Latin-inspired cocktails like margaritas and pina coladas are a mainstay, alongside a carefully curated wine list, house-made horchatas and agua de sabor. While some might see a destination like this as another delicious string in K’Road’s already impressive bow, we’d suggest recognising it for what it is — a world-class establishment that could quickly become one of our City’s best restaurants. After all, it’s about time for some new flavours, we think.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday — Thursday, 4pm until 11pm
Friday, 12pm until late
Saturday, 4pm until late
Closed Sunday & Monday
Those who find themselves in need of a caffeine hit like clockwork would do well to discover Cafe Perch, the new(ish) Freemans Bay cafe we’ve just discovered that caters to all of our workday needs. Conveniently found in an enlarged, foyer-style space on Hargreaves Street, this destination is the perfect new addition for anyone in the area, whether for a coffee on the fly, a fresh sandwich for lunch, or a place to perch for a while in the middle of a busy workday.
A vision of Drew Brown (who worked in the space when it was formerly Red Rabbit, which he describes as more of a specialty coffee bar) and the neighbouring RCP offices, Cafe Perch exists as the kind of space every office block needs. Brown uses eightthirty coffee — roasters known and loved around town — and has teamed up with Five Loaves to offer fresh daily sandwiches and other baked goods. When Denizen visited, the cabinets were stocked with delicious Chicken Caesar Wraps, Korean Chicken Sandos and Veggie Pides, as well as some fresh toasties, frittatas and slices — offering something to suit any taste or need.
The space itself is simple but sleek. Brown worked tirelessly over one weekend with a friend to ensure no disruptions to the local coffee trade in the address’ handover. It features tall, cavernous concrete walls, curtains and plants to add warmth, commissioned artworks and a large communal table paired with IMO stools, where you could quite easily bring your laptop and set up shop for some time.
Open Monday through Friday; we consider Cafe Perch essential for anyone looking to add a little more pep to their step, whether you find yourself near or far.
Opening Hours:
Monday — Friday, 7.30am until 3pm.
In order to capture the magic and gravitas of Matariki this year, Viaduct Harbour called on a team of creative collaborators to reinterpret the iconic star cluster via an immersive, on-water experience of light and sound. The result is IWA, a contemplative work conceived by Creative Director Tuhirangi Blair (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa) with Pōneke-based Music Producer Riki Pirihi (Ngāti Wai, Patuharakeke, Ngāti Māhanga Hourua) with installation by Artist Angus Muir.
Able to be viewed by the public from Viaduct Harbour’s Te Mata Topaki (the waterfront pier structure at 117 Customs Street West), IWA comprises nine illuminated buoys that float on the water in the formation of the Matariki stars and comes to life in a captivating audio-visual performance at 6pm and 8pm every evening until Sunday the 23rd of July. Here, Pirihi has used synths, glockenspiel and feedback loops to cultivate a unique soundtrack that will play through the Te Mata Topaki speakers in time with a colourful light show across the bobbing buoys.
“Thinking about the kaupapa of Matariki, with it being a time of reflecting forwards and backwards, our connection to the taiao (environment), and honouring our loved ones who have passed,” Pirihi explains, “my thoughts have been towards making music that feels like it has come from beneath the water and is sitting above it gently, as to not disturb the environment too much.” As such, IWA offers a visually impactful but sonically gentle experience that feels deeply aligned with the inherent meaning of Matariki — a time to stop, reflect and reconnect with friends and family.
This idea is echoed by Blair, who underlines that the purpose of IWA was not only to offer a moment of stillness in the chaos of the city but also, to provide “a moment to reflect, remember, and prepare for the upcoming year.” He continues, “Whether you’re looking for a peaceful moment to yourself or a chance to connect with others, this installation is an excellent opportunity to do so.”
On now until Sunday the 23rd of July, IWA is offering an unmissable chance to actually stop and consider the importance of Matariki this year and what it means to you. (Not to mention the chance to experience an exceptional creative concept in action.)
In seeking storage solutions for your home that don’t require you to compromise your style, look no further than USM’s iconic Haller system. Practical, chic and entirely customisable, the pieces from this brand will work in any space.
The Haller system is an icon of modern design, comprising customisable shelving made to suit a variety of interiors. Universally favoured for its simple construction and almost infinitely versatile configurations, this system has long been a mainstay of curated, contemporary residences, offering pieces that can be seamlessly slotted into any kind of space, from the kitchen to the bedroom and the TV and living rooms.
The beauty of these pieces lies in their subtle but sophisticated construction. In all iterations of the Haller system — whether it be a shelving unit, a console or a dresser — its linear, ball-and-tube, chrome frame anchors the look, into which is slotted the recognisable panels, available in a range of colours (14, to be exact) perfect for any space or taste.
As beloved for its high-quality materials as for its versatile design, the Haller system can be made to a range of budgets and architectural or aesthetic constraints where, if you need a small sideboard to hide living room detritus, or are looking for a large unit to showcase your finest objets d’art, USM will have the perfect storage solution, every time.
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