As the Matariki cluster begins to light our night skies and invite a sense of renewal for the days ahead, a collective of artists and makers will look to one star in particular, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi. This star is has long been associated with ideas of looking forward, planning and hoping for prosperity in the coming year, making it the obvious source of inspiration for Viaduct Harbour‘s pop-up gallery, HIWA.
Opening this week, HIWA has been created and curated by Tuhirangi Blair, the creative behind clothing label Lucky Dip. For Blair, the curation process was very personal, resulting in a range of incredible Māori artists and makers, each showcasing the best of their métier. Here, pieces by Yonel Watene, Maraea Shaw, Ashleigh Taupaki, Te Ara Minhinnick and Atareta Black are (despite covering a variety of mediums) unified by the common themes of culture, hope and prosperity. And the result is something quite special.
From left: Ashleigh Taupaki; Atareta Black.
“The vision for HIWA is to be a beacon along the Viaduct Harbour promenade where we showcase Māori excellence,” Blair shares. “There is a fantastic blend of up-and-coming talent alongside more established artists and makers.”
This year’s celebration of Matariki is monumental, as the first time this Māori holiday is being ‘officially’ acknowledged. But for Blair, Matariki has always been an important time, a time to remember the past, celebrate the present and prepare for the future. “I look forward to the broader communities within Aotearoa embracing and learning about these traditional practices and beliefs,” he reflects. “I’m hoping HIWA will provide a space in the city where people can escape the hustle and bustle and have a moment to themselves.”
Te Ara Minhinnick.
Having HIWA in a space frequented and beloved by Aucklanders from all walks of life is significant, located in Market Square, Viaduct Harbour’s humming epicentre. For the occasion, Viaduct Harbour handed over full creative control to Blair and the collective of artists, allowing Māori voices to tell the story of Matariki.
And while the pop-up gallery will form the focus of Viaduct Harbour’s Matariki celebrations, Blair also has other suggestions for honouring the holiday’s history. Being an occasion where food, family and festivities have always been at the forefront, he reccommends taking a moment to reflect on the past year, reconnect with loved ones and spend some time outside. And considering that it’s the middle of the winter, Blair explains how Matariki is typically a time for sharing stories, enjoying each other’s company and preparing for the year ahead.
From left: Atareta Black, ‘Winnie after Vincent’, 2022, Oil on Denim by Yonel Watene.
With all that in mind, this Matariki, we suggest heading down to Viaduct Harbour with your loved ones, strolling along the promenade, indulging in a celebratory meal at one of your favourite waterfront restaurants, and, of course, taking some time to experience the incredible creativity at play in HIWA.
Viaduct Harbour and HIWA invite Denizens to join the special opening of the space, with a morning karakia to be held from 7.30am this Thursday the 23rd of June. The dawn ceremony will include an opportunity to meet the artists. The karakia is free to attend and all are welcome.For more info click here.
Love truffles? Those who covet the intoxicating, opulent taste of truffles will be pleased to know that the time has come to celebrate gastronomy’s black gold in all its glory. Whether shaved over a bowl of handmade pasta, tucked into a toastie or layered through a decadent wedge of cheese, those seeking to indulge in a little luxury will be spoilt for choice with the irresistible creations on offer at eateries across Auckland.
Sample simplicity with Amano’s truffle tagliatelle Trust pasta masters (and a Denizen Hospo Heroes winner) Amano to pull out all the stops when it comes to honouring our favourite fungi. This dish sees handmade egg-dough ribbons paired with Christchurch Perigord truffle and plenty of parmesan cheese. Making an anticipated return after last year’s popularity, this dish from the Britomart pasta stalwart shouldn’t be overlooked this season. It’s one that we’ll happily come back to time and time again.
Alpha, Elmos.
Alpha’s elevated take on an indulgent brunch We would expect nothing less than brilliance come truffle season at Parnell’s Alpha, and this is an indulgent take on brunch. Here the beloved duck egg en cocotte with gruyere and house shokupan soldiers is easily elevated with a shaving of fresh truffle and a healthy dollop of caviar. It’s a decidedly wonderful approach to a childhood classic, and one that’s certainly caught the attention of the Denizen office too.
Elmo’s ever-changing truffle season menu Come truffle season, Elmo’s is a must-visit. This year, the menu is set to change throughout the season, as new inspiration and flavours arise, but guests can expect to find pillows of fresh pasta filled with crayfish and Spanner Crab, mushroom duxelles, swimming in a beef and sherry broth and littered with fresh black Perigord Truffle, or a truffle burrata served with a drizzle of olive oil, topped with freshly shaved truffle, plus the Discovery of Truffle pizza, where fresh black truffle is grated over fior di latte, taleggio, gruyère and gorgonzola.
Spice up your soufflé at The Engine Room Returning for another anticipated year on the menu is The Engine Room’s famous ‘Pimp My Soufflé, featuring local truffles. Here, their already-sought-after twice-baked goat’s cheese soufflé is only enhanced by the welcome addition of périgord or bianchietto truffles. Alongside their six-course truffle dinner (with dates to be announced), expect a raft of truffle-inspired dishes on the menu, including local mushroom ragu, with soft mascarpone polenta, pangrattato and périgord truffle, the risotto ‘cacio e pepe’ with bianchetto truffle and the pork belly, with parsnip puree, périgord truffle, soused prune and apple persillade — just to name a few.
Faraday’s Bar, Spiga.
Truffle Fries at Faraday’s Bar The perfect rest-stop after shopping is Parnell’s Faraday’s Bar. Adjacent to the showstopping Faradays department store, this incredible bar is beloved for its elevated snacks and crisp champagne. But a little-known secret is that this venue serves up some of our favourite truffle fries in the city, where perfectly crispy French fries come with a generous helping of truffle crème — just the right amount of sustenance to get you through a day of retail therapy.
Explore savoury and sweet at Remuera’s Spiga At Remuera’s Spiga, the truffle season offering keeps beautiful Italian food at the forefront of the menu. But this hasn’t stopped the kitchen from exploring all the innovative ways that truffles can be used to enhance flavour. Alongside a signature truffle pasta (the agnolotti del plin), comes a decadent truffle dessert — a persimmon ice cream sandwich, garnished with shaved truffle and chocolate hazelnut sauce; a last course to be remembered.
Indulge in the famous Over The Moon Truffled Brie from Culprit We never miss the opportunity for a delicious meal at inner-city eatery Culprit, and the innovative restaurant has elevated the concept of fried camembert to new heights. Returning after the popularity of last year, Over The Moon truffled brie is wrapped in nasturtium leaf and layers of filo pastry for textural contrast, before being grilled until crisp. This delicacy will be served alongside some surprise truffle dishes, for which we can’t wait to be revealed.
Hero Sandwich House offers a toastie of epic proportions Purveyors of the finest sandos in town, Hero Sandwich House are upping the anti for this year’s truffle season. Their truffle and cheese toastie is poised to be the finest delicacy on their already popular menu, and its an arrival we have waited for with baited breath. Our advice? Order early, before the rest of the city catches on.
Onemata.
Sample Park Hyatt’s truffle contribution at both Onemata & The Living Room Viaduct Harbour’s Park Hyatt is a serious contender on the scene when it comes to hospitality, and this truffle season is an indication of exactly why. At its restaurant, Onemata, both mains and desserts will accommodate the seasonal delicacy, and the famed afternoon tea menus at The Living Room will see various treats incorporate truffles by way of executive pastry chef Callum Liddicoat. Expect inspired dishes like a milk braised pork shoulder ravioli with truffle parmesan cream sauce and fresh truffle, alongside the ‘chocolate bar’ — a Foundry chocolate and hazelnut bar with Jerusalem artichoke caramel, salted potato chips, caramel chantilly and truffle ice cream — a flavour combination only Liddicoat could execute.
Truffle & comté toastie and homemade truffle Brie de Meaux from Apero Hunkering down at K’Road’s ever-popular Apero is the epitome of cosy comfort — especially when you add its truffle offerings to the mix. The toastie stuffed with comté cheese and freshly shaved truffle is a must, as is the truffle Brie de Meaux — which sees a heady truffle mixture sandwiched between layers of indulgent Brie de Meaux cheese. These two favourites return after last year’s popular season and are best paired with a glass of something good (ask Mo for an impeccable recommendation).
Indulge your tastebuds with feel-good Italian at Non Solo Pizza Savor’s Parnell outpost, Non Solo Pizza, which has already achieved legendary status in our eyes, is boasting an impressive addition to their winter offering thanks to the indulgent addition of truffles to the menu. Their specialty for the season is a Perigord truffle and oyster mushroom risotto, which pairs perfectly with a glass of Prophets Rock Pinot Noir 2019. At $56 for both wine and dish, visiting more than once is absolutely justified. If you’re craving something else, the kitchen are also offering freshly shaved truffle at $15 for three grams. We recommend adding it to the eye fillet, T-bone and the famed burrata.
Harper Finn is in the recording studio when we first meet. He moves around the space like someone who’s knowingly spent a large portion of his life there. Listening to a few singles from his soon-to-be-released EP, Newcomer, there’s an air of contentment that transcends his career. Yes, the 24-year-old’s lineage has helped form the backbone of New Zealand’s music industry, but he’s not riding on the coat-tails of his father (Tim Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House fame). Instead, he is harnessing his tremendous talent to pave his own way, and it’s starting to pay off.
Born in Sydney, Finn grew up with music being the language spoken at home. It wasn’t always the career he was planning; spending his teenage years toying with rugby, film and dreams of becoming a pilot. But on entering a new high school, he discovered a taste of music that left him hungry for more. “I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have any friends for quite a long time. So I would just go to the music room, into a little private piano room and shut the door and play piano at lunchtime.”
“I feel like music has always been my retreat, my sanctuary. It’s been like my friend,” he confides. Through this creative outlet, Finn found his first musical connection where he could collaborate and be a part of the process. He joined an eight-person hip-hop collective, playing the piano, where he observed and found inspiration among other artists. He describes this process as ‘osmosis’, where like many teens, connections were formed through a mutual love of music.
It was in the collective where Finn was first introduced to the idea of genre-less music. Around him, he saw musicians collaborating and pulling from different influences, from jazz to old school hip-hop, and as artists, they were involved in every step of the process. It’s an element that is still very integral to Finn’s own creative practice — the idea of genre-neutral music that doesn’t subscribe to a set of rules. He’s not afraid to try something different or new, a trait he’s discovered is key for any artist to survive in the ever-changing world.
When questioned on the best advice he had ever received from his father, Finn says it wasn’t so much about the lessons given, but more the dinner table conversations about composition or creative collaborations that have helped his confidence as an artist.
“Growing up around music being played or written in the house made it very normal. I was just used to that. When I was about six or seven, my parents were like, ‘what instrument do you want to learn?’ I said, ‘maybe the piano’ and so then I had a piano teacher.”
But times have changed in the decades since, and the ascending musician is revelling in the opportunity to break free from the typical mould, and be a part of the change that shapes the new norm. It’s in that place that he finds the ‘newcomer’ sensation he holds so dear.
In a pre-pandemic world, the first few years of Finn’s career would have looked like back-to-back tours, and while that’s an element the artist is eager to explore, he’s not shying away from the challenge of creating something new. Social media platforms like TikTok are offering young artists a more organic, authentic way to connect with their growing audiences. And while he’s ‘still figuring it out’, this presents an opportunity for Finn to take initiative and do things differently. While taking inspiration from the collaborative process, he ardently produces (or at the very least co-produces) his music, alongside writing the lyrics, and singing — a rare talent in the industry.
Finn’s talents aren’t reserved for the recording studio either. The singer-songwriter leans into all elements of creativity, and is still buzzing from the latest music video he shot just days before we speak.
“That’s where I feel the most lucky to do this job,” he confesses. “I write songs — it’s not something you can see or touch. Yet I’m allowed to become a film director for a day and have a whole vision of what the song should be. How lucky am I that I can write songs, but then also step into the world of film and visuals, and still have this much stimulation creatively.”
But living the creative dream isn’t always easy. Dealing with rejection comes part and parcel with the job, especially as the industry simmers in the loss of its live element. “There’s this weird constant up and down, especially if you’re a solo artist, because your face, your name, is at the forefront. I had been in a band that didn’t get signed and it was a real challenge. You put your heart and soul into something for people to sometimes not even react.”
“You have to embrace it and accept it,” he continues, “as cliché as it sounds, it’s just part of the job. If you love music enough, I think that will trump the rejection feeling.” And for the emerging artist, his idea of success is enough. It’s not the Hollywood lights and accolades he craves. Instead, it’s simply the ability to keep making music for a long time in a way that’s sustainable, and he can find happiness and joy in that.
On happiness, we reflect that it can be elusive in an industry marked by milestones. Particularly because as humans, we have a tendency to believe that happiness will always be further down the line. But by way of his father’s Bhuddist influence in his life, Finn has been inspired to see happiness in the moment, imparting him with a unique optimism about the current world.
And while he presents as someone who is content with who he is and where he’s at, Finn expresses an eagerness to grow and continually learn, a lesson that he wishes he knew at the start of his journey. “I would probably tell myself, you still have a lot to learn,” he laughs.
It is learning that has brought Finn to this point, where he’s finally releasing his debut EP. After being crowned Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards, it’s something that fans and curious listeners alike have been hungry to hear. With the release imminent, the eight-track record offers the best insight into the musician’s mind.
Newcomer reflects on the most recent chapter of Finn’s life, and speaks to the themes of heartbreak, separation and a hunger to see the world again. It chronicles the months he spent stuck overseas with last year’s border closures, and the melancholic joy he found in discovering new cities and spaces.
“The name Newcomer references the idea of being the new person,” he shares. “When nobody knows what you’re about, and everyone’s looking and you’re deciding how to reveal yourself. That’s how I felt as a newcomer in the industry — trying to figure out how I should move into this space, be myself and represent my music.”
The EP acts both as an opening and a closure. It marks the beginning of what is looking to be a long, exciting career for the young musician, and it simultaneously marks the end of a chapter in Finn’s life. Not wanting to leave his first singles ‘in limbo’, he felt that releasing Newcomer would allow him to embark on the next stage of his journey, leaving no ties to his past behind.
For now, Finn has his sights set on becoming a newcomer once more, after recently moving to New York. A city that he describes as having ‘a poem on every street corner’, it is there that he plans to further his creative journey, collaborating with artists he admires and making music that breaks all the rules.
Originally from Buenos Aries, Evelin Stjepanek has spent the last six years working at and managing a range of lauded hospitality venues around Auckland (including Annabel’s Wine Bar, Candela, Daphnes and Pici). Now, the industry veteran is finally poised to make a mark of her own on the scene she has come to know so well, having recently bought into Ponsonby Road bar, Est.1901.
“After years of working on it, I was finally ready to find a premise to start developing my own idea,” Stjepanek tells me, “and it was perfect timing, meeting the lovely existing owners of Est.1901 who wanted me to refresh the direction of the bar… we became business partners in March and since then, I have worked with the incredible team to redesign all the offerings.”
Located on a prime piece of Ponsonby Road real estate (right next door to Prego) Est.1901 originally opened as a cocktail bar in 2018, but under Stjepanek’s direction, has been transformed into a cocktail and wine bar, with Stjepanek directing her passion for the latter into a comprehensive wine list to sit alongside a raft of new cocktails. “We have 12 new signature cocktails, and of course all the ingredients to make the classics,” Stjepanek explains, “and our new wine list is a beautiful selection of the best from New Zealand and overseas, with wines that cover the old world and the new, from traditional and ancestral methods to natural and organic options as well.” The drinks menu will also carry a range of whiskys and sherrys for those seeking something a little stronger, but as Stjepanek emphasises, “we will always try our best to offer what people are looking for, so whatever you want, we’ll make it.”
For Stjepanek, it seems, creativity and customer service are the two factors underpinning Est.1901’s new direction, where a whole new food menu of delicious bites will be seasonally driven and offer a more creative take on the bar snacks of old, with options to suit any taste or proclivity (they even have vegan truffle butter, we are told).
“Ultimately, I wanted Est.1901 to be the perfect place to enjoy the simple things in life,” says Stjepanek, “good conversation, a fine drink in hand, pleasant music in the background and some delicious menu offerings, made in-house with love… our number one priority is to make the customer feel good and feel at-home.”
Right: 1901 owner Evelin Stjepanek.
To mark the relaunch, Stjepanek is throwing a good old fashioned Sunday sesh this weekend with music by Martina Mak and Forrest Bump, a range of tasty food offerings (think fried chicken sandos alongside various vegetarian and vegan options), natural wines and happy hour cocktails all afternoon. Running from 2pm until 10pm (with all welcome) Est.1901’s relaunch is not only the perfect place to while away your Sunday but is the perfect way to welcome the bar’s new-and-improved offering — something for everyone to get excited about.
If lines are a testament to a restaurant’s success, then there is none more successful than Auckland’s Eden Noodles. The 2022 Hospo Heroes winner of the Cheap & Cheerful category is a household name across the city, adored by everyone for its hand-pulled noodles and famed dumplings.
So it is with great excitement and much anticipation, that we announce the arrival of Eden Noodles’ latest outpost in Newmarket. Hopefully, intending to ease the pressure of queues along Dominion Road, alongside expanding its territory further east, this newest opening will serve the same famed delights that earned it the highest praises. It has been rumoured that the staff here handmake thousands of dumplings per day, and it is a legend we are willing to believe.
So, for anyone yet to try the wonder of Eden Noodles, consider this a sign. We expect crowds to descend on the venue within a few days of opening (it is only open for takeaways for the first two weeks of trade). Our advice here is to go hungry in order to make the most of the deliciousness on offer. Start with the pork and chive dumplings in spicy sauce, and follow with the wide noodles in soup and dandan sauce. If you’re craving a little extra, grab a side of the cucumber salad — it never goes amiss.
Like the surface of a glassy pool or the natural facets of a diamond, the latest mirror designs give Narcissus something to lean into. From rounded and geometric shapes to abstract forms, these unique new mirrors are sure to entrance any handsome passer-by.
From left: Titian mirror for Kelly Hoppen from Frobisher, Piega-mirror by Victoria Wilmotte for ClassiCon from Matisse, Terrace mirror by J McDonald from Bonham Art & Design.
From left: Pond Mirror by Ferm Living from Slow Store, Galileo Mirror by Living Divani from Studio Italia, Leon Battista Mirror by Laudani & Romanelli for Glas Italia from ECC.
Kooh-I-Noor Specchi mirror by Piero Lissoni for Glass Italia from ECC. Photographed in Chelsea Hing’s Emerald Terrace home.
Gucci’s fine jewellery reimagines the brand’s most recognisable designs in precious gems. Take the Dionysus and Lionhead motifs, for instance, which are not only icons of the house but speak to Gucci’s affinity for animal symbolism and mythical power. In Gucci’s fine jewellery collections, the recognisable shapes have been given a precious reimagining, encrusted in diamonds and twisted into white and yellow gold. Seen in this photoshoot from our new winter issue, alongside pieces from the delicate Flora collection, Gucci’s fine jewellery pays homage to the essence of the house, in glamorous, eye-catching fashion.
Flora earrings in 18-karat white gold with diamonds and yellow sapphires and Flora ring in 18-karat white gold with yellow sapphires and diamonds from Gucci.
Dionysus necklace in 18-karat white gold with diamonds from Gucci.
Lionhead rings all in 18-karat yellow gold with peridot and diamonds, fire opal and diamonds and aquamarine and diamonds from Gucci.
Lionhead earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with aquamarine and diamonds and Lionhead necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with aquamarine and diamonds from Gucci.
Flora bracelet in 18-karat white gold with diamonds and Flora ring in 18-karat white gold with diamonds from Gucci.
Lionhead necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with multi-coloured gemstones and diamonds and Lionhead earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with multi-coloured gemstones and diamonds from Gucci.
Photography Assistant: Sam Armstrong. Makeup: Sean Brady. Hair: Madison Voloshin at Assembly Agency. Model: Angelina from The Scouted. Florals sourced by Christelle Scifo from Fleurette.
There is a buzz surrounding the recent opening of Swings on Kitchener Street that, for anyone who knows its owners, is certainly deserved. Paul and Lisa Lee are beloved in Auckland’s dining scene as the couple behind Ponsonby Road’s Ockhee—a delicious Korean eatery with unique, soulful food and flavours that have garnered it something of a cult following.
Swings’ Bully Toasted Sandwich. Photos by One Eight Studio.
Now, the clever duo has opened another spot in Auckland, although the offering is something of a departure from what we have come to expect from Ockhee. “We thought about how we could introduce Korean culture more to New Zealanders,” Paul tells me, “so we decided to create a menu based on ‘flour’ which is the staple for kiwis and to mix it up with Korean flavours. My partner, Lisa, came up with an idea of doing Korean toasties.”
Located opposite Albert Park (just a short walk from the Auckland Art Gallery) Swings is a decidedly cool drop-in where punters can find perfectly-brewed coffee, natural wines and a menu of delicious Korean toasties. Sitting in the light-filled space, designed by the couple’s friend Young Do from Studio We Are Young, you feel distinctly removed from the city, despite being in its heart. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a coffee made from Swings in-house beans, a Korean soft drink or even a wine as you look out to the greenery opposite or browse through Swings’ shelves of branded merch and listen to music that has been meticulously-curated for the space.
Swings.
On the menu designed by Lisa, Swings offers a more playful twist on the kind of flavours that have made Ockhee so popular. The toasties are made with fluffy white bread and boast fillings like egg and mozzarella cheese with condensed milk and Gochujang sauce and marinated beef with mango and Bulgogi sauce, and there are a number of sides like fried chicken skewers and cheesy potato balls available as well. As Paul explains, “Lisa made the menu based on authentic Korean street toast and made all the sauce components that she thinks are right for people here. I would say it’s fusion Korean street food made for Kiwis.”
Left: Potato Cheese Balls and Fried Chicken Skewer.
Beyond the sleek fit out and delicious food, Swings is poised to become something of a creative hub, with Paul divulging plans to use the space for other purposes. “Once the city is back up and running properly, we will be doing lots of more fun things in this space with other creative friends,” he says, “it’s going to be a rad spot.”
Choosing sunglasses has become about much more than just shape alone. Because whether you’re a cat-eye person, or an aviator person or a square-frame person, what will really make a difference to your overall look, is colour. Namely, lens colour.
Recently we’ve noticed the re-emergence of tinted lenses as the style of choice for those in the know. Call it a 60s redux or an Elton John homage, or simply a reflection of bold way Gen-Z is dressing, but colourful lenses are taking over the accessory space and are the perfect way to add an interesting touch to everyday looks.
As always, whenever we think about upgrading our sunglasses it’s to the experts at Parker & Co. that we turn. And with a raft of recently-arrived men’s and women’s styles from brands like Moscot and Celine, this eyewear mecca is making it easier than ever to buy into this trend. These are some of our favourites.
Clockwise from top left: MissDior B3U Butterfly Sunglasses, Celine Metal Frame 02 Sunglasses, Victoria Beckham Classic Flat Top V Sunglasses, DiorSignature A3U Sunglasses, Garrett Leight Holly Sunglasses, DIORSIGNATURE S4U Sunglasses. All available from Parker & Co.
Clockwise from top left: Moscot Lemtosh Sunglasses, Culter & Gross 1397 Square Sunglasses, Moscot Miltzen Sunglasses, Moscot Gelt Sunglasses, Cutler & Gross 1396 Round Sunglasses, Garrett Leight Brooks X Sunglasses. All available from Parker & Co.
They say change is as good as a holiday, and for this young family, a newly minted house was a chance to create a feeling of escape, even though they knew they would be required to spend a lot more time at home.
In the heart of Balmain, a once-bohemian Sydney suburb on the water’s edge, the home was completed by Nina Maya Interiors to have a fresh and modern beach house feel. “The clients, a young couple with two sons, lead very busy lives so they wanted their home to feel like their own retreat and an escape from the hustle and bustle,” says Maya.
Building during a pandemic, when the owners weren’t able to visit their favourite holiday destinations, only enhanced this desire for resort-style living from the safety of their own home. The entire site was deeply excavated to make way for a new lower ground level dedicated to leisure and health pursuits — with a state of the art gym, steam room, cinema, billiard room and bar. The remainder of the generously proportioned three-level build includes four bedrooms and bathrooms, which overlook a beautifully appointed pool and cabana area.
Achieving a sense of minimalist luxury is a laidback yet refined tonal material selection, including French oak floors, marmorino plaster walls and Italian travertine accents.
As a foundation, it allows for craftsmanship and architectural elements to shine through. Each space is layered with meticulously styled furniture from leading local designers and unique vintage finds from around the world.
“We loved exploring the impact of a tonal scheme, which carried through the house creating a relaxed yet sophisticated interior space,” says Maya. “Points of colour and texture are introduced through soft furnishings and art.”
Take the lounge, for example. The fireplace surround seems elementally simple, but the discernment is in the details. In fact, it was entirely made by hand by a master stonemason in curved travertine — the individual pieces took three days to install. Styled with this is an expressive sofa by Australian architect and furniture designer Daniel Boddam.
“We love his organic forms and references to nature, which complemented the natural material selections,” says Maya. “His Wave sofa was inspired by rolling waves that lift you up and swirl around you and has been designed as an organic, comfortable shape that evokes a sense of lyricism and play to an interior, whilst still being minimalistic and elegant.”
The art was also key to unlocking a renewed sense of delight, as if the owners have stepped into a luxury hotel suite that was made just for them. In the stairwell hangs artwork by Zhuang Hong Yi, a contemporary Chinese painter known for his lush ‘flowerbeds’. In conversation with this are handcrafted light works by Como-based Draga & Aurel above the aforementioned fireplace. Seen through the staircase’s glass partitioning, they quietly lift the heat of the fire to the landing.
While the house is undoubtedly cool, touches of warmth are also carried through with custom brass accents. In the kitchen, this includes brushed brass and wood stools at the tideline of the travertine island, and a vintage Italian brass pendant with marble shades that look like moonlight on the beach.
It’s best to be barefoot in this home, including the bedrooms with silk carpet in the colour of pearls. The main bedroom is the most self-possessed, with a sea froth blue velvet headboard on a bedrock of the sandy-toned travertine.
The shored up spa-like ensuite shows a preference for a purified palette. Especially soft, it belies the complexity of its construction — with curved vanities clad in micro-cement and integrated with basins entirely handmade of white Elba marble.
The vanity, alongside the bedroom’s walk-in-wardrobe, achieves the right amount of glamour and comfort. Mirrors are used both for the cabinetry and the floor-to-ceiling wall, reflecting glass wall sconces from the artisans at Articolo Lighting — as well as the beholder — in multitudes.
Like the expanse of the elevated seaside home, it’s a private space where opportunities seem endless. Sometimes, all you do need is a new perspective.
Artfull began as a conversation between a collector and a gallery manager in the lockdown of 2021. While artists had exponentially more time to work away at their creative endeavours, galleries across the country closed their doors, and collectors grew hungry for new ways to discover exquisite works.
Over email, collector and well-known business leader John Barnett mentioned to Jessica Agoston Cleary that he was running shy of inspiration. “He was asking how he could discover what was going on in the New Zealand art world, and how could he find out what was going on further afield,” Agoston Cleary shares. “We thought there had to be a better way… A way where we could discover all of New Zealand’s great art in one place.”
Artfull founders Jessica Agoston Cleary and John Barnett.
Less than a year later, Artfull emerged. A platform designed by both the collector and curator, Artfull is, at its core, a space for those wanting to find pieces of art (and artists, for that matter) to fall in love with. Both Barnett and Agoston Cleary were determined to carve out a space where art was readily accessible, which meant both location-friendly (for those spread around the country who may not have immediate access to galleries) and budget-aware. As such, Artfull curates works to suit all budgets, inspired in part by Barnett’s first purchase of a Don Binney after finishing University.
By making art more accessible, the founders hope that the conversations surrounding it will evolve with time too.
“New Zealand isn’t known for engaging with art,” Agoston Cleary reflects. “In bringing artists and galleries from different locations into one place, we hope it’s going to help elevate New Zealand art in the eyes of the rest of the world. We can present the art of here and now, reflecting who we are and sharing it with the world.”
Embracing the ever-changing nature of digital, Artfull leads with an online-first approach, one of the first such platforms specifically designed for the New Zealand market. The site is a sleek experience, akin to shopping in an elegant gallery (albeit less intimidating), and it also opens up digital possibilities for artists outside the realm of NFTs.
“We want to lead the way and be champions of what you can do with digital,” the co-founder shares. “It’s real, tangible art, and we can help people connect with it digitally.”
It’s not just a typical approach to art found on the platform either; Artfull’s offering extends to publications about art and subjects in life that inspire creativity. It was important for the founders to share books and other art adjacent offerings that inform the art just as much as the piece itself.
While art will always be available in New Zealand, there’s no denying that the recent years of lockdowns, alongside an online-first approach to shopping have changed the face of the industry here. Artfull’s unique take has embraced these changing times with reverence. With the ethos of ensuring New Zealand art and its most respected practitioners remain accessible, the platform is a way to engage with new collectors while offering more seasoned art-buyers a connection to emerging artists. Really, this platform is unlike anything else here, and is poised to have a significant impact on the landscape as we know it.
There’s a new coffee shop to be found nestled in Viaduct Harbour that has made a swift and significant impact as much for its perfectly brewed coffee as for its sleek, modern fit-out.
Semicolon Coffee, located on the ground floor of Fanshawe Street’s Te Kupenga building, is a space designed to unify good coffee and good company and is the latest opening from the team at And Group—the hospitality gurus behind &Sushi and Slowlane.
At Semicolon, the offering is one of an elevated daily stop-in—think of it like the perfect place to grab your morning brew and a bite before heading into the office. Although with a food menu as considered as its coffee, Semicolon makes for a great lunch spot, too.
That said, it’s the coffee here that truly takes centre stage, with the team sourcing, profiling and contract-roasting their own specialty-grade coffee. It’s one of those key differences that really sets them apart, and trust us, it makes a difference.
“The semicolon represents a decision by an author to continue a sentence rather than ending it, and is most commonly used to link two independent clauses,” shares And Group founder Isaac Yu. “For us, the semicolon became a symbol of how we could link coffee with people—two different things sharing the same space in harmony.”
Whether you’re someone whose workplace is near Semicolon, or you are simply wanting to change up your daily coffee, we suggest adding this new spot to your list of places to try. Catering to the masses while retaining that warm, welcoming, local coffee shop feel, it’s a place that we are certainly glad is within walking distance of the Denizen office.
Beauty, like fashion, is largely dictated by trends. And the trends at the moment are vast and varied, from fresh, dewy faces to big, bouncy blowouts to eye-opening palettes inspired by pop culture (here’s looking at you Euphoria). We’ve even heard that the pencil-thin eyebrows of the 90s are back in (although we’re not sure we’re quite ready to embrace that one). That said, there are a number of eye-catching, beauty-enhancing makeup and hair trends that we are embracing right now, all of which make a strong case for a new seasonal look.
From left: ChanelFall 22, Matilda Djerf.
High Maintenance Hair Leave the beachy waves at the bach, the bouncy blowout is back for winter. High maintenance hair with a clean and preppy look is on every stylist’s radar. Enhance your locks with a bow or barette which are fast becoming the most popular accessories of the season.
Euphoric Eyes Inspired by the bold looks worn by the cast of hit-show Euphoria, vivid eyeshadow has been capturing attention on the catwalk too. A pop of pink here and a diamanté there, this trend is anything but subtle.
Clockwise from top left: 3 Couleurs Tri(O)blique Palette from Dior Beauty, Chromaline Gel Liner in Magenta from MAC, Rituel de Fille Celestial Sphere Eye Soot from Mecca, Eye #30 brush from Sothys, Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Aura from Mecca, Dazzleshadow Extreme Small Eye Shadow in Celebutante from MAC.
Left: Sacaifall 22.
Lived-In Lips The red lip of the past has had a dramatic makeover, as the crisply-lined pout is cast aside in favour of a smudged, just-been-kissed look. While there’s a fine line between Parisian chic and awkwardly smooched, these shades will ensure you get the balance right.
From left: Rouge Doux Lipstick from Sothys, Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in No.214 Brick Red from Smith & Caughey’s, Tom Ford Creamy Lipstick in Cherry Love from Mecca, Hourglass GIRL Lip Stylo in Lover from Mecca, Gucci Beauty Rouge À Lèvres Mat in 500 Odalie Red from Smith & Caughey’s.
From left: VersaceFall 22, Simone Ashley.
After Dark Beauty Taking the iconic smoky eye one step further, this look is all about embracing a late night aesthetic. Think after parties at dimly-lit bars, drinking martinis with handsome strangers and walking under neon city lights.
Clockwise from top left: Westman Atelier Eye Love You Mascara from Mecca, Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner from Mecca, Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl eyeliner from Mecca, Intense Look Eye Pencil from Sothys, Eye Pencil from Lily Lolo,Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow from Chanel, Carobon eyeshadow from MAC.
Fendifall 22.
Freshly Showered Hair Give the impression that you’re always on the move with the damp hair trend that transcends the notion of trying. Almost the antithesis of high maintenance locks, it’s the perfect way to give off an effortless vibe.
From left: Briogeo B.Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil from Mecca, Oribe Rough Luxury Molding Wax from Spring Store, Ouai Leave in Conditioner from Sephora.
From left: Christian Dior Fall 22, Max Mara Fall 22.
Covered In Chrome Continuing the fresh-faced approach to beauty, metallic accents are one way to dress up an otherwise subtle makeup look. Be it via your favourite highlighter or the addition of chrome-inspired eyeshadows, this trend is designed to make your radiance pop.
Clockwise from left: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand from Mecca, Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo from Sephora, RMS Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow from Mecca, Kosas 10-Second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow from Mecca.
Auckland’s vast and varied dining scene offers far more than just inner-city haunts. In fact, there are just as many delicious coffee shops, cafés, eateries, restaurants and bars dotted around the city’s beautiful suburban areas, with each one serving up its own unique vibe and delicious offering. And after weathering the storm of the last two years with as much enthusiasm as they could muster, it’s these tireless local operators who we need to support, now more than ever.
From the typically cheap-and-cheerful restaurants that populate Dominion Road, to the reliable stalwarts of Ponsonby and hidden gems we adore on The Shore, there is inspired suburban dining to be found all over Auckland. Here, we round up the best places to eat and drink around the city, and prove why winter is the perfect time to expand your horizons, embark on a delicious dining tour, and try something new. Who knows? You might just find a new favourite spot.
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Our innermost suburb, Britomart boasts an incredible dining scene for such a small radius. Here, restaurants are made to woo those coming to the city on business, and impress the locals that inhabit the city. The following are some sure-fire Denizen favourites.
Ghost Street
Ghost Street
Ghost Street was conceived by the same culinary minds behind Xuxu Dumpling Bar, Cafe Hanoi and Saan, and has fast become one of the hottest dining spots in the area. Set in what used to be the basement of 1885, the restaurant is dimly lit and atmospheric, designed to reimagine the bustling, hole-in-the-wall eateries of Beijing’s famous food street. This idea carries onto the menu too, where punchy, seasonal dishes (inspired by a wide cross section of Chinese cuisine) run the gamut of flavours from tart and savoury to Sichuan and spice.
You’ll find some of the city’s best Japanese fare at this Britomart stalwart, where izakaya-style dining is given a sophisticated twist. Settle into Ebisu’s moody, low-lit dining room and enjoy a selection of delicious plates to share, from sushi and sashimi to dumplings, tempura and larger dishes like seared duck breast and Kagoshima Black wagyu scotch. Although open for lunch service as well, nothing beats an intimate dinner here with friends or family.
Having recently undergone a relocation (although just next door) and a refurbishment, Cafe Hanoi continues to be one of Britomart’s most popular eateries. From its delectable menu that takes traditional Vietnamese flavours and gives them a modern twist, to its lively atmosphere that promises a fun, buzzing dining experience, it’s clear to see why this downtown hotspot has remained on our radar for so long.
Designed after a New-York style speakeasy, Caretaker is a cocktail lounge inspired by the golden era of bartending. Beloved for its dimly-lit, underground vibe and its meticulous cocktails (punters can choose from an extensive menu or simply ‘trust the bartender’ to whip up a delicious concoction) this popular bar will transport you to another world.
As an extension of Parnell stalwart NSP’s offering, Bar Non Solo has become an inner city mainstay that brings a slice of Italian life to after-work drinks. Here you’ll find a legendary aperitivo hour, accompanied by live DJs and an atmospheric interior you’ll want to settle into for the night.
Beloved by the lunchtime crowd for its fresh sushi, satiating bowls and tasty sandos and dumplings, Oji is a downtown favourite, with outposts in Britomart, as well as the lunchtime favourite, Commercial Bay.
Having set itself apart from Auckland’s other sushi spots for its focus on locally-sourced ingredients, sustainable practices and a straightforward, no-fuss approach, Oji is the perfect place to pop into for an easy, healthy and downright delicious lunch, particularly for those who work in the city.
Heroing Andalusian flavours in its menu that marries Spanish culinary ideas with fresh New Zealand ingredients, Alma is a great place to post up for a delectable lunch or to book into for an intimate dinner. Serving small, tapas-style plates designed to share, this eatery has become one of our favourites for its unique food, relaxed atmosphere and impressive wine and gin list.
If it’s an easy, healthy lunch you’re after, look no further than the Britomart chapter of Yeah Bowl. Serving a range of poke bowls made with fresh, organic ingredients and free-range meats, this colourful, simple stop-in is on a mission to reimagine the idea of traditional ‘fast food.’
Sometimes, a good old-fashioned burger and shake is just what you feel like, and this Britomart spot delivers every time. With a simple menu that covers the traditional cheeseburger, a chicken burger, a mushroom burger and fries (all able to be made ‘epic’ with a mix of mustard, cheese, onion and ‘secret sauce’) alongside free-range fried chicken and shakes that are some of the best we’ve ever had, Better Burger is perfect if you’re in the mood for something a little naughty for your lunch.
Undoubtedly one of Auckland’s most popular eateries, Amano is open from early in the morning, when it serves elevated à la carte breakfast (and a selection of breakfast cocktails to boot), until well into the afternoon and evening, when it is consistently humming with hungry punters. For lunch and dinner, Amano offers a delicious Italian-inspired menu that highlights seasonal, local produce (the pasta dishes are a particular highlight) and transforms from a light-filled eatery into an elegant restaurant. Attached to Amano’s expansive dining room is its dedicated bakery, where coffee, freshly-pressed juices, pastries, sandwiches, salads and more are made on-site and available for anyone seeking a simple takeaway.
With a name that means ‘market gardener’ in Italian, it’s hardly surprising that Ortolana has built its reputation on serving delicious, Italian-inspired fare that showcases seasonal produce from local growers. Open from early in the morning until late into the night, this intimate, cosy spot is suitable for any situation — with a range of tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Recently, we’ve been loving the smashed eggs with chive and prosciutto piadina and the blue cheese gnudi with mushroom, truffle and pangrattato — but expect menu items to change according to seasonal availability.
Perfect for a casual lunch with friends or an after-work drink, The Brit is Britomart’s answer to the classic gastropub, serving a raft of elevated pub fare and satiating share dishes. With a laid-back vibe that ramps up with screenings of rugby games and live music events, The Brit is not only an ideal place to gather with mates but is also great for dropping into with the little ones in tow.
From the guys behind Orphans Kitchen, Kingi offers a menu that celebrates our kaimoana, showcasing a range of locally-sourced, sustainable seafood that draws attention to New Zealand’s unique environment. Located on the ground floor of Britomart’s historic Masonic building (right next door to The Hotel Britomart) and open throughout the day, Kingi is great to drop into for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or even a quick coffee or cocktail.
If it’s a sweet treat you’re after, look no further than Miann. Serving up a range of decadent pastries, savouries, petit gateaux, macarons, gelato and housemade chocolates (all of which are made from ethically-sourced Cacao at Miann’s dedicated Morningside factory), and open from 7am until late into the night, this is the ideal pitstop for an afternoon pick-me-up or a post-dinner dessert.
Despite being a relative newcomer to Britomart, Mr Morris has already made a serious splash. Widely praised for its food that showcases local, sustainable and seasonal produce in dishes that present as a modern mash-up of New Zealand and Pasifika cuisine, this impressive restaurant is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a calm environment and a culinary experience.
Bringing a taste of France to Britomart, this cute spot offers an all-day breakfast menu where brunch dishes are given a delightfully French twist. (Think daily omelettes, Pain Perdu Brioché — a decadent French toast — and Galette de Pomme Terre — potato and herb hash served with a choice of avocado, bacon or salmon.) La Petite Fourchette also offers a range of delicious patisserie and savoury treats to-go.
A longstanding favourite of the Britomart crowd, The Store has a two-fold offering that has made it as much a go-to for quick takeaway options as it is for longer, more leisurely lunches. The Takeaway side offers coffee, juices, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, salads and more for those seeking an easy, transportable meal; while The Diner side allows punters to enjoy an al fresco meal in a sun-drenched courtyard, with a casual, European-inspired menu that is fresh and flavoursome.
Now with a number of locations around Auckland, Daily Bread has cultivated a reputation for delivering some of the tastiest baked treats this city has to offer — think expertly-made loaves of sourdough, satiating sandwiches, flaky croissants and more — and its centrally-located Britomart bakery (at the base of The Hotel Britomart) is the perfect place for a morning cuppa and a quick bite.
Remuera’s burgeoning dining scene is proof that this suburb is more than just beautiful real estate, offering up a range of gastronomic experiences that are delicious and family-friendly. From all-day eateries to inspired bakeries, this is Remuera’s best-of-the-best.
Síso
Síso
Seasoned restaurateurs Richard and Paula Sigley opened the atmospheric Síso at the start of Remuera Village earlier this year. An elevated, experimental restaurant melding contemporary Mediterranean fare with European flair, Sìso boasts a menu that was conceived by Gareth Stewart, with seasonal highlights including taramasalata topped with smoked fish roe, octopus puttanesca and kingfish crudo with pickled chilli and crème fraíche. On the corner site formerly home to Banque, the space has the capacity to host 200, but has been made-over by CTRL Space with nooks and archways to make it feel cosy and intimate — the perfect place to dine in winter.
The proprietors of modern bistro Morrell, Daniel and Sarah Morini, met while working as a head chef and front of house manager respectively, at SPQR. Now, they have brought their love for elevated hospitality and well-executed dishes to Benson Road. Inspired by the la familia and manaakitanga, they create each plate with care and pride, be it duck confit served with celeriac purée or tuna sashimi with crispy squid ink tapioca wafers. With inventive cocktail concoctions and a long drinks list, Morrell’s happy hour is one of the happiest in the area.
Chef Fabrizio Napolitano grew up in his grandmothers’ kitchen, in both the north and south of Italy. With a passion for artisanal products that are steeped in history and respect, Fabrizio and his wife Taryne opened Spiga in the 1050 development at the back of the Remuera shops. Their contemporary classic starters, pizza and pasta are unsurpassed, although we do reccommend indulging in the seasonal specials, including truffle cod fish and squid ink pasta mille-feuille with broccoli purée and salmon roe. Paired with a wine list that will take you on a tour of some of the finest Italian vineyards. Currently, there are limited seats in the picturesque space, but the restaurant will be expanding next door soon.
The Upland Road end of Remuera Road continues to add a line-up of delicious contemporary eateries to its offering. At Ginger, expect authentic Thai food with a seasonal twist. From signature dishes such as Panang curry, to flavoursome bites like sweet chilli snapper. All sauces and pastes have been hand-crafted by award-winning chefs, in refined dishes that reimagine the Thai food you know.
Local haunt The Corner hums from after-work drinks to weekend roasts. The philosophy here is simple food done well, from classic platters to chicken schnitzel. From the leather booths in the front to the pared-back dining room to the private dining area to the secret sunny courtyard outback, there’s room for everyone. On the Corner of Remuera and Upland Road, it makes for the perfect meeting point.
Between a row of Remuera Road boutiques, the pink Tosca Espresso Bar is more than a pretty face. It brews Atomic coffee beans with almost every milk option imaginable, including macadamia, as well as pouring invigorating cold-pressed juices and organic loose-leaf teas. Seating only 10 at a time, it’s the perfect place for an intimate catch up as you listen to a custom playlist by Jaimie Webster Haines — or to pick up a coffee and sweet Real Rad Food treat as you’re passing through.
Inspired by their travels, Deborah Chait and Andy Tse opened 4&20 to bake traditional breads on a specially designed European hearth. While the organic bakery is named after their son’s favourite nursery rhyme, you won’t find four and twenty blackbirds in their pies, but you will find pastries made with Belgian chocolate and Madagascar pure vanilla as well as seasonal salads and sandwiches made with fresh produce from Jack Lum’s next door. These and other baked goods fly out the door.
One of the most bustling cafés in Remuera is the Browns Eatery, which has grown from its original spot next to the Browns designer fashion store to become a fully-fledged café and catering service. The line of locals doesn’t lie each vying for one of the eatery’s tasty scones, slices and quiches from the cabinet. Alongside smooth Allpress coffee, you can pick up fresh flowers from the front of the store to complete your weekend checklist.
Mount Eden is an iconic suburb, and offers up dining experiences unlike anywhere else in the city (thanks in large part to Dominion Road). But there are a number of delicious places to eat that aren’t on this famous road, too. Making a trip to Mount Eden village more than worth your while.
Omni
Omni
Omni has already carved out a solid reputation for serving up some of Dominion Road’s tastiest eats. A succinct, original menu of yakitori and small sharing dishes sits alongside an excellent wine list of predominantly natural wines and delicious spirits. Don’t leave without trying the katsu sando with juicy panko-coated chicken patty, a signature dish that must be tried at least once (we won’t blame you if you order double).
There are dumplings and then there are soup dumplings, otherwise referred to as xiaolongbao. Restaurants that serve this delicacy are hard to find in this city due to the fact that making them requires a high level of skill. Filled with rich meat soup, usually made from pork, the little xiaolongbao pockets from Jolin Shanghai are freshly made to order and boast thicker skins than traditional soup dumplings which imbues them with a chewier texture.
Should a craving for excellent Turkish food hit you, we recommend you hot-foot it to Paasha Turkish Kitchen, stat. Prioritising high quality ingredients and truly mouth watering grill techniques with their shish kebabs, hot flat bread wraps, pita pockets and more, this spot is the place to go for some of the best Turkish takeaway in town.
Take a break at casual eatery and bar, Ralph’s. With a variety of Parrotdog beers on tap, a wide selection of Garage Project brews and an impressive snack and burger menu, Ralph’s is the go-to spot for a quick refuel. The jalapeño poppers and curly fries are both absolute must-tries, but if you’re wanting more of a meal, make a beeline for the Easy Cheesy Wagyu beef burger.
This iconic spot hardly needs any introduction, but if you haven’t visited Eden Noodles Cafe, we suggest you ask yourself what you’ve been doing this whole time. With locations now in the CBD and in Albany, diners city-wide can enjoy the signature sichuan-laced dishes from Eden Noodles — but we always love visiting the bustling Dominion Road outpost (provided the queue isn’t too long). Sign us up for some thick noodles with dandan sauce, some vegetarian dumplings in spicy sauce and, of course, a cucumber salad.
Having joined the line-up at the start of last year, Mr Hao offers authentic bursts of Shanghai-inspired flavour with dishes such as the Numbing Chicken, a dish which sees gently fried chicken drowning in a delicious sea of chillies and numbing Sichuan peppers. Inspired by Shanghai’s late-night bar scene, Mr Hao is just the place for a relaxed get-together. Alongside the infamous Numbing Chicken, you’ll find a range of tasty skewers, noodles and irresistible grilled seafood, plus a refreshing tea cocktail on tap.
Forget being one of the best restaurants on Dominion Road, Cazador is one of the best spots in Auckland full stop. This restaurant serves unique dishes that showcase ethical ingredients and sustainable cooking principles by making use of all parts of the animal being served, instead of only offering cuts like the breast or belly. The menu changes depending on the availability of ingredients but the charcuterie platter is a staple and for good reason. Combined with its seamless service and lush ambience, Cazador is a must for any Aucklander.
The latest addition to the iconic Dominion Road strip comes in the form of a welcoming gastropub, taking over a venue that holds a rich history. Reimagined, this space is striking, and just what Dominion Road needs. Offering an elevated bar and bistro experience, here, the dining experience is comforting but inspired. We think the take on carbonara is worth raving about, but there’s also a prime rib dirty burger if you’re feeling that way inclined.
Only a very recent addition to the village, De Nada has been welcomed with open arms for their festive take on Mexican cuisine, highlighted by the crowds that now spill out the door every night of the week. While the menu is impressive, everything always tastes better with a margarita — and we think it’s a grand idea to treat yourself to one or two while indulging in the flavoursome, Mexican fare.
Mount Eden Village’s Xoong is a restaurant that has flown under the radar for sometime, with locals in the know constantly singing its praises. Reflective of cuisine found on Dominion Road, with a decidedly elevated take, this moody and chic restaurant is a hidden gem on the eastern side of the suburb.
Every suburb is deserving of a truly mouthwatering bakery, and Mibo is Mount Eden’s. Located on the northern side of the suburb, in an area traditionally filled with larger warehouses and discounted homewares stores Mibo is the ideal drop-in in the middle of a Saturday spent interior shopping. Our advice is to order two of whatever you can get your hands on; one for now, and one for later. You won’t regret it.
Ponsonby is a suburb synonymous with wonderful dining. From the modern takes on a food court (a la Ponsonby Central), to the stalwart restaurants, this suburb is home to some of the city’s best dining establishments, and these are our top picks.
Hotel Ponsonby
Hotel Ponsonby
Having made its mark on the suburb, swiftly shifting from newcomer to stalwart, Hotel Ponsonby is the place to be for delicious food, satiating drinks and a convivial vibe. Harnessing the spirit of gastropubs in Sydney and London, Hotel Ponsonby has fast become the sort of go-to meeting place where friends, families, groups and couples come together amidst a vibrant, relaxed atmosphere. Be it a beer after work, or a Sunday roast, this is a venue beloved by all.
With a name meaning ‘let’s go’ in Korean, Gaja has us ready to say the same to all our nearest and dearest after eating there only once. The charming 50-seater eatery is one of the latest additions to Ponsonby Central’s hospitality stable, and specialises in flavourful modern Korean fare that appeals for both daytime and after dark consumption.
Even if you haven’t tried Parade (and trust us, you’re missing out), you’ll likely have seen the burgers. Truth be told, they’re unlike anything else. The epitome of indulgent eating, each burger is served in a house-made pretzel bun with decadent fillings that have been known to include fried chicken with macaroni and cheese or smashed beef patties with nacho chips, cheese sauce and salsa. Having recently moved into a permanent spot on Ponsonby Road, Parade is certainly worthy of a mid-winter visit.
Combining Peruvian Nikkei flavours with Tokyo-style sharing dishes, Azabu’s lively menu from Executive Chef Yukio Ozeki put a fire under the Auckland food scene when it opened in Ponsonby in 2016. It’s hard to choose between the fun and flavoursome dishes, but we will always order the warm tostada, with tuna sashimi or beef tataki, but we know the volcano roll will forever remain a crowd favourite.
Taco Medic was founded originally as a food truck by cousins Anthony Wilkins and Robbie McGillivray, who became enamoured with the cuisine while surfing in the Pacific coastal town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Now with three brick and mortar locations, as well as two Taco Trucks that can be booked all around the country, Taco Medic is accessible for even more people to sink their teeth into. This Ponsonby Road outpost is the first Auckland address and sets the tone for more exciting things to come here.
Nestled in Ponsonby’s Three Lamps, Beau enlivens the area with its tasty bites, great drinks and hidden, sunny courtyard. The menu is perfect for grazing, with picks like oysters, charcuterie and prawn po boys sitting alongside small plates and large plates such as roast cauliflower, fried chicken and fresh ceviche.
Fatima’s is a faithful takeaway favourite, serving up pita and shawarma to hungry Aucklanders since 1995. This flagship Ponsonby store has been around for what feels like forever, with an additional Takapuna location and a new space at Commercial Bay’s Harbour Eats recently being added to its ranks. Here, food on-the-go is held in just as high regard as that intended to dine in, making it the perfect space for any occasion.
A Ponsonby brunch institution, this outpost has been serving the city for more than two decades. Offering Allpress Coffee and simple, reliable brunch options that are as delicious as they are consistent, it’s one of those places that if you haven’t tried it yet, you absolutely should.
From the minds behind the perennially popular Blue Breeze Inn, Ponsonby Central’s GoGo Daddy takes the same winning fusion formula and applies it to Thai street food. From favourites like chicken larb and green papaya salad, to elevated takes like its trademark duck fried rice and tom yum noodles, the menu hits all the sweet, hot, salty and sour marks we crave. Pair with an enticing tropical cocktail and you’re in for a treat.
When Ramen Takara first opened up in Browns Bay, people were crossing the bridge to satisfy their ramen cravings. Luckily, Ramen Takara opened another restaurant on Ponsonby Road and has since become a local favourite. The go-to bowl at Ramen Takara seems to be the Chinese sichuan dandan noodle and Japanese ramen hybrid, the tan-tan ramen. The broth is thickened and enriched with pork mince with each spoonful is as enjoyable as the one before.
With its high, vaulted ceilings, painted brick walls, varied lighting and eye-catching art, Daphnes Taverna makes you feel instantly at home as soon as you sit down, with a purposeful eclecticism that feels comfortable yet polished. Daphnes’ head chef is Anna Weir, formerly of Odettes and Amano, who has designed a modern Greek menu inspired by a family-style sensibility, with a range of small, mid-sized and larger sharing plates that span light snacks and more substantial dishes.
SPQR’s famous exterior is perhaps more recognisable than the cuisine itself, but it is a facade that has helped the outpost stand the test of time. Where the outdoor seating offers a look at who’s who on Ponsonby Road, the classic Italian menu is where the restaurant truly shines. With a simply divine take on pizza and pasta, plus a wine list that rivals most, it’s an institution that we return to time and time again.
Described as putting the ‘Soul from Seoul into Ponsonby’, Ockhee has injected plenty of flavour into Auckland’s most popular strip since it opened in 2020. Owners Paulee and Lisa Lee have taken authentic Korean food and added familiar Kiwi-style elements to create fresh, harmonious plates. With a menu that boasts as many thoughtful vegetarian options as it does meat dishes, Ockhee’s Japchae Noodle is a must-try. Comprising of kumara noodles, capsicum, carrot, mushroom, onion and sesame oil, it’s the dressing that packs a punch of fresh, authentic flavour.
Sidart’s sublime, fine dining fare is on an entirely different plane, and this just goes to show the breadth and variety possible within the flavours of Indian cuisine. The Three Lamps restaurant offers both a la carte and degustation menus that marry progressive Fijian Indian flavours seamlessly with the highest quality New Zealand produce and impeccable techniques. All these elements come together with warm, attentive service to make for an exceptional experience, each and every time.
Prego has been in action since 1986 and it isn’t about to slow down any time soon. Over many years, the Ponsonby institution has captured the hearts of locals, forming loyal base of patrons and a tight-knit community, ultimately making it one of the best family restaurants this town has to offer. Regardless of the time of day, the occasion or who you’re dining with, Prego is almost always the solution. Ask any local — if you haven’t tried it yet, you are most certainly missing out.
Ponsonby Road favourite Annabel’s is a deli by day, wine bar by night and is open every day of the week. Serving sumptuous aperitivo alongside some of the city’s finest wines and classic cocktails, it’s both effortlessly cool and cute, and is the perfect space to fly under the radar, while still remaining in the thick of it all.
What do you get when you combine the flamboyance and fire of South American flavours and the careful techniques of Japanese cooking? Nic Watt’s Nikkei-style restaurant Inca has delighted diners with its fresh dishes since opening on the Westfield Newmarket rooftop dining area in late 2019. More recently, Watt evolved this offering and brought Inca 2.0 to Ponsonby — a welcome addition to Ponsonby Central.
Ponsonby Central’s Chop Chop Noodle House is a certified crowd favourite. On its refined list of signature ramen bowls, the cobra kai is front and centre. Filled to the brim with BBQ pork, pork belly, kimchi, various veges, a jammy boiled egg and a flourish of fried chicken for good measure, only hearty appetites need attempt this hunger-busting bowl. Vegetarians will also be pleased with the miso ramen, which sees kombu smoked butter and smoked eggplant impart an irresistible umami flavour. And it would be remiss not to mention the steamed buns and fried chicken too, deserving of attention in their own right.
There’s a good reason Orphans Kitchen is a Ponsonby icon. It constantly pushes the boundaries with a creative menu that offers inspired variations on regular breakfast fare like eggs on toast. Our current obsession is the fried eggs on a homemade tortilla. This relatively simple dish showcases the natural flavours of its premium-quality ingredients. Delicious, healthy and satiating.
Offering a mouth-watering menu of flavoursome Asian-inspired fare, The Blue Breeze Inn is an undeniable Ponsonby favourite, and has drawn crowds of hungry punters since opening its doors. Between the black tiger prawn dumplings and the Bang Bang chicken, the pork belly bao is an absolute must (it has never been taken off the menu and probably never will, for very good reason).
Always consistent, and consistently cosy, Ponsonby Road Bistro is our go-to in the suburb for a snug and relaxed meal with loved ones. Here, we’re always happy to pull up a seat any day of the week. We’ll have the confit duck, thanks.
Here, the novelty exists in the name, where everything on the menu can be ordered for the mere sum of $8 — with eight on-tap cocktails included. The latest from the team behind the ever-popular Mr Hao — Paul Wong, Julian Diprose, and now Lucas Boucly — Lucky 8 is as audacious as it is auspicious. From a masterful mouthful of abalone and squid with soy sauce (served in its shell) to a slow-cooked black pepper beef cheek, which melts off the bone, everything is priced, and revered, the same.
When it’s cold outside, few things hit the spot like a butter chicken. At Mumbaiwala, the elevated take on Indian cuisine provides the perfect comfort. Its Murgh Makhani is a traditional take on butter chicken (and so good that we are ruined for others), served with impossibly tender chicken pieces in a rich silk (Makhani) sauce with fresh tomatoes, sundried fenugreek and a side of satiating garlic naan. Aneri Nathu opened Mumbaiwala in Ponsonby to mix up the local Indian cuisine scene. Her parents, Anup and Sadhana Nathu, have been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, and earlier this year, she finally brought their legacy to Auckland with this Ponsonby eatery.
Takapuna should be revered for more than simply beautiful beaches and a sunny lifestyle. The ever-growing food scene found on the northern side of the bridge is one that locals should be proud of, and has increasibgly been drawing outsiders over the bridge for a taste of their own. Here, we reveal some of our North Shore favourites, sure to inspire any intrepid diner.
Madam Woo
Madam Woo
From the renowned culinary mind of Josh Emett, Madam Woo is beloved for serving some of the country’s most inspired Malaysian cuisine, with outposts from Queenstown to Takapuna. This institution is perhaps best known for its Hawker Rolls, offering up a sumptuous selection of flavours, wrapped in a fresh and flakey roti — a deliciously indulgent bite you simply must try.
There really isn’t anything quite like tucking into some delicious food surrounded by a breathtaking view, and Takapuna Beach Cafe and Store offers both. Complement the vista by opting for the scampi omelette with fennel and sautéed greens, served with a crispy slice of sourdough.
Purveyors of fresh Asian-fusion food with a superb beachfront locale, TokTok is an often-forgotten gem in the heart of Takapuna. A true restaurant-come-bar experience, the menu is a Thai-inspired curation of some of the most well-loved dishes, all with a fresh outlook.
Inside Goodside at Smales Farm is Shake Out, the burger joint that has people from all over Auckland flocking across the bridge. Widely acknowledged as offering some of the best burgers in town, Shake Out’s signature buns are made from a blend of potato and pumpkin flour, rendering them pillow-soft and incredibly fluffy, while its fillings are exactly what a burger should be — simple and high-quality. Shake Out also offers a number of enticing shakes, sides (like crispy shoestring fries, cheese dipping sauce optional) and sweet treats, making it the perfect place to drop into for an easy takeaway.
Another entry from Goodside — the precinct that never stops giving — Fantail & Turtle offers a comprehensive drinks menu, as well as a number of delectable bites such as spiced hoki croquettes, platters and pizzas to accompany your beverage of choice. Craft beer, ale, cider and kombucha flow from its over 30 taps across its two bars, and its wine list comprises of nearly 50 varieties from some of the most prestigious viticultural regions in the world. With a welcoming ambience and ethos of offering something for everyone, Fantail & Turtle is somewhere where anyone is sure to feel at home.
With a cult following for its unique, modern take on Filipino fare, Nanam is a favourite with both Takapuna locals and longtime fans of the Pinoy restaurant who have been patrons since its humble Royal Oak beginnings. Nanam’s chicken sinigang is unlike any sinigang we’ve tasted as it’s soupless which is unheard of in the Philippines. Where usually a flavourful, aromatic broth would be the star of the sinigang, Nanam’s Executive Chef Jessabel Granada has managed to capture all the flavours in a thick sauce that she glazes over the chicken.
You can always rely on Burger Burger to deliver the goods come dinnertime (or lunchtime, come to think of it). Its Takapuna location is constantly humming, serving up its much-lauded burgers (with vegan options, too) and unbeatable sides, of which the charred broccoli and shoestring fries are accompaniments we simply can’t go without.
If you’ve never experienced a Colombian-style barbecue, El Humero is the perfect restaurant to start your love affair with what we can guarantee will become one of your favourite cuisines. The meats are cooked over wood-fire and chargrilled, lending them a succulent and juicy texture and an unbelievably smoky aroma. And aside from its meat options, El Humero’s vegetarian empanadas are an absolute must-try.
For quite some time, there seemed to be a lack of Thai eateries in Takapuna. That is, until the chefs from Newmarket’s Billy Cafe (who are in fact, Thai) opened Soho at Goodside, its quick popularity proving just how much Takapuna locals wanted somewhere to go to get a taste of this cuisine. The lamb and kumara massaman curry, tiger prawn pad Thai and the gai yang green curry are some of Soho’s standout dishes, as they simultaneously remain true to the authentic flavours of Thailand and offer modern, refined flavours, the like of which we’ve never tasted before.
Finding a good bowl of Japanese ramen in Auckland is harder than you might think, so Takapuna locals should consider themselves lucky to have Ramen Lab right on their doorstep. The tonkotsu ramen at this joint is thick and creamy with just the right amount of salt. The thin noodles have a firm centre, preventing them from going soft or soggy no matter how long they sit in the broth for. And although karaage chicken is considered a compulsory starter dish at any ramen restaurant, Ramen Lab’s iteration is particularly delicious.
A humble restaurant, this is exactly what we think of when we consider under-the-radar suburban dining. Loved by locals since 1994, Botticelli has done well to stand the test of time (a whole 28 years worth). Serving Italian food as it was meant to be; with full plates and great company, Botticelli is an essential addition to your Takapuna dining agenda.
In the heart of Takapuna sits Holy Shot, a cute spot serving up two essential ingredients guaranteed to get you through the day — coffee and doughnuts. From the early hours of the morning, the friendly and highly-skilled baristas at this local can be seen churning out fresh brews of Havana coffee. Days are made at Holy Shot thanks to its stellar service, premium coffee and of course, its assortment of tasty treats from Daily Bread.
For millennia, humans have found a sense of community in the simple act of breaking bread; in coming together over delicious, simple, authentic food. It’s an idea that Natalie and Romain Le Gal are tapping into with their delightful new French bakery, Copain.
Named for the French word that literally means ‘friend’ but whose linguistic origins are found in the words for ‘with’ (co) and ‘bread’ (pain), this cute new spot epitomises the idea of breaking bread — and it has the loaves to prove it.
From left: Nutella beignets; Chouquette.
An authentic French bakery serving a range of freshly-baked pastries and breads, Copain is the culmination of Natalie and Romain’s years of experience owning and running lauded French patisseries around town, staring with L’Assiette in Britomart (in 2012) then La Fourchette in St Heliers (sold last year). It was at the latter, the duo started producing their own patisseries in-house, before opening a dedicated patisserie kitchen in Wynyard Quarter, La Petite Fourchette (the name that was eventually given to the Britomart location, too). But it was a desire to make everything from scratch that prompted the entrepreneurial duo to purchase a full-size bakery — a place where they could not only make delicious pastries, but a range of bread as well.
Now, after a six-week renovation, Copain has taken shape in the space that once was Il Forno and is poised to charm discerning Ponsonby locals with a delicious offering.
From its cute fit out (pulled together by Natalie herself using key vintage pieces), to its cabinet overflowing with sweet treats like chouquettes, beignet and viennoiserie (including brioche, pain au chocolat, pain au raisin and croissants) and savoury bites like pies, quiches, sandwiches, panini and pizza by the slice, Copain has satiating options for any proclivity. It will also be selling La Petite Fourchette’s sweet patisserie collection which includes madeleines, mi cult, macarons, tiramisu, tarts and enticements.
But it’s the bread offering here that is particularly comprehensive, with the bakers at Copain whipping up a range of loaves daily to not only serve out of the new space but sell from La Petite Fourchette’s Britomart and Wynyard Quarter locations as well. As a result, Cobain’s shelves are packed with French-style breads like baguette (in both white sourdough and country-style versions), Kumara sourdough, multi-grain and walnut and apricot loaf — with each type available in a variety of weights, shapes and sizes.
From Left: le jambon beurre, Breakie bun.
This is what really sets Copain apart; the way that it makes all of its products from scratch, after the authentic French fashion — not something commonly found in Auckland. As such, Copain is shaping up to be a breath of fresh air in the local dining scene, an enticing gathering place where people can pop into for lunch or catch-up with friends and enjoy the kind of deliciously-indulgent culinary culture the French are so renowned for.
Even at the best of times, a trip to a bustling supermarket can be the last thing we feel like doing. Fortunately, boutique supermarket Farro has always glorified the grocery shopping experience, making it something to enjoy, instead of a bore or a chore.
The New Zealand owned and operated business has stepped up to the plate and launched farro.co.nz — offering the ability to shop over 3500 of Farro’s premium products, including fresh produce, meat & seafood, alcohol, and of course, its own Farro Kitchen range.
That same mentality for shopping well has been extended to their eCommerce site, where items have been selected carefully by the team, and reflect their own foodie preferences — from high quality produce to goods with no artificial ingredients. Plus, Farro’s trained Personal Shoppers handpick each order in-store, ensuring they select the best products, as if it were their own shopping trip.
The site has the added bonus of allowing you to save recipes and shopping lists, as well as linking your Friends of Farro card number for accruing loyalty points and rewards as well as access to member-only specials.
Whether you’re after those hard-to-find ingredients, a gift hamper or a nourishing ready-to-go-meal, Farro Online will always be there in the nick of time. It offers safe, tracked and contactless same-day delivery from Monday to Friday for all orders made before 1pm, for a $15 flat rate for shipping Auckland-wide. There is also a Click & Collect service available from Farro’s Lunn Avenue store.
To celebrate Farro’s gourmet groceries being available at the click of a button, Denizen is giving away a week’s worth of Farro Kitchen’s sumptuous meals to enjoy.
From low-lit ambience to conversation-starting food, the impressive entries in our Best Date Night category are known for inspiring romance. That said, it was intimate Karangahape Road restaurant Bar Céleste, that was voted as this year’s winner, thanks to its cosy feel, considered wine list and exceptionally tasty, made-to-share menu. Not far behind were honourable mentions, including fine-dining institution Cassia, Britomart’s delicious Andalusian eatery Alma, innovative, inner-city foodie haven Culprit and another K’Road go-to for wine-lovers, Apéro.
Milan’s design extravaganza, Salone Del Mobile, is taking place at the moment, and aside from the exceptional designers showcasing their newest creations, there are also a number of iconic fashion houses that have turned their hands to design (some for the first time, although many are old hands here). From Louis Vuitton to Fendi and even a collaboration between the late Virgil Abloh and Cassina, here are our highlights.
Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton This year marks the 10th anniversary of Louis Vuitton’s lauded Objets Nomades collection—a decade of the iconic French fashion house’s foray into intriguiging design. Handily coinciding with this year’s Milan Design week, Louis Vuitton is celebrating the milestone with a takeover of the recently-reimagined former parking lot, Garage Traversi, to unveil a number of new items (designed via collaborations with Atelier Oï, the Campana Brothers and London-based Raw Edge) alongside some re-invigorated classic designs, (including the Bomboca Sofa in new colours by the Campana Brothers, and fresh iterations of Marcel Wanders’ Petal Chair and the Signature Armchair and Sofa by Frank Chou). In a continuation of the brand’s history of teaming up with the world’s most revered designers, this year’s Objets Nomades is an impressive showcase of the Louis Vuitton’s signature savoir-faire and unique design edge.
Fendi Casa.
Fendi Casa To celebrate the opening of its first Milan flagship store earlier this year, Fendi is putting its best foot forward at this year’s Salone Del Mobile and showcasing a range of exquisite new pieces by designers like Cristina Celestino, Piero Lissoni and Atelier Oï, as well as new lighting collections. One particular highlight is the Cloe Chair by Marcel Wanders, which reflects Fendi’s pequin stripe motif in dark brown leather loops over a smoked-oak frame and boasts a plush velvet seat.
Fendi is also erecting a pop-up bar in the courtyard of its Milan boutique, finished in the brand’s signature O’Lock logo and bright pops of yellow and promising to serve perfectly-brewed coffee in porcelain that offers an exclusive preview of Fendi’s Art de la Table collection.
Miss Dior Chair by Philippe Starck.
Dior Revered designer Philippe Starck has transformed Christian Dior’s iconic Medallion Chair, treating its recogniseable sillhouette to a sleek, minimalist reimagining reflective of the designer’s pasison for the pared-back. In persuit of perfection, Starck reinterpreted the chair with impossibly thin legs and arms and fashioned it from a singular material, so that the form’s uninterupted lines feel fluid and feminine. It has been aptly named the Miss Dior chair.
Hermès Taking over the sport centre, La Pelota, in Milan’s Brera area, Hermès returns to Salone Del Mobile with a showcase of its new six-piece offering. Already renowned for its elevated, luxury homewares, Hermès has put the focus on textiles this year’s, specifically cashmere, expressed under the umbrella of ‘Looking for Lightness.’ Staged in four imposing but delicately-built structures (covered in transluscent coloured paper), the brand’s new pieces, including blankets in patchwork patterns and bright, unique tones, moulded leather centrepieces, bamboo chairs and porcelain plates, are exquisitely presented under the ever-changing light that filters through the towers’ exteriors.
Versace Home.
Versace Home Working with Roberto Palomba and Ludovica Serafin to create an immersive, multi-faceted space for Versace Home at this year’s Salone Del Mobile, Donatella Versace is reimagining the brand’s home experience. Combining design, fashion and art, the space in Milan’s Palazzo della Permanente captures all the sensual luxury and opulance of the brand while speaking to its evolution, where the undisputed hero is a reimagined La Medusa collection in an all-new vinyl covering.
Armani/Casa.
Armani/Casa Giorgio Armani is presenting the new range of Armani/Casa products at Armani/Silos, an exhibition space split into nine environments, eight of which speak to the iconic designer’s main sources of inspiration, and one which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Armani/Casa. Inside the space, a range of furniture and accessories will be brought to life — including new pieces and classics re-contextualised — offering a 360-degree look at the aesthetic world of Armani interiors, iconic from 2000 to today.
Loewe.
Loewe Unveiling a raft of intriguing design concepts for its sixth year at Salone Del Mobile, Loewe is celebrating the art of weaving with ‘WEAVE, RESTORE, RENEW,’ an exhibition that explores leather weaving, a Galician straw weaving tradition called Coroza and a Korean paper weaving technique called Jiseung. Here, the house resurrects materials that may otherwise be discarded by weaving them into baskets, handbags, vases and storage, and highlights ideas of how manual labour can deliver meaning to an object and the beauty of bringing traditional techniques into a modern context.
Stella McCartney Marking her first foray into interiors, lauded British fashion designer Stella McCartney has teamed up with historic Italian design house B&B Italia to reimagine the latter’s iconic Le Bambole chair (originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1972). Upholstered in Stella McCartney’s hand-drawn Fungi Forest Burgundy print (from Spring/Summer ’22), the chair is given a bold, unapologetic presence, befitting of its status as icon of design. The collaboration also marks the 50th anniversary of the Le Bambole — a fitting tribute, we think.
Missoni Home.
Missoni Home Setting up two installations to showcase two collections, in conjunction with Fuorisalone, Missoni has installed a dreamy exhibition on the ground floor of its Milan showroom that promises to take visitors on a whimsical, colourful journey through fantastical, nostalgic design. While on the first floor, its Gifting Capsule comprises small but very significant and highly collectible items. Milan University will also play host to a Missoni moment, in which the brand will tell the story of its evolution in design via evocative installations in the University grounds. At Salone Del Mobile, Missoni is presenting its latest tableware collection that melds the brand’s signature colourful flair with artistic touches and allegorical forms.
Ralph Lauren Home.
Ralph Lauren Home For this year’s Salone Del Mobile, Ralph Lauren opens up his unique world in a showcase that epitomises the kind of lifestyle his eponymous label has long been associated with. Located in the heart of Milan, Palazzo Ralph Lauren offers a moment of opulent respite in the middle of the bustling urban centre, where richly-layered, ornate interiors are used to showcase the brand’s Fall 2022 homewares. Here, deep mahogany meets antiqued brass and burnished leather, while tartans and paisleys and animal prints somehow happily coexist. The Palazzo even offers the perfect courtyard for alfresco dining, decorated with pieces from the brand’s new collection and available to be booked for lunch, afternoon tea or aperitivo.
Toogood x Carhartt.
Toogood X Carhartt Carharrt WIP teamed up with contemporary British brand Toogood to showcase their new, collaborative unisex capsule collection of everyday uniform wear at this year’s Salone Del Mobile. Highlighting the architectural shapes and voluminous silhouettes at play in the range of styles created by Toogood using contrasting, patchwork fabrics, three giant puppets wearing oversized garments from the collection anchor the exhibition.
Virgil Abloh x Cassina.
Virgil Abloh x Cassina The late visionary and culture-defining fashion designer Virgil Abloh might have tragically passed away earlier this year, but his particular design perspective was second to none, as proved (yet again) but the unveiling of pieces he had been working on with Italian design labels Cassina and Alessi, prior to his death. Now, the former is showing ‘Modular Imagination by Virgil’ which comprises two matte-black blocks in different sizes that play with ideas of creativity and adaptability and can be used to form a range of things from a side-table to a bench to a stool.
Swarovski x Rosenthal.
Swarovski x Rosenthal The Signum Collection is the result of an exquisite partnership between iconic crystal jewellery label Swarovski and historic porcelain artisans, Rosenthal, and sees pieces that fuse porcelain and crystal and are rendered in whimsical candy-toned colours. To mark this new chapter for the Swarovski brand, it held a joyful afternoon tea party at Casa degli Atellani in Milan for its official launch.
Thanks to these welcoming restaurants and spacious eateries, we no longer need to choose between good food and good company. Favourites in our Best for Group Dining category included the beachfront Azabu Misson Bay, Parnell’s Non Solo Pizza, K’Road’s Cotto (we particularly love the private dining space here) and Waiheke’s Three Seven Two. But it was the renowned Soul Bar & Bistro that topped the final list — thanks to its menu perfect for long lunching and spectacular views across Viaduct Harbour.
The 2022 Denizen Hospo Heroes is brought to you by American Express. Wining and dining your way around Auckland’s top restaurants (as voted by you), has never been easier thanks to American Express’s new Gold Rewards Cards. Find out more here.
Revered for the exquisite design and sculptural furniture it offers, the Bonham Group has always approached architecture and interiors through a lens of ‘breaking the mould’. The spaces it creates for clients are intensely personal, meticulously crafted and balance form with function in a precise, purposeful way. Just look at the studio’s new ‘functional art’ offering (pieces that give art a practical use), a clever way of imbuing clients’ homes with some creative finesse. Now, the coveted aesthetic of Bonham Art + Design is becoming more accessible than ever thanks to its recently-launched online store (where customers can shop from an impressive collection of artists and designers) and new permanent gallery in Arrowtown (its first ever bricks-and-mortar location).
Right: “Personages, Poetry and Prose”, 2021
Showcasing its unique perspective, Bonham Gallery provides the chance to get up close and personal with fine and functional art from celebrated practitioners as well as a curated line-up of collectable furniture — objects that are destined to become future heirlooms.
Marrying its contemporary vision with timeless design, Bonham Art + Design is fast becoming a go-to for those who value something different in their space, and with future plans to open more galleries in the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, it would seem this is just the beginning.
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