Left: Vanilla Mule. Right: Bivacco.

You don’t want to miss Bivacco’s Galliano Garden Party, serving the best Italian aperitivo

It is no secret that Italy is famed for its unwavering commitment to enjoying good food and company. As such, the latest collaboration by Savor Group and Galliano proves that the tradition of savouring the moment with friends and loved ones is alive and well in Auckland’s premier Italian establishments: Bivacco, Non Solo Pizza and Bar Non Solo.

As the workday draws to a close, it is the Italian nature to gather and enjoy a leisurely aperitivo, a tradition that has long been honoured with special menus and drinks options at these Auckland venues. But the latest take is a series of bespoke offerings that are sure to delight even the most discerning of diners.

Left: Amalfi Lemon Tart. Right: Vanilla Mule and the Espresso Martini.

For those looking to truly indulge, Bivacco has something extra special in store. On Friday the 31st of March, the Viaduct Harbour restaurant will be hosting a four-course tasting menu designed by Head Chef Ryan Moore, with each course perfectly paired with a delicious Galliano Cocktail. On the menu, alongside some of our perennial favourites will be a raft of new dishes too, such as Kingfish Crudo, with cucumber, green chilli and roasted garlic dressing, and Seared Big Eye Tuna, with wood-fired eggplant, green gazpacho, chilli oil and basil. The whole experience will round up with an Amalfi Lemon Tart, to truly end the meal on a high note.

Melon and Prosciutto, with white balsamic and fennel seed.

Left: Goats Cheese Ravioli, with Witloof, burnt honey and pistachio. Right: Va Bene.

Throughout the week, Bivacco is the ideal spot to indulge in an aperitivo, with its stunning waterfront vista and delicious cocktails. The Vanilla Mule, Galliano’s take on the original Moscow Mule, is a particular favourite, with its sweet and fresh taste profile. It’s the perfect refreshing cocktail to enjoy during Aperitivo Hour, which runs every weekday from 4pm.

Elsewhere, Non Solo Pizza and Bar Non Solo are also getting in on the aperitivo action, offering tantalising seasonally-inspired Galliano cocktails from the 20th of March until the 20th of April — offering us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the convivial Italian spirit.

Here for a good time, not a long one, the Bivacco Galliano Garden Party should be seen as an opportunity to indulge in some seriously delicious food and drinks and create unforgettable memories with friends and loved ones in the process. Tickets for Savor Group and Galliano’s multi-faceted dining experience are $135 each and are available here.

This competition has now closed.

Bivacco

115 Customs Street West
Auckland

09 801 6505

www.savor.co.nz/bivacco

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best express lunches in the city
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Tam Tung is bringing his Michelin-starred menu to Auckland for four nights only
Love in the air? Here, we put forward our definitive guide to the best date night spots in Auckland

Skincare splash, stash & trash: the seasonal changes to make for your autumn routine

With the changing of the season comes a raft of inevitable (yet essential) adjustments you must make to your skincare routine. My advice is this: don’t overcomplicate it. If something is working for your skin, keep it — skin is such an individualised organ that responds to its own set of needs and the various lifestyle factors that may influence it. Instead, for autumn skincare, look to employ a slightly thicker moisturiser, invest in some seasonal treatments, and ditch all the beachside mists (not that they got much use this summer, anyway).

Splash

These are the new additions we’ve deemed worthy of your skin. Splurge a little on a facial, and add an extra skincare step — see these as all the necessary preparations for hibernation. Those seeking a new facial treatment should look no further than the newly-renovated East Day Spa and invest in one of the coveted 302 Enzyme Peels. These are the perfect, one-stop treatments to prep your skin to get to work this winter. When cleansing, retire the oil-stripping cleansing in favour of a first-step balm, like the Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm from Spring, which adds nutrients to your skin rather than removing them. Elsewhere, add a thick and nourishing moisturiser for an extra layer of elemental protection. We’ve recently tried the Face Gym Supreme Restructure Collagen-Boosting Ceramide Cream from Mecca and can attest that this is quite literally worth its weight in gold.

Stash

We’d suggest keeping these products and rituals in your routine through hell and high water — they’re favourites because we know they work all year round, and they form some of those healthy habits that maintain a perennial glow. SPF, an essential associated with summer days, is just as necessary now that we’re moving to the cooler months — especially when we’re looking at it as an anti-aging tool. Some of our current favourites for autumn skincare include the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Brighten Your Day Crème, a beautifully tinted mineral option, and the Ultra Violette Queen Screen Luminising Sun Serum, which also doubles as a perfect primer. Elsewhere, we’d recommend keeping up the lymphatic drainage massages for your body and your face. As your body adjusts to the shifts and stresses of a new season, it likely calls for further support in detoxing and sliding elimination — so let this soothing ritual do the heavy lifting for you.

Trash

These are the items we’d either discard if the expiration date won’t see you through until next summer or tuck away for any planned European summer travels as your skin no longer calls for them. Think light hydration mists, like the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream Mist or the Ciciapair Facial Calming Mist (necessary for any sunkissed cheek relief). We look to replace these with thicker creams that add a more penetrative layer of hydration, like the Allies of Skin Multi Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum, or for a touch of luxury, La Mer’s The Hydrating Infused Emulsion is truly exquisite.

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Daily Bread’s delicious new inner-city destination marks phase one of its biggest opening to date

Those who frequent the inner CBD may have stumbled across the latest notch on Daily Bread’s belt. Housed opposite the iconic Britomart Station in the lobby of the historic Sofrana Building, this delightfully minimalist space focuses on what the bakery-meet-deli does best — bread.

Daily Bread Britomart

And while the space is now open with Daily Bread’s signature offering: Supreme coffee, fresh loaves of bread, and a cabinet always brimming with their delicious goods (those coveted ham and cheese croissants included), we’ve heard rumours that this is just the beginning. As phase one of the new development, this new opening will soon serve as a takeaway-only space when the flagship store opens next door.

When it eventually opens, the impressive 300sqm flagship (with an additional outdoor seating section) will become a mega-bakery with kitchen and baking facilities on site. The plan is to seat 140 people and branch out into a more extensive menu alongside the beloved traditional range, including salads and a la carte options. It is the first project of this scale for Daily Bread, which we know will be well received among Aucklanders — a testament to the collective appreciation of their food.

Daily Bread Britomart

Daily Bread

Hayman Kronfeld Building,
Level 1, 15 Galway Street,
Britomart, Auckland CBD

www.dailybread.co.nz

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best express lunches in the city
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Tam Tung is bringing his Michelin-starred menu to Auckland for four nights only
Love in the air? Here, we put forward our definitive guide to the best date night spots in Auckland
Maserati Grecale.

Taking the everyday drive to a whole new level, the new Maserati Grecale has just landed in the Auckland showroom

The classic SUV has long been favoured for its family-friendly nature and the comfortable conditions it offers in an everyday runabout. And with kids in the back, a dog in the boot and various daily detritus scattered about the once-pristine carpets, it’s hardly surprising that SUV drivers expect to compromise on certain luxuries (namely performance and aesthetic) in the name of space and convenience. But that is about to change. 

Meet the Grecale, Maserati’s new SUV and a vehicle that is exceeding all the expectations around the kinds of cars that exist in this market. Offering the space and comfort of a traditional SUV (even more than average, in fact) the Grecale is also technologically innovative, environmentally friendly and incredibly luxurious. This is a car that will feel sleek, sophisticated and stately even with kids in the back. It is a car that makes the kind of statement other SUVs can’t. One that not only speaks to the high-end lifestyle Maserati is known for, but that promises to rid your routine of mundanity and take the everyday drive to exciting new heights. 

Performance is part of this, and was a central focus for Maserati in creating the Grecale. Three models are available, each offering an unforgettable experience tailored to the driver. The Grecale GT is a four-cylinder 300-horsepower mild hybrid, built for the city and designed to evoke contemporary minimalism. The Grecale Modena is the next step up, a high-class hybrid that turns up the power dial a few notches to deliver 330-horsepower. But for those seeking the ultimate in performance, the Grecale Trofeo is the top of the line, with a powerful 530-horsepower V6 engine and a top-speed of 285 kilometres per hour, offering pure adrenaline and Maserati’s recognisable purr. 

Seated inside Grecale, the experience is just as thrilling as the drive. Bringing together the elegant allure of the brand with all the comfort one should expect from a car this size, Maserati’s new model is redefining the SUV aesthetic as we know it. From the unprecedented spaciousness to the finely-crafted curvature of the hand-stitched leather seats (which are both heated and ventilated) and even the interior surfaces crafted from precious materials and aluminium, the result is an interior that is delicate and sumptuous, but tactile enough to handle whatever life may throw at it.

Setting the tone of the cabin is Maserati’s Intelligent Assistant Multimedia system, which puts user-friendly technology at the forefront of the Grecale experience. Maserati pushes the bounds of in-car sound, thanks to its immersive Sonus faber 3D system, creating exceptional acoustic conditions with 21 premium speakers that promise to give the daily playlist some serious grunt.

All of the Grecale’s innovative tech is controlled by a Maserati-first — a dual touch-screen control panel. Drivers and those riding shotgun can interact with two displays; the 12.3-inch central screen (the largest ever seen in a Maserati) and a smaller 8.8-inch comfort display that replaces the traditional knobs and dials of vehicles past. This smart-touch experience is only enhanced by Maserati’s new digital clock face; a modern take on an iconic part of the brand’s history. This smart display lends Grecale’s dash a decidedly futuristic feel and can be completely customised according to the taste of whomever is in the driver’s seat.

Ultimately, what sets the Grecale apart is the way it acknowledges the rich history of its Marque, while simultaneously setting a clear precedent for the future. Next year there will be an entirely green model added to the fleet (the first 100% electric luxury SUV) which showcases the way Maserati is folding future-friendly innovation and climate consciousness into its existing, luxury framework. 

All things considered, it’s time to cast aside any preconceived notions of what an SUV must be. The Maserati Grecale is ensuring that SUV drivers need not compromise on style or performance in order to get the space or practicality needed for ferrying around a family. Be it driving to the school pick-up, rushing into the office or heading out of town for the long weekend, this car is promising to make the everyday driving experience nothing less than exceptional and for that, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Design

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We explore the life, work, and storied career of revered designer Pierre Paulin
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My Fried Chicken takes flight with a new location serving delicious Korean street food

Auckland’s Korean fried chicken scene just got a whole lot bigger with the opening of the fourth My Fried Chicken location in Newmarket. And while this wildly popular restaurant has long drawn crowds for its tasty fried chicken and Korean bites, the new location is taking things to the next level with an expanded menu that explores other aspects of Korean and fusion cuisine, too.

Since its humble beginnings in Ponsonby Central in 2019, My Fried Chicken has quickly become a go-to for those who love (and seek out) Korean fried chicken in Auckland. With additional locations in Mission Bay and Takapuna, it’s safe to say that its crispy, flavour-packed chicken has won over the hearts (and stomachs) of discerning diners across the City.

Left: The OG Chicken Sandwich. Right: Fit-out by Millé Interiors.

But the Newmarket location is a game-changer, offering a modern take on traditional Korean cuisine that steps the classic offering up a notch. Here, beloved signature dishes (such as fried chicken in various marinades, the chicken burger and fried cheese balls) will be available on the lunch menu alongside a whole new offering of utterly delicious Korean street food, including the new fried chicken and egg waffles. For those who haven’t experienced the joys of egg waffles, they’re a popular street food in Hong Kong that’s typically eaten as a sweet snack. My Fried Chicken’s take is savoury, and sees crispy chicken paired with fluffy, buttery waffles and a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce.

Left: Korean Fried Chicken. Right: Korean BBQ.

Elsewhere, the evening menu offers a range of impressive dishes that pack a flavourful punch. Think japchae noodles in a sweet soy sauce with fried vegetables, or a unique take on Korean BBQ with lettuce wraps filled with gochujang pork, steamed rice, baby cos, onion, spring onion kimchi, garlic, sesame seeds, and soy bean paste.

Left: Fit-out by Millé Interiors. Right: Natural Wines & Cocktails.

In addition to the food, My Fried Chicken has worked with experts to curate an extensive natural wine list, making it the perfect spot for afternoon drinks with colleagues or friends. There is also a range of cocktails that are equally impressive. With a retro vibe and playful names, here you’ll find everything from the Bob Marley (made with vodka, Midori, apple sour, and lime) to a Raspberry Sour and a Manila Sunshine (with coconut, rum, and pineapple).

All in all, this new location is a must-visit for foodies in Auckland. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of its original fried chicken or you’re looking to try something different, My Fried Chicken’s new outpost in Newmarket is sure to impress. From its menu that celebrates the best of Korean cuisine (with a modern twist, of course) to its sleek space designed by Millé Interiors, this tasty spot is proving once again, that it’s more than a one-hit-wonder.

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11am until late

My Fried Chicken

1 York Street
Newmarket

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best express lunches in the city
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Tam Tung is bringing his Michelin-starred menu to Auckland for four nights only
Love in the air? Here, we put forward our definitive guide to the best date night spots in Auckland

Meet the major manicure trends to request at your next nail appointment

There is something to be said about the power of a manicure. It’s not just about a fresh coat of polish or perfectly shaped nails, it’s about the way it makes you feel. A well-manicured set of nails can give you a sense of confidence and poise that is unmatched. And looking at our favourite nail artists, and beauty aficionados everywhere, we’ve discovered that this season’s manicure trends reflect our collective need for self-expression and self-care. From bold, bright hues to understated neutrals, and dainty details that serve as seasonal inspiration, we’ve uncovered the most beautiful nail trends of 2023 to use as a reference for your next manicure appointment.

Lipgloss Nails

These nails play on the idea that less is really more. Just like those days when you just want to ditch your lipstick and apply a gentle coat of gloss instead, lip gloss nails offer a similarly neutral but endlessly shiny sheen. Minimal upkeep is just an added bonus.

Black Accents

The chicest little addition for those seeking a subtle edge, black accents is one way to add a touch of effortless cool to your nails. Whether you opt for a Baby French (that is, all the makings of a traditional French polish, only significantly slimmer), or something more abstract like polka dots a la Yayoi Kasuma, this trend is set to take over.

Nail trends 2023

Forest Greens

Making like an evergreen tree is the mode of the season, with a series of verdant tones adorning our nails. From vibrant hues to deep, near-black colours, this earthly ode is easy and effortless.

Dainty Daisies

Leaning into nail art trends in the most subtly chic way, these dainty daisies (be they on one nail or all) are whimsical, feminine and pretty.

Nail trends 2023

Pinotage

Offering a warming note of deep purple, this monochrome nail trend leans into the colour of the season. We recommend finishing them super glossy and never longer than necessary.

Molten Metals

As if your tips were dipped in vats of molten gold and silver, this trend is all about effortless excess. With a nod to chrome nails, in a fresh and slightly more French way, it is one way to add a little fun to your regular manicure routine.

Nail Trends 2023

Wellbeing

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Step aboard the world’s most prestigious yachts at this year’s Auckland Boat Show

Returning to our waters this month is the highly-anticipated Auckland Boat Show — the epitome of luxury boat events for discerning buyers and marine enthusiasts that brings an unparalleled display of the world’s most prestigious yachts to our shores. This year, the show boasts an extensive collection of innovative marine launches and new releases, including the most comprehensive collection of Princess Yachts ever showcased in Auckland.

Sports Marine will present a collection of models by the the esteemed British luxury yacht manufacturer, which will be making their New Zealand debut. Princess Yachts’ V55, V65, V40 and F55 are a true testament to marque’s unwavering commitment to excellence in design and craftsmanship.

Horizon E75

In addition to Sport’s Marine’s presentation of Princess Yachts, the show will feature Horizon Yacht’s E75, R Marine Flagship’s Riviera Yachts and Crownline Boats, amongst a wide range of other brands. These luxurious yachts have been specifically chosen for their exceptional quality and design, ensuring visitors have a truly unforgettable experience. On shore, guests will discover Aston Martin’s DBX707, the world’s fastest and arguably most beautiful SUV, as the perfect pairing with Crownline Boats.

Legacy Marine L70

Auckland Boat Show

Sea trials will also be available for visitors, offering the unique opportunity to test boats on the water before purchasing. This hands-on experience gives visitors a feel for the vessels, their capabilities and overall performance. It is a unique addition to a boat show, making the Auckland Boat Show a standout event in the industry, with the sea trials a surefire way to show off the prowess of these impressive machines in their element.

Princess V40

For those interested in shared boating options, the Auckland Boat Show will also feature a range of options to suit every need. Whether you’re looking to purchase a boat with a group of friends or enjoy the experience of being on the water with like-minded individuals, the show’s organisers have something for everyone. Shared boating options have revolutionised the boating world in recent years, offering a plethora of styles and experiences to suit every kind of boater. From easy-to-book monthly subscriptions to ultra-luxe ownership, these options cater to a wide range of boat users with lower investment, maintenance and commitment than traditional boat ownership.

Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht

Auckland Boat Show

With these shared boating options, the freedom and thrill of being out on the water has been opened up to a wider audience without the added burden of traditional ownership. Whether a subscription-based service or a premium syndication option, these options offer an accessible and convenient way to explore Auckland’s beautiful harbours.

Princess V55

For those new to boating, who have limited space at home, or who can’t make it out on the water as often as they’d like, shared boating options are the perfect solution. Skipperi, a new entrant to New Zealand’s boating scene, offers a subscription-based service that provides access to a fleet of 20 new Haines Hunters on the Hauraki Gulf via an easy-to-use app.

Riviera 465 SUV

While those seeking a more premium experience will find it in The Yacht Collective. Introduced by experienced brokerage house 36 Degrees Brokers, this offers a luxurious syndication option at a fraction of the cost, with full service included. Similarly, Your Marine provides one-sixth ownership syndication with a walk-on, walk-off service featuring vessels such as the 1090 Evolution, 31 Spirit and 890 Ventura, all berthed in Westhaven. The management fee includes cleaning, valet and laundry after each use, ensuring that every boating experience is seamless and stress-free.

The Yacht Collective

Auckland Boat Show

With all this considered, the Auckland Boat Show is not to be missed, with its impressive display of luxury yachts and its innovative marine launches. With over 500 marine brands on display, visitors will find everything they need to enhance their boating experience. Poised to impress even the most discerning boating enthusiasts, we suggest marking out your calendars now for the Auckland Boat Show, on from Thursday the 23rd of March at Jellicoe Harbour.

Design

The dining chair that earns its place at the table
We explore the life, work, and storied career of revered designer Pierre Paulin
A softer surface: The rise of tonal, textured interiors
Depot
MoVida
Gusto at The Grand
Azabu Mission Bay

Al Brown is throwing a multi-restaurant dinner party to support those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle — here’s how to get involved

In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle’s devastation, our local hospitality industry has rallied together to aid those affected. Spearheaded by renowned chef Al Brown and supported by the Restaurant Association, the initiative, dubbed ‘Cooking up a Storm’, will see establishments across the country hosting a two-course dinner party on Monday, the 20th of March.

The event, which aims to be the country’s largest dinner party, will feature a set menu of comfort food designed to soothe the soul through the stomach. Participating restaurants will charge a set price of $69, with $46 of every sale going directly to the Mayoral Relief Funds and a portion of the proceeds going to support those in the hospitality industry who recent weather events have also impacted. In this one-off experience, diners will select the restaurant of their choosing, which includes beloved favourites like Depot, Azabu Mission Bay, Gusto at The Grand, MoVida, Cazado, Sid at The French Cafe, Ponsonby Road Bistro and Culprit, alongside some of the best restaurants around the country.

“We are attempting to create the country’s biggest-ever dinner party with the whole hospitality community coming together to do good and help those in need,” Brown says. “It’s about comfort food and bringing like-minded folk around a table for the evening. Essentially we’re emulating what is happening in the affected regions, where sitting around a table and having a kai is bringing people together to support, listen and be there for each other.”

The Restaurant Association CEO, Marisa Bidois, adds, “When we saw the devastation caused to so many people from the cyclone, so many of our members wanted to help out. Hospitality is what we do best, so when Al came to us with this idea, it seemed like the perfect way for us to give back.”

According to a recent survey by the Restaurant Association, 92% of respondents were impacted by the recent weather, with 65% forced to close their doors and 25% remaining closed. In the most affected areas, 69% of businesses reported a significant downturn in trade, and 29% suffered material damage.

“It’s clear that the recent weather has caused widespread issues to the country and to our businesses,” Bidois explains. “But hosting people is what we do best, so we’re looking forward to welcoming people into our establishments again whilst also helping to support those that have been impacted.”

Those interested in participating in Al Brown’s ‘Cooking up a Storm’ event can book their table here. Diners can choose from more than 50 participating restaurants around the country, with the list of appetising offerings continuing to grow. It is worth noting that the remaining $23 of the sale goes to the restaurant to cover costs such as staffing and produce expenses.

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best express lunches in the city
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Tam Tung is bringing his Michelin-starred menu to Auckland for four nights only
Love in the air? Here, we put forward our definitive guide to the best date night spots in Auckland
Left: Ba'alawa and Lebanese coffee. Right: Lebanese Grocer.

Lebanese Grocer is Elie Assaf’s delicious new deli serving shawarma, falafel and traditional pantry staples

Our enduring pursuit of the most delicious cuisines in Auckland recently landed today’s new opening, Lebanese Grocer, onto our radar. But truth be told, given the man behind it, Elie Assaf, has long been serving up some of our favourite dishes in the City, it is a destination we would have been eager to scope out regardless.

In his latest venture, this K’ Road locale is home to what he describes as his own home comforts. “It’s a grocery store specialising in nostalgia for the Lebanese household,” he tells me. The idea is to bring a taste of his native Beirut to Auckland, one that he feels the City has been missing in this iteration.

Alongside Leon McKay of Saint Leo, Assaf has transformed the Pitt Street store into a pared-back experience. Here, the steel shelves are lined with authentic Lebanese produce, which Assaf curates and works with local suppliers to stock. Couscous, pickles and Zwan are mainstays, the latter being a beloved traditional tinned meat akin to Spam. Elsewhere you can find traditional pita and halawa, alongside za’atar and nuts that have been handmade by Assaf’s parents in Wellington. 

Left: Lebanese Grocer housemade ba’alawa. Right: Lebanese Grocer.

Lebanese Grocer Hummus
Lebanese Grocer traditional hummus.

Given that, it makes sense that Lebanese Grocer was the natural evolution for the chef. Thanks to his parents (behind Wellington stalwart, Phonecian Cuisine), and his mum in particular, cooking traditional food was always ingrained in his ethos. Naturally, Lebanese Grocer feels like he’s come full circle, he tells me. “I’m paying homage to what my mum has taught me. These are skills and products I didn’t even know I wanted to offer.” From Wellington’s Five Boroughs to his influence as Executive Chef at Milenta, it is evident Assaf’s offering is varied but always delicious. 

The whole operation is centred around a huge marble bench, made for customers to sip on traditional stove-brewed Lebanese coffee as they devour his housemade ba’alawa (some of the most delicious I’ve tried), as much as it is a workspace for the team. When we visit, Assaf is handmaking some of his favourite hummus to stock in the fridge, destined for customers to grab and go. The menu itself is small, homely in nature, and will be in a constant state of evolution as he sees fit. Daily shawarma is almost always guaranteed, as is his housemade falafel — which we’ve been told is a contender for the best in the City. And on any given day, you might see this alongside sides of tabbouleh and pickles, with a serving of traditional mint tea.

Assaf sees this offering as an opportunity to help show Aucklanders these traditional ingredients and how to use them in their cooking. Making them readily accessible is just a happy coincidence. Staying grounded in this ethos, Lebanese Grocer feels like one of those destinations that will quickly become popular — both in its commitment to the homely offering and in a delicious delivery of authentic cuisine. “What better thing than to have a Lebanese person making Lebanese food,” Assaf suggests. On trying it ourselves, we couldn’t agree more.

Lebanese Grocer

65 Pitt Street,
Newton, Auckland

www.instagram.com/lebanesegrocer

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best express lunches in the city
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Tam Tung is bringing his Michelin-starred menu to Auckland for four nights only
Love in the air? Here, we put forward our definitive guide to the best date night spots in Auckland
Ram Laddoo.

Experience Indian street food at its finest with this new Parnell opening 

Get ready to tantalise your taste buds with an authentic Indian street food experience like no other. Chaat Street Auckland is set to take Parnell’s main strip by storm this week, with its doors set to open this Saturday. Adopting a modern, tapas-style approach to traditional street food, Co-owner and Chef Vaibhav Vishen is proving to Kiwis yet again that flavourful Indian dishes go beyond the dated trope of just another spicy curry, and is serving up mouth-watering dishes in the process.

The winning Burger Wellington 2022 ‘Dabeli’.

Everywhere Chaat Street has gone, it has been a hit. In 2021, it became an overnight success at a Visa Wellington on a Plate pop-up, serving 2,000 punters in just two days. One year later, opening as a sit-down restaurant on Te Aro’s Victoria Street, Chaat Street dished up 3,400 burgers to win the covetable Burger Wellington. The champion creation ‘Dabeli’ was like no other — a crispy, spiced potato patty paired with Fix & Fogg’s Smoke and Fire peanut butter, coriander, crispy chickpea noodles and tamarind chutney in a masala butter brioche bun.

Vishen chose Chaat Street’s flagship Auckland location for its rustic character, the fit-out designed to resemble a street food stall in an English-built railway station. Here, the menu takes inspiration from dishes all over India, and there’s something for everyone. Highlights include the Kashmiri Kanti (pan-tossed lamb with tomatoes and Kashmiri chillies served with Kulcha (flatbread)) and Aloo Tikki Chaat (skillet potato stuffed with crunchy lentils alongside yoghurt, zesty tamarind and mint chutneys). Each dish maintains authenticity in flavour through varying spice levels — diners can add heat with green chilli and other condiments as desired, perhaps washing down their meal with a thirst-quenching chilli margarita.

Left to right: Peach Sharbat cocktail, Shakarakandi Ki Chaat.

To experience Chaat Street is to immerse yourself in a culture rich in tradition and heritage. Vishen encourages diners to come with an open mind and to try the customary way of eating with their hands for a truly multi-sensory experience. After all, ‘chaat’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘to lick’, the term originating from the street food stalls in Old Delhi where the food spiked with salt (to kill bacteria from the water) was so flavourful that people would end up licking their fingers.

Moong Dal Ki Chaat.

So, whether you’re in the mood for a delectable snack or a thoroughly indulgent dining experience, reserve your table at Chaat Street Auckland here for the chance to experience the best of India in one sitting.

Chaat Street

320 Parnell Road
Parnell
Auckland 1052

Gastronomy

Denizen’s definitive guide to the best express lunches in the city
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Tam Tung is bringing his Michelin-starred menu to Auckland for four nights only
Love in the air? Here, we put forward our definitive guide to the best date night spots in Auckland