Serving its iconic modern-Indian cuisine and new menu dishes, Cassia has re-opened at SkyCity

Having suffered at the hands of a number of unfortunate weather events over the last year (which forced it to close twice), iconic stalwart Cassia finally made the call to close its Fort Lane address for good and has just reopened with a brand new restaurant and a new lease on life at SkyCity (in the site where The Grill once stood).

Having undertaken a swift turnaround since its Fort Lane closure (in order to meet the demands of its many fans) Cassia at SkyCity is a restaurant re-imagined. The menu here, like most, is designed to share. Rich in flavour and diverse textures and tastes, the menu still encapsulates Owner Sid Sahrawat’s signature modern Indian fare and continues Cassia’s tradition for culinary excellence, marrying classic, crowd-pleasing dishes with a number of new additions, too.


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Left: Interiors. Right: Cassia Dinner Menu

Despite the fact that Cassia’s new space has only been open a few days, the new Tandoori Chicken Taco is a testament to Cassia’s (and Sahrawat’s) commitment to culinary innovation. Elsewhere, the restaurant’s beloved Charred Eggplant, served with buffalo curd and sweetened with tamarind, has remained (with a slight tweak) as an old favourite for many. Any dining affair here should be finished with Cassia’s Chocolate, Coffee, Miso & Almond Dessert — a sweet and salty little morsel to round out the meal perfectly.

Charred Eggplant, Buffalo Curd, Tamarind

The restaurant itself, full of comfortable corners and cosy nooks, is contemporary, intimate and chic. It feels like an ode to Cassia’s former Fort Lane address, with much of the fit-out of the old restaurant used to create the new, and yet, it also marks an evolution. Just like the Cassia of old, the fit-out here has been conceived using the concept of ‘Agni’ (fire, light and warmth), where Cassia’s iconic lights sit alongside vibrant Holi artwork that brings bursts of colour. Of course, the original Cassia signage sits proudly above the new doors. “We want to recreate the look, feel and warmth of the old Cassia but add a few new features to mark our new beginning,” Sahrawat explains.

Left: Sid and Chand Sahrawat. Right: Khari Baoli with gin, Darjeeling tea, garam masala, burnt honey.

Here, Sahrawat and his wife Chand continue to be the fearless leaders in Indian gastronomy; now offering their exquisite food and meticulous service under SkyCity’s banner, it could be said that the best of Cassia is still yet to come.

Opening Hours:
Lunch: Friday — Sunday, 12pm until 2.30pm
Dinner: Daily, 5pm until 9.30pm

Cassia

90 Federal Street, Auckland CBD

www.cassiarestaurant.co.nz

Gastronomy

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