A great steakhouse runs on timing. Not just in the kitchen, but across the floor, where every table, every glass of wine and every guest interaction moves with near-invisible precision. At Jervois Steak House Auckland, Matilde Perez manages that choreography nightly, steering one of the city’s enduring dining institutions with the calm assurance of someone who has spent years understanding how a room behaves under pressure.
Her introduction to hospitality came almost accidentally while visiting her brother in Italy, where a nightclub job quickly revealed an industry to which she felt immediately drawn. From the first shift, she was captivated by the energy, pace and camaraderie that hospitality creates, and she has remained dedicated to the industry ever since. What followed was working in hospitality roles in Uruguay, Brazil and Buenos Aires before eventually settling in New Zealand.
A formative chapter came during her time with the MobyDick group in Argentina, where Perez stepped into her first leadership role as Front of House Manager and began developing the management style that still defines her today. In Auckland, she spent time at SPQR before joining Non Solo Pizza, where she progressed from waitress through to Venue Manager, learning every layer of restaurant operations along the way. It was an experience she credits with truly shaping her professionally.
For Perez, hospitality remains deeply personal. She is fascinated by the subtle details that can transform a guest’s evening, whether through observation, timing or a small gesture delivered at exactly the right moment. Behind the ease of a well-run dining room, however, sits an enormous amount of planning, communication and teamwork, that invisible choreography that allows service to appear seamless to guests.
After Hours — Matilde Perez
Restaurant Manager, Jervois Steak House
Auckland’s dining scene has so much to offer that I try not to repeat places too often. One week I’m craving Japanese, the next it’s Thai, Italian or a proper steak. I’m usually drawn to relaxed neighbourhood restaurants over anything overly formal, places where the atmosphere feels genuine and easy.
A proper New York-style pizza is definitely one of my guilty pleasures, although a really good steak is probably the dish I crave most often. Wine is usually my first choice, but if I’m in the mood for a cocktail, I tend to gravitate towards somewhere like Caretaker, where the bartenders create something tailored rather than simply following a menu.
Apero and Amano are two places I consistently return to with friends. The food is always excellent, but more importantly there’s a genuine sense of hospitality that makes you feel looked after from the moment you arrive.
Outside New Zealand, one restaurant that has stayed with me is Don Julio in Palermo, Buenos Aires. I haven’t been back in a few years, but it’s one of those places that stays with you. It’s a classic parrilla with warm, unhurried service, an incredible wine list and no unnecessary theatre. Just a fantastic spot with great food and the feeling that the people running it genuinely care.
Matilde’s Recommendations
