From eggs to Taiwanese street food, and day to night, the team at L'oeuf are diversifying. Next door. Their new offering Chinoiserie, in the space of an old Chinese takeaway joint, opened this week to serve "burgers and beers" in a relaxed setting.
The menu is based around gua bao, or Taiwanese burgers, served in steam buns with slaw and peanuts, in flavours including satay tofu and Szechuan chicken. Other snacks include squid rings, chicken nibbles and Taiwanese doughnuts. The drinks list is Asian-inspired too, with beers like Singa, Chang and Asahi alongside Cocoloco coconuts (summer's biggest trend), and cocktails to come.
Brothers Ludovic and Jasper Maignot with their partners Celeste Thornley (pictured) and Sharita Haddow are behind the new spot. The boys have been a fan of Taiwanese food since living in China, serving gua bao at the cafe they worked at in Melbourne. Thai chef Panawat Chotamungsa will head the kitchen with the brothers mainly staying at L'oeuf.
The colourful Chinese-courtyard style interior was completed themselves, with upside down parasols for light fittings, plants done by the Maignot's mother, and an oversized dragon mural by Guy Brock.
• 4a Owairaka Ave, Mt Albert. Tuesday-Saturday, 4pm-late. Ph (09) 971 3836.
