Four New Food Openings to Visit
From fine dining to taco trucks, here's the food news you need to know
Lillius
Fraser McCarthy and Shannon Vandy, say they both knew they wanted to be chefs at a young age, and it wasn't long into their careers that they began wanting to open a business of their own.
Between them, they've clocked up work at The Grove, Merediths, Baduzzi and TriBeCa, and say the vision for their new Eden Terrace restaurant Lillius was somewhere you could have an amazing dining experience, with the casual comfort of being at home.
They describe their style of food as simple, letting the best seasonal ingredients do the talking. Their favourite dish is a pre-dinner canapé of grilled asparagus with a kawakawa cream and cured duck yolk, for the way it embodies this intention.
With a beautiful interior and thoughtful drinks list (featuring mainly New Zealand producers), Fraser and Shannon are excited to put their time and energy into a restaurant they truly believe in.
• 19 Khyber Pass, Eden Terrace. Visit Lillius.co.nz
Parasol & Swing Company
A new bar, created by some of Auckland's top food, drink, and design experts, has just opened at the Viaduct. The Parasol & Swing Company has a cocktail list by award-winning bar Mea Culpa and a menu by chef Mark Southon (O'Connell St Bistro), and features a rooftop where you can soak up the sun.
There's fried chicken burgers, lamb cutlets, fresh fish, and waffles on the menu, while the drinks list celebrates thoughtful cocktails, boutique wine producers and craft beer.
With an interior by Paul Izzard Design, the two-level bar also boasts some of the best views in the city.
• Viaduct Harbour between Dr Rudi's and Soul Bar
Oh Boy Tacos
If you're spending time in the Coromandel this summer, you should look out for the newest food truck to hit the streets, Oh Boy Tacos.
As you may have guessed, handmade tacos are their speciality: options include pulled pork with apple, beetroot and slaw, crispy chicken with carrot and cucumber, and a fish taco with tomato salsa and avocado.
There's a vegan option as well as a breakfast taco on the morning menu, alongside Kokako coffee. They've made their way to Whangapoua, Cooks Beach, Hahei, and Whitianga so far — keep your eye on their social media to see where they'll be hanging out over the holiday season.
• Visit Instagram or Facebook.
Thai By Night
Thai By Night is a new offering from the team behind Brothers Beer and The Botanist, which will be popping up at City Works Depot over summer.
Ryan Pearce, The Botanist's head chef, has created a Thai menu that's available in the evenings, which includes the likes of Jungle Curry, Chicken Satay, Pad Thai and Pork Belly Buns.
Ryan says he wants to "put the same heart and flair into our food that you see on the streets of Thailand". In the glass, a new cocktail will appear on the menu each week, to complement the restaurant's dishes.
And for homebodies, there's also a takeaway option.
• Shed 12, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley St. Visit Thebotanist.co.nz.
DO YOU HAVE FOOD NEWS TO SHARE?
If you have information about a new opening, an event, a new menu or something interesting in the world of food, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at viva@nzherald.co.nz