Grab a bunch of your best and make a day (or night) of it at The Poni Room, the ultimate spot to unwind and have some fun.
Having originated in New York City, The Poni Room is bringing a taste of the Big Apple to our shores as one of the cheekiest additions to Commercial Bay’s roster of world-class bars and restaurants.
The all-day eatery boasts a sundrenched, panoramic outlook, a lighthearted spirit and a Japanese and South-East Asian-inspired menu.
New York-based, Michelin-starred Executive Chef Brad Farmerie designed the dishes with a seafood focus to celebrate the best of the catch and produce on offer in New Zealand, with Fred Wong taking the reins as on-site Head Chef.
Within the flexible and flavourful menu, salmon tartare, coconut laksa, half or whole crayfish and szechuan lamb shoulder sit harmoniously alongside a selection of skewers. Ranging from chicken to octopus and potato, and aged sirloin, we can guarantee you won’t be able to stop at just a couple of these delectable snacks.
The Poni Room’s beverage offering only adds to its appeal, championing everyone’s favourite fun pink wine: rosé. Available by the glass or bottle, on tap and, if you’re in the mood to take things to the next level, in a fish pitcher.
The rosé selection will be largely New Zealand-focused, with frozé also on offer along with ready-made cocktails for ultimate convenience.
We’re also intrigued (and excited) by what The Poni Room dubs a “unique interactive beverage program” — essentially, self-serve.
With the latest licence within Commercial Bay’s offering, a menu that’s served until midnight, and sets by Auckland’s hottest DJs on rotation, Poni Room is a convivial space that encourages its patrons to have fun, priding itself on being event-friendly with much of the space designed for large, private bookings.
The unbeatable views of the harbour are just another bonus that will keep you going back.
Picture this: stomach rumbling with hunger, you sink gratefully onto a comfortable bar stool. Your retail therapy lies forgotten at your feet as a friendly face delivers a hot burger, fries, and a cold drink. Blue sky and blue water shimmer beyond the window as the sun streams in. You take a bite of your burger. All is bliss.
With Burger Burger’s new Commercial Bay site, this dream can now be a reality. Situated in a prime ocean-facing site, the iconic burger restaurant’s sixth venture joins the unparalleled selection of eateries in the precinct.
“Waitematā Harbour is one of the most magical outlooks in Auckland,” says Burger Burger’s co-founder and creative director Mimi Gilmour Buckley. “We are so grateful and excited to get to open a joint where you can enjoy a really good burger and cold beer while taking in that view.”
When it came to arranging the space, the team divided it into four separate ‘cabanas’, each designed around a certain type of customer; from families to friends enjoying a round of drinks and “anyone looking for a reflective moment by the sea,” patrons will be welcomed with Burger Burger’s signature irreverent spirit.
With a selection of murals, neon signage and works by local artists, Burger Burger’s new space makes for a fun and colourful environment to enjoy a bite from its delicious menu and watch the world go by.
As well as a prime selection of our favourite local stores and designers, Commercial Bay welcomes an exciting array of top international talent to its roster of retailers.
Premium Australian brand Aje takes up residence in the form of a luxury pop-up store. As it’s initially intended to be a short-term venture, devotees of the label’s undone yet polished style would do well to make a prompt visit.
The epitome of Parisian chic, Sandro combines streetwear pieces with an effortless and feminine sensibility. A go-to for elevated everyday wardrobe staples, fans of the aesthetic will also find plenty to love in the offering of Maje, a slightly more bohemian French label from Moroccan-born designer Judith Milgrom.
Heritage French fashion house Dior needs no introduction; beauty buffs will fall for its dedicated Dior Beauty cosmetics offering on the ground floor.
Tommy Hilfiger brings its all-American charm to the line-up, providing a fresh take on preppy separates, while Calvin Klein‘s outpost is a must-visit for those looking to stock up on the iconic fashion house’s high-quality underwear, sleepwear and loungewear.
There’s no better way to experience the full scope of the unparalleled selection of eateries at Commercial Bay than in the Harbour Eats food hall. With more than 650 seats available, innovative shared space Harbour Eats is inspired by international food precincts in New York, London and Barcelona.
Encompassing a wide range of local and international cafes, bars and restaurants, it’s sure to satisfy not only the daytime, downtown work crowd and weekend shoppers but also those purely looking to wine and dine. With the hardest part being settling on where to eat, suffice to say every Commercial Bay trip could be supplemented with a different meal and setting.
Wise Boys
Embrace the international atmosphere underneath the eat-in dining area’s soaring ceilings.
At Public, a bar concept by Bedford & Soda’s Matt Nicholls, huge windows take in the downtown ferry building and there’s a bookable area for larger groups. Serving coffee and fresh smoothies during the day and expertly-crafted cocktails after dark, visitors can also expect various pop-ups in the same area. Currently, bluff oysters are on offer, best appreciated when washed down with a glass of champagne.
Fans of Malaysian flavours need look no further than Hawker & Roll which is dishing up Malaysian-inspired street eats centred on the hawker roll – a stuffed roti filled with your favourite flavours.
The ingenious team behind Simon & Lee and Gochu have opened up Good Dog Bad Dog, an American-inspired hotdog shop where Oliver Simon and David Lee’s loaded toppings are irresistible.
Oji Sushi
Sushi lovers need look no further than Oji Sushi, helmed by Yukio Ozeki of beloved Japanese eateries Ebisu and Azabu, with two separate outposts for both eating-in and on-the-go takeaway, and herbivores can relax; Wise Boys is opening its second Auckland location in Commercial Bay, with all the fun and fast plant-based dishes we know and love.
After launching a spectacular flagship store in London last year, global menswear brand Rodd & Gunn returns to its firmly-planted New Zealand roots with its highly-anticipated new opening: a fully immersive retail and dining experience located within Auckland’s Commercial Bay development.
The Lodge Bar & Dining draws on the success of Rodd & Gunn’s previous foray into what it calls ‘experiential retail’. The first iteration – Queenstown’s The Lodge Bar – is an essential visit for travellers to the alpine destination, and now for Auckland-dwellers there’s no need to jump on a flight to enjoy the brand’s incredible new offering.
Encompassing a 90-seat all-day eatery integrated with a flagship Rodd & Gunn retail space, The Lodge Bar & Dining is helmed by globally revered chef Matt Lambert, who has designed a menu that celebrates New Zealand’s unparalleled local produce.
“The Rodd & Gunn experience is a celebration of the best of New Zealand’s products, whether it’s fabric or fennel,” Lambert told Denizen earlier this year. “We source the very best, we treat them simply and with respect, for the ultimate elevated experience.”
Clearly inspired by the new site’s waterfront location, The Lodge Bar & Dining menu captures the essence of the glittering harbour visible from the restaurant’s expansive windows.
Prawns, oysters, clams and scallops are all mainstays on the menu, as is the increasingly popular whole grilled flounder, and a Josper charcoal oven is on site to imbue many of the dishes with a delicious depth of flavour.
A dedicated pasta section boasts traditionally-inspired favourites such as cacio e pepe, lamb shoulder rigatoni and sausage spaghetti, and the Kiwi-centric bar snacks are not to be overlooked, like the ‘meat pie croquette’ or grilled oysters with smoked bone marrow.
Master sommelier Cameron Douglas has selected a diverse curation of both international and New Zealand wines, and Logan Clarke from Bracu will execute Lambert’s menu as head chef.
Providing an elevated escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Auckland, The Lodge Bar & Dining is an exciting concept pushing the boundaries of a both a traditional retail and dining experience, showcasing the best that New Zealand has to offer.
When Elle Pugh and her mother Yolande Ellis founded cashmere brand Elle + Riley in 2016, their aim was to make timeless, luxurious knitwear available for New Zealanders year-round.
Fair to say, the duo has realised this goal and the opening of their third Elle + Riley store in Commercial Bay this week solidifies their position as a go-to destination for cashmere lovers.
Following the success of Elle + Riley’s Ponsonby and Queenstown boutiques, plus a loyal online following, Pugh says opening in the exciting new CBD precinct was a no-brainer.
“We chose Commercial Bay because we truly feel the centre is going to be the hub of Auckland City,” she says. “The time and care that has been put into curating an incredible mix of retail and food brands is unparalleled and we were thrilled to be given the opportunity to be part of it.”
Having previously tapped the skills of Katie Lockhart for their Queenstown store, Pugh and Ellis worked with the renowned interior specialist again for Commercial Bay, to create a similarly luxurious look and feel.
Built-in shelving offers a sense of permanence and solidity, while the restrained palette makes the store a serene destination within the varied and exciting retail offering of Commercial Bay.
“As cashmere is a timeless heritage product, the space needed to feel calm and welcoming,” explains Pugh, “with the warmth that cashmere offers.”
If you’ve ever wondered what a room full of Ecoya would smell like, now’s your chance to find out as the renowned luxury home fragrance brand has opened its very first New Zealand boutique in Commercial Bay this week.
We already know the answer (divine) and are over the moon that there’s now a dedicated space for one of our favourite beauty and lifestyle companies to showcase its excellent products.
A contemporary and intimate store on the ground floor, the Commercial Bay space houses Ecoya’s natural soy wax candles and botanical bodycare.
Having made a very welcome move into the world of kitchen products this year, Ecoya’s new Kitchen Collection will also be available, as well as the sell-out car diffusers and another recent release: the fragranced hand sanitiser and sanitiser spray.
An eye-catching central island is a focal-point for the space, holding new fragrances for customers to peruse and each week will feature a fresh floral installation by Blush Flowers, making Ecoya’s first New Zealand boutique a serene (and beautifully scented) downtown haven.
Leading fashion destination Superette is making it’s first move into Auckland’s CBD as an exciting addition to Commercial Bay’s considered retail offering.
Celebrating 18 years in business this year, it’s an admirable milestone for the beloved boutique which takes up residence in an expansive corner site.
In a bid to cater to discerning city-based shoppers, Superette co-founder Rickie Dee says the Commercial Bay location was expertly curated, as all the Superette stores are, to offer new and hard-to-find labels.
New designers joining the store’s fold include Australian labels Matin and Manning Cartell; minimalist footwear brand A.Emery; menswear from The North Face and more.
They’ll be joining Superette’s existing selection of beloved brands such as Bassike, Camilla & Marc, Anine Bing and P.E Nation.
Visitors to the downtown shopping precinct are also treated to a selection of the boutique’s concept store Superette International, only available in Newmarket before now.
Encompassing coveted designers and labels from further afield, the capsule stocks Alexander Wang, Rough Studios, Maison Kitsune and Silk Laundry, and is yet another reason to make the trip to Superette’s new Commercial Bay outpost – not that we needed one.
Casual and cool is how we’d describe Ockhee, a brand new Korean eatery and welcome addition to Ponsonby Rd.
Owners Paulee and Lisa Lee have been planning their latest venture since 2018, and in opening Ockhee aim to bring authentic Korean food to Kiwis in a relaxed and contemporary setting.
With many years of hospitality experience between them – Paulee previously worked for the now-closed Camper Coffee in Newmarket and Simon & Lee, while Lisa was a chef at Grey Lynn’s Honeybones – Ockhee is the culmination of both their expertise and a desire to offer a fresh take on the cuisine.
“The base of the food is authentic Korean,” says Paulee, “but the toppings and plating-style will be very Kiwi so it harmonises.”
Chef Lisa has created a menu revolving around fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, and the diners will find plenty of enticing options to choose from.
On the lunch menu is a range of Deopbap or Dubbap which translates to “stir-fry on rice” — a satisfying one-bowl dish featuring a protein on rice.
Gochujung Pork
With options ranging from premium beef marinated in the traditional Korean style with pickled radishes or Gochujung (Korean chilli paste) pork and bean sprouts to fresh tofu or either soy or spicy marinaded chicken, midday goers will find plenty of choice for a filling and healthy lunch meal at Ockhee.
The flavourful Gochujung pork is particularly delicious; rather than arriving with white rice, it came served on a bed of Korean black rice which has a lovely nutty and slightly earthy flavour. Garnished with bean sprouts, spring onion, sesame leaves and sesame oil, the freshness of the ingredients makes for a satisfying yet not heavy dish.
The Chun Sa Chae noodle salad
For dinner, there’s a variety of hot and cold dishes and sides. Winter is the perfect time to order the Jeon Gol, a piping hot stew served bubbling over a flame in a mini hotpot.
The beef Jeon Gol is served with dangmyeon or kumara noodles, which have a similar texture to vermicelli, enoki mushrooms, onion, carrot and incredibly tender cuts of beef in a flavourful broth.
The Chun Sa Chae noodle salad is a must-try: comprising steamed seaweed noodles – a glass-clear noodle with a moreish and unusual texture – and thinly-sliced raw vegetables, it’s the dressing that packs a punch of fresh, vinegary flavour. We think it’s the perfect side to pair with the salty and savoury notes found in many of the main dishes.
There are, of course, plenty of vegetarian options including a Korean-style potato pancake dish called Potato Jeon, and a “Tofu Steak” which comes as a sort of fritter of tofu mixed with carrot, mushroom, zucchini and turmeric served under a mixed salad – if you haven’t tried a chocolate tomato before, we can confirm they are delicious.
Fully licensed, the drinks menu features Cass, a Korean lager, plus beers from Sawmill and Garage Project. There is a house-blended soju and a cocktail of the month – right now, it’s a Korean take on a classic negroni called a Seoul Yuja which is 20% Soju, Aperol and Sweet Vermouth.
Ultimately, Paulee wants visitors to Ockhee to become regulars for the whole package it offers – atmosphere, music, service and, of course, the food. We’re already looking forward to our next visit.
The saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and while Mark Wallbank is aware his pumping Parnell eatery Woodpecker Hill was far from broken, he was ready for a change.
Six weeks of rumination provided the spark to give Woodpecker Hill a makeover, five years after its doors opened for the first time, once again bringing a new offering to Parnell.
The Golden Nest at Woodpecker Hill, as the site is now known, is a “new incarnation” of the previous restaurant, with eye-catching chartreuse upholstery, a versatile and convertible space and an exciting new menu.
Wallbank’s longtime chef and collaborator Che Barrington embraces the fun and fresh influence of Japanese and Korean food within The Golden Nest’s extensive offering.
Toasted Rock Lobster & Prawn Roll
Moving away from the restaurant’s previous Thai-infused American BBQ style, the innovative new dishes are a little less spicy and a little more shareable thanks to smaller, snacky-style portions.
“We just wanted a more cost-effective menu, so people can come twice a week as opposed to twice a year,” says Wallbank. “Even if you’ve got 50 bucks in your pocket, you can still have a couple of baskets of dumplings and a couple of drinks.”
Cheese Burger Bao
There are so many appealing dishes on the menu, you’re going to want to come with a group. A dedicated dumpling and steamed bun section espouses some of the best morsels in town thanks to the kitchen’s expert dumpling chefs who make everything to order.
As well as more traditionally-inspired favourites, Barrington brings new meaning to the term ‘fusion’ with a particular dish: the cheese burger bao. A stuffed steamed bun with a side of dipping mayo that tastes uncannily like a cheeseburger, we can already tell it will be a must-order dish for every table.
Another essential is the karaage fried chicken with kimchi hot sauce: gluten free thanks to a coating of potato starch and impossible to stop at just one piece.
“There are a lot of fermented aspects to the menu, and we make all our own kimchi and hot sauces,” says Barrington. “Making the sauce with the kimchi juice imparts flavours that are more alive and adds a bit more of freshness to it.”
For some fresh to offset the fried, look no further than the beloved kombu-cured salmon salad, a favourite brought over from The Blue Breeze Inn and tweaked for the new venture.
Pork Ramen
Parnell locals will also be delighted to learn that ramen hotspot Chop Chop has been set up as a second outpost within The Golden Nest, so it’s essentially two restaurants in one with patrons being presented with both menus on arrival.
The drinks menu is suitably extensive, and when it comes to cocktails we can’t go past the Elwood: The Golden Nest’s take on an Old Fashioned served in a beeswax-coated bottle that imparts a delicious honey-tinted infusion into the drink.
The refurbishment includes a revamp of either side of the restaurant’s front section, which larger bookings have the option to close off for a private party all of their own.
“Basically, I want to have a very versatile space to break up into lots of different areas,” says Wallbank.
Having come through Covid, Wallbank and Barrington are keen to inject some colour and irreverence into The Golden Nest at Woodpecker Hill and now’s the perfect time to pay them a visit.
And if you were looking for three words describe the spirit of the place, Mark Wallbank’s about keeping it simple. “It’s fresh, fun and uncomplicated.”
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12 noon until late. Monday: Closed
The Golden Nest at Woodpecker Hill 196 Parnell Road, Auckland
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