Crayfish tail with tarragon and samphire
The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Jo Pearson (far right)
Rabbit empanada with cucumber and toum

From the team behind Amano, Alma is the new restaurant bringing a taste of southern Spain to Britomart

When we heard the formidable team behind Amano, Ortolana and The Store were opening an Andalusian restaurant in Auckland, needless to say our bellies were already rumbling in anticipation. Named Alma, the new venture from Hip Group opened its doors just before Christmas at 130 Quay Street, Britomart, and centres on the delicious flavours and warm, relaxed energy of the southern Spanish region. 

Borne from a trip to Andalusia undertaken two years ago by the company’s founder and CEO Jackie Grant, COO and Executive Chef Jo Pearson and General Manager Natasha Parkinson, the founding of Alma has been a welcome opportunity for their offering to expand and for the team to explore a new cuisine, Parkinson tells me.

Cucumber, aioli, pepitas

The site appealed because, similar to Amano, it is a historic building with a great sense of space, she explains. “The feel of the room was incredible from the get-go.” Jack McKinney Architects once again worked on the fit-out, which was kept timeless and classic rather than too themed. “We wanted it to feel really homely, with the amazing brickwork and tiling, and the beautiful open fire and hearth,” says Parkinson. 

It is on this fire that the majority of Alma’s dishes are cooked, allowing a thread of smokiness to underpin the menu — the conception and execution of which is in the capable hands of Jo Pearson. Having fallen in love with the south of Spain the first time she visited in 2006, Pearson says she was especially intrigued by the ingredients of the region. Andalusian food is a harmonious blend of cultures, she explains, and the Moorish (Arabic and North African) influences are what have made it so rich.

Left: Mussel escabeche with kohlrabi

This amalgamation is what she likes about it; plus the fact that it’s an enjoyment-focused cuisine rather than being too serious. “That’s what inspired Alma; I love the food and where it’s come from, but I’m also passionate about New Zealand products and the provenance of them.” 

As to be expected, the menu centres on small plates or tapas, with Pearson’s spin imparting a fresh take. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is possible to pop in for a quick snack, a satisfying bite to eat or a long and languid meal enjoyed for hours — and while the menu is, of course, great to share, it is possible to eat in a more traditional entree-mains-dessert type of way if that’s your style. If sharing, you might start with Olasagasti anchovies and tomatoes on toast, some Iberian ham and a mussel escabeche with kohlrabi; followed by crayfish tail cooked with tarragon and samphire, a rabbit empanada with cucumber and toum (a type of garlic sauce), and maybe even finish with lamb chops or a rib eye steak.

The drinks offering is as considered as the food, with Parkinson having crafted a list that stays true to the region. You’ll find plenty of imported Spanish wines, and New Zealand-grown Spanish varietals like Tempranillo and Albariño. Sherries and vermouths are also championed, with the former a delicious (and underrated) drop to sip throughout a meal, and the latter ideal for before and after. Gin and tonics, popular in Spain, have also been given special attention, with an extensive list and customisable garnishes and tonics.

The name Alma means “feeds the soul, lifts the spirit”, and with this new venture we have no doubt the team responsible will succeed in doing both.

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 7am — late

Alma
130 Quay Street,
Britomart

09 801 6021

alma.nz

Gastronomy

These are the Auckland eateries staying open over the summer holidays, plus we’ve rounded up all of the holiday hospo hours you need to know
Escaping the city for the holidays? We round up the best eateries up and down the country
Denizen’s definitive guide to the best fish and chips in Auckland — and the scenic spots to enjoy them
From left: Steamed dumplings; Shochu sesame sour cocktail
Southern Thai yellow curry
Gado gado and som tam salad

Meet the innovative new inner-city eatery delivering a delicious take on vegetarian dining

East, an intriguing new eatery on Nelson Street, is the realisation of a passion project for its vegetarian owners, the Jhunjhnuwala family. Armed with a love for the vibrant and complex flavours of Asian cooking and a desire to create an eatery that heroed taste as much as it upheld an ethos of sustainability, the Jhunjhnuwala family assembled a team of experts to help bring their vision of an entirely vegetarian venture to life.

Advising on the menu and helping to develop the eatery’s creative presence was renowned hospitality consultant Andrew Glenn (co-founder of Waiheke’s The Oyster Inn), while on the drinks side, Simon Kelly lent his years of experience in the wine and spirit industry to developing East’s beverage offering (which has seen it become one of the few restaurants in New Zealand to boast a 100 percent organic and vegan wine list).

From left: Design firm Luchetti Krelle are behind the sleek interior; Seventy-five percent of the menu is vegan

In addition, Ben Legget took up the post of consultant mixologist, offering his impressive expertise to East’s comprehensive cocktail list. (Highlights include the Umeshu Dandy — a mix of Mars Cosmo Maltage whisky, sweet vermouth, houraisen kanjuku umeshu, coffee, pimento bitters and lapsang souchong atomiser — and the Shochu Sesame Sour — combining hombo shuzo shocho, lemon juice, honey, sesame grapefruit and hops bitters.)

Not forgetting the fit-out, East’s sleek interior was created by award-winning architecture and design firm Luchetti Krelle (responsible for restaurants like Longrain in Tokyo and Acme in Sydney). Inside, a modern monochromatic palette offers an oasis of calm, lent depth and originality by geometric flooring and tonal moments like lush, forest green seating and jewel-toned walls.

From left: Dan Dan noodles; The interior features forest green seating and jewel-toned walls

On the menu, flavours are vast and varied but presented in a way that feels carefully curated and concise (the sign of an experienced hand at the helm). Head Chef Harmeet Singh (formerly the head chef at one of Mumbai’s leading Asian restaurants, Bamboo), leads an experienced team in the kitchen, representing the culinary traditions of Japan, Hong Kong, China, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India. This diverse spread has materialised in dishes like Dan Dan noodles, Peking jackfruit pancakes with tapioca chips and plum sauce, Southern Thai yellow curry, steamed mushroom Cheung fun and ginger caramelised bang bang shitake mushrooms. Seventy-five percent of the menu is vegan, 70 percent of it is gluten-free, and all of it is designed to share.

What seems to set East’s food offering apart, is the process of meticulous experimentation and the development of special techniques undertaken by those in the kitchen, which has resulted in dishes that deliver the necessary flavours and textures without having to rely on meat. The chefs even created all of their own sauces, including a nham jim, a prik man pla and a special vegan ‘XO.’ As such, the menu is a treat for the tastebuds, running the full gamut of pan-Asian flavours, from the sweet to the sour, to the piquant, to the all-important umami — and everything in between. Importantly, you don’t have to be a vegetarian or a vegan to enjoy a meal at East. Its food is delicious, inclusive and certain to find fans among the ranks of meat-eaters as much as it is to delight the herbivores who now have another tasty option in Auckland.

East

63-67 Nelson Street
Auckland Central
Auckland

(09) 399 2361

www.easteats.co.nz

Gastronomy

These are the Auckland eateries staying open over the summer holidays, plus we’ve rounded up all of the holiday hospo hours you need to know
Escaping the city for the holidays? We round up the best eateries up and down the country
Denizen’s definitive guide to the best fish and chips in Auckland — and the scenic spots to enjoy them

This idyllic North Shore development offers the best of both worlds

We feel we can safely say, there’s no better place to be in the world right now than Aotearoa. The many merits of our biggest city certainly have a lot to do with this notion, and now an exciting new property proposition promises to make the best of all Auckland has to offer. 

The Reserve is a stunning north-facing site overlooking the Long Bay-Okura marine reserve and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf in the east. Comprising 29 lots of unspoilt land spread over 130 hectares, this patch of North Shore heaven has been elegantly refurbished by Todd Property Group to make sure it sensitively complements its waterfront setting.

New entrances and roads make for ultimate ease of access, while the technology and amenities are world-class — think lightning-fast fibre, smart street lighting, comprehensive CCTV coverage and gate automation. 

Plus, extensive planting supports the local ecology and overall land management, with riparian planting of native species along the area’s natural streams helping to maintain their purity.

Residents of this idyllic site are to be in possession of the best of both worlds: a harmonious lifestyle that is enhanced considerably by the close proximity to nature, and an easy 10-minute drive to Long Bay village and its convenient facilities, or a 10-minute drive to State Highway 01. Downtown Auckland is also accessible in under half an hour from The Reserve, where all its humming culture, retail and hospitality offerings await. 

With each of the lots within The Reserve sitting at around four hectares, there is ample space to inspire residents’ imaginations to run free and create a home to be treasured for decades to come. Picture a plethora of outdoor wonders close to hand to make the most of your downtime; from bush walks to beach runs, kayaking or paddle-boarding on the estuary to cycling on the bike trail.

If all the aforementioned doesn’t wholly sum up the meaning of ‘quality of life’, we don’t know what does. 

All lots within The Reserve are available now — register your interest on the website at thereserve.estate.

Design

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Searching for your next inspiring read? Make it a memoir with these recently-released masterpieces

Through reading in detail about the lives of inspiring people, we can often learn about ourselves and absorb important life lessons by proxy. These recently-released memoirs are inspiring indeed, from a war zone reporter to a famous comedian; a superstar diva to a former POTUS — step into the shoes of these fascinating industry leaders this summer.

On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist by Clarissa Ward
Globally-renowned for her war zone reporting, award-winning journalist Clarissa Ward pens a riveting account of her life and a career that has taken her from one conflict hotzone to the next, from Beijing to Baghdad, Moscow to Syria. Using her ability to speak seven languages to find the real stories in these foreign lands, she tells heartbreaking tales with the empathy that made her such a beloved voice in journalism, and underpins why work like hers is absolutely vital in our understanding of the complexities of the world.

Is This Anything? by Jerry Seinfeld 
Over the course of his five-decade-long career, comedian Jerry Seinfeld has saved all of his material. Now, he has selected some of his favourite bits, organised by decade, to turn into a hilarious book that (beyond its comedy chops) offers insight into the evolution of a comedic genius. 

The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis
Told in Mariah Carey’s own words, this unfiltered memoir offers a glimpse inside the storied life and career of one of the most iconic divas of our time. From the abuse she suffered as a child to becoming a household name, even sharing some of her most infamous diva moments, this revelatory read is Mariah as we’ve never heard her before.

A Promised Land by Barack Obama 
The man himself needs no introduction, but many of us might not be familiar with former POTUS Barack Obama’s backstory and the process of his ascension to becoming the 44th president of the United States, the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office. In this deeply personal first volume of his presidential memoirs, Obama both reflects on the beginnings of his political aspirations and brings readers inside the Oval Office, sharing his thoughts from key moments throughout his eight year tenure.

Friends & Enemies: A Life in Vogue, Prison and Park Avenue by Barbara Amiel
Barbara Amiel is a journalist of particular renown. Her life has been dramatic and glamorous, peppered with extravagant parties, prolific legal battles and famous friends (alongside more than a few enemies), but until now, no one has been privy to the true story of this journalistic legend — a woman who was well ahead of her time. 

Culture

With so many exceptional events happening in the city this summer, we round up where to eat, drink, play and stay
From open-air opera to music festivals and more, our Summer Culture Guide has everything to book this season
The Runholder is the place to be this summer, with a number of epic happenings you won’t want to miss

Upgrade your iced coffee with this utterly delicious and totally decadent frappé recipe

Known for its impressive variety of coffee blends, Nespresso is meticulous and considered when creating its barista-quality capsules, all of which have become integral to our daily routines. Now, as we emerge from the haziness of summer to be thrown unceremoniously back into the working week, Nespresso has released a distinctly cool new range and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Barista Creations For Ice is the culmination of five years of research into the perfect iced coffee, over which time, the brand examined coffee blends from around the world that come alive when served cold. The result? Two new capsules designed to be enjoyed exclusively over ice.

Distinctive and refreshing, the Freddo Delicato and Freddo Intenso are ideal summertime pick-me-ups, the former a lightly-roasted, fruity blend, the latter, an indulgent, more full-bodied variety. And while it’s impossible to pick a favourite, it’s with the Freddo Intenso that we have recently started making this choc-coconut frappé — a drink so good we’re wondering how we’ll ever go back to our regular order.

Arguably the only way to really enjoy coffee over summer, this frappé is a little bit sweet, entirely satiating and the perfect way to keep spirits lifted on a warm afternoon. Here’s the recipe — you can thank us later.

Choc-coconut frappé recipe
Makes 1

Ingredients:
1 capsule of Nespresso Freddo Intenso
90g ice cubes
100ml coconut milk
1 scoop of chocolate ice cream
50ml whipped cream
1 tsp chocolate powder
1 tbsp toasted coconut flakes

Method:
1. Put ice cubes, coconut milk and ice cream into a blender.
2. Extract the Freddo Intenso using the espresso cup size and pour into the blender after the cold ingredients.
3. Blend until smooth and pour into a tall glass.
4. Add a garnish of whipped cream and top with sprinklings of chocolate powder and toasted coconut flakes.

Enjoy!

Gastronomy

These are the Auckland eateries staying open over the summer holidays, plus we’ve rounded up all of the holiday hospo hours you need to know
Escaping the city for the holidays? We round up the best eateries up and down the country
Denizen’s definitive guide to the best fish and chips in Auckland — and the scenic spots to enjoy them

Watch: The Lodge Bar’s Matt Lambert shows us how to make the ultimate grilled summer dessert

Internationally venerated, New Zealand-born chef Matt Lambert has recently returned to our shores to helm Rodd & Gunn’s The Lodge Bar & Dining in Auckland and Queenstown’s The Lodge Bar. Having overseen operations from New York since 2017, Lambert is now able to do so directly, and is excited to evolve the offering even further now he’s back on home soil.

To celebrate his homecoming just in time for summer, Lambert shares three easy recipes to cook on the grill — beachside or at home. Deep, smoky grilled flavours are a huge part of The Lodge Bar’s offering, and Lambert is as expert as they come at utilising the delicious caramelisation of cooking over charcoal.

This grilled strawberry, pea and cream dessert might sound unusual, but trust us — the grill brings out the beautiful sweetness of fresh peas in a delightful way; when combined with grilled strawberries and charcoal-caramelised cream, it’s a match made in heaven.

Ingredients:
Strawberries
Fresh peas, shelled
Cream

Method:
1. Grill some strawberries, to bring out and intensify the sugars in the fruit.
2. Put your peas inside an all-metal sieve and cook them directly over the embers. This also amplifies the sugar within the pea, and gives a smoky sweetness.
3. Using tongs, take your coals and put them in a metal pot. It’s important you put something under the pot like a board.
4. Pour your cream directly over the coals. You don’t want to submerge the coals, if you’re doing that, you’re using too much cream.
5. To serve, arrange the grilled strawberries on a plate, with the grilled peas on top, and drizzle the caramelised cream on top.

Gastronomy

These are the Auckland eateries staying open over the summer holidays, plus we’ve rounded up all of the holiday hospo hours you need to know
Escaping the city for the holidays? We round up the best eateries up and down the country
Denizen’s definitive guide to the best fish and chips in Auckland — and the scenic spots to enjoy them

Broaden your horizons with contemporary poetry books you simply must read

Finding that biography a little too dense, or that novel too lengthy? Why not dip into a book of modern poetry? From satire to reflective, lyrical to culturally important, these poem volumes might just have you inspired to pick up the pen yourself.

Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown: Verses for a Despotic Age by John Lithgow
Award-winning actor, author and illustrator, John Lithgow, has delivered a follow-up to his widely-acclaimed Dumpty, in which he once again pens a number of hard-hitting, darkly funny satirical poems in response to Donald Trump’s America.

Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass by Lana Del Rey
Comprising 30 original poems, this debut book by acclaimed singer Lana Del Rey is an extension of her romantic, poetic songwriting. The anthology has an accompanying audiobook featuring each piece as a spoken word poem, with music by renowned producer, Jack Antonoff.

Home Body by Rupi Kaur
From the number one New York Times bestselling author of Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers, comes a new anthology. Home Body sees Rupi Kaur embark on a reflective, intimate journey into her past as she traces its lineage in her present, and encourages us all to have raw, honest conversations with ourselves.

African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle & Song by Kevin Young
The most comprehensive anthology of Black poetry ever published, this book features over 250 poets from the colonial period to the present, underlining the crucial importance of Black poetry and highlighting why African American poetry is flourishing now more than ever.  

Culture

With so many exceptional events happening in the city this summer, we round up where to eat, drink, play and stay
From open-air opera to music festivals and more, our Summer Culture Guide has everything to book this season
The Runholder is the place to be this summer, with a number of epic happenings you won’t want to miss

Biologique Recherche fans rejoice, the cult skincare range is now available in New Zealand

Fans of French skincare brand Biologique Recherche — of which there are many — will know what a labour of love it has been until now to source the brand’s cult products on our shores, let alone any beauty services utilising its effective powers. Now, wily shipping methods or overseas travel are no longer a necessity for those wanting to benefit from the Biologique Recherche methodology, as the highly-anticipated Sofitel Spa has opened at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, and is the exclusive New Zealand stockist of the brand.

While the Biologique Recherche offering consists of over 100 facial products, 30 body and 10 hair products, the best-known skincare solution is the iconic Lotion P50. A purifying, cleansing, reconditioning and exfoliating toner, P50 is name-checked by countless skincare experts and celebrities as their secret weapon when it comes to glowing skin. Promising a smoother, brighter and less congested visage, it is the pungent potion that will continue to boost the results of any beauty treatments at home.

Sofitel Spa has everything one could need to truly indulge in a wellbeing and beauty journey. With its harbourside location and tranquil waterfall, the spa offers the option to begin one’s session with time in the sauna or steam room, kicking off the relaxation even before one lies on the treatment bed. 

“As a whole, we’re all about wellness — it’s not clinical,” explains Sofitel Spa’s manager Rebecca Dawson. “We want people to feel relaxed, but also like they’re getting results.”

Among Sofitel Spa’s varied and substantial treatment menu are signature treatments centred on Biologique Recherche’s highly efficacious products, harnessing the brand’s highly customised approach to offer bespoke results for each and every client. 

“Biologique Recherche has been formulated by a microbiologist and medical doctors, however the in-spa treatments were designed by a physiotherapist, so they are guided by the muscle fibres — it’s all about lifting and toning,” explains Dawson. “The products are raw-formulated, so there’s no heat involved, and no fragrances either, as the creators didn’t want to jeopardise the efficacy of the active ingredients.”

The Instant Skin Lab is the cornerstone of the brand’s methodology, a unique and exclusive system of analysis, diagnosis and prescription. This is used as part of the consultation to ensure the creation of a treatment schedule that works towards a skin objective or intent, and is able to monitor which proposed ministrations will be suitable. Using five different probes, it measures the state of different skin functions including hydration, barrier function, elasticity and pigmentation in order to design a custom facial treatment. 

The Micro Puncture Facial might sound intense, but the results are sure to speak for themselves. Designed to remodel the deeper dermal layer of the skin, the treatment is intended to promote increased regeneration, and a smoother, firmer visage. Utilising a similar approach to microneedling, which stimulates collagen production and increased product penetration, this facial sees the application of Cocktail d’Actifs Regenerants serum boosting vitality and nourishment with its 56 active ingredients.

Having a facial or beauty treatment purely for the relaxation aspect is lovely, but when the outcome manifests as visible results, the combination is unbeatable. We’re certainly a fan of both in tandem, and the famed reputation of Biologique Recherche experienced within the holistic indulgence of Sofitel Spa is a match made in beauty heaven.

Wellbeing

Get your skin summer-ready with our round-up of the smoothing and sculpting treatments and products that actually work
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With eight dogs in residence at Cuadra San Cristobal, the iconic home designed by Luis Barragán in 1968, here, there is plenty of space to go around. Frida, Boris, Chich, Kuma, Carlota, Solovino, Chuleta and Yrrol are a harmonious bunch, who love to embark on long walks around the home’s grounds

The photographer behind everyone’s favourite coffee table book has released an equally adorable sequel

In a bid to put a more personal spin on some of the most impressive interiors and architecture around the world, Melbourne-based photographer Nicole England sought a fresh perspective. From her experience as an architecture and interior photographer, England had noticed how a home really came alive when its fluffy resident wandered into shot, and so, she decided to make it her focus.

In her first Resident Dog book, England photographed 25 homes across Australia, while for this, her second, the photographer looked further afield, documenting homes and their furry residents in places as far as the United States, Britain and Mexico as well. While her unique focus gave her unprecedented access to some incredible, private spaces, it also proves the photographer’s point: that our four-legged friends transform a house into a home. 

FoxyLady is the rescue dog of a glamorous New York couple who have filled their maximalist Greenwich townhouse with a wonderfully eclectic mix of tones, textures and sculptural touches. Although her breed is unknown, FoxyLady brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the home, from her charismatic presence to her love of luxuriating on the sumptuous furnishings.
Rosie the seven-year-old cavapoo loves nothing more than trotting around the gardens (designed by none other than Lady Mary Keen) of her family’s RIBA-winning, sprawling country home in the Cotswolds. Finally, she has the space she needs to run around unimpeded by the boundaries of her city house in London
A dog sure to have sophisticated tastes in contemporary art (so curated is her owner’s collection) Miracle lives in Braelin, the historic Sydney home designed by Donald Esplin in 1918. The heritage nature of this home means that Miracle is often only allowed to snooze on one of her two cosy dog beds (instead of the furniture) but she still loves a cuddle with her owner, co-founder of Voiceless, a global institution for animal protection. 
The fitting abode for four rescue dogs, Silvertop is a home with an interesting history, originally designed by architect John Lautner for Kenneth Reiner before the latter became bankrupt and the house was left to languish. It was then rescued by a family who made it liveable for them and their motley crew of pups, Daisy, Iggy, Clover and Ambrose Bear, adopted from different California shelters. And in this monolithic, concrete-covered house, it’s these resident dogs that make it feel like a home. 
In this contemporary Malibu beach house festooned in tactile details and sculptural furnishings, mixed-breed pup Willie fits perfectly into the palette. Whether he’s swanning around the Kelly Wearstler-finished interiors or sunning himself in his favourite spot on the deck, this laid-back pooch is living the life.

Design

Tidy home, tidy mind — This innovative appliance is transforming modern living
Range Rover unveils its SV Haast Edition and our Editor-in-chief gets a front row seat
Transform your outdoor space into the ultimate oasis this summer with our picks of ECC’s best pieces to shop now

Embrace eco-luxury at its finest with a stay at this exquisite high-country homestead

Promising an escape into nature, Mahu Whenua offers luxury accommodation in the middle of a sprawling eco-sanctuary, 20 minutes drive from Wanaka.

With a name that literally translates to ‘healing the land,’ it’s hardly surprising that Mahu Whenua is a place of conservation. In fact, it is the largest conservation undertaking on private land in New Zealand’s history, with sustainable farming practices and a successful native bird breeding programme.

Owned by music producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange, who combined four high country stations into around 55,000 hectares of exquisite uninterrupted nature, this retreat includes five individual Ridgeline Suites, each able to accommodate a couple, although the entire property can also be booked exclusively for 12 people. 

Onsite, you’ll find stables, a large open living room, dining room, library and a number of outdoor areas from which to take in the lush green valleys, alpine lakes and grand, mountainous landscapes of the property’s surrounds.

So, whether you want to horse ride, mountain bike and hike, or would rather just dabble in some yoga and a few spa treatments, Mahu Whenua encourages everyone to experience its unique location in their own way.

Escape

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