North Shore residents take note, a new wine bar and bistro has opened in Milford, and it’s looking set to become both an in-demand local and a drawcard for those coming from the other side of the bridge.

Pledging inspiration taken from “the best wine bars and bistros of London and Melbourne”, Stanley Avenue is a new project from a team with varied and impressive provenance in the hospitality industry. Manager Matthew Aitchison has run the floor in some of Auckland’s most well-regarded restaurants, including The French Cafe, Masu and Cassia, while head chef Alok Vasanth is behind the menu, having worked both in New Zealand and Australia at places like The Tasting Shed, Melbourne modern-Indian restaurant Tonka and more. 

The menu spans lighter snacks to more substantial mains, sides and desserts, catering to any hunger level or length of stay. We’re intrigued by the lamb tartare within the entrée section, served with parmesan cream and lavosh, and the stracciatella with charred witloof and preserved lemon also appeals. 

For mains, there’s a smoked ricotta agnolotti pasta; crumbed market fish with brown butter and capers; steak with a herby butter and black tea half chicken with confit shallots. 

A handful of enticing desserts rounds out the offering, including salted chocolate tart with malt ice cream, a baked meringue with poached pear, and spiced rum parfait. 

As befitting its ‘wine bar’ title, the wine list is comprehensive indeed, with a hefty selection of both familiar and more unusual varieties, plus a few organic and biodynamic bottles in the mix.

With an offering that looks to have been put together with a hefty amount of consideration and knowledge, Stanley Avenue is no doubt a welcome addition to the North Shore’s gastronomic scene.