As summer is just around the corner, we’re celebrating the last few weeks of spring in style — and what better way to do exactly that than to indulge in the season’s bounty via the many eateries around town showcasing it in all of its glory. From Andiamo’s celebratory menu brimming with delectable share plates to Cassia’s vibrant take on modern Indian cuisine, there is no shortage of reasons to get out and about this weekend.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Soul Bar & Bistro’s spring menu celebrates fresh, seasonal flavours with inspired dishes ideal for sunny afternoons and breezy evenings. Highlights include a delicate prosciutto and burrata starter with a zesty pineapple twist, a vibrant spring pea risotto, and handmade spinach and mascarpone tortelli with asparagus and brown butter. Simply sublime (as always).
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Sìso
Beloved Remuera eatery Sìso’s new spring menu is a true celebration of Mediterranean flavours, perfect for sampling over a leisurely weekend meal. Begin with whipped garbanzo hummus and smoked eggplant purée before exploring inventive small plates like burrata with crispy eggplant and bone marrow with preserved lemon. Larger plates feature the likes of 12-hour beef cheek raviolo and market fish ‘vongole’ — each dish an unforgettable taste of freshness and finesse.
Andiamo
Andiamo’s spring menu is a vibrant celebration of seasonal flavours. Highlights include house-made ricotta ravioli with fresh herbs, stracciatella with crisp peas and charred sourdough, and a unique bruschetta topped with taleggio and artichoke. Standout mains feature a rich crab risotto with sugar snap peas and a tender lamb shoulder with green harissa. Ideal for sharing, this menu presents yet another reason to park up at one of Andiamo’s ever-coveted street-side tables this weekend.
Cassia
Federal Street’s award-winning modern-Indian eatery, Cassia, has a number of inventive new menus on offer. Monday through Saturday, the new ‘Journey Through India’ menu offers Cassia’s signature dishes for a shared dining experience, while — to celebrate the beloved eatery now opening its doors for Friday lunches (starting from the 11th of November — just in time for the festive season), guests can savour a delectable new lunchtime menu crafted by Sid Sahrawat and his talented team. The ‘Sid’s Voyage Friday Lunchtime Menu’ showcases dishes like crayfish and prawn cone with ossetra caviar and Hawke’s Bay lamb chops, and is a true feast for the senses.
Bar Magda
Bar Magda wraps up the year with its boldest menu yet, brimming with inventive, snack-centric takes on its signature new-wave Filipino fare. Designed for sharing, this new selection is perfect for groups eager to explore diverse flavours. Highlights include wild venison tartare with caramelised soy yogurt, BBQ octopus and squid with crispy potato and whipped duck fat, and a unique Magda salad of curious croppers tomatoes, strawberry, radish, and coconut green goddess. A sweet treat to finish? The decadent almond dacquoise sans rival with cacao buttercream and rhubarb compote is an essential way to finish any meal.
The Lodge Bar & Dining
This spring, The Lodge Bar & Dining is serving up a delectable snacks special, serving as the perfect accompaniment to a few afternoon drinks looking out over the sparkling Waitematā. Here, you’ll find meat pie croquettes with smoked cheddar, a selection of cheeses with quince, honeycomb and crackers, marinated olives, and (of course) a hearty bowl of fries with spicy ketchup and blue cheese aioli, all for $82 — serving two to four, depending on how hungry you are.
Somm Wine Bar & Bistro
This month, adding to our list of reasons to visit, Somm has unveiled a brand new food menu, brimming with seasonal delights. From prawn, harissa, lemon, and coriander pizza to honey-coated crispy fried chicken with aioli, moreish crab toasts with yuzu kosho and chive, and a delectable market fish kokoda with chilli, lime, and coconut — this new menu celebrates the season in all of it’s glory, with something for every taste and proclivity.
Darling on Drake
Darling on Drake’s new spring menu celebrates fresh, vibrant flavours with globally inspired dishes crafted by Chef Ryan Moore. Highlights include a decadent wagyu tartare with nasturtium pesto, ricotta salata, and quinoa crisps, as well as a decadent duck breast with fermented blueberries. Kiwi classic are reimagined, with a paua and pork sausage roll with tangy apple sauce joining the fold, alongside baked snapper topped with warm tartare and salt and vinegar chips, while, a new barbecue addition to the kitchen broadens the menu and brings the easy going feel of summer straight to the table with dishes like BBQ asparagus with egg yolk and miso sauce and BBQ rumina lamb rump with mint and parsley gremolata and macadamia hummus.
Queens
Queens Rooftop’s new summer menu, crafted by Chef Maia, invites guests to savour the best of the season against the stunning Waitematā Harbour backdrop. With highlights like prawn and octopus salad with white balsamic, Freedom Farms pork skewers with miso may and papaya and carrot slaw, a decadent linguine aglio olio with hand-rolled saffron pasta, tiger prawns, tomato and chilli, and grilled Hawke’s Bay lamb chops, the menu balances lightness with indulgence. Pair dishes with refreshing cocktails like the watermelon and jalapeño margarita for an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Auckland.
