With the changing of seasons comes a raft of fresh produce, and at Bar Magda, the kitchen team is celebrating this wholeheartedly. Firmly established as not only one of Auckland’s best dining destinations but also one of the most reliably brilliant bars in town, Bar Magda has become a firm favourite in the Denizen office — so, upon hearing about Bar Magda’s new menu, we simply had to investigate.
From spicy tuna to pork belly, whole fish and more, on Bar Magda’s new menu, you’ll find an array of Chef and Co-Owner Carlo Buenaventura’s inventive, new-wave Filipino flavours, with homage paid to the changing of the seasons and the bounty of fresh produce on offer. Our favourite new dishes (as hard as it was to select just three) are the glazed eggplant, pork belly tocino, and whole roasted mullet.
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As well as being a sight to behold, the glazed eggplant is utterly delicious, melding the inherent smokiness of the vegetable with ginger soffrito (an aromatic mix of vegetables, gently cooked to release their flavour) — topped with sourdough croutons to add a distinctive crunch.
Elsewhere on the menu, the pork belly tocino is refined yet authentic, cooked to perfection and served with fresh, crisp fennel slaw, topped with yellow sambal. The sharp, rich heat of the sauce brings an incredible depth of flavour to an exceptionally well-balanced dish. A must-try for those new to the cuisine.
Finally, the whole roasted mullet with blueberry sambal is sublime, pairing the fish with a burst of fresh acidity from the fruit, and a hint of spice from the sambal — a combination that serves to heighten the fish’s natural flavours. Of course, a healthy side of flaky roti is supplied as the perfect accompaniment.
Adding to the delectable, unique and diverse flavours on offer across the menu, the team behind the bar have imagined a cocktail that deserves a special mention, too. Bar Magda’s ‘Dragonfruit Sour’ is not to be missed, melding dragon fruit with Peddlers Shanghai gin, cherry pip cordial, maraschino liqueur and lemon to create a beautifully tart, subtly sweet, and entirely delicious libation.
From start to finish, Bar Magda’s new dishes truly are a delight for the senses. Unique, thoughtful, full of flavour and unlike anything else you’ll experience in this city — these new additions are giving us every excuse to book a table at Bar Magda this week.
