Here for a good time, not a long time, these three pop-up eateries are spicing up the Auckland gastronomy scene for a limited time only. Get in quick before they’re gone for good!
Cloudy Bay Sail Away at Prego Restaurant
226 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Housed in a previously under-utilised alleyway to the side of Prego restaurant, Cloudy Bay, Prego and landscape architect Jared Lockhart have joined forces to create a wine-garden like pop-up space, which makes the most of Ponsonby roads abundance of sunlight. Constructed as a way to escape the busy city life and bask in the sunshine, accompanied by good food and wine, the space feels like an oasis within the bustling inner-city mecca of Ponsonby.
Along with the beautiful new space, the pop-up also includes a new food menu created by Prego head chef Lennox Bull, created to complement the accompanying list of delicious Cloudy Bay wines. The chef took a trip down to Cloudy Bay’s Malborough winery, using influences from the winery’s seven-course menu, as well as the local produce from the region, to influence his pop-up menu.
The menu includes a variety of options, with the highlight undeniably being the Cloud Bay tasting tray, consisting of three different canapés – Applewood Smoked Duck Breast, Kaikoura Fromage Blanc, and Sugar-Cured lamb on crispy Polenta – all paired with a matching wine. Alongside this there is also the forage platter, paired with a bottle of wine of your choice, as well as a selection of oysters, entrées and mains, accompanied by an extensive wine list from the vineyard.
A sweet (and delicious!) escape from city life, the Cloudy Bay pop-up will only be around until 15 November, so get in quick to lap up the sun – and some good food and wine – at this beautiful new outdoor spot.
For more info, including opening hours, visit the prego.co.nz
Bombay Sapphire Botanical Bazaar
Fresh Factory, 6 Nikau Street, Eden Terrace
Hot on the heels of the success of last year’s Project Botanicals pop-up, Bombay Sapphire are once again blessing us with a pop-up celebrating all things gin and food. Running from 1-5 November, The Botanical Bazaar will bring the bustling food markets of overseas to Auckland. Featuring music from local DJs and a constant stream of surprises, this is one pop-up you do not want to miss.
The brainchild of Bombay Sapphire spirits ambassador Chase Bickerton, and chef Jamie Johnston, the pop-up will feature five food options and accompanying (yep, you guessed it!) gin-based cocktail pairings, inspired by flavours from Spain, China, Germany, Morocco, and Italy. Tickets are $45 and include tokens for two cocktails and two dishes, however with so much deliciousness on offer, it would be almost impossible to stop there! Thankfully, you can purchase additional tokens either at the event or online before you go.
Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick to experience a market like nothing Auckland has ever seen!
For more information, including where to purchase tickets, visit botanicalbazaar.co.nz.
Panhead at the Viaduct
204 Quay Street, Viaduct Harbour
While Wellington’s craft-beer game seems to only continue to get stronger, Auckland has been slightly lacking in this area – until now. Famed Upper Hutt Brewery Panhead have opened a pop-up bar in Auckland’s Viaduct, occupying a former nightclub space next door to Nightingale’s.
Having installed a V8 tap system into the space, the bar will offer a number of their quirky yet wonderful beers. While the full menu hasn’t yet been released, it is set to include Busted Knuckle–a Russian imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels, the Snake Oil IPA–first tasted at this years Beervana event, and Batch 003–a milk IPA sweetened with lactose from actual cows. Intrigued yet?
Alongside beer, the pop-up will be offering a selection of wines, cocktails which combine beer and spirits into funky combinations, and a food menu with a serious American twist, consisting of classics such as an American Chilli Dog, jalapeño poppers, Texas smoked brisket, and slow-cooked five alarm chilli. In case the range of wacky food and drink options fails to keep you entertained, the space will also feature a pool table, a pinball machine and a dart board. Shaping up to have all the necessary ingredients of a true man-magnet, Panhead is sure to be a bustling spot over the summer.
The Panhead Viaduct Custom Bar will be open until March 2018. Open Wednesday – Sunday, 11.30am till late.
