Overview
Teased with animated pandas, clouds and faces over the past three months, the cloak has now been lifted on Asian-inspired burger joint, Happy Boy. The new Royal Oak opening arrives from the owners of magnetic northern Thai restaurant Kiss Kiss, and former owners of the 'most Instagramed eggs in Auckland', L'Oeuf.
The idea for the opening was set alight after Jasper and Ludo Maignot and business partner Celeste Thornley moved into Onehunga, spotted the Manukau Road building for lease, and noticed that the dining scene in the area was missing something: "an eatery that was suitable for the whole family, and a meal that wouldn't break the bank."
Burgers are the core focus at Happy Boy. They call the offerings "simple", but if the group's fellow eateries are anything to go by, you can expect far more than a run-of-the-mill beef and bun. "We didn't want to over complicate things, we are doing a small range of burgers using steamed buns and playing on classics like the cheeseburger, but mixing up American flavours with Asian influences too."
There are five burgers on the menu: grass-fed beef with cheese, cornflake karaage chicken, gouchuan pork, sesame crusted tofu, and beer battered snapper. They individually come enhanced with mouth-watering additions like: sriracha mayo, nori, smoked cheddar, daikon radish and peanut aioli. Thinking of the future, all meats are free-farmed and they use sustainable packaging.
Desserts are a take on diner classics, including a warm chocolate brownie served with ice cream and miso butterscotch sauce. The space also comes armed with slushie machines that will pump out varieties for the kids and spiked versions for the adults. Namely: pina colada and whiskey apple sour.
On top of bringing something new to the neighbourhood, the group — which now includes longtime employee Louise Chapman — wanted to create something completely out of the norm with the space. They worked with Meide Studio, architect Harriet Mildon-King and builder Nick Coldicutt to develop the super futuristic and otherworldly dining room. Just look for the neons.
Happy Boy will be open from July 17. Find it at 705a Manukau Road, Royal Oak.
Images: Errin Cerna