Overview
Newmarket's beloved Two Double Seven mall is currently undergoing a massive $790 million redevelopment. The pricey transformation is the work of Scentre Group, the Australasian arm of Westfield, which is looking to create "a world-class retail and lifestyle destination" in the city-fringe suburb.
Following news that Asian fusion restaurant White + Wong's will anchor the dining precinct alongside a new concept from the team behind Pilkingtons and free-range chicken rotisserie Bird on a Wire, it has been announced that Auckland restauranteur Nic Watt, together with chef Darren Johnson, will open their first joint venture.
Inca will be a smart casual Peruvian-style eatery. Co-owner Nic Watt first discovered the delights of Peruvian food during a visit in 2012 to study ceviche and antichuchos. He says, "There's a huge Asian influence on food in Peru due to the large Chinese and Japanese immigration. Inca will be about those Latin American-meets-Asian flavours."
Diners can expect to find both ceviche and antichuchos — marinated and barbecued meat — served sizzling from the wood fire. Inca's version of the popular street food will be cooked over manuka and coffee charcoal in a wood-fired hearth. Elsewhere on the menu there will be gluten-free soft tacos made from scratch via taco press, and a variety of soft-serve options including salted caramel and cacao.
Inca's 110-capacity dining space has been inspired by the pinks and greens of Peru's Rainbow Mountain. This will be reflected in rammed earth walls, wooden tables and stone flooring. The Peruvian-style eatery will join ten restaurants on the Rooftop on Broadway when it opens later this year.
The Westfield Newmarket site will nearly triple in size from just over 30,000sqm to a gross lettable area of 88,150sqm, including 277's outdoor parking lot and the site of the old Farmers store at 309 Broadway. Australian department store David Jones will headline the five-floor retail experience, which will also include a Countdown supermarket, a new format Farmers and over 230 specialist stores. Further new shopping services will include valet parking, a styling suite and hands-free shopping.
For more information about the Westfield Newmarket development, visit westfield.co.nz/newmarket.
Images: Babiche Martens.