Overview
The site on the corner of Ponsonby Road and Hepburn Street has gone through many iterations over the years — longstanding Aucklanders probably remember Rocco, while others of us think of it as MooChowChow, and perhaps some city newcomers think of it as Scandal or possibly even the extremely brief stint as 10 Eleven by Marvel.
We've all been waiting for some hospitality stalwarts to take the gorgeous two-storey villa under their wing — and now finally they are. Auckland hospitality icons Sid and Chand Sahrawat (Cassia, Sid at the French Cafe) will open the doors to KOL in October — a new tandoor restaurant and casual cocktail bar.
The KOL (pronounced "coal) concept has been about a year in the making for the Sahrawats, who knew it was meant to be when they heard the two-storey villa was becoming available.
"Chand and I have been talking about a casual cocktail bar and tandoor restaurant concept
for a while now," says Sid.
"We wanted to create a space with an emphasis on great drinks paired with a menu where everything is cooked over charcoal or fire, a place where you can get great cocktails and food without sitting down for a full meal."
The couple currently own and operate modern Indian restaurant Cassia in Fort Lane and casual-fine dining restaurant Sid at The French Café on Symonds Street.
KOL will open at 23 Ponsonby Road this spring. We'll keep you up to date with more information, and check out the restaurant's official Instagram page for updates.
Top image: Josh Griggs