Queen Street's New Laneway-Style Dining Precinct Is Open for Business
It will eventually be home to 11 new eateries.
More than a year after its pencilled "early 2017" due date, the official arrival of elevated dining precinct Queen's Rise has finally been announced. The ribbon will be cut on 21 June, 2018.
Developer Duncan Elley said in September 2016 that the new luxe food court, "has been inspired by the best international café courts and laneway concepts found abroad." The interior will emit a European laneway feel courtesy of Sydney architects Jeremy Bull and Charlene Cong, with exposed structure and raw materials used to create an "edgy, intriguing environment."
Eleven new eateries were announced for the space in April. Nazar Group restauranteur Alex Isik, who now runs ten establishments across Auckland (Feriza's, Miss Istanbul, Bodrum Kitchen), will bring laidback luxury to the hero tenancy. The Ottoman Mezze Lounge is a Turkish-inspired concept that takes influence from the region with traditional dishes and an emphasis on shared dining.
From the folks behind contemporary yum cha restaurant Culprit comes Lowbrow. Via an approach they call "DzGood Fooddz", owners Kyle Street and Jordan Macdonald will serve fresh and seasonal fast food — you can expect natural wine, smoked brisket, sandwiches and more.
Also confirmed to feature in the space is Potato & Me, an intriguing hybrid of breakfast bar, potato joint and watering hole. Owner Ruairi Hatrick says the establishment will sit mostly on the vegetarian side with a focus on oven-roasted potatoes.
Central city diners will also have the choice of Dante's Pizzeria, two new openings (Dolly Bird and Grace) from the owners of North Wharf's Marvel Grill, California-owned Poké Bar, Japanese doburi eatery Tokyo Loco Bowl, Hamilton-born superfood eatery Nourish Pod, salad, soup and juice bar Jar Story, and Chinese dim sum restaurant Panda.
The 900sqm dining precinct is located above New World Metro at 125 Queen Street and will be accessed through the heritage façade on Queen Street and at street level from Swanson Street. It opens Thursday 21 June. For more information, visit queensrise.co.nz.
Image: Queen's Rise.
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