The Fox

Overview

New London-inspired gastropub The Fox has opened its doors in Auckland's viaduct, set to be a prime watering hole for both English ex-pats and locals after a jolly good brew.

It's not hard to see where The Fox gets its name: the venue reimagines and gives a new fitout to the site previously home to the city's sports-bar stalwart Foxes. It's been given a new look, new menu and a cocktail list that has to be seen to be believed.

Mixed by resident cocktail whiz Joey Hickman, the 'License to Swill' menu contains some absolute standouts that are sure to draw both ex-pats and local liquor lovers in. The particularly eccentric 'Hair of the Fox' ($20) is being badged as a British take on a bloody mary, and comes with bacon fat-washed bourbon (yes, that's a thing), Marmite and Heinz Brown Sauce. It's then topped with the makings of a full English breakfast — including a chiploata sausage, tomato and a tater tot, as a full hash brown probably wouldn't have fit on the rim.

Meanwhile, for sweet-toothed drinkers there's a whole range of cocktails inspired by classic English lollies. The 'Sherbet Lemon Drop' ($19) gets its tart flavour from a mix of citrus gin and Frangelico, whereas the 'Jammie Dodger' ($18) recalls the famous shortcake biscuit with Briottet Crème de Framboise, vodka and cherry syrup. If you've knackered yourself on espresso martinis the last couple of years, you might want to try The Fox's twist, a 'Jaffa Martini' ($18) — a mix of chocolate, espresso and jaffa cake gin.

Food wise, The Fox has everything you'd expect in terms of classic English bangers (and mash, if you're so inclined). The 'Toad in the Hole' ($25.95) provides the classic hearty pub fare many ex-pats will be craving: Cumberland sausage on caramelised shallots and creamy mash, topped, of course, with "a giant yorkie". If you're after something to remind you of home, weekend roasts will be a weekly occurrence, and your next hangover will probably call for a 'Greasy spoon' ($24.95): eggs, bacon, baked beans, bubble and squeak, and real black pudding.

The fit-out pays homage to the Queen's England with leather sofas aplenty and a bright red telephone box in the corner. In fact, you'll even spot the lady herself keeping an eye on things from prime position on the wall.

Sans any black cabs, we're recommend Ubering down, and settling in to this new addition to the viaduct this summer.