Inca Ceviche & Woodfired Grill

Overview

Are you tossing up between a fine fare of seafood, a traditional Latin American wood-fired barbecue, but just can't get enough of the matcha craze sweeping the nation? Cue Inca Ceviche & Woodfired Grill. Inca, the love child of highly acclaimed restauranteur Nic Watt and chef Darren Johnson, opens in the brand new rooftop dining precinct of the multimillion-dollar Westfield Newmarket.

Inspired by the culinary delights of Peru after a stint in the diverse South American country, Nic brings a piece of the Latin American nation home to New Zealand. Due to the migration of Japanese and Chinese nationals to Peru, there is a considerable Asian influence on the food. Make way for Asian-Peruvian fusion.

Inca delights seafood-loving punters with market fish ceviche ($19) which changes daily. As well as the Nikkei-style sashimi, our pick is the kingfish with charred cucumber and Szechuan chilli oil ($19). If smoky rich meats are more your style, the lamb cutlets ($22) are succulent and flavoursome. The hand-pressed corn masa pork tacos ($12) are not to be missed either. However, a meal isn't complete without something sweet. The matcha soft serve ($12) comes with passionfruit boba (think bubble tea pearls that burst in your mouth) and is rich and creamy. The ice cream is topped with an old-school chocolate coated Pocky stick. Wash it down with a margarita (or two), and you're good to go.

If you haven't sampled Latin American cross Asian cuisine before, you'd be forgiven. There are not too many Peruvian eateries in Auckland. Nic and Darren have brought their vision to life and made the traditional (and not so traditional) culinary styles of Peru accessible to all. Inca seats over 100 people both inside and out. Guests are welcomed by a two-metre hearth and the allure of natural and traditional interiors and subdued lighting.

So, on the next balmy Auckland evening, head for Inca Ceviche & Woodfired Grill on Newmarket's newest rooftop. Sit up at the bar and watch the chefs work their magic. Or nab a table with friends and transport your tastebuds across the South Pacific Ocean.