Rosella is a stylish, casual wine bar in Mount Victoria from culinary couple Johnon MacDonald and Kat Strand. You might know MacDonald and Strand as co-owners of Koji, their terrific contemporary Asian eatery that happens to be a handy one minute walk away from their new project. While there are some elements of Koji reflected in this newer project, Rosella focuses on modern dishes to share that bring together a fusion of influences, a dynamic wine list and cocktails — quite literally — on tap. "We're keeping the relaxed, attentive service of Koji, the good-vibes focused atmosphere, the incredible food offering, and adding tap cocktails," MacDonald said. It's a recipe for success that they've nailed yet again at Rosella. MacDonald's menu for Rosella features food from across the globe, with flavours from the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa making an appearance. The wine list is just as diverse, championing Kiwi spirits and wines while also focusing on European producers. While MacDonald is all about the food (all served on plates hand-crafted by local Island Bay potter Nicola Shuttleworth), Strand is all about Rosella's vibe, creating a relaxed space with appealing design elements complete with a tiled bar and textured walls and generally reflecting the windy suburb's beauty. An upstairs dining space can be booked out for private events — but is also used for last minute walk-ins so if you're in the mood for spontaneity, you've got a shot at nabbing a seat. With that said, the couple encourage Mount Victorians to book their table for afternoon tipples or long lunches in advance, as they tend to book up fast.
