Onslow Is a Sophisticated New Restaurant from Josh and Helen Emett
This new opening from the hospitality power couple takes an old school British approach, with fixed-price menus, cheese served from a trolley and desserts shown off on a credenza.
You will likely already know the Emett name from restaurants like Rata, Ostro, Madam Woo and Hawker & Roll. Or perhaps you recognise Josh from his time as a judge on MasterChef New Zealand. From his emergence at Auckland's acclaimed Cin Cin to working with Gordon Ramsay at the Savoy and Claridge's hotels and releasing several cookbooks, the chef has had quite the culinary journey.
Now, after taking the reins of Waiheke Island's The Oyster Inn earlier in the year, Josh and his wife and business partner Helen have shifted their focus to Auckland's CBD. Onslow is the culmination of the Emett's journey, spanning from London to New York and back to Aotearoa.
"I've waited a long time to find the perfect location to open my first Auckland restaurant. Onslow will showcase my skills, my history, my dedication to elevating the dining experience." says Josh.
The sophisticated 100-seat dining room can be found on the entrance level of new multimillion-dollar apartment complex 'The International' on Princes Street. The heritage building was originally home to Grand Hotel, which the Earl and Countess of Onslow opened in 1889, before flipping into the Fonterra headquarters.
The menu at Onslow has been labelled as "refined but not fine-dining," where a la carte and fixed-price table d'hôte options celebrate slow dining course by course.
Your extended multi-course meal might begin with snacks like a Fiordland crayfish eclair or chicken liver parfait, before moving on to starters like lambs tongue schnitzel or confit yellowfin tuna. From there, the main courses cover the likes of Wakanui beef scotch, slow-cooked pork belly and olive oil poached hapuka. The elegant dining session might come to an end with chocolate soufflé, Cannelé de Bordeaux poached pear or pistachio ice cream.
Service also takes an old school British approach with cheese served from a trolley and desserts shown off on a restaurant credenza. The salmon gravadlax is carved to order, table-side.
The return to classic dining continues through a collection of 1950s plates, crystal bowls and hand-crafted ceramics. Those touches are complemented by a minimalist, dark oak-led interior designed by Rufus Knight.
Onslow is now open at 9 Princes Street, Auckland CBD. It's open daily for lunch and dinner from 12pm to late. For more information, visit onslow.nz.
Images: Jono Parker.
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