Saxon + Parole Is the New Modern Steakhouse Inside Commercial Bay
Head to this stylish waterfront spot for grilled meats and aquatic delights.
Rounding off New York hospitality group AvroKO's four new Auckland openings is a steakhouse named after two prize-winning racehorses.
Saxon + Parole is the cornerstone of the group's dining options inside the Commercial Bay development, joining Mexican-influenced tequila bar Ghost Donkey, rosé-centric Asian-inspired izakaya The Poni Room, and off-licence cocktail bar Liquorette. The Auckland outpost follows locations in New York and Moscow.
AvroKO executive chef Brad Farmerie and Kiwi chef Logan Coath have pulled together a menu inspired by traditional New York steakhouses, or what they're calling "grilled meats and aquatic delights". Farmerie is no stranger to the produce of New Zealand — he worked under Peter Gordon at the original Sugar Club before earning a Michelin star for his own restaurant, PUBLIC.
At Saxon + Parole, diners can take their pick from grass-fed black angus, bone-in sirloin, and a 250-gram wagyu ribeye with an outstanding marble score. All steaks come served with bone marrow béarnaise and the choice of several mouthwatering sauces — from green harissa to lemon gremolata.
The slow-cooked lamb shoulder serves three, the pork charcuterie comes in croquette, cured loin, terrine, rillette and crackling form, and the 'NY Saxon Burger' is listed as a must-have dish. It's made with 28-day, dry-aged beef and is stacked with havarti cheese, candied bacon and a fried egg.
The herbivores haven't been forgotten; the buffalo ricotta gnudi dumplings are served with roasted butternut and fried sage in a cream sauce, while the daily crudités selection features 21 different vegetables served raw, pickled, grilled, salted or preserved with babaganoush. Elsewhere, there's a raw bar selection featuring fresh oysters and a seafood tower loaded with crayfish tail, salmon tartar, smoked kahawai pate and smoked mussels.
To finish, you can make it a scoop or pint of ice cream, or opt for a slice of proper American pie. Pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, apple and lemon meringue — all the classics are there. Smores is Saxon + Parole's headlining sweet. The dessert is made with charred marshmallows, homemade Graham crackers and chocolate pudding.
The cocktail list is another drawcard, with Saxon + Parole New York having previously been awarded 'Best Restaurant Bar in the World' and called one of the 'Best Bars in America'. In Auckland, there's a DIY bloody mary station for boozy weekend brunches, a martini trolley and a cocktail membership program where regular diners can stash their own bottled behind the bar.
The elegant dining room and bar offer breathtaking views of the Waitematā Harbour. The 48-seat mezzanine space is perfect for events, while the private Lorillard Room offers an intimate atmosphere with velvet upholstery, a martini service, and a record player for guests to use.
Find Saxon + Parole on the second floor of Commercial Bay. It's open Monday to Friday from 12pm til late, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am til late.
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