Multi-award winning chef Sid Sahrawat’s pursuit of perfection doesn’t only apply to his cooking.
As part of the exciting refit, Sidart has increased the size of the restaurant creating a second dining area with an intimate bar. This has been named the Alhambra room after the beloved restaurant that occupied the premises until 2006.
The restaurant will service an additional 20-plus diners with both dining rooms (original and Alhambra) available for private functions. And by popular demand from international visitors to Auckland, Sidart can now also cater to solo diners for the first time since opening in 2009.
The newly installed marble bar has enabled Sidart to increase its beverage offering. In addition to the existing wine list described as “a compact representation of the wine world” curated by sommelier and manager Stefano Baldin, a full beverage offer includes spirits, sake, cider and tap and bottled beer. New to the team, bar tender Caellan Sparkes (MASU / The Jefferson) has created an impressive array of seasonal cocktails - developed to complement the menu.
With its marble-top chefs' working area which sits proudly in the original dining room, stunning marble bar with reflective tiles and Peter Collis hanging pendant lights, the refurbishment aims to be as inspirational as the meals the team create.
Other features include textured walls and hex tiled flooring, while hex shaped screens provide a division of spaces without blocking out the light. Thick, bare, oak tables replace the restaurant’s former white linen tablecloths; a separate area for storage and coats is added which has the dual benefit of creating dedicated restrooms. And while the aesthetics may have changed, Sid’s cutting-edge flavour combinations, textural contrasts and inspired visual composition remain the same. So, too, does the popular menu format, which includes the crowd-pleasing Tuesday Test Kitchen - an idea that enables Sid and his team to test new concepts, dishes and flavours each week.
A seven course Discovery Menu is also available Wednesday - Saturday, in which the Sidart team showcases new techniques and the finest locally sourced seasonal produce New Zealand has on offer.
Guests who want to witness the talented chefs creating their masterpieces also have the option of booking the chef’s table for two - six guests. And to ensure those who like to celebrate the end of the working week, Sidart is open for lunch on Fridays. Sid is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most talented and innovative chefs and has been consistently recognised since opening the fine-dining restaurant seven years ago.
Currently rated the 792nd best restaurant in the world by La Liste - France's algorithm-based version of The World's 1000 Best Restaurants - Sidart has been celebrated in all the major restaurant awards, including the Cuisine Magazine and Metro Magazine awards.
Passionate in his kitchen to the point of obsession, Sid has worked hard to make the Sidart experience truly special and says the recent refurbishment is part of that.
“I like to take diners on a culinary journey of taste and flavour. From the oven to the table, our motto is 'inspirational dining'. While I endeavour to achieve perfection on the plate, the interior design, atmosphere and ambience also need to be perfect as they are just as important to the overall dining experience.”
It’s this attention to detail and faultless knowledge of fine dining, combined with a personal touch that is uniquely Sidart.
Sidart Restaurant, 283 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 2122, www.sidart.co.nz