Elmo's is an atmospheric Italian-inspired restaurant and bar in Ponsonby, Auckland. It was started by sisters Bronwyn and Jess Payne in 2019 as a nostalgic passion project. Growing up in the UK with a mother that is part french, the sisters were heavily influenced by European food and had a homemade pizza night every Friday that continues to this day. The pair always had entrepreneurial tendencies and wanted to create a big, sensory space that made customers feel as if they were transported elsewhere when they walked in.
Elmo’s focuses on seasonal menus and specials, with the farm-to-table concept being very important. The sisters feel it speaks to the freshness of ingredients and is a great way to contribute to the community and local economy. The truffle season at Elmo’s is like no other, and instead of having one dish to celebrate the decadence, the restaurant celebrates with an entire menu dedicated to the Périgord black variety.
Like many other restaurants, the past year for Elmo’s has been a challenging one. The fear of the unknown and uncertainty around lockdowns, alongside staff shortages, have been incredibly difficult. Moving forward, challenges around staff look to continue, and as produce prices increase, consumer spending is also uncertain. But Elmo's team considers staff training imperative to combat some of these issues.
Bronwyn Payne’s favourite part about working in hospitality is the pleasure of meeting such creative people on a social and business level and also working alongside passionate local suppliers. As a passionate foodie, in her fridge, you can almost always find; aged Parmigiano-Reggiano to make anything delicious, an Italian olive oil for versatility and finishing, and capers because they are so versatile.
“Fry them up to make a crispy salty addition to a salad, or add them to a brown butter sauce with lemon, and pour that over a beautiful piece of fish or chicken,” said Payne.
Some advice she has for anyone wanting to open a restaurant is to stay true to personal values and be authentic - even though it is usually incredibly difficult and can often mean going against the grain of what is considered normal.
“Whenever we create something new, we try and ensure all that energy and spirit goes back to the key values from when we first started: sourcing as much as we can from local producers, affordable prices, friendly service with a smile and all in a quirky setting with a vibrant atmosphere.”
When not working, the sisters love to experience other venues and offerings. They believe there is an infinite array of talented chefs with different styles and tastes to enjoy. They also love travelling and discovering new hospitality experiences to bring back to New Zealand.
The pair hope to expand their portfolio soon, as working on creative projects is a passion. So watch Elmo’s space!
