Ponsonby’s fine dining restaurant, Sidart, has introduced a ‘Taste of Sidart’ four-course set menu for $100 per person, making the restaurant more accessible to diners during the winter months and for those looking for a shorter format, relaxed fine dining experience.
Heralded as being favourites from the current winter menu, the menu changes daily depending on the availability of produce and chef’s favourites. However, diners can expect finely crafted dishes showcasing a portion of what can be experienced with Sidart’s three main tasting menus, The Miniseries (9 parts), Extended Series (12 parts), and Complete Series (16 parts), which range in price from $160 to $210 per person.
Guests can now add a non-alcoholic pairing to their chosen menu, whether it is the ‘Taste of Sidart’ or a Series menu. The beverage team at Sidart has curated a selection of innovative drinks ranging from cocktails, juices, and broths to wine alternatives to accompany each dish.
All menus also offer the restaurant’s traditional drinks pairings, all carefully selected by Sidart’s sommelier and restaurant manager, Joe Costello, to complement the dishes. There are local or international options, including wine, whiskey, and sake, as well as a rare and unique pairing featuring wines from Sidarts cellar and from premium producers from around New Zealand and abroad.
Beyond the exceptional tasting menus, Sidart continues to offer its bar and snack experience. Guests can sit at the bar, enjoy the view of the Auckland city skyline and sip on expertly crafted cocktails paired with delicious canapés for $75.
The Ponsonby institution is set to celebrate 14 years in operation in September, with owner and executive chef Lesley Chandra at the helm of the acclaimed restaurant for the past 20 months. Chandra said he’s adapting to requests from diners for shorter and more affordable dining options.
“Sidart has long been known as a destination where you enjoy a meal over the course of a few hours. Whilst our Complete Series caters to those wanting to spend an evening at Sidart, some guests have enquired about shorter dining times and we hope that the Taste of Sidart menu continues to make our restaurant as accessible as possible for everyone,” said Chandra.
Sidart is a finalist in the World Culinary Awards and was one of seven New Zealand restaurants to make the La Liste Top 1000 restaurants in late 2022, scoring 89.5 out of a possible 100.
