Located in Ponsonby, one of Auckland’s hippest neighbourhoods, Sidart lies hidden away on the first floor of a shopping mall. Once inside however, guests are welcomed into a stylish black and white interior and soft carpet on the floor. It is here that Chef Patron Sid Sahrawat in 2009 decided to open a new restaurant that now has become one of the leading restaurants of fine dining in New Zealand.

Chef Patron Sahrawat’s Indian background is reflected through the use of plenty of herbs, seeds and spices but he can not be pinpointed into one type of cuisine. He cooks what makes him feel happy and wants people to discover new things rather than limit himself by sticking to a certain style. He has a team of nine staff who all work the same shifts to guarantee their guests the most consistent dining experience as possible.

The dishes that Chef Patron Sahrawat and his team serve are beautifully plated and show some creative combinations by playing around with different textures and temperatures. Good examples are the gamefish with different structures of corn and seaweed or the duck with onion, leek and apple. Another outstanding dish is the Roquefort ice-cream with poached pear, beetroot and nuts. To make the food stand even more appealing, each dish is served on a unique plate handcrafted by a local pottery.

When dining, guests can choose from two monthly changing set menus, the Chef’s Table arrangement or the Friday tasting lunch. Every Tuesday a test kitchen menu is available at a lower price to give the team a chance to present their new combinations and try out new menus. The charming dining room is filled with subtle lounge music and seats only 40 people at a time.

Almost all ingredients come from New Zealand because of the great supply in seafood, meat and vegetables. Only certain specific products are imported when they really add value to the menu, otherwise there are plenty of high quality ingredients to be found closer to home.

Similarly, the wines are predominantly from New Zealand and Australia although Restaurant Manager and Sommelier Amanda Rogers does not hesitate to serve French or Chilean wines when these enhance the taste.

All in all, Sidart offers high quality and innovative cuisine at very reasonable prices. It is the type of restaurant where you can go to celebrate a special occasion as well as for a casual dinner with friends. Or simply to indulge in fine food if you just feel like it.

Written by Sebastiaan