Fire doesn't dampen support for Supper Club

Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel will host a Supper Club table. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Having his restaurant destroyed by fire wasn't enough to stop Arthur Gray from throwing his support behind popular Rotorua fundraiser, the Supper Club.

While the fire meant he could no longer offer up a table at Bistro 1284, guests will now get an experience few Rotorua people get to enjoy - with the group hosted at the swanky Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel, which Mr Gray also owns.

The hugely successful fundraiser for Ronald McDonald Family Retreats on the shores of Lake Rotorua at Ngongotaha will take place on March 8.

Each year, hotels, cafes, restaurants and attractions sponsor tables for dinner. Each person pays $100 a ticket and their table is drawn out of a hat to go to a sponsoring venue for dinner after a charity auction at Novotel Rotorua.

Bistro 1284 had sponsored a table but the Eruera St restaurant was damaged in a fire earlier this month.

Mr Gray said the fire meant those who drew the table would instead get to dine in the hotel, which was normally reserved for guests only.

Mr Gray said it was the second year they'd supported Supper Club as they liked to give back.

"People can expect some great food in a great location.

Meanwhile, he said they were still "in limbo" waiting to hear what would happen to Bistro 1284.

"We are essentially in a holding pattern waiting."

He said they were waiting for more information from the insurance company, as well as their landlord to find out what would be happening with the building.

"We really liked our location."

Mr Gray said all the staff were still employed and he was keeping them busy at Black Swan.

Supper Club organiser Rob Parry said a lot of restaurants and cafes took part every year.

Venues this year include the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre which he said would be "pretty cool" as well as Te Puia, which was hosting three tables overlooking the Pohutu Geyser which Mr Parry said would be "spectacular".

"A lot the same as previous years. Some of them like Picnic Cafe normally shut at night but because of Supper Club they'll open."

Mr Parry said given the circumstance with Bistro 1284 it was amazing to see the owner still taking part.

Last year Supper Club raised $100,000.