A stunning shorefront heritage site in Mission Bay has been given a new lease on life with the freshly-opened Mission Bay Pavilion.
Connected to the historic 19th-century Melanesian Mission House, also known as The Stonehouse, the cafe and restaurant was designed and built by award-winning Herbst Architects in what is their first commercial project. Their aim? That the bach-inspired building will thoughtfully integrate with the area.
A lemon tree adorned, sea-facing courtyard sits between the main dining area and a serene private dining room, while Katie Lockhart-designed interiors are decked out in a pleasing colour palette of dusky pink and light blue.
Mission Bay Pavilion is the latest project lead by Lucien Law of Savour Group (Seafarers, Ostro, Ebisu and Azabu), along with Italian head chef Camillo Bisaccioni, whose international career has seen him working in San Francisco and Copenhagen.
The Italian-influenced menu fits with the restaurant’s surroundings, and focuses on seafood dishes with an international flair. For breakfast, expect bread and pastries freshly-baked each day on site, while lunch and dinner are sharing plates.
Dishes such as squid ink spaghetti and Cloudy Bay clams sit alongside oven-roasted pork neck, and for those keen on classic Kiwi fare, there’s a whole lamb shoulder or an organic roasted ½ chicken and hand-cut chips.
Adding to the overall “by-the-sea” theme are artist Tracey Tawhiao’s hand-painted fish designs on the menu and some of the handmade ceramic crockery from Peter Collis.
The drinks menu boasts a comprehensive wine list put together by Ostro’s Alex Hobson, including unique, quenching cocktails and spritzers such as a Honey Peach Cooler and Sea Spray Sage Paloma.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.In the weeks to come, there will be a host of takeaway options that visitors can happily scoff as they enjoy a day at the beach fish and chips (using only sustainable fish); soft serve icecream and a Supreme coffee cart will be available for beach-goers all summer. • Visit Missionbaypavilion.co.nz
