Maria Lane Eatery and Bar a winner at Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence

Belinda Pilcher (left) and Bryce Mason in Next Door wine bar, the newest addition to Maria Lane. Photo / Bevan Conley

Maria Lane Eatery and Bar celebrated its recent second birthday with victory at this year's Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence.

It won the prize for Best New/Redeveloped Business – Food and Beverage, beating businesses in Christchurch, Picton, Queenstown and Napier.

Owner Bryce Mason said there had been record amount of entries in 2021, and it was "a real buzz" just to be a finalist.

The awards ceremony was held online because of Covid-19 restrictions.

It was streamed in Maria Lane's new wine bar, Next Door, during a busy evening service.

"The whole restaurant just stopped, and our team was in a state of disbelief for a little bit," Mason said.

"In reflection, there would have been a lot of people out there watching the awards going 'What? Whanganui?'."

For fellow owner Belinda Pilcher, being able to share the moment with diners was special.

"Once they heard the uproar in here [Next Door] they were inquisitive to come and see what was going on. They were elated for us.

"It was a celebration beyond just the team, it was a celebration for our regulars and guests as well."

Part of the restaurant's submission process was hosting chief Judge Grant Kitchen, who currently operates Apiti Tavern & Eatery in Manawatū.

Maria Lane opened its doors in 2019. Photo / Bevan Conley

"That was great for us because he could actually physically be in this spot and enjoy the vibe, which adds to the experience," Pilcher said.

Mason said the award gave "another layer of interest" for people to come and try out the restaurant.

As well as the addition of the wine bar, new items are soon to be added to the menu as well.

"There are still a lot of people in our community who haven't come yet, which is great, and there's still a lot of people discovering us from all over New Zealand and eventually the world again.

"Bring it on."

Pilcher said one had to be fairly resilient in the hospitality industry, especially when faced with the impacts of Covid-19.

"You've got to take the knocks but you've got to take the gains as well.

"Getting an award like this makes that hard graft even more worthwhile. That's not just from an owner's point of view either, the team work hard to get us to this point as well.

"It's a combined win."

As for Next Door, Mason said it was currently being used as an extension of the restaurant, but the plan was to have it trading after Maria Lane shut for the night.

"You can go to other places for dinner and then swing in here for a wine or a cocktail punters on a Friday or Saturday night."

Maria Lane started well before it's 2019 opening date, he said.

"It was a carpark, a blank canvas.

"I think that came through from the judges as well - taking an old car park that was literally full of rubbish and making a world-class eatery out of it.

"That took a lot of good minds and local collaboration. Building something from the ground up is the part I'm really proud of."