You may think of The Commons as just one part of a large hospitality space that also included the outdoor (undercover) Gardens space, and the upstairs bar/restaurant, each treated as separate establishments. Think again. This Takapuna hospitality hub has taken on a new lease of life since a new team took over last September.
With Amandeep Singh Gadri as Area general manager, and Rahul Srivastava as food and beverage manager, with a completely new front of house and kitchen team, there have been subtle but significant changes at this central Takapuna venue; changes driven by a vision of the whole space operating under The Commons banner, with each space working to complement the others and together taking on a friendly vibe that fits the Takapuna outdoor lifestyle.
Already the upstairs space has been converted to a casual but classy carpeted function space, suitable for events from offsite team building sessions to weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and more. The adjacent private dining space can be booked separately or as part of the function space; both areas have views out over Takapuna to Rangitoto.
This month, look out for more change downstairs.
As the menu is revamped with a winter focus, separate menus remain for the Gardens and The Commons, but diners in the Gardens will also be able to order from the Commons grill menu from 4pm onwards. The new winter menu has a focus on comfort food – think slow-cooked lamb shanks or beef bourguignon, crispy -skinned salmon, or head chef Akeel Ahmedabadwala’s specialty: venison tenderloin spread with aromatic spices, rolled in prosciutto, then sliced and pan-seared for serving.
In the restaurant or in the Gardens, look out for Akeel’s popular lamb popsicles – marinated lamb mince with a special secret ingredient, char-grilled and served on skewers, with mushy peas and a dash of tzatziki on the side. The ever-popular southern-style tempered calamari with its zesty sauce also remains for winter, as do pork belly, lamb rump, steaks cooked various ways, fish of the day – often John Dory or hapuka, if they’re available – and other Commons menu standards.
“We’re trying to return to authentic casual dining, and we want people to enjoy the whole menu anywhere in The Commons, all day,” says Rahul, who’s been in New Zealand for 13 years, and whose career here spans the Mecca café group and the Hip Group locally and restaurants internationally before that. Like Rahul, Amandeep boasts a long career in hospitality; he gained degrees in hospitality management before spending nine years in restaurants overseas (mostly in London). He joined The Commons’ owners just over three years ago when he arrived in New Zealand. Collectively Rahul and Amandeep bring 30+ years hospitality experience to The Commons.
Another change, just ahead of the new menu which will launch in late April, is to open seven days a week –with what’s likely to be a popular twist. From early April, The Commons introduces BYO Mondays: bring your own wine, buy any main dish, and pay no corkage.
It’s all about taking The Commons back to the root of its name, for it to take ownership of this central space as “land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community, provisions shared in common” (as commons are defined by the Oxford Dictionary). Amandeep and Rahul have a vision of the airy garden and its adjacent restaurant being the go-to place for locals, “where people can enjoy quality meals from a versatile menu, in a relaxed environment, with excellent customer service”.
“I love being here,” says Rahul. “We see The Commons as a place for gathering, a hub of togetherness”.
Whether you gather for after-work drinks in the generous 4-6pm daily happy hour, enjoy pizza and a beer with your dog in tow on Sunday Dog Day Afternoons, or join the locals who savour the relaxed ambience along with the food for dinner on a regular basis, Rahul, Amandeep and duty manager Azara Hill Lydiard look forward to welcoming you.
The Commons, McKenzie Precinct, 21 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
FB: @thecommonsnz
Book online at http://thecommons.co.nz
Open Monday-Sunday 12pm- late
You may think of The Commons as just one part of a large hospitality space that also included the outdoor (undercover) Gardens space, and the upstairs bar/restaurant, each treated as separate establishments. Think again. This Takapuna hospitality hub has taken on a new lease of life since a new team took over last September.
With Amandeep Singh Gadri as operations manager, and Rahul Srivastava as food and beverage manager, with a completely new front of house and kitchen team, there have been subtle but significant changes at this central Takapuna venue; changes driven by a vision of the whole space operating under The Commons banner, with each space working to complement the others and together taking on a friendly vibe that fits the Takapuna outdoor lifestyle.
Already the upstairs space has been converted to a casual but classy carpeted function space, suitable for events from offsite team building sessions to weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and more. The adjacent private dining space can be booked separately or as part of the function space; both areas have views out over Takapuna to Rangitoto.
This month, look out for more change downstairs.
As the menu is revamped with a winter focus, gone are separate menus for the Gardens and The Commons. A single all-day menu will serve both spaces, with the proviso that pizzas are a Gardens-only treat. The new winter menu has a focus on comfort food – think slow-cooked lamb shanks or beef bourguignon, crispy -skinned salmon, or head chef Akheel Ahmedabadwala’s specialty: vension tenderloin spread with aromatic spices, rolled in prosciutto, then sliced and pan-seared for serving.
In the restaurant or in the Gardens, look out for Akheel’s popular lamb popsicles – marinated lamb mince with a special secret ingredient, char-grilled and served on skewers, with mushy peas and a dash of tzatziki on the side. The ever-popular southern-style tempered calamari with its zesty sauce also remains for winter, as do pork belly, lamb rump, steaks cooked various ways, fish of the day – often John Dory or hapuka, if they’re available – and other Commons menu standards.
“We’re trying to return to authentic casual dining, and we want people to enjoy the whole menu anywhere in The Commons, all day,” says Rahul, who’s been in New Zealand for 13 years, and whose career here spans the Mecca café group and the Hip Group locally and restaurants internationally before that. Like Rahul, Amdandeep boasts a long career in hospitality; he gained degrees in hospitality management before spending nine years in restaurants overseas (mostly in London). He joined The Commons’ owners just over three years ago when he arrived in New Zealand. Collectively Rahul and Amandeep bring 30+ years hospitality experience to The Commons.
Another change, just ahead of the new menu which will launch in late April, is to open seven days a week –with what’s likely to be a popular twist. From early April, The Commons introduces BYO Mondays: bring your own wine, buy any main dish, and pay no corkage.
It’s all about taking The Commons back to the root of its name, for it to take ownership of this central space as “land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community, provisions shared in common” (as commons are defined by the Oxford Dictionary). Amandeep and Rahul have a vision of the airy garden and its adjacent restaurant being the go-to place for locals, “where people can enjoy quality meals from a versatile menu, in a relaxed environment, with excellent customer service”.
“I love being here,” says Rahul. “We see The Commons as a place for gathering, a hub of togetherness”.
Whether you gather for after-work drinks in the generous 4-6pm daily happy hour, enjoy pizza and a beer with your dog in tow on Sunday Dog Day Afternoons, or join the locals who savour the relaxed ambience along with the food for dinner on a regular basis, Rahul, Amandeep and duty manager Azara Hill Lydiard look forward to welcoming you.
The Commons, McKenzies Precinct, 21 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
FB: @thecommonsnz
Book online at http://thecommons.co.nz
Open Monday-Sunday 12pm- late
