okahu bay yacht club cafe

New Opening: Nic Watt's Akarana Eatery Is Okahu Bay's New Waterfront Dining Destination

Chef and restaurateur Nic Watt is set to open another crowd-pleasing eatery and this time it's all about the sea.

Perched on the picturesque waterfront location of Okahu Bay, Akarana Eatery has been inspired by Nic's love of seafood and boating. And with the stunning views out to Waitemata Harbour Nic says they're Auckland's best it will be a hard-to-beat spot in summer.

READ: New South American-Style Eatery Inca Set To Open In Newmarket

The all-day eatery and bar will be open to the public from September 7 and is part of the first phase opening of the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, a new facility and home of the historic Royal Akarana Yacht Club.

So while you're out for a paddleboard or a sail, the well-seasoned team will be whipping up a menu described as "fresh, seasonal, and approachable".

Seven days a week, the 153-seat eatery will dish out Allpress coffee, Kohu Rd icecream, and a selection of grab-and-go items from freshly baked croissants to baguettes as well as an a la carte menu with a strong seafood lean, with fish and chips, freshly shucked oysters, clams and tua tuas, and whole roasted Kaipara Harbour flounder cooked in the woodfired oven.

A lamb shank pie will cater to meatier cravings, alongside a children's menu of pizzas and mini-mains to keep ankle biters quiet.

The eatery is pushing sustainability, so there are taps for both wine and beer in an effort to reduce the number of bottles used. Nic and the team have also sourced top-quality, sustainable New Zealand seafood for the menu.

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"To be able to do something so close to the Waitemata harbour and focus on the provenance of the seafood was, for me, really special," Nic says.

"It’s also an opportunity to showcase some of my childhood being a third-generation boatie. You can literally see and taste the salt water within a few metres from where you will be dining."

• Akarana Eatery is located at the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, 8-10 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay.

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Take a look inside Nic Watt’s newest waterfront venture

Renowned Auckland chef Nic Watt, Executive Chef of MASU in SkyCity, has taken his passion for the ocean and brought it to the waterfront location of Okahu Bay. As part of the development of the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, Watt has partnered with Akarana Yacht Club to open a brand new restaurant called Akarana Eatery. This newly opened establishment is set to be more than just a place to dine, but a welcoming space for the community to come together.

Akarana Eatery seats a total of 153 patrons but still manages to feel spacious and open. The high ceilings and wide glass windows open up the restaurant, allowing diners to feel comfortable, and the space boasts a clean palette of ocean hues. In terms of the food offerings, Chef Watt has designed a seafood-skewed but not solely focused menu. As a “third-generation boatie,” Watt tells me, he likes to showcase his love for the harbour through his dishes.

The all-day eatery serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the menu features elements which hit a sense of familiarity. The offerings are intriguing, too, as Watt adds his own spin to traditional dishes by pushing gastronomic boundaries, serving them in a way that many people haven’t come across before. This is exemplified in dishes such as the red snapper buffalo wings — a deep-fried fish wing that resonates with a classic fried chicken wing, but the juicy chicken is replaced with a tender fish that cuts like butter. The chicken liver pâté was also another unique experience. Served on a crispy rye waffle instead of a baguette, we especially liked the way the checkered pattern of the waffle acted as cases and borders for the thick and creamy pâté.

Growing up around the Waitemata Harbour since childhood, Chef Watt has always been surrounded by the freshest marine life, leading him to be a big fan of seafood. But it wasn’t until Watt began his ventures in kitchens overseas that he realised the premium quality of New Zealand seafood. During this time he would come back to New Zealand every now and then, after missing his mother’s home-cooking, especially her Yellowbelly flounder — a dish that’s now on the menu at Akarana. Be sure to not skip the tail of the fish, as Watt heavily salts it to achieve an unbelievable level of crispiness and flavour, it’s not to be missed.

Seafood is not the only cuisine you’ll find at Akarana. In fact, some of our favourite dishes didn’t feature anything from the ocean, such as the lamb shank pie. The dish saw a rich and saucy lamb with the bone retained, left peeking through the buttery pastry. Served with smashed peas and a side of gravy, this is a delicious meal of pure comfort. The wood-roasted cauliflower sports a dark colour, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s burnt. Watt cooks them over seasonal wood, which is currently cherry, for a unique aroma and depth in flavour, while they boast a heavenly crackle that is followed by crunchy almonds and creamy garlic mayo. Before you make your way out, don’t forget to get a scoop of Kohu Road ice cream to end your experience on a sweet note, Watt’s favourite is the matcha green tea flavour.

Akarana Eatery officially opens its doors to the public on Saturday, 7th September and the folks at Akarana are making a day out of it. Face painters and a live band will be assisting the launch, setting the tone of an all-inclusive space for everyone to enjoy.

Opening hours: 7 days, 7am until 10pm

Akarana Eatery

www.akaranaeatery.co.nz/

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WATERFRONT VENTURE

Nic Watt and the Royal Akarana Yacht Club have partnered to open the Akarana Eatery. Located in Okahu Bay’s waterfront, and situated right on the water’s edge, Akarana Eatery has been developed as a part of the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre.

The eatery will open as a part of the first phase of the Marine Sports Centre’s opening, a centre that is designed to encourage the community to participate in more aquatic activities.

The Akarana Eatery menu is fresh and seasonal and offers a range of selections for any dining occasion. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for seven days a week, and offers 153 seats for diners. In addition to an a la carte menu, the woodfired pizza oven will be serving up fresh pizzas, with the counter offerings including pastries, savouries and fresh sandwiches.

In addition to the food offerings, the Akarana Eatery will also serve beer and wine on tap, as a part of the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“The eater has been designed as a relaxed destination that is not only perfect for sun-drenched Auckland days, but a destination to be enjoyed with family and friends, and on to show-off to international guests the City of Sails,” said Nic Watt. “I come from a long boating lineage and have grown up on the Waitemata Harbour, so this is a location that is very special to me. Akarana Eatery brings to life my love of being out on the harbour and celebrates the abundance of fresh seafood we have access to in New Zealand.”

“I have endeavoured to bring my food philosophy strongly to the table at Akarana Eatery to ensure that every dish is stand-alone, packed with flavour, always focusing on enhancing the natural essence of the hero ingredient and allowing the food to speak for itself.”

The Marine Sports Centre’s function facility is set to open in November, with additional openings planned for early 2020.

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Akarana at Hyundai Marine Sports Centre

Indulge in panoramic views of Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto Island from the comfort of Akarana - a premium event venue on Tāmaki Drive.

Akarana consists of 4 beautiful spaces - customisable for all manner of events. Te Kawau Room is a light-filled space with glass doors that lead to a balcony, showcasing panoramic views of the harbour. This 360sqm space can host 150 to 350 guests, depending on the configuration. With an in-house AV system, large projectors and two built-in bars - The Te Kawau Room is the perfect canvas for large-scale events. Newly opened and aptly named, Rangitoto Room is a versatile space offering front-seat views out to Rangitoto Island. Hosting 24 to 75 guests, Rangitoto Room is an ideal breakout space or stand-alone venue for smaller events. This space has an in-room kitchenette, moveable LED screens and built-in AV. Another new addition is the Royal Akarana Yacht Club Lounge - a nautical-themed space with a built-in bar and ocean views. Due to a trans-space wall, the Club Lounge can be combined with Rangitoto Room to create a vast space for 180 guests. Located on the ground floor is Joyce Fisher Room. This sun-soaked space features floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, offering direct access to the terrace and seaside lawn. Last but certainly not least - Akarana boasts several boardrooms and meeting rooms. Fitted with AV and conferencing capabilities, these spaces are designed to accelerate productivity. Or ideate a fun Sporting or Team Building activity with the help of the events team. Located just 10 minutes from Auckland CBD and complete with bespoke catering and plentiful complimentary parking - Akarana is an all-encompassing seaside venue. Whether you're looking to host a meeting, conference, cocktail event or the party of a lifetime - Akarana is the place to be.

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Royal Akarana Yacht Club

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Established in 1895, Royal Akarana Yacht Club is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most accomplished yachts clubs in both keel boat and dinghy sailing classes.

It is considered the home of blue water sailing and hosts an array of other marine-based activities including a successful Sailing Academy for kids and adults which has created world champion sailors. 

The new Hyundai Marine Sports Centre opened in September 2019 and provides purpose built sailing, marine sports, marine education and hospitality facilities including a waterfront cafe and bar. It was the perfect location for the 2019 Hyundai 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 world championships.

The club sails and caters for Optimists, O'pen Skiff, RS Feva, 420, 12ft skiff, 18ft Skiff, M-Class, 29er, 49er, and Flying Fifteen classes.  Keelboats are accommodated in racing and cruising divisions with an emphasis on passage, coastal and offshore events.   

Visit us at The Landing, Okahu Bay, 10 minutes from downtown Auckland or check us out at www.rayc.co.nz .  See you soon.   

• Photo: Live Sail Die.

The Landing, 8-10 Tamaki Drive Okahu Bay Auckland 1071 New Zealand

-36.8497622, 174.810384

PO Box 42004 Orakei Auckland 1745 New Zealand

Upcoming events at this club

Framecad nzss team racing interdominion championships, nz windfoil national championships, auckland secondary school team sailing regionals, nz optimist national championship.

Okahu Bay - Auckland

Multi lane ramps, all tide

With jetty and parking. Next to the Royal Akarana Yacht Club and Marine Sports Centre. Car and trailer parking charges

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Directions: Royal Akarana Yacht Club Hyundai Marine Sports Centre 8-10 Tamaki Drive Okahu Bay 1071

PO Box 42004, Orakei 1071

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RAYC is run by a group of dedicated Flag Officers and Volunteers who sit on our General Committee, our Sailing Committee and our House Committee.

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