OB真人视讯

The Verdict

What if we told you the city's first urban cellar door and wine bar has just opened in an epic location on Auckland's waterfront? Named  (after the French term sommelier, meaning 'wine steward'), this chic new wine bar and bistro can be found in the former Crab Shack site on Princes Wharf and trust us when we say, it's even more of a good time than it sounds.

Bought to us by Foley Holdings (who have a stable of successful local wine brands to their name, along with another restaurant you may have heard of... SOUL Bar & Bistro), Somm Wine Bar & Bistro gives you the chance to discover some of our country's finest vino by the glass, flight, or bottle, without leaving the city—and all in a chic yet relaxed setting, largely inspired by Melbourne's wine bar scene. If that sounds like a bit of you (it does), then read on.

Award-winning Nott Architects carried out the stylish design, which pays tribute to New Zealand's most acclaimed wine-growing regions with a bar clad in clay tiles, panels and furniture made from walnut and oak timber, and more tile details (this time made from stone).

As to be expected, bottles of vino also make an appearance (read: there are walls covered with the stuff) alongside an impressive charcuterie fridge and swish red slicing machine, sitting on a dedicated butcher block, for cutting its contents.

There are tables aplenty, both inside and out, and even one area that can be sectioned off with velvet curtains for private tastings (how's that for boujee?).

Now for the matter of wine. This is your chance to get acquainted with drops from all corners of the country (Hawke’s Bay, Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago), represented by some of our most iconic wineries (Church Road, Te Kairanga and Mt Difficulty, to name but a few).

We highly recommend trying a regional flight—yes, a wine flight by region—though of course, you can also get a flight of your favourite varietal if you prefer. These are presented to your table with a set of tasting notes that can be perused at your leisure—a sort of self-instructed wine tasting if you will.

Now might be a good time to add that you can also try wines from an extensive library catalogue, along with those of the large format variety—while the wine bar's highly-anticipated cellar door experiences will commence late May.

And if you're not here for the vino (we're not even gonna ask...), know that there are also cocktails, beer, and champagne at your disposal.

Again, when it comes to the food, Somm Bistro & Wine Bar doesn't disappoint. You'll enjoy a delicious yet fuss-free menu of antipasti, charcuterie and cheeses, sitting alongside larger sharing plates, pizza and sides—all conceived by acclaimed executive chef, Gavin Doyle (also behind the menu at SOUL) to compliment this spot's premium drops.

The pizza is a particular standout, featuring a poolish dough base that has been proofed for a cool 72 hours. With credentials like that, anything you chuck on this is gonna taste great but the combo of mortadella, pomodoro, fior di latte and zuni pickle is especially moreish (there's just something about pickles on pizza, no?).

As far as shared plates go, you can't go wrong with the croquettes (because anything coated in crumbs and fried 'til golden is always a good time). Somm's version is stuffed with prosciutto and pecorino, a killer combo that works perfectly with the accompanying walnut mustard.

The market fish crudo is also super scrumptious and takes the cake for the most impressive-looking dish on the menu. In fact, with its thinly-sliced pieces of fish (we like the kingfish) dressed in a colourful combo of citrus, verjuice and fennel, it's erring on the side of too-pretty-to-eat. Lucky for us, our stomachs are bigger than our eyes so we're not giving that too much thought *commences licking the bowl*.

We're looking forward to many more vino sessions at this spot in the future—why not come on down and join us? Suffice it to say, Somm will have the wine chilling.

Image credit: Somm, Armelle Frimpong.