If you’re in a bit of a dining rut, an uber-cool Japanese restaurant hidden behind a big ol’ red door on K’ Road will probably do the trick. K’ Road’s famous Vegas Rooms (a former strip club, nonetheless) are being transformed into Auckland’s coolest hidden dining spot. Think multiple courses of Japanese food, overflowing drinks, music you can get down to, and an all-round sensory experience from the moment you find the hidden red door. Heads up, this run of events has been extended by popular demand—they sold out last time—so we'd get tickets quick smart, because they will sell out again.
We can thank Asahi Super Dry—for what is probably the coolest pop-up Auckland has ever seen—because they’ve teamed up with Ponsonby’s coolest hidden Japanese gem, Azabu, and their head chef Yukio Ozeki. Expect an evening that’s equal parts art, performance and dining.
The event is called Akai Doa—which literally translates to red door—and will set you back $80 for a 10-course meal curated just for the occasion by head chef Yukio Ozeki. The food will be served in the Japanese style of omakase, which means something along the lines of, “I trust the chef, so I’ll let them order for me”—which we love. The comprise of the freshest local ingredients, naturally, and is infused with Asahi beer seamlessly through out.
Plus, our favourite part, is that chef Yukio Ozeki will be on stage whipping up the delectable dishes—surrounded by immersive projections and audio. It makes the whole thing super theatrical and highly visual—this is not just dinner and a drink. Think more performance and less regular dining experience. The Asahi Akai Doa is open for a limited time, and will only host one sitting a night, so it’s pretty much guaranteed to sell out.
The best part, though, is that once dinner is done the whole space turns into a revelrous cocktail lounge.
Just follow the red door and keep going up the stairs to see what you have never tasted, and taste what you have never seen. Get your tickets here before they’re gone.
The Details
When: Thursday – Saturday nights for a limited time
Tickets: $80 each, 60 sets per night, get yours here (yeah, these will sell out so be quick!)
Where: Behind the red door, on K'Road
Editor's note: this article was produced in partnership with Asahi Super Dry. Thank you for supporting the partners who make The Urban List. To see our editorial policy, click here.
Image credit: provided.