BOSSI

The Verdict:

BOSSI is an exquisite new Italian restaurant nestled into the ground floor of The Pacifica, the country's tallest residential skyscraper located on Commerce Street in Auckland's CBD. Some may already be familiar with the BOSSI name—they opened an authentic Italian deli named DELI di BOSSI, right next door in April.

Jenna Carter is the face behind BOSSI, and together with executive chef, Shaun Dowling, she is hoping to bring real-deal Italian cuisine to our little corner of the world—albeit with a pinch of luxury, because, you know, la dolce vita and all that.

And luxury is certainly the vibe you get when you walk through BOSSI's front door. Decked out with white marble, warm wooden tones and flourishes of sage green, with glistening chandeliers, a wine library (complete with its own ladder) and a jaw-dropping version of Michelangelo's famous fresco—The Creation of Adam and a joyful soundtrack—dining here is certainly a very special experience.

Whether you park up on the ground floor with a view of the bustling kitchen or above on the mezzanine on the second floor—cute, cosy and with up-close views of said artwork—you're guaranteed to feel like you have the best seats in the house, and you could be forgiven for thinking you were dining in the Sistine Chapel itself (especially, we might add, after a cheeky tipple or two).

However, don't confuse luxury with pretentiousness. This eatery has famiglia and hospitality at its heart, with warm, friendly service and nods to Jenna's late Italian-born Nonna featured throughout (we especially love her portrait behind the bar—just look at those incredible shoes!).

This welcoming atmosphere is an integral part of the Bossi brand, as it's Jenna's memories of growing up with her Nonna and wider family in Melbourne that inspired the idea for the restaurant, and DELI di BOSSI, in the first place.

And we reckon Jenna's Nonna would be incredibly proud of the kind of food coming out of the kitchen here. Think fresh takes on Italian classics which will both surprise, and delight.

Shaun and the team are absolutely keeping their finger on the pulse of creativity and have released a brand new menu, keeping some classics—why mess with perfection—while offering new iterations on previous favourites. A case in point is their new take on the Caprese salad which now comes as a wonderful thick green tomato stuffed with stracciatella in a moat of tomato water and topped with prosciutto and garlic bread crumbs which inexplicably blows its previous version out of the water. 

The delicate octopus carpaccio is also an excellent place to start which is accompanied by pickled vegetables and a punchy 'nduja emulsion alongside the pesce crudo sitting pretty atop a salad of green tomato, celery, basil oil and vinaigrette that will transport you straight to the sun-soaked shores of Italy. 

You'll also want to dabble in the culurgiones (Italian dumplings), pretty little parcels made to look just like wheat, pumped full of salted cod and served with a generous helping of capers and caper sauce. Buono, squisito, delizioso—however you choose to say it, this one's a flavour bomb.

Naturally, plates of pasta are also on high rotation here—and there's so much on offer you'll definitely need to return on the reg to sample all the delights. The rolled pasta filled with scampi is an absolute stand-out, marrying delicate flavours with a moreish creamy sauce, while the agnolotti stuffed with osso buco and served with a delightful mushroom sauce will have you coming back for more. Twirl your fork in the delectable bucatini carbonara which despite its impressive size manages to remain light and approachable.

While you could round out your meal right here, do yourself a solid and order up the crumbed veal with a light lemon and parmesan risotto, generously served with two delicious fillets and you'll not be disappointed. Add a baby cos and radicchio salad and green beans with a hint of chilli oil and lemon, broccolini in garlic and polenta fries with parmesan and Toscana sauce and you'll be in seventh heaven. 

And if a limoncello-soaked sponge cake bursting with cream, served alongside gelato and fresh fruit sounds like the perfect way to end your meal (erm, yes!), we'd have to agree. Alongside this much-loved classic comes the brand new tamarillo panna cotta—which is so light you'll think you've died and gone to heaven—the praline semifreddo with orange salted caramel and deconstructed lemon meringue are also definitely worth your time. If you're a chocolate fiend—guilty as charged—the cannolo stuffed with a thick chocolate creme and hazelnuts will absolutely see you right.

Last but not least, don't forget to pop open a bottle of Prosecco, check out one of the many vinos up for grabs (Italian varietals included), or order up on one of their exquisite cocktails, the list soon to be unveiled but including a rather dangerous Aperol Sour.

If you're looking for an incredible spot to dine on authentic Italian cuisine—but which is ultimately so much more than that—then do yourself a favour and book into this exquisite new eatery downtown. It's nothing short of magnifico.

Image credit: Jono Parker for BOSSI.