Ember And The Aviary At The Grand Millennium

The Verdict

Vibrant cocktails meet contemporary dining at Ember restaurant and The Aviary cocktail bar.

Housed inside the Grand Millennium Hotel on Mayoral Drive, it's a stone's throw away from Auckland's theatres; making it the perfect place to drink and dine before or after a show.

Be enthralled by the ambience of The Aviary—located in the grand atrium, the bar's extravagance is only added to by the glass ceiling encompassing it. The bar-side seats looking onto the impressive liquor selection are ideal for those flying solo. For groups, there are numerous plush booths to flock together.

The cocktail menu features a collection of delectable cocktails with clarified plant-based milks and creams. The Grand Colada has all the makings of a pina colada without the rich heaviness due to its clarified coconut cream infused with pandan.

Serenity Shores contains clarified almond milk and golden falernum (a spiced rum-based liqueur), resulting in a seductive after-dark version of a chai latte.

We'd be remiss not to mention Me 'n' U—judged as a 2023 Campari Red Hands finalist—this coffee and white chocolate cocktail is inspired by flavours that help to create strong relationships with those we care about.

The Aviary leads into Ember—a 144-seater restaurant decked out in shades of dusty pink and burnt orange, giving it a relaxed yet intimate atmosphere.

Paying homage to the nomadic lifestyle of travellers, chefs James Kenny and Aaron Hyett infuse their experiences training and working abroad into their creations. The menu draws inspiration from multiple cuisines, including Greek, Spanish and contemporary European dining.

While bread and butter is not often something to write home about, we insist you try Ember's miso butter with house focaccia. The savoury, umami flavour spread across the soft pillowy bread could be the best thing since, well, sliced bread.

Try the fried potato terrine for a fine dining spin on salt and vinegar chips with Kiwi onion dip. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes are fried to golden perfection and go exquisitely with the savoury herbaceous cream served alongside. 

The ricotta and spinach dumplings are utterly moreish—the subtle tang of goat cheese in the dumplings with the saucy tomato reduction makes each bite a harmony of acidic, creamy and earthy nuances. 

Ember takes chicken and gravy to another level. The poultry is spatchcocked and served in a flavourful broth with sharp bites from the capers spread throughout. You'll definitely want to mop it up with the accompanying jalapeno cornbread.

As for dessert, brown butter chocolate ganache is a standout—the deep flavours of cocoa and toffee melt in your mouth with bursts of tartness from the cherry. For a lighter option, the house jelly is refreshingly fruity while the brown sugar cream contrasts with its caramel notes.  

After the curtain falls, Ember and The Aviary await in the wings with unforgettable flavours and stylish libations to steal the show.

Image credit: The Grand Millennium | Supplied

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