PARTY IN PARIS
We’ve been charmed by the neo-French, bistro-style pop-up parties put on by La Peche, so it’s with much anticipation we welcome their first permanent location, set to open this weekend. This latest project, Celeste, is in the old Revel Cafe site on Karangahape Rd and will offer the same no-fuss French food, natural wine, and much more. Owners Emma Ogilvie and Nick Landsman started out cooking dinner parties for friends in their Paris apartment in 2015, and soon realised their knack for creating a good time was a business waiting to happen. The couple returned to Auckland a few years later to serve up one sell-out event after another, giving old-school French bistro fare a fresh, affordable spin. Inspired by their time in France, Emma says their food reflects the neo-bistro movement in Paris. “This is where great chefs started to work in more stripped-back environments, with great produce but done more simply so that they could price well,” she says. And Celeste will be no different with shareable small plates, such as freshly shucked oysters and pigtail croquettes, that will change weekly based on seasonality. “The focus is on seafood, fish, veges and offal, with perhaps one or two meat and charcuterie dishes — it’s the way we like to eat,” says Emma. They’ll serve a selection of natural and organic wines and six or so rotating glass pours per night. A larger bottle list will focus on New Zealand and French varieties and bottles will also be available to buy. If that’s not your thing, there’s Hallertau sour beer on tap, craft beer, classic cocktails, ice tea and fresh lemonade with mint. Even better, Celeste is open for lunch, dinner and as a late night drinking spot. Linger over a Pet Nat or stop by after dark for late night bites and on-site DJs to dance the night away.
• Celeste is due to open this Saturday. Hours Tuesday-Saturday, 11.30pm-2.30pm and 5pm-midnight, 146 Karangahape Rd, central city