Earl masters the art of aperitivo
There’s a sense of European elegance at Earl, the Salt District’s modern bistro perched at the top of Rauora Park, just off the corner from Lichfield and Manchester streets in the city.
Nab a spot overlooking the park and people-watch while sipping a Spritz paired with a charcuterie board on a sunny afternoon, or opt for a cosy booth overlooking the light-filled restaurant with its high ceilings and stone bar that wraps around the kitchen. It is the ideal place to linger over fresh seasonal salads, house made pastas and antipasti.
With the ability to be both intimate and convivial, Earl is perfect for group dinners or oneon-one encounters, striking the right chord between winecentric restaurant and foodcentric wine bar.
Earl has brought a welcoming fine-casual dining lifestyle to Christchurch, being a friendly all-day venue that’s laid back while still delivering an aroundthe-clock sense of occasion.
Looking to the legacy of the great metropolitan restaurants around the world, Earl captures the essence of the city lifestyle with its buzzy local vibe while being concerned only with doing simple things well.
In keeping up with trends, the wine list is short, punchy and mostly European with a few local additions that change daily to match the dishes created by a brigade of talented chefs in the open kitchen.
Dishes are inspired by the flavours, energy and relaxed vibe of coastal European culture. This presents an upscale yet still unpretentious blend of cuisines and approaches that take simple and traditional ideas and execute them using exceptional ingredients, all while having some fun.
Earl is owned by hospitality hitmaker Tom Newfield, who works alongside his team of young, dynamic hospitality professionals with a focus on the foundations of accessibility and informality, epitomised by the casual-yet-refined bustling venue at 128 Lichfield St.
Having received industry recognition earlier this year as the city’s most outstanding new venue, Earl is ready to mark its first birthday, which coincides with the start of summer.
To celebrate, Earl will be hosting a series of aperitivo hours – very common in the likes of Italy.
Aperitivo hour will take place every Thursday, starting tomorrow, through till Christmas, with complimentary tapas with every Aperol Spritz, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco or Peroni between 4pm and 7pm.