The Takeout

The Chosen Bun

3/40 Stonefields Ave Ph: (09) 218 8239 2x burgers, 2x fries — $37

IN: We tried Uber Eats but by the time we tried to place our order they had stopped taking orders, so I ordered by phone. The wait, they said, was 20-25 minutes but I turned up after about 18 and it was ready. It’s an all paper and board presentation, satisfyingly modular in the bag and quite professional.

OUT: The Golden Phoenix ($14) was pure largechickened, buttermilk-fried hedonism. I’m still not sure whether there was only one breast in there, so ample it was. It had both a kick and a pleasing dense creaminess. It was several meals in one. The Guac Star ($14) was quite short on guac but long on flavour from the genuine beef patty. The fries ($4.50) were wide and thick but with a spectacularly light, airy inner.

THE TAKEAWAY: Until now the outer-inner East has been a place not well-served by the gourmet burger. The Chosen Bun has taken gourmet fundamentals like a three-cut (sirloin, chuck, brisket) patty and fresh-daily brioche bun and funked them up with ingredients like crispy noodles, honey sriracha and kewpie mayo.