Sip the list

I’m old enough to remember Toto’s wine list from the 1990s, a smorgasbord of decadent sip-trips both Italy and Kiwi-inspired and, far out, did my palate get an education there. I was in my early 20s, working at record companies, radio stations and TVNZ and those were the days of expense accounts and rock ’n’ roll lunches. Good times. These days the new Toto is a compact version of its former self and that’s translated excellently to the drinks list, which is simple but seriously sippable. I love that there’s only one beer (Peroni), just five classic cocktails (an Aperol spritz, a negroni (of course), a margarita, a Moscow mule or an espresso martini), just one bubbles (Prosecco Col Vetroraz Brut) and half a dozen mixed Italian whites and reds all available at the same price by the glass ($11) 500ml ($36) or 750ml for just $55 to choose from. Authenticity rules too, with verdicchio, soave, chianti, primitivo and montepulciano all on offer. There’s also the option of going local, with Antonio Crisci’s own Waiheke Island-grown wines from Poderi Crisci (arneis, pinot grigio, chardonnay and merlot) available from $75-$100 per bottle. Good stuff on the drinks front Toto, piccolo ma bello.