There’s a sense of occasion about arriving at Sidart. Ascend the grand staircase at the end of an arcade to reach this restaurant – formerly an old picture theatre. The sense of grandeur carries through into the restaurant, which has some impressive views of its own over the Auckland CBD. Sidart bears the nomenclature of founder-owner Sid Sahrawat, but Lesley Chandra is in charge now as both executive chef and owner. Lesley has good tutelage threads: he trained under both Sid and Ben Bayly, as well as in the UK. His approach to food reflects his Fijian and New Zealand upbringing – with a focus on the finest local and seasonal produce native to Aotearoa and the wider Pacific region. Expect from his selection of tasting menus such rarities as Marmite croissant, Kurobuta pork and egg yolk, or dry-aged duck and mandarin. These playful twists on serious tastes further elevate the experience.