IN BRIEF

An inner-city gourmet hideout with a unique voice and a menu of epic proportions.

WHY CHOOSE THIS RESTAURANT?

It’s still one of the hippest spots in town with a clever yum cha-style kitchen-to- table trolley service, a cool wave of creative deliciousness, and a playlist that sparks great conversations.

ABOUT THE FOOD

The $70pp seasonal menu offers four bites from the trolleys with a choice of main and a dessert. Add $32pp to make it the EPIC menu with the addition of local New Zealand seafood. If you have a passion for kai moana, we strongly suggest you go epic and immerse yourself in an incredibly clever taste of our sea. You might find an oyster and fennel panna cotta, salmon belly cones in wasabi and avocado creme and local oysters topped with the chef’s granita du jour. A cheeky smoked fish stick sando might make an appearance and also some fresh slivers of a line-caught fish, sensationally dressed. If it is on, don’t pass the wakame fry bread with fermented shiitake butter – keep it all for yourself. Additional plates are always available from the Culprit Classics menu with long-time favourites such as the bone marrow with house-made ‘Vogels’-style loaf and ‘marrow-mite’, or organic chicken liver parfait with doughnuts never getting tired.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Having honed his considerable skills in the kitchens of Al Brown with gigs at Logan Brown, Federal Delicatessen and Depot, chef and owner Kyle Street has developed razor-sharp technique and a deep connection to the art of hospitality. He has a way of connecting food memories and cultural classics and elevating them to sit side by side with food that is spankingly in the now, taking the best of a dégustation without any of the (often drawn-out) formality.

ABOUT THE TEAM

In keeping with the food, sommelier and beverage manager Angela Allan keeps the drinks list interesting and edgy as the team performs a fast and furious dance with and around the Culprit trolleys. Did someone say bubbles on tap?

OF NOTE

You might also want to drop in to Little Culprit, for late- afternoon cocktails. You can be sure that the bites here will also be banging as they come straight from the heart of big brother across the road. You can also enjoy Culprit at home with their deluxe meal kit delivered via MEEZ on Fridays and Saturdays.

ADDRESS:   Level 1, 12 Wyndham St, Auckland
Check website for opening hours
MAINS:   4 courses $70pp, add kai moana $102pp
CONTACT:   09 377 5992
WEBSITE:    culpritdiningroom.co.nz