Diners in Browns Bay on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast will no longer have to disagree about where they eat out with the launch of a combined Bodrum Kitchen and Dantes Pizzeria – believed to be the first of its kind in New Zealand.
The beachside location, which has stunning views of the water, has two logos and two menus but functions as one restaurant. Diners can sit on either the Bodrum Kitchen or Dantes side of the restaurant and order whatever they want from either menu.
Alex Isik is the restaurateur behind the new concept. The owner of Nazar Group, one of New Zealand’s most successful and fastest growing restaurant groups, Alex has joined forces with the founder of Dantes, Kevin Morris and his Business Partner, Enis Bacova. He believes that the innovative two in one model will appeal to a broad range of diners.
“Having Bodrum Kitchen and Dantes under one roof is appealing for customers because it creates so many more choices,” says Alex. “We’ve had a lot of customers ordering a pizza from Dantes for the kids, while they enjoy some Mediterranean sharing plates and a cocktail from the Bodrum Kitchen menu. Diners can have their meal entirely their own way. We’re really pleased with how popular it has been and will be looking to launch more shared restaurants over the next 12 months.”
Diners can now enjoy Bodrum Kitchen & Dantes under one roof.
Bodrum Kitchen’s menu is all about Mediterranean street food with a selection of Turkish and Greek cuisine and a touch of Kiwiana flavour. Customers can order small plates, such as Harissa Prawns, Sigara Borek and Grilled Halloumi Sarma. Larger mains include Chicken or Lamb Tagine, Feriza’s Stuffed Eggplant, Ali Nazik and Ottoman Chicken. A Mezze Platter features pickles, feta and olives, tzatziki, hummus, taramasalata, potato piyaz, falafel, sigara and pide flatbread. For dessert, diners can choose from sweet treats like Baklava, Loukoumades and Chocolate keshkul. All washed down with a selection of wines, beers, non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails.
The Dantes menu celebrates the best of wood-fired Napoletana pizza with toppings such as Regina Margherita (San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil) and Contadina (San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, artichokes, vine tomatoes, basil, black olives and mushrooms) along with a number of pasta dishes, Italian starters and desserts.
The Browns Bay space was designed to be beautiful yet comfortable, offering diners the perfect spot to enjoy the views of the beach and Rangitoto beyond. The restaurant opens onto an outside dining area with string lights overhead, creating a magical atmosphere come night-time. Inspiration from Alex’s Mediterranean origins can be seen everywhere. The beautiful black and white tiled Acunto pizza oven on the Dantes side of the restaurant was handmade in Naples. A traditional Turkish mosaic chandelier that was hand-picked by Alex forms a focal point on the Bodrum Kitchen side. Attention has been paid to every detail.
Bodrum Kitchen Browns Bay is open from 9am–11pm Monday to Friday and from 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Dantes Browns Bay is open from 11am-10pm Monday-Sunday. Both restaurants are fully licensed.
There are now three Bodrum Kitchen restaurants and four Dantes Pizzerias located in Auckland, with more openings to be announced soon. Bodrum Kitchen and Dantes Browns Bay is located at 111 Clyde Road, Browns Bay, Auckland.
