Clare & Joost van den Berg have opened a series of dining rooms for the city. They started with the celebrated and loved local Zus & Zo in Herne Bay and then Zomer in Takapuna, before opening the now somewhat institutional ODETTES EATERY over three years ago in City Works Depot.
Their latest venture, which opened middle of 2017, with partner Ray Barker, is HUGO’s BISTRO, situated in the heart of Auckland’s bustling cityscape. Positioned at the top of well-known Shortland Street, the all day neighbourhood bistro is proud to be part of the growing city.
Hugo’s head chef, Emile Bennington, who has vast experience overseas, offers a menu of modern interpretations of bistro classics with a focus on seasonal ingredients and ethically-sourced proteins, simply prepared and barbecued over our charcoal fire.
The mornings draw in crowds for early morning coffees and breakfasts, lunch in our favourite cosy banquettes dotted along the narrow room. Afternoons between 4-7pm Tuesday-Friday join us for a good glass of wine and a platter followed by dinner.
Takeaways for both breakfast and lunch are also becoming quite the talk of Shortland Street thanks in part to our delicious sandwiches.
The refined interior was designed by Clare with softly rounded blond wooden furniture and green corduroy upholstery, alongside a collaboration for banquette upholstery with her close friend and well-known fashion designer Emilia Wickstead. The space is elegant but warm with a long green marble bar, offset by a wall of cedar and plastered soft pink marmorino. Clare’s design has refined over the last four projects, working alongside Nat Cheshire and Dajiang Tai and Cheshire Architects, who helped with elevations and construction drawings allowing the space to come to life.
Hugo’s won gold at the BEST Interior Design Awards.
The open-plan kitchen means that the marble bar top provides the perfect perching spot to watch the chefs at work and feel the bustle of the city that this place captures so well.
Hugo’s sister restaurant is nestled in the heart of Auckland, at City Works Depot. ODETTES EATERY is a charming eatery, open morning, noon and night, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The eatery has a relaxed ambience, built around a kitchen drawing on flavours from the Mediterranean with a blend of African spice as well as drawing on inspiration from the people around us. You will find hints of Asian influence from head chef Jonah Huang who is produce and local supplier-driven. Jonah’s year in Japan adds to his varied experience, applying modern techniques to classic dishes.
Odettes, also designed by Clare van den Berg, combines warm textures, timelessness and luxury to the space. Even though larger than Hugo’s, the venue feels warm with velvets, green tiling and textured navy and white cushions with accents of beautiful furnishings from Simon James Design.
Poi Eruera is at the helm of both, running a tight ship and a very happy team. She is passionate about people and nothing for her is more exciting than hearing the buzz and hum of busy restaurants whilst serving beautiful food and wine at both venues for the local residents.
Odettes won overall Supreme Winner for Best Cafe, Metro 2017
This year both restaurants were voted in the Metro Top 50 Awards, an achievement they should be very proud of. Hugos’s took away Best Inner City Bistro and Best New Fit Out.
Both venues take bookings and welcome you to experience their dining rooms if you haven’t already…
