A recent opening on Quay Street in the CBD, Oaken has burst onto the scene with style, finesse and a refined elegance. The decor is on point with a rustic feel thanks to the wood panelled walls and simplistic yet stylish decor. So was this place more style than substance? We ventured over last weekend for brunch to find out………..
An eclectic brunch menu offered a wide selection with options for the more adventurous as well as the classic eggs with toast for the more traditional tastes.
Minced mushroom on toast, soft boiled egg, toasted sunflower seeds, raw mushroom and pickled onion was a very aesthetically pleasing dish. However we did find this dish to be quite dry. The pickled onion really was the saving grace to provide a sharpness to this dish which desperately needed something to counteract the dryness.
Burrata, salsa verde, fried Sardinian bread, leek and parmigiano was the stand out dish. Smooth, velvety cheese melded together well with all the other ingredients to provide a great sharing dish. The fact you can see the Burrata on display as you enter the restaurant makes this dish very tempting!
Wagyu bresaola, pickled cabbage, Swiss cheese, cress and mustard was a big hearty dish packed full of tender Wagyu but the red cabbage was slightly overpowering.
The Oaken toasted jaffle, house cured bacon, scrambled egg, coriander and fermented daikon kimchi was warm, comforting and very different with the kimchi (in a good way!)
So for a tasty brunch or dinner in a stylish, prime city centre location, Oaken should be your spot
Oaken
130 Quay Street
CBD
Auckland
Tel: 09 379 4462
