A dynamic new approach to dining has launched at The Langham with the opening of Eight, the five-star hotel's newest restaurant.
Named after the eight kitchens that comprise the restaurant, diners in Eight enjoy not only a meal but a culinary journey where they can choose exquisitely prepared world cuisine, while interacting with the chefs in the eight open kitchens.
Jeffrey van Vorsselen, Managing Director of The Langham, says that the culinary journey concept also enables diners to create their own personal degustation, allowing them to fully appreciate the cuisine from each kitchen at their own pace, with as many dishes and intervals as desired.
"Eight is extremely exciting and will redefine expectations of hotel dining in New Zealand. Simply put - Eight is great. It is a fun yet sophisticated place to eat, where dining is no longer passive, where diners have the luxury of choice and where the theatre of cooking forms part of the total experience," says Mr van Vorsselen.
The eight kitchens have been named after iconic journeys and destinations which also reflect the type of cuisine available at each. The kitchens include the Silk Road (wok and dim sum) Spice Route (Indian tandoori and curries), Tōkaidō (sushi and sashimi), Route 66 (New York style grille), Great Ocean Road (seafood and oysters), Garden Route (salads), Champs-Elysées (pastries, crêpes and cheese) and the tongue-in-cheek name of Dessert Road (desserts).
The restaurant celebrates high quality, seasonal food which changes daily. Eight almost has a market place feel to it, with the finest cuts of meat and fresh fish and seafood on display and available for diners to select and then have cooked to their liking before them.
Similarly designer sushi and sashimi can be prepared on demand, delectable garden salads created, dim sum selected or freshly baked naan bread pulled steaming from the tandoors for diners to savour. The culinary journey is completed with sweet treats of freshly prepared crêpes and waffles, cheese, beautifully hand crafted desserts or attempting the impressive three-tiered chocolate fountain!
Dishes from the various kitchens can also be matched with wine choices from Eight's dedicated and extensive wine bar which serves over 40 wines by the glass.
The Langham's Executive Chef Volker Marecek leads his team of passionate chefs who all bring their own personality and expertise to the kitchens of the $2 million (NZD) project. Chef Marecek has been at the forefront of Eight's development and has brought his international expertise to the restaurant while relishing the opportunity to further showcase his talents.
"Eight has been specifically designed to be distinctly different from what many New Zealanders might expect from a hotel restaurant and this is what makes it so special," adds Mr van Vorsselen.
"Eight is part of the paradigm shift that The Langham wants to communicate to diners, and not just hotel guests, that the great hotels of the world provide unforgettable dining experiences and should be sought out in order to enjoy the best food. Our Langham cousins in Hong Kong demonstrate this with Michelin star restaurants in their hotels
Eight offers not only great quality food but an amazing experience and excellent value with breakfast and lunch priced from NZ$37 per person and dinner at NZ$67 per person.
I am delighted to welcome Eight to The Langham's growing collection of renowned eateries as it joins The Winery with its award-winning afternoon tea, Barolo, our northern Italian restaurant which was a top 50 New Zealand restaurant in 2010 and The Great Room with its impressive Bill of Fare for banquet guests.
My intention is for The Langham, Auckland to be widely recognised as foodie haven and a place that New Zealanders come for five-star food, service and ambience. I believe that with Eight now open, we are well on our way to achieving this and I am delighted to introduce the restaurant," concludes Mr van Vorsselen.
WIN A Global Culinary Journey with Eight
To celebrate the opening of Eight, diners from 27 January - 25 April, 2011, have the chance to win an unforgettable prize staying and dining at five-star Langham hotels in Hong Kong, London and Los Angeles. In Hong Kong be tempted by Langham's Michelin star restaurants; experience the godfathers of modern British cuisine, the Roux brothers at The Langham London and in Los Angeles complete your culinary journey at The Royce at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena.
Each time you dine in Eight, enter the draw to win:
• Three nights luxury accommodation at The Langham, Hong Kong dining at T'ang Court (2 Michelin stars) and also Ming Court (2 Michelin stars).
• Three nights luxury accommodation at The Langham, London dining at the newly-opened Roux at The Landau, the latest restaurant by the famed Roux brothers.
• Three nights luxury accommodation at The Langham Huntington, dining at The Royce by the esteemed chef David Féau
• Return around-the-world economy airfares for two people from Auckland to Hong Kong, London and Los Angeles. (Full terms and conditions apply)
Eight is located on the lobby level of The Langham, Auckland and is open daily for:
• Breakfast (6am-11am) NZ$37 per person. A breakfast culinary journey is served in the kitchens at this time.
• Lunch (12pm-2.30pm) NZ$37 per person.
• Dinner (6pm - 11pm) NZ$67 per person.
• Sunday Brunch (11am - 3.30pm) NZ$37 person.
Pricing is exclusive of beverages. Children aged 5 - 12 years old dine at half price.
An alternative to experiencing a culinary journey is to dine à la carte in Eight. Meals are prepared with the same quality, passion and freshness. Eight is open 24 hours 7 days a week for à la carte dining.
For bookings or further information please contact:
Eightrestaurant.co.nz T: 09 300 2852 E: tlakl.eight@langhamhotels.co.nz
