Food Drink

Next Level Dining Arrives At Electra House

But seriously, it is on a whole other level…

Getting ready to eat at a new restaurant always takes some forethought. Will this be one of those ‘large serve’ places where you need to wear artfully disguised elastic waisted pants? Is a kaftan an even better idea? Or perhaps it’s the opposite situation, where the gracefully dainty potions really required a pre-dinner feed to prepare you for the minuscule but trendy dishes you are about to devour. One recent launch we went to, served up enough carbs and deep fried grease to weigh us down for a week. Basically, eating at new joints is a gamble. Which is why we have gallantly sacrificed ourselves this week, to give you a heads up as to what to expect at Level One, the new (much-awaited) restaurant at Electra House.

Level One Electra House

From the moment you step out of the elevator on to level one (no prizes for guessing where the name came from), you are enveloped in modern, pastel pink and blue hues. Sounds like a baby’s nursery right? Wrong. It’s all kinds of wonderful. We have no idea how the fit out pulls off this colour combo, but it just works. Simple, clean lines, great tangerine oak chairs crafted by Resident (NZ), and feature pendants, turn this beautifully restored heritage room, into a bright, inviting space, which lures you in and whispers, “I’ve been waiting for you”.

Level One Electra HouseA high, long shared table is the centrepiece for the room, drawing the eye straight down its centre and out through the balcony doors into the treetops. It’s divine. You could be anywhere in the world, but for us it just screams New York. Rumour has it, that this will also be the very place where some rather exclusive $400/head steak and wine dinners will be happening in the coming months. Time to start saving.

12498412_10207433309743494_1299422342_n12596058_10207433309503488_2079299952_n12714350_10207433309663492_1300881058_n 12665651_10207433309823496_910274858_n12722075_10207433309543489_1988469458_n 12053263_10207433310023501_1756025784_n12721697_10207433309903498_864629475_n12736136_10207433309943499_562915023_n 12735809_10207433309703493_1202191515_n12746058_10207433309783495_897047546_nFlanked on either side of the long table are well spaced restaurant settings for 2 – 6 people. The flexibility of the room will be good to test out over the coming months, but it seems pretty well suited to fall into any dining arrangements we could possibly need. For opening night however, we opted for a romantic table for two in the corner. The perfect place to sample the food and hide away from the other diners should it disappoint. We needn’t have worried. It was incredible.

Chad Hanson, previously from Sean’s Kitchen, has rallied his troops from years in the hospitality game, and brought the A-gamers along to join him at this new venue. Should you need anything from their extensive wine list, help with choosing menu items, or instructions on how to eat anything, the team are ALL over it. Not bad for a brand new venue.

Speaking of the wine list, be sure to pay attention to the names of the different wine ‘categories’. There is creativity bursting from this place, like the flavours of their well-concocted dishes.

But you’re here to read about the food right? Well we won’t keep you in suspense any longer. It’s clean, fresh and packed with flavour. Designed to share, and eat with your hands (mostly), you can indulge in anything your heart desires, and walk out full, without that heavy feeling, and there’s not a Reuben sandwich to be seen. Elastic pants not needed (however, if you can disguise them, would you ever really take them off?).

One of our favourites included the eggplant (who would have thought), which just melts in your mouth, while the carefully matched ingredients leave your tastebuds singing with happiness.

The Scampi was a sensory experience like no other, with instructions necessary to indulge correctly. Pick up the whole stack with your fingers, slide the ingredients atop the lime into your mouth, throw your head back and then squeeze the lime into your mouth so it cures the Scampi as you eat it. Brilliant (and oh, so tasty).

Level One

Scampi – Lime, Avocado, Chilli, Puffed Rice

Level One

Scallops – Oyster Cream, Bacon, Ginger

Level One Electra House

Lime Cheesecake – Fig, Basil, Coconut

Eggplant - Miso, Chilli, Mushroom, Macadamia

Eggplant – Miso, Chilli, Mushroom, Macadamia

Level One

Essence of Pork – Textured Egg Yolk, Asparagus, Truffle

Level One is basically the new home ground for a bunch of hospitality geniuses, who have come together to deliver an all-round pleasurable experience. Every element of your visit is well thought-out and every member of the team plays their part to a tee. Considering it’s only their first week, we can’t wait to see how it improves with time, much like the fine wines on their wine list.

Find out more here.

 

 

More News

To Top