I think it’s fair to say that Aucklanders are fans of brunch, which is why it’s so hard to get a table anywhere on a Sunday. So it’s great to hear that Nic Watt is opening MASU up for Nichiyo (Sunday) brunch for the first time this weekend. As you’d expect, this Japanese robata restaurant isn’t serving your usual eggs benedict – it’s all about fresh fish, vegetables and fruit.
Nic has specially designed the menu to be family friendly, like his own version of Chinese Yum Cha. Being a father himself, he is well aware of how difficult it can be to find child friendly dining options on the city. So much so that’s he’s transforming the beautiful Obi dining room into a kids paradise filled with toys and DVDs.
The Nichiyo dining experience begins with grazing at the robata counter, which will be covered with salad, sashimi and maki rolls, as well as smoked eggplant with tosazu dressing, soba noodles with crab, whitebait omelets and other assorted small dishes. The counter of abundance is constantly refreshed throughout the day, and chefs will also be on hand to slice sashimi and make maki rolls to order. Once you’ve had your fill from the counter, pick a main dish – maybe Ora King salmon teriyaki, master stock baby back ribs or lamb leg with hot pepper spices. The finishing touch is a MASU dessert platter, covered with ice cream and sorbets, fresh fruit and MASU’s signature chocolate pudding.
Kids are served their very own bento box filled with child-friendly treats like prawn tempura, cucumber maki roll, salmon sashimi, rice and broccoli.
If you’re brunch is turning into more of a lunch and you wouldn’t mind a glass of wine with it, sommelier Meg Abbot Walker has created a special wine list to match the Nichiyo menu, and bar manager Brandon Walker mixes a mean bloody mary.
The Nichiyo menu is available from 11am – 3pm every Sunday from the 3rd of May. Adults are $58pp. Kids are $26pp.