If any New Zealand restaurant has earned the title of “institution” it is Antoine’s. 

From 1972 to 2021, Tony & Beth Astle’s restaurant was the epitome of fine dining in Auckland. It boasted a fervently loyal customer base, a menu devoted to the French classics and a frequent garnish of controversy. Right from the start this was where rock stars, royalty and high society came to dine and if the cacophony of stories is true, they were seldom best behaved. Anecdotes aside, it was Antoine’s that set the highest of standards and inspired a new generation of chefs and restaurateurs in Auckland. 

For one night only this Restaurant Month, we have lured Tony Astle back to the kitchen. He appears with support from none other than the highly awarded chef Des Harris, now Culinary Director at Hilton Auckland.  

Your decadent evening will begin with champagne and hors d’oeuvres in the Bellini Bar overlooking the Waitemata Harbour, with live entertainment to complement the refined setting of this waterfront venue. Adjourning to the FISH dining room, be prepared to tantalise your tastebuds as the most popular Antoine’s dishes of 47 years will make their triumphant return. Those who have missed Tony’s Confit Duck with Orange and Grand Marnier, or his Designer Bread and Butter Pudding will be adoringly satisfied. There will of course be sides and each dish matched with a wine of the appropriate calibre. 

Perhaps as highly anticipated as the menu, will be Tony himself, who has agreed to recount stories from his infamous institution as well as his most recent culinary tour of Europe on this night of nostalgia to remember.  

Thanks to Tony’s generosity, each ticket purchased for the evening will include a donation to Mercy Hospice. 

Des Harris
Des is originally from Wellington, where he spent his formative years leading the kitchen at Logan Brown under Chef Al Brown. He went on to be Clooney Restaurant’s Executive Chef for almost 9 years. Amongst many achievements, his career highlight is being awarded ‘Chef of the Year’ and leading Clooney’s to a 3 Hat standard in the inaugural edition of the Good Food Guide in 2013.

Turn your evening into a Staycation
If you want to make this night even better – stay overnight at Hilton Auckland with a special offer for Restaurant Month. Diners booking a ticket to this event can book a room on 31 August with a 20% discount off the best available rate. Standard Terms and Conditions apply. Book via the website only www.auckland.hilton.com and use the promo code RMNA22.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS
IMPORTANT – Strictly R18. Host responsibility limits apply.

DIETARY NOTE: As this is an exclusive one-off menu specially designed for the evening, we regret to inform that dietary requirements are not able to be accommodated.

Details are correct at the time of publishing – subject to change and availability.
Event tickets are strictly limited and may sell out, see heartofthecity.co.nz for up-to-date information. R18, access to some events may be age restricted.

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Part of Restaurant Month in the Heart of the City