Monday Bunday went on holiday last week, I don’t know if anyone noticed but today I present a double whammy Monday Bunday rolled into a restaurant review.
I recently joined the NZ-based bloggers group #brunchclub. Here, bloggers can network, share tips and advice on all things blog related and of course, meet regularly for brunch.
On Saturday, I attended my very first#brunchclub meetup. I was super excited not only to meet local bloggers (some who I have followed for a while) but also because it was at a newish cafe/bar/restaurant called The White Rabbit.
This week’s Monday Bunday is a review this visit.
History of the space
The White Rabbit is in downtown Auckland on the corner of Customs Street and Gore Street, where the slightly dingy pub Rose & Crown and later Britomart Brewery used to be. The building, originally known as Hotel Britomart was established in 1864, just a year before Lewis Carroll published Alice in Wonderland.
Painted white and fitted out in Scandinavian inspired light fittings, the space is light, bright and very white. Magically appearing after a thorough renovation in a short span of time, The White Rabbit was partly named for this quick transformation. Downstairs is a cafe and separate bar, upstairs is a restaurant/bistro.
Design and illustration
Coming from a design and illustration, I fell in love with their logo. A top hat with a Miffy-esque rabbit card tucked into band. This alludes to Alice in Wonderland without being over the top. The light blue and white colour palette, their embossed leather menus and upstairs in the restaurant dining room, there are hand coloured prints of John Tennie’s illustrations from Alice In Wonderland. The staff all wear a white t-shirt with logo front and centre.
Jones
The separated bar area called Jones is like the cozy private reading room of a writer. Taxidermy peacock, vintage books, reading chairs, Where a literary gentleman such as Lewis Carroll himself might have retreated to for a stiff drink and some serious reading or conversation (if he wasn’t pondering magic mushrooms, opium or weed).
The food
For brunch, I had the Braised farro, mushrooms, onion, wilted greens topped with a poached egg ($16). This was flavourful and delicious, like a breakfasty risotto. To this I added a side of cured salmon ($6), though it didn’t really need it.
My flat white ($4) served in a cute sky blue cup, was nice and strong and I loved how the teas come in a cast iron teapot. The other bloggers ordered a range of dishes, from granola, to toast, to bacon and eggs to a duck burger with chips (I know right?) I’m fairly sure we covered just about everything on the menu.
Breakfast dishes range from $8 to $18 and there are a couple of smaller sweet items for those who just want a nibble with coffee. The was unexpectedly sophisticated and the most interesting thing on the menu is the Pigs head, turnip, green apple, radish, and barley ($16). I honestly have no idea what to expect but I’m pretty confident whatever it looks like, it will be delicious. It was also cool to see black pudding as an optional add on.
They have a breakfast and lunch menu, a bistro menu, a grazing menu and two separate drinks menus. The menus are designed by executive chef Sean Marshall (Matterhorn, Libertine, Everybody’s, Roxy,) and their head chef is Ian Harrison (Clooney, Everybody’s).
Thanks to The White Rabbit for having us. All thoughts are my own and we paid our own way for our meals.
The White Rabbit
69 Customs Street East, Auckland Central
09 369 5069
www.thewhiterabbit.co.nz
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Bunny Eats Design 
Oo, this place looks cool! Will have to check it out one day, although I hardly frequent town for meals. The duck burger sounds good!
Yes, I wish I had the courage to order the duck burger for brunch. The only male at our table did. Next time I’ll know.
Looks good and i love the idea of getting together with other bloggers, all secret society and shit 😜
When you put it like that, I think we need a secret handshake.
Now that’s what I’m talking about 👋
It was such a nice venue for Brunch Club – so light and airy!
I’m really sad I missed Brunch Club, but what a perfect location for your first one! I might have to pay a sneaky visit here sometime…
Hi Meagan, it’s a great spot for either a coffee or a meal. It would have been good to catch up with you for a proper chat. Funny the only time I’ve met you in person is at your house when I picked up the shooting table. I’ve put that to good use by the way. If I’m not using the whole table, I use the top part as a backdrop. It’s great!
Perhaps later in the year! I’m not coming to the next one, and probably not able to make it to the March one either, but we shall have a proper catch up soon!
Never heard of the Brunch Club until now- would love to join the next meet up (March?) I would’ve ordered the pig’s head out of curiousity!
Hello Hoi Yan, you can join #brunchclub on Facebook over here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/360791947397885/
If you had ordered the pig’s head, I’d like to sit beside you so I could take a photo (and maybe sneak a taste).
Thanks for the link! You are most welcome to share my food- I love new tastes 😀
Great write up, was lovely to meet you!
You too Lisa 🙂
Wow these are gorgeous photos Genie! I hope you enjoyed your first meet up. Are you going to the cooking class next weekend?
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