Metro — Metro Top 50 Restaurants 2017: The Tasting Shed

Jun 30, 2017 Restaurants

For the latest review, see the 2018 review of The Tasting Shed.

Metro Top 50 Restaurants 2017: The Tasting Shed

The Tasting Shed

Destination Restaurant

A farmhouse aesthetic and a colour-saturated country garden make Kumeu’s The Tasting Shed a restorative break from the city, but the real drawcard is the vivacity of owners Jo and Ganesh Raj. They’re in the love business — literally, in the sense that they frequently cater to weddings across four indoor and outdoor spaces, but also in their approach to hospitality. They know from previous fast-paced careers what a luxury downtime is, and they honour that with astonishingly good food and always relaxing service. On summer Sundays, there are “sundowners”: drinks on the grass with bar snacks where you can bring your own blanket, your kids and your gran, too. Move inside for a dinner that’s familiar but playful — a scotch egg with kimchi and pickled daikon, perhaps, or the comfort of pork belly with miso, carrot and green beans. Warm. Fuzzy. Fun.

A favourite dish
Stingray, asam laksa, prawn, coconut, puffed rice and coriander.

What it offers
Shared-plate options / Good seating outside / Private room / Takes large groups / Bar / Craft beer selection / Good for kids

Hours—L Fri-Sun; D Wed-Sun
Bookings—Yes
Price—$$
Seats—60
Chef—Richard Highnam