The Tasting Shed restaurant review: Metro Top 50 2018

By Metro date Jun 21, 2018

The Tasting Shed restaurant review

Metro Top 50 2018 restaurant The Tasting Shed in Kumeu is a contemporary neighbourhood bistro.

The Tasting Shed in Kumeu is one of those places you could visit for lunch and quite easily stay on for dinner: the sheltered cabana in the garden provides the perfect setting for summer Sunday sundowners. But it’s flamboyant hosts Ganesh and Jo Raj’s ability to charm that makes this rural restaurant special. Famously hospitable, the couple have opened their restaurant to several guest chefs this year, too, hosting vegan and hunting-themed pop-ups, with more to come. There’s a lightness to the food here that suits the setting; flavours are bright and there’s often something tart to offset richness. Stingray assam laksa with prawns and coconut or kimchi-infused mac and cheese are just two examples of head chef Richard Highnam’s playful fusion food.

What it offers Good for vegetarians / Good seating outside / Takes large groups / Craft beer selection / Good for kids
A favourite dish Coconut, honeycomb, lychee, raspberry and tapioca
Awards Finalist, Peugeot People’s Choice Award for Best Destination Restaurant; Finalist, Best New Fit-out
Hours Lunch Fri-Sun, Dinner Wed-Sun
Price $$
Seats 60
Chefs Richard Highnam