New Vibes
As I glanced down the table I got the feeling that I was at some sort of Godfather meeting. The Doms of all the families had gathered at Fiddlesticks for a very special lunch with Pierre Samuel Reyne from Pol Roger Champagne.
The 2009 Vintage was being accompanied by a long lunch and conversation about the hospitality industry flowed amongst those lucky enough to be invited by David Kininmonth from Hancocks Wines and Spirits. Conversation turned to new developments, new operators. Each person at the table represented a good slice of hospitality within the four avenues and having been involved with a lot of them for years the thought struck me that town is an ever-evolving beast; that moving forward in post-quake Christchurch is going to be an exciting journey and we should make sure we are aware of what’s going on. So welcome to my endeavour to enlighten you on things that are happening within our beautiful garden city.
The weekend past saw me at the Welles Street, Octoberfest. How wonderful to see a well organised, thoroughly enjoyable event. The environment totally lent itself to a great evening. Divided into two events on the Saturday and one on the Sunday, it gave you the chance to get dressed up in “traditional” German beer drinking apparel, let your hair down and dance, sing, eat and of course, drink great quality beer.
It was the type of event we want to see much more of and Tom and Daniel from Welles Street look likely to provide much more of the same. If you haven’t checked out the venue, do. I went to the opening of Christchurch’s brand-new entertainment hub, EntX, and of course the wonderful new HOYTS seven screen flagship cinema complex and the first large scale cinema complex to return to the central city.
Partnering with a local developer and employing over 60 locals, HOYTS EntX is offering Cantabrians the ultimate movie going experience. Guests will be able to enjoy a range of offerings including HOYTS LUX, a premium in-cinema experience alongside the open candy-bar Treat City and Arties Bar and Café serving delicious hot and cold food.
The Cinema is rich and lush and obviously the next step in entertainment. Such a pleasure to see something like this opening in the inner city to bring life and vibrancy back. “We are extremely proud to be among the first companies to help rebuild entertainment experiences in the heart of Christchurch,” says HOYTS General Manager of Operations NZ, Paul Wood. “For a city that has experienced so many trials and tribulations, we are certain our investment will bring excitement and fun to audiences in the area.”
“For a city that has experienced so many trials and tribulations, we are certain our investment will bring excitement and fun to audiences in the area.”
EntX is the first HOYTS site in the South Island to offer the premium HOYTS LUX offering. A unique and exclusive cinema offering, HOYTS LUX offers customers a sophisticated bar, in-cinema service at the touch of a button and an extensive wine list as well as a bespoke and exclusive menu designed by celebrity chef and judge on TVNZ 2’s My Kitchen Rules, Manu Feildel. I will be catching up with Manu for an indepth look at not only how he constructed the menu but also to get a look at what’s happening in his world as a celebrity chef.
Keep an eye out for the interview in an upcoming Metropol.
Catching up with Andrew Trevelyan from Ōtākaro, the company in charge of the anchor projects for the “New” Christchurch, I was greatly enthused with the prospect of what’s coming in the next ten years. With five goals; a green city, compact central core, accessible, stronger built identity and a place to live, work, play, learn and visit, I was surprised by how much I didn’t know about where we are going. This knowledge is easily accessible, but it took an hour chat by Andrew to really get to know how exciting this will all be.
From greenspace engagement, to the CTV site, to the new stadium and library, there is so much to take in. Every Cantabrian should check out the website, www.otakaroltd.co.nz, to get just the tip of the iceberg on what to expect. Exciting times! As I’m going to make this a regular column, I invite you to let me know of any exciting things happening in our wonderful new central city.
