Posted: 07:00am Sun 05 May, 2019
Bayfair‘s new alfresco dining precinct
Bayfair's new alfresco dining precinct opens from the end of May 2019. Photo: supplied
Bayfair Shopping Centre's new alfresco dining precinct features seven new eateries, including new-to-the-Bay names
Flavours from around the world will make a delectable arrival in Tauranga when the new alfresco dining precinct opens at Bayfair Shopping Centre from the end of May.
With the stunning first stage of the centre's $115 million development having launched to great fanfare in December, the retail offer is on point – and now the dining scene at the centre is set to follow suit. The new eateries include Burger Burger, Mexico, Nandos, IZAKAI, Katsubi, The Freeport Tavern & Eatery (a Little Creatures collaboration) and Cleaver & Co, where diners can find some tantalising twists on popular global cuisines.
'The development makes Bayfair a retail, dining and entertainment crowd-pleaser for the whole region, and we are thrilled to be unveiling our new dining precinct," says Bayfair's Centre Manager Steve Ellingford. "The precinct will complement the nearby recently opened Timezone complex and the cinema, opening in the next development stage, and includes a variety of family-friendly, casual and licensed operators, so it's perfect for all kinds of dining, from family brunches to coffee catch-ups and date nights.”
The development is funded by Bayfair's co-owners AMP Capital Shopping Centre Fund and Fisher Funds, who are setting up the centre for the future, to support Tauranga's booming economy and population and new business and employment opportunities in the region. On completion, it is estimated the centre and its retailers will employee an additional 500 people taking the total number of people employed at the centre to approximately 1500.
Burger Burger opened its first restaurant in Ponsonby five years ago and was an instant success. Its first Tauranga restaurant will spread what the brand is known for: A love of good food, good people and good times.
'We have never compromised on the consistency, quality or values we started with five years ago," says Burger Burger founder and creative lead Mimi Gilmour. "We have a dream to be New Zealand's most loved hospitality brand and we won't stop until we get there. Burger Burger is a place for all – whether it be after shopping with your friends, taking your family out for a meal, stopping in for a quick lunch break or hanging out with your mates, there is something for everyone!”
For those looking for just the right refreshment to wash their burger down, Burger Burger will be serving Sawmill beer on tap. And like Bayfair itself, it has the bigger picture in mind – the company currently employs a team of 90 and aims to be the most inspiring place for under-25s to work in New Zealand by providing ongoing support, training and financial opportunities.
Mexico opened in Britomart, Auckland in 2012 and its success exceeded expectations. Now with 10 locations around New Zealand, Mexico's bringing its street-food-inspired menu and immersive dining style to Bayfair.
'We're really excited to open as we've been wanting to bring Mexico to Tauranga for a long time, so when the opportunity to open at Bayfair become available we knew it was the right time and the right place to be," says Mexico's Marketing Manager Sarah Page.
'Mexico's success is in the food, the liquor and the atmosphere. We deliver a quality dining experience that's actually affordable and we're serious about serving really good food and liquor, with the ultimate goal to make our customers feel great when they're in our restaurants. We can't wait to open and have a margarita or two with everyone in Tauranga!”
IZAKAI's owner and general manager Liam Millard says the restaurant's concept follows that of a Japanese izakaya, an intimate space with a long bar where food and drink are served, and accentuates it with traditional Māori ingredients, culture and history.
'Our name combines izakaya and kai to make the connection between Japanese and Kiwi cuisine," says Liam. "A mate and I formed the concept in April 2017 when we were sitting in an izakaya in Hong Kong, where we had gone to watch the Rugby Sevens. The opportunity to join the Bayfair development couldn't have come at a better time, and to be able to start an eatery in my hometown was a dream come true.”
Since December 2018, the centre has ushered in major new to the Bay retailers including Mecca Maxima, Seed Heritage, Peter Alexander, The Source Bulk Foods, Cotton On Mega, The Cosmetic Clinic, Platypus Shoes, Redcurrent, Colette by Colette Hayman, Charm, The Soccer Shop, Bailey Nelson, Recycled Boutique and Timezone.
Development details
• The development programme includes staged openings. The majority of stores opened late 2018; the final stage will open late 2019.
• On completion, Bayfair will be a fully integrated, single-level, enclosed shopping centre.
• The development expands the centre's footprint by 9,000m² to a total of 42,000m², and adds another 50 specialty stores, including a strong fashion mix new to the centre and the region, for a total of 150 stores.
• Approximately 1,800 car park spaces, and cycle parking.
• The Bay of Plenty's largest cinema complex, United Cinemas, with seven screens, more than 1,300 seats and Dolby Atmos sound system.
• Integrated alfresco dining precinct to complement the nearby cinema complex, with up to eight restaurants and casual food eateries including licensed operators.
• Accessible facilities such as a quiet room and up-to-date family facilities including additional parents' room.
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