A Look Inside Queenies Cafe & Wine Bar

A look inside Fran Mazza and Aaron Carson’s latest project, plus what’s on the menu. 

It’s a location that’s been popular with locals for many years, but it was time for Queenies to have a refresh – a project perfect for husband-and-wife duo, Fran Mazza and Aaron Carson. Many would be familiar with previous projects they’ve worked their magic on, including the always-popular Rude Boy Deli & Eatery, Winona Forever, and Avondale’s Italian-inspired cafe, Piccolina, to name a few. Italian flair has been added to this newest rendition of Queenies, too, with a side of Fran’s favourite family recipes. 

The Space 

“Queenies is such an iconic site with all the beautiful ivy coming around the building; it’s such a hidden treasure and when the opportunity came up for us to purchase the site, we jumped at it because it really has this wonderful feeling when you enter the building,” shares Fran. 

With the ivy draped over the exterior and the interior featuring hexagonal terracotta floor tiles, stunning pendant lighting and timber furniture, it’s easy to feel as though you’ve been transported to the stunning Mediterranean coastline. 

“We’ve kept it quite clean and simple. There’s a beautiful floral arrangement by Georgie Malyon – it’s like an art piece hanging from the ceiling. We always like to feature an artist in each project and we’re always supportive of female Kiwi artists.”

The colour palette is fresh, with accents of burgundy and brass. “It has a very modern Italian, European feel, but it’s also classic Kiwi. We wanted to give it the makeover it deserved. It reminds me of the little cafe bars in Italy that are regulars where the locals go to get to know each other. And we do have a lot of locals coming in that really love what we’ve done. Getting to know the neighbours is quite special.”

The Food

Operating from Tuesday to Sunday as a cafe, and a wine bar on Wednesday through to Saturday evenings until 10pm, the hope is that everyone can find something on the menu they love. 

“We have a really stunning offering of New Zealand and Italian wine available, and a lovely sharing-style menu to go with it. During the day, we have a small but comprehensive breakfast brunch menu as well.” 

With heart added to everything they do, it’s no wonder a dish inspired by one of Fran’s special family recipes is on offer: Slow Roasted Porchetta Panino. 

“The rolled porchetta is a recipe I used to make with my father in the kitchen. I would always ask him to give me the recipe and he would always say no, if you want to learn how to make it, you just stand here and make it with me. So, we used to have this ritual of making the porchetta together. 

“It was always a team effort because we had to roll it quite tightly to get it perfect, and then he would be tying it while I would be holding it together. Usually, it involved swearing a lot in Italian,” laughs Fran, “but we would always get there in the end.” 

Thinly cut and served with a slaw – which includes Fran’s “special secret sauce” – and house-made giardiniera, the dish is also available in a bowl for those unable to eat bread. 

“It’s really flavourful and something I would definitely recommend eating. I would eat it every day if I could.”

The Italian-inspired food doesn’t end there, either. Next up on the list for the hospitality duo is opening a restaurant on Manukau Road, Epsom, called Regina. 

“It will be modern Italian from the region of Emilia-Romagna, my dad’s region,” says Fran. “There will be all beautiful handmade pastas and seafood-inspired dishes. We’re super excited, it’s going to be a really stunning fit-out.” 

Queenies Cafe and Wine Bar 
24 Spring Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland 
queenieslunchroom.com 
@queenies_nz