Cāntīng, Auckland

A new kid is on the block in Commercial Bay! Blending classic and innovative flavours from across Asia, Cāntīng is a smart casual restaurant with views over the Waitematā.

Located on Level 1 of Commercial Bay’s bustling precinct, it’s an exciting new option for both lunch and dinner with options for intimate dining or gatherings. The restaurant also offers a semi-private Shuijing Room, accommodating smaller special events, while the small but lively bar area welcomes walk-ins.

The menu is designed for sharing, with à la carte options and two set menus, Lucky ($88pp) and Prosper ($138pp), designed to take the guesswork out of ordering. And with a duty to report back to you on as much as we can, we decided to go for one of the set menus (lucky) and add a few extras!

The Lucky Menu

• steamed Cāntīng dumpling selection
• crispy duck wonton, pickled ginger, black vinegar
• yusheng “prosperity toss” king salmon, vegetable salad, caviar
• stir fried black pepper beef fillet, 3 capsicum & black bean, coriander
• stir fried cantonese lemon chicken, light soy, fine fresh ginger
• Cāntīng special vegetable & egg, wok fried rice
• baked pineapple sugar bun, anise custard, passionfruit

Our highlight dish was the Yusheng “prosperity toss” with king salmon, vegetable salad, and caviar. This sounds dramatic, but the dish was an experience that went beyond what you were eating. The chef came over and explained the visual theatre of the Yusheng – a dish usually served to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Traditionally, as the name ‘Yusheng’ suggests, one is supposed to toss the salad as high as possible before eating, as it directly translates in Cantonese to ‘tossing good fortune’. It is believed that the higher the toss, the greater the blessings for the participants throughout the year.

Cāntīng’s head chef drew inspiration from the tradition during his travels and made it his own at the restaurant. Rather than an annual celebration, Cāntīng offers the dish all year round. And instead of one person tossing the salad, Cāntīng encourages everyone at the table to grab their chopsticks and see who can toss the highest.

And no, we have not forgotten about the bar. Cāntīng continued to go against the grain with a service for our fellow whisky enthusiasts that allows them to partake in a “bottle keep” service. Purchase a bottle of your favourite and they will keep it tucked away in their limited-edition designed lockers for your future visits. And if whisky isn’t your go-to, Cāntīng also offers premium New Zealand wines, a range of Asian and local beers, and artfully crafted cocktails like a Lychee Margarita and aged barrel Negroni.

If you’re after your everyday Chinese restaurant, keep looking, however if you’re ready to indulge in a dining experience where old world Chinese cuisine meets modern Asian innovation, get booking!

Menu Recommends

• lucky cat tuna tartare, green mango, shiso
• yusheng “prosperity toss” king salmon, vegetable salad, caviar
• baked pineapple sugar bun, anise custard, passionfruit
• spiced negro-no – london dry lyre’s, italian orange, aperitif dry, spiced sugar

Cāntīng
Level 1, Commercial Bay: 7 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
https://www.canting.nz/