Rose Alley is what you would truly call a hidden gem. No way should we judge the dining experience by how nondescript the building looks or the size of the stalls that occupy it.
Obscurely located on Rose Road near the Ponsonby end of Williamson Avenue stands Rose Alley - a collaborative food court that houses Twentea, Pizza Monkey and Bar Beluga on the ground floor.
Twentea is a bubble tea kiosk, Pizza Monkey is a pizzeria and Bar Beluga is where you can order beer, wine, cocktails and bar snacks.
But since about three months ago, Malaysian cult-favourite Agak Agak Food has opened up a pop-up at the entranceway of the building and this has brought excitement to the place.
What’s so special about the place, you ask? Well, the most interesting fact is that the four businesses often collaborate to offer diners surprising dining experiences.
Recently to commemorate Malaysia’s National Day, Pizza Monkey had nasi lemak pizza on the menu - with a base of fragrant coconut sauce with a flurry of garnishes consisting of sambal, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and egg and sambal from Agak Agak.
The combo comes with calamansi iced tea from Twentea.
“I guess we see each other as family rather than as competing businesses,” said Cynthia Sim, owner of Agak Agak Food.
Agak Agak means ‘more or less’ in Malay. It is the technique many people used in authentic Malaysian cuisine where every ingredient is an estimation.
Sim says it is her meticulous cooking standards and respect for the cuisine that makes Agak Agak Food the most delicious and authentic Malaysian street food in Auckland.
“Each of us have our own strength, and only by working together that we can offer people something special at Rose Alley that you can’t get anywhere else,” Sim said.
Twentea is a creation of Kimkun ‘KK’ Lai and Mila Cheong, who also hails from Malaysia. They were both working professionals prior to starting the business, and are passionate about wanting to add their own spin to bubble tea.
On the menu are lots of dairy-free options, classic milky drinks and teas using fresh fruit and infusions.
Signature drinks include durian latte, teh tarik (Malaysian pulled milk tea), kopi o (Malaysian black coffee) and a dairy-free rose milk tea made.
Then there’s the strawberry latte made with fresh strawberries, mango sago, fresh lemon tea, jasmine tea and more - served in clear, pretty-looking bottles.
Next door to Twentea is Pizza Monkey, a pizzeria helmed by chef Nikhil Satam, whose experience include working at Freeman & Grey and Mr Murdoch’s on Fort Street.
Satam makes his own sourdough bases and creates his own unique pizza flavours like the miso cream on the truffle mushroom pizza, feta and honey on the mānuka ham and charred onion and white sauce pizza.
Sides include garlic and herb flatbread, and fries with paprika salt.
All the woodfired pizzas are available by the slice or as a whole pie, and you are welcome to take your pizza to Bar Beluga to have it with your drinks.
Behind Bar Beluga is Paddy Dillon, an old-hand in the hospitality scene here having worked in places like Seafarers in Britomart.
Bar Beluga is a casual spot that offers innovative cocktails and a selection of wine and craft beer.
The bar area seats between 40 and 50 and the glass roof and hanging plants gives it a courtyard feel with a glass roof and hanging plants.
Its menu includes charcuterie boards with pickles and Daily Bread sourdough baguette, Calabrian chilli and cheese, and small plates like roasted baby carrots on ricotta with hot honey drizzle and pistachios.
Bar Beluga is great to both start or to round up your Rose Alley experience.
Rose Alley 5 Rose Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Opening Hours Bar Beluga Wednesday to Saturday 12pm till late | Happy Hour Wednesday to Friday 4pm - 6pm
Twentea Monday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 7pm
Pizza Monkey Monday 12 noon to 7pm, Tuesday to Thursday 12noon to 9pm, Friday to Saturday 12noon to 9pm, Sunday 12noon - 9pm
Agak Agak Food Wednesday to Saturday 11.30am to 3.30pm or sold out prior. Follow Facebook/Instagram for updates
This article is brought to you in partnership with Rose Alley.
