The Engine Room Eatery

When Natalia Schamroth and Carl Koppenhagen opened The Engine Room, on Auckland's charming Northcote Point, over seven years ago, foodies made a beeline. After all the pair, who'd worked together in their early cheffng careers at the storied Metropole, in Parnell, and then at the famous Reuben cafe in the Auckland Art Gallery, were renowned for innovative food, packed with flavour, Not only that, for many years Natalia had also been one of Cuisine magazine's most popular food writers. The buzz around The Engine Room has never died, and it's easy to see why every year it wins awards in the coveted Metro (each year for seven years it's been judged Metro's best neighbourhood bistro) restaurant of the year awards: the food is fabulous, the wine list superb, the service snazzy and the entire experience exemplary. Simply put, it's some of this country's best food. Fans have wanted an Engine Room cookbook for years, and now their wishes have finally been answered. With 100 of The Engine Room's best dishes, plus recipes for the meals that Carl cooks for staff dinners, this superb book, which features a unique 'day in the life of a restaurant' section, will delight and inspire.