Images courtesy of Kureta
About the restaurant
Just 30 seats deep inside the JW Marriott Auckland, Kurētā pairs Japanese teppan craftsmanship with New Zealand's natural materials — warm timber, marble and leather setting the scene. Chef Akihiro "Aki" Nakamura builds omakase courses around local wagyu and aged fish, prepped tableside with precision. Expect spicy watermelon gazpacho with Skull Island tiger prawns, chawanmushi laced with paua or truffle cream and Hokkaido scallop, wagyu yaki-shabu finished with kina sauce and caviar, and hibachi-grilled tiger prawn topped with nori butter and blackcurrant cheddar. Matcha and crumble closes things out.