Nikkei cuisine – where the fresh, fiery flavours of Peru are deliciously fused with Japanese cooking techniques – is about to land at Ponsonby Central, as acclaimed chef Nic Watt opens his latest restaurant in the heart of the famous suburb.
INCA Ponsonby is due to open its doors in early March, as part of the expanded Ponsonby Central precinct currently under construction. Owned and operated by Watt, INCA Ponsonby has evolved from its sister restaurant, INCA Newmarket, which opened on the rooftop dining area at Westfield Newmarket in late 2019, and is the fourth establishment in Watt’s impressive stable. Watt is also the executive chef and creative lead behind Japanese restaurant MASU, and owner/executive chef of Akarana Eatery in Orakei.
INCA Ponsonby will sit proudly on Richmond Road alongside Silky Otter, a four-screen luxury boutique cinema complex set to open mid-year. INCA’s entrance will be via a new laneway that connects to new office space, 80 car parks and to the existing building which houses more than 20 eateries, homeware, fashion and pop up shops.
While 60 per cent of the INCA Ponsonby menu will echo that found at INCA Newmarket, the remaining 40 per cent will consist of delicious new dishes curated by Watt and his team. Mouth-watering INCA favourites like the Pacifica kingfish ceviche with coconut, coriander and aji chilli will remain, as well as the restaurant’s famous pisco sour and margaritas.
Watt says while he wasn’t looking to open another restaurant just yet, he fell in love with the site which “ticked all the boxes” for the chef restaurateur. “As soon as I saw the site at Ponsonby Central I knew it was perfect for INCA. With its location, open floor plan, high ceilings, natural light and al fresco seating I just had to make it happen,” he says.
And on the new menu, which promises to showcase a fusion of flavours where ‘Latin America meets Asia’ Watt says: “I will be drawing on my 20 years of cooking in Japanese kitchens and my natural love for the bright and powerful flavours of South America to showcase the beautiful collision of Nikkei Cuisine. Think Black cod marinated in anticucho miso, cooked over coffee charcoal embers and served with ancho chilli daikon or Chorizo spiced kurobuta pork gyoza, served with black vinegar and toasted sesame, the full menu will be revealed in early March”.
INCA Ponsonby will be open seven days for lunch and dinner. and is expected to welcome diners from early March.
For more info on INCA see www.incarestaurant.co.nz.
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Published 4 February 2022