For many of us, building a successful and wildly popular bar and restaurant would be the culmination of a lifelong dream.
His list of achievements is stellar and he can rightfully claim a place among a handful of chefs who collectively set the bar for modern dining in Aotearoa. Here in Ponsonby, he stamped his presence on our favourite road with GPK Pizza, with the aim of showing us there was more to pizza than the ubiquitous ham and pineapple.
GPK grew quickly, with new restaurants popping up across Auckland. However, on one of his regular overseas trips looking for new culinary trends, Dominique spotted a new opportunity. GPK was quickly sold and Auckland was introduced to the phenomenon we know and love as Asian fusion.
There would be few in Ponsonby, indeed, few in Auckland, who have not experienced the joy of the exquisite flavours and textures – or the chilli guava margaritas – served at Mekong Baby. It quickly established itself as one of Auckland’s favourite eateries. And, for most people, its success would have served as a crowning glory to a storied career. But not Dominique.
On a visit to Waiheke, a place he had lived once before, he saw something. Where most people would have seen a rather tired and rustic old café on the beach at Onetangi, Dominique saw an opportunity to bring his creative and entrepreneurial vision to bear on one, last, grand project.
After six amazing years Mekong Baby was passed into the care of new owners, and after 24 years in Ponsonby, Dominique returned to Waiheke. He struck a deal over what was then known as the Boathouse Café and he set to work to bring his vision of a modern beachside dining experience like no other to Waiheke.
It would be his homage to Aotearoa, the country that has given him so much – an amazing life, beautiful children, an enviable track record of entrepreneurial success but, most importantly, it gave this once itinerant traveller, a place to call home.
To help bring his vision to fruition he turned to David Ponting of Ponting Fitzgerald Architects in Ponsonby. One of the strengths David brought to the project was a passion for reimagining existing, historic structures with new, bold, and dramatic forms. The solution he ultimately presented stands as testament to his design skills.
However, with construction in its early stages, Dominique, along with the rest of New Zealand, was plunged into the economic and social abyss that was the Covid pandemic. Construction delays, lockdowns and labour shortages very nearly put an end to Dominique’s dream before it had even begun to materialise.
By the end of 2021, construction of the exterior had finally been completed. Dominique brought his own exceptional eye for detail to the interior design. The result is a tour de force in restaurant design. From the outside the restaurant is an unmistakable presence, promising an unforgettable beachside experience. From the inside, the exceptional dining experience is complemented by unmatched views over the Hauraki Gulf.
As a tribute to the land that has given him so much, Dominique called the restaurant Ki Māha, which speaks to a feeling of pleasure, of contentment in a special place, perfectly balanced between land and sea. And, as one would expect, the menu features the very best from both those environments, including sustainably harvested seafood, ethically farmed meats and locally sourced seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Ki Māha is not just a restaurant, however. It is available for private functions and offers set menu options that can be tailored to suit large groups and corporate clients. It also boasts its own wine brand.
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