Media Release 11 July 2011
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Media release for Wai Dining Group
11 July 2011
A new look for a Queenstown Dining Institution.
After a month closed and a rapid and well co-ordinated knock down and re-build, Wai Restaurant on the Steamer Wharf is well positioned to launch itself into another decade as Queenstown’s best fine dining restaurant.
A re-opening VIP party today will not only celebrate 10 years for Wai it will also celebrate the upgrade of Wai and Finz and also celebrate Wai being a finalist in the Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Competition.
10 years young in October, Wai was established by Alex Boyes and Jan Rae in 2001. In 2003 Martin James joined Wai as Head Chef. Not happy to sit behind the scenes he bought into the business with his wife Megan in 2004. Martin brought to Wai a passion for food that has not waned over the years and it is this passion and his drive that has seen the food at Wai go from strength to strength.
Winning the Pernod Ricard, competition for selling the most Mumm Champagne of any restaurant in New Zealand, the owners of Wai were treated to a gastronomic trip to Chicago in May. Taking in the American national food fair during the day and enjoying some amazing cuisine at the likes of Charlie Trotters, Moto, Blackbird and L2O at night. The team returned with plenty of new ideas.
With these ideas on board Wai and Finz Seafood & Grill have had a transformation. Wai has always offered a relaxed, fine dining experience with world class cuisine and service. Finz has expanded into a neighbouring lakeside space and now offers a new bar which is ideal for an apre ski or pre-dinner drink. An extended outside deck will be perfect for casual summer dining.
The first thing you notice as you approach Wai from the inside of the Steamer Wharf is a new glass antrium and diners will feel a sense of occasion when they open the large metal door to enter Wai. The atmosphere is a warm, inviting and sophisticated.
A new bar has been installed down the long length of Wai giving the ability to offer a pre-dinner drink to diners without encroaching on the dining room space. Moving through the restaurant the new larger front Dining Room is revealed. This is a beautiful space with large windows framing the view across the lake, a striking feature wall of rich brown wallpaper, a new leather banquette seat along the back wall and soft carpet underfoot. An impressive feature light that looks like a dandelion flower lit up with millions of tiny lights will be installed when it arrives in the next couple of weeks.
The idea of upgrading the dining room at Wai was to provide a suitable stage to set the scene for the beautiful cuisine that Wai is producing. The food at Wai has evolved so much in the past 10 years that the restaurant needed to step up and provide a top level setting for its cuisine. Dining out is all about theatre. It is like a stage production that you, as a customer, have a leading role in. The perfect stage show needs the perfect theatre.
Wai is open for dinner daily from 6 pm. A popular dining choice reservations are recommended. These can be made online at www.wai.net.nz or by phoning 442-5969
For more information please contact:
Jan Rae Martin James
Wai Group Queenstown Wai Group Queenstown
Co-Owner/Director Chef/Co-Owner/Director
Phone: 0274 336324 Phone: 0275 887 008
Email jan@wai.net.nz Email martin@wai.net.nz
Other restaurants of the Wai Group Queenstown are:
Wai Waterfront Restaurant Established Oct 2001
Finz Seafood & Grill Established Jun 2005
Bella Cucina Italian Established Oct 2008
Post Office Café Queenstown Established Dec 2009