Metita

The Verdict

We all know and love renowned Chef, Michael Meredith, and if you don’t, then you definitely should. 

He captured our tastebuds with his fine-dining restaurant Merediths (2017) and Samoan eatery, Mr Morris (2020), as well as capturing our hearts with Eat My Lunch—a catering business making a huge difference by giving lunch to Kiwi kids that would otherwise go without. 

And now the culinary mastermind is back with his third venture, Metita—a Pacific-inspired restaurant named after his late mother, who taught him everything that he knows. 

Metita has brought its reimagined Pacific cuisine to the heart of SkyCity in the spot that used to be Gusto at The Grand. Transforming the space into a work of art, the team at CTRL Space has captured the true essence of Pacific culture through stunning interior design. 

Family is at the heart of Metita, so the menu is designed to share with your Whānau. Just like the space, the high-quality menu is also a masterpiece filled with delectable delights, made from fresh, flavoursome ingredients showcasing Pacific cuisine at its finest. 

While the fare is inspired by Samoa (where Michael grew up), it’s not traditional Pacific food as you know it. It's reimagined with a modern twist to showcase what can be done with Pacific flavours. Forget about your sweet potato and simple root veg, instead think duck breast with spiced and sour fala and whitlof. Yum!  

To start things off, treat your palate to some snacks such as the King Salmon wrapped in betel leaf with pickled mango, which is downright delicious. The Green-Lipped Mussels with turmeric and ginger are vibrant and full of fresh flavours, pair them with the Hot Tarro Bread and butter to mop up that gingery goodness. Last but certainly not least is the Corn Beef Bun, a devilishly moreish little morsel filled with corn beef, lardo and caviar. 

Now onto the main course, choose your protein and add a few sides and you’re good to go. The Kingfish with tamarind, fresh tomatoes and coconut milk is a light, vibrant summery dish that will leave you pining for more; while the Beef Sirloin with palusami and ravigote sauce is succulent and melt-in-your-mouth perfection. 

Pair this with vine tomatoes, watermelon, organic honey salad, roasted carrots, drauni kari, and yoghurt, and you’ve got a meal fit for a very hungry Tupu. Trust us when we say that these are quite possibly the best carrots that we’ve ever tasted. Bold statement, but when you know, you know. 

If that’s not got your taste buds tingling and your belly rumbling then the dessert menu certainly will. It’s a beautiful blend of tropical flavours—think pineapple, coconut, cinnamon, banana, caramel, and rum. We loved the Passionfruit, sasa lapa with coconut yogurt as well as the Lole Popo—a Samoan coconut candy that will certainly hit your sweet spot. 

Wash down all that goodness with a tipple or two. Serving up classics with a twist, the coconut old-fashioned is the drink of choice if you like a stiff drink. The Danger on the Okuk caught our eye, a rum espresso martini made with coffee liqueur and white chocolate—after all, who said cocktails can’t be dessert?   

Metita boasts a large drinks list, with a tipple for everyone. We'd recommend the To Sua Tumbler, which is inspired by the vibrant colours of the To Sua Ocean Trench in Samoa. It's boujee, boozy and beautiful to look at.

 "My aim is for people to walk away having had a memorable experience”, says Michael. We think it's fair to say, mission accomplished. You're guaranteed to leave Metita with your mind, body, and soul full to the brim. 

Image credit: SkyCity.