Soulful food

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon may be more famous, but Xanthe White’s hanging garden of Soul Bar was the place to be today as Judith Tabron hosted a divine lunch to launch their new Garden Of Soul for the summer season…

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon may be more famous, but Xanthe White’s hanging garden of Soul Bar was the place to be today as Judith Tabron hosted a divine lunch to launch their new Garden Of Soul for the summer season.

The Auckland Viaduct landmark restaurant and bar had its first Garden of Soul designed by award-winning landscape artist Xanthe White back in March this year.

Thread attended its Havana Heaven and Masquerade Party and Morning Glory High Tea in March 2010.

Pictured left: Lauraine Jacobs and Judith Tabron.

Xanthe White (pictured below in the stripes) said to Judith Tabron, owner of Soul, "Let’s do it in the Spring!" so they did, and inspired by Xanthe’s trip to France, white blossoms in 110 baskets now cascade from beams above diners. They are leaving the hanging baskets up all summer.

Below: Pearl Harper, Francesca Bowden and Jacqui Ansin of Lily & Louis PR in the Garden of Soul.

The hanging baskets.

Judith speaking at the lunch.

The entree: Seared kingfish with mango and lime dressing, toasted peanuts and spicy coriander salad wine matched with Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘B’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009.

The boysenberry brulee with upside down pudding and apple jack granite, wine matched to Church Road Reserve Noble Viognier 2009.

Mumm Cordon Rouge Reims NV welcomed guests on arrival.

The Garden of Soul is open to the public attending Soul bar between 4th and 21st November 2010 with a number of special events:
Thursday 4 November Havana Heaven 5.30 pm
Sunday 7 November Wine Down Sunday 3 – 7pm
Saturday 13 November 8pm White Mischief cocktail party
Sunday 14 November Wine Down Sunday 3 – 7pm
Monday 15, Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 Kerre Woodham and Lauraine Jacobs luncheon
Sunday 21 November Wine Down Sunday 3 – 7pm.

Call 09 356 7249 for details.

Photos and story by Megan Robinson 4 November 2010.