iTi - A Drinks & Bites Garden
What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?
iTi is the little pub with a huge heart. Nestled in amongst a tranquil bush setting, iTi is home to a loyal following of Titirangi locals alongside domestic & foreign tourists who receive generous hospitality that belies its small footprint. We are at the heart of our local community, enjoyed by multi-generational families all the way to tradies catching up after a hard day. From the kitchen brigade to the front of house, the team are passionate about making sure every plate and pour are their best.
Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?
iTi prides itself on connection to its physical environment and connection to the community. Our customer base is immensely proud of being part of Titirangi and all it offers to the area and Auckland. The team at iTi try to reflect this commitment with their food and beverage offering. They are constantly experimenting with new dishes and libations, often using the customers as unofficial testers. Where possible, we try to support local producers, brewers and artisans to offer something different that you cannot get in town. Ultimately, iTi strives to be a destination that pleasantly surprises those that seek it out.
Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?
At iTi we try to support craft breweries and producers where possible. Some of our produce is sourced within the west and our seafood comes from a locally based fishery. Knowing where our food is sourced allows iTi to accommodate most customer preferences. The menu changes seasonally and throughout the year we offer bespoke menus alongside our special events.
What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?
iTi is such a compact venue that is able to accommodate a surprisingly varied offering. The venue is perched right in the middle of the native bush and trees. It makes you feel as if you are part of the landscape all the while enjoying great food & beverage from a dedicated team. iTi has a generous beverage list with craft cocktails & beer along with a menu that has your favorite dishes with some surprising additions.
Best Known for:
Tranquil bush setting
Connection to community
Generous beverage and meal menus
Please describe your commitment to sustainability.
Our entire organisation is undertaking a sustainability initiative. At venue level, all of our cleaning products are eco-friendly to limit their impact to the environment and the team. The team are committed to ensuring as much waste as possible is recycled. All cooking oil is recycled and converted into biofuel. Further initiatives will include food scrap collection and composting.
Please describe how you create ambience.
The natural bush habitat allows iTi to be a light airy space that is part of the treetops during the day. There is a deck area that opens up into the trees making it a beautiful and tranquil place to enjoy an afternoon. On weekends you will find a mixture of live entertainment such as local musicians and vocalists. As long sunny afternoons turn into evening, iTi morphs into an intimate spot to have dinner or catch up with friends for a drink. On top of all this, iTi is perfect spot to catch a big game or major sporting event.
