Dining in grand style

Press, 28 November 1984, Page 16

Dining in grand style

In Residence

PROPERTY REPORTER

Carole Van Grondelle

The old Civic Chambers on Manchester Street, where once scores of clerks scurried through the labyrinth of offices, and for 80 years housed respective mayors and their colleagues as they administered the affairs of the city, is about to open as a restaurant. Not just an ordinary restaurant, but one of baronial proportions set out in sumptuous style. It is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious projects in the country. Scarcely a cent has been spared. But Graham Robinson, and Nam Yee, joint owners of the Civic Regency — as the three menu-in-one restaurant will be called — is adamant that the architectural charm of the old building has only be retained and enhanced by the renovations, not stripped away. Work on the turn-of-the-century buildings began in March. Just on $lOO,OOO was spent strengthening it up to earthquake specifications. Extensive construction, wiring, and plumbing work was carried out. But for the most part, its architectural features have been retained. All existing timber panelling has been restored. The lead-light windows and doors have been cleaned. The brass fittings are burnished now. The old labyrinth of offices has not only not been pulled down, but has been turned into plush, private dining niches for larger parties, smaller parties, and intimate tete-a-tetes. Many of the architectural treasures gleaned from the old Civic Theatre, which used to live next door, have also been incorporated into the Civic Regency: for example, the quaint leadlight cloakroom doors which curve together to form a half-circle, the wrought-iron balustrades, the large plaster frescoes which .adorn the walls, and kauri panelling and Oregon beams. The concern has been to make the restaurant a venue for “special” dining, in an environment of period charm and grandeur. The vast hall is divided informally into three sections by decor: Chinese, French/Continental and English, mirroring the choice of menus that is offered. Centrepiece of the hall is . the 125, square metre white Italian marble dance floor and double-tiered stage around which the tables are

spread. Diners will be encouraged to spend the entire evening in the chambers, interspersing their courses with dancing, walking around and socialising, or having a quiet drink in the bar. Graham Robinson sees the restaurant as having an atmosphere which is convivial, relaxed and warm, and where both formal and tidy-casual dress will be accepted. He anticipates the premises being used for ballroom dance exhibitions, fashion parades, operatic and theatre performances, balls and other functions like 21sts and weddings. The food too, he assures, will be top quality. Chefs from Hong Kong, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand will take charge of the kitchens. The Chinese chefs have been organised by Mr Nam Yee, and Edwin and Janette Yee, of the Mandarin Restaurant. To be more specific, the Robinson and Yee families are all involved. The Robinson family lives, in fact, in a fourbedroom apartment on the first floor of the building, and Judith Robinson and Janette Yee have been responsible for the daunting task of interior design. Between them they chose and had re-loomed a rich Persian-style Axminster carpet, the colours of which form the basis of the rest'of

the decor, “civic” pink walls and ceiling, rose and burgundy drapes. The detail of the renovation is impressive. The little things do not appear to have been forgotten. Leading off the “Wedding Room” is a small bride’s changing room, complete with handbasin, toilet, couch and long mirror. The long line of offices-cum-private dining rooms is lit by brass lamps to give, an atmosphere of a dim and narrow London Street. A flower barrow built specially of old kauri panelling taken from the Civic Theatre will offer a range of roses and carnations for diners. In the entrance foyer, there are two tinkling fountains surrounded by pools of fems on either side of the doors. Straight ahead is the magnificent stairwell of Coromandel granite which leads up to the former Mayoral chambers on the second storey. Above the stairwell is a large Strauss crystal chandelier, smaller versions of which grace the ceiling in other parts of the buildings. The Robinsons and Yees are fully confident of the restaurant’s future in Christchurch. Mr Robinson, managing director of Robinson and Palmer Real Estate, is an experienced businessman. He sold Chung Wah II to Mr Chan, and the new ShangriLa on Kilmore Street to Andrew Sim. Mr Yee has had 20 years of experience as restaurateur at the Mandarin. Between them, they believe

that the logistics of catering for up to 400 people — with three different types of food — a night, as well as entertaining them will pose few problems. Already, the Civic Regency is being booked up for weddings, conventions,

balls, and other functions throughout 1985. If the service, food and entertainment in any way matches up to the elegance and quality of the interior design and decor, then the Civic Regency will be assured of success.