City-fringe Grafton has long been known more for its hospital than its hospitality. But a new generation of eateries is resuscitating the precinct, the newest of which is Ceremony.
Ceremony is owned by childhood friends Connor Nestor and Charles Williams. Charles is the coffee savant, Connor the consummate host. Their tagline reads: ‘Coffee. Sandwiches. Community.’ Community gets equal billing because they’re passionate about fostering it; they like to make you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
The Number One sandwich with smoked bacon, cheddar and an over-easy egg.
The menu is very simple by design, their main act being made-to-order sandwiches. Connor and Charles wanted to offer something new to Auckland café-goers (and for a city spoilt for choice, it’s hard to find a good sammie!), and worked with their friends at Il Forno to design the perfect sandwich bun – a daily-baked brioche that’s light and buttery. And, if a burger and a bread roll made sweet love and had babies, they would be the three sandwiches on the menu at Ceremony.
The interior of Ceremony.
The Number One encases smoked bacon, an over-easy egg, cheddar, caramelised onion jam and chipotle ketchup. Number Two has a hot pork and fennel sausage made by artisanal charcuterie L’Authentique, over-easy egg, cheddar, crispy-fresh slaw and a bangin’ sriracha mayo. Three is a tasty little no-meat number with a fat vege patty and wild mushrooms. Plus, there’s always a special fourth option to sample. When we stop by, it’s a Moroccan pulled lamb with spiced eggplant relish and creamy tzatziki with that signature over-easy egg.
Coffee served in a mug handmade by New Zealand ceramicist Felicity Donaldson exclusively for Ceremony.
About those eggs, then: Ceremony serves them soft-fried with a molten centre that puts the goo in good. They’re also organic pullet eggs, which really are the chicken farmer’s best-kept secret. They’re laid by younger hens and are smaller than your standard grocery store egg (and rejected by supermarkets for that very reason). If only the public knew how much tastier a pullet egg is – we’re all missing out on a seriously premium product.
To complement the sandwiches, there’s a well-considered crew of menu mates. Try Ceremony’s generous bircher, or the house-made pistachio nut butter on pillowy brioche toast.
Housemade pistachio nut butter on brioche toast.
Beans are from Wellington’s Flight Coffee, and the coffee menu is leading edge (as befits Charles’ roastery background) without being overcomplicated.
The warm industrial interior mirrors the menu: simple but stylish. The space is enhanced with an eclectic soundscape of feel-good tunes that create the perfect soundtrack for enjoying coffee, sandwiches, and community.
Ceremony, 7 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland
Story by Alana Broadhead. Photos by Rachel Dobbs.
