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SPQR stands for ‘The Senate and People of Rome’ for those with a Latin bent, and the bold, iconic imagery of ancient Rome informs the ambience of SPQR to a degree. Bought by Chris Rupe and Paula Macks in 1998, it has since become renowned for its consistent delivery across every aspect of the hospitality spectrum. The ambience is sunny outside, suitably dusky internally, with the room divided in three: a large bar area, an indoor/outdoor piazza terrace and a side room off the main bar that attracts the heat-seekers in winter with its flawless and attractive fireplace.
The wine list is consistently changing, and peppered with the unusual, the intriguing and the hard to get. Chris says the formal wine tastings that he conducts monthly with the staff are crucial in finding wines that have something a little bit different, something that will keep the well-informed and curious clientele trying something new.
The food has gone from being an interesting distraction from the core business to being a show in itself; legendary pizzas with exotic toppings, that are as genuine as most others are ordinary, while the pasta, antipasti and euro-styled mid-sized dishes are stunning to look at, sourced from the freshest produce and made without compromise, “and with soul and love,” says Chris. Great effort goes into the menu and again it is a collaborative, team-focused approach.
The staff are the last piece of the picture, renowned for their passion, humour and drive, something that again sets SPQR firmly in the ‘great Auckland restaurants’ firmament. The ability for the venue to transcend normal restaurant pigeon holing is a huge part of its success. Great for lunch, superb for dinner, exhilarating as a late night bar, SPQR succeeds in all these areas without falling short on anything. “Always relish the opportunity to try new food and new wines and then introduce them to the public,” is the backbone of the SPQR philosophy, one that has served them- and us- fabulously for over ten years.