The Franklin

Introducing The Franklin — the newest kid on the Beachlands block. Situated in the Pohutukawa Coast Shopping Centre, this taphouse and kitchen is little bit cheerfully cheeky and a whole lotta serious about good ol’ fashioned hospitality.

Nestled in a light blue boat shed, with “portholes” lining the kitchen, a model sailboat on display, and a rope lattice wall inside, the beach theme continues at this east Auckland bar and eatery. Offering barbecued dishes and well-crafted drinks, it's the ideal place to relax with friends.

Mosey on up to the bar for something fruity to start. From classic margaritas to the passionfruit-sake-soda fizz, there’s something for everyone. The heartier stuff is also well-represented with a classic Negroni, as well as several bourbons and ryes.

Skip the cutlery for the time being: The Franklin considers eating with your hands to be very acceptable. Begin the feast with some bang bang prawns: crispy and even more delightful with chipotle mayo and sesame.

Feeling cheesy? Go for baked camembert, oozing with honeycomb and served with sourdough toasts for dipping. There are oysters, Hawke’s Bay longline squid, confit duck leg, and croquettes to tag along if you need more bites.

Those in a sharing mood should crack open some oven-baked goodies. Jump on that honey mustard glaze for smoked pork belly corn dogs, with a good lick of sauerkraut for tanginess. Tear away some garlic and thyme flatbread, and fight for the last mouthful of snappingly good karaage chicken (though, seriously, there’s enough for everyone).

Round up the troops and grab a burger because beach living is the best excuse to eat huge juicy things while licking sauce off your arm. The house double beef patty comes with oodles of melted mild ale cheese, bacon, pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato, and ketchup. Stuff the house-baked brioche bun in your mouth like tomorrow is the end of bread.

On to the larger offerings! Putter your way through the snapper and wood pigeon laksa, get ready to mop up the curry sauce from a delicious cray tails curry, or go all the way with a pan-roasted venison fillet, its accompanying onion rings a billboard-worthy edible accessory.

After the savoury comes the sweet, and it’s buh-za-zerk. Expect Nutella-stuffed pancakes complete with salted caramel popcorn, toasted marshmallow and vanilla ice cream, as well as a truly lawless array of hard shakes and knickerbocker glories.

With endless options to choose from, The Franklin is set to keep east Auckland fed, watered and beveraged for as long as (and way after) summer sticks around!