The Vino Vino terrace offers the one of the best dining views in all of Aotearoa, and thanks to its owner Connie Adao, boasts a menu to match.
“Like for many, my first influence was from within the family – from my gran,” Connie tells Verve. “She was a naturally talented home chef, and I loved learning from her.”
Born and raised in Argentina – and a Kiwi citizen since 2008 – Connie learnt the art of open-fire cooking under the superstar Argentine chef Francis Mallmann. “He has been the most influential figure in Argentine cuisine during the last 30 years, and I was incredibly lucky to become one of his closest disciples,” beams Connie.
“I started working in Francis’s office as a part-time job during university, and to both our surprise, we discovered I had the makings of a professional chef! I worked for Francis for over a decade and learnt so much from him. He is the closest I have ever met to a true creative genius, as well as being a lovely, charming person. We remain great friends.”
During her 12 years with Team Mallmann, Connie rose to become general manager and head chef, gaining international recognition in 2002 when 1884 Restaurant, which she set up and led for six years in Mendoza, was ranked seventh in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants by London’s Restaurant Magazine.
Life took a new turn when Connie married a New Zealand diplomat. “I spent my early years as a new Kiwi in Wellington and at New Zealand’s Embassy in China, where he was Ambassador for six years,” she explains. “After that, we had the chance to decide where to make our base and bring up our two sons, and we chose Waiheke.”
Connie’s island career began as head chef at Stonyridge Vineyard, before she seized the chance to purchase Vino Vino in 2021. “Our pole star is love of cooking, expressed in delicious, quality food that is also good value,” she says. “Our goal is to make sure all our guests feel really well looked after and leave happy that they’ve enjoyed a delicious and healthy meal at a fair price. Nothing makes us happier than having customers return regularly, which happily many do.”
Her menu reflects her dual identity. “After more than 20 years here, I feel both Argentine and Kiwi,” she says. “My classic Argentine dish would be eye fillet steak followed by flan, Argentina’s version of crème caramel. My classic Kiwi dish would be pan-fried snapper followed by pavlova.”
Can you tell us about the restaurant’s role in the community?
“Waiheke is a very seasonal destination, and we depend greatly on the loyalty of locals during quieter months. Our staff, of course, also includes many members of our local community and we are proud to contribute to the livelihood in that way, as well as supporting a range of good causes and charities.”
What do you most love about living on the island?
“The lovely and diverse local community. The breathtaking natural beauty. And the fun of having lots of interesting visitors coming to the island from all over the country and world. Oh, and the wineries, of course!”
And finally, when not hard at work, where would we most likely find you?
“Cooking and my family are my two passions in life. When I’m not at Vino Vino, I’ll be at home with my husband and our two sons. I love pottering around in the garden and going for walks on the beach.”
153 Ocean View Road, Oneroa
vinovino.co.nz
