Blue Cockatoo is expected to open in November at 16 The Octagon — next to the Regent Theatre.
Co-owners Hannes Bareiter and Melanie Hartmann had initially eyed up the premises six years ago, before starting their St Clair restaurant Titi, which they sold in April.
They had always wanted to do “something different”, Mr Bareiter said.
“There’s a good chance there’ll be savoury ice creams.
“There might be salmon in it … same with cocktails, there might be one that has a bit of bacon on it.
“Whatever flavours that work and make sense, and we’ll see how we can get the people to try.”
As well as desserts, Blue Cockatoo would serve coffee, gelato, mocktails, cocktails, beer and other savoury items.
They also planned to branch out into some more “experimental” items, such as working cocktail flavours into alcoholic ice creams, he said.
“Obviously, you have to make sure you don’t sell it to the wrong people.
“It’s a very low percentage, so you have to have a lot of ice cream to actually probably feel the effect.”
Only a small number of “boozy” ice cream options were planned, but that could change depending on popularity.
While they were still finalising the menu, sugar-free and vegan options were also being explored, he said.
“We’ve got like three levels of crazy, I think.
“There will be anything from vanilla to sauerkraut.”
Blue Cockatoo was likely the last business the pair would launch, and he hoped it would add “another layer” to the Octagon, Mr Bareiter said.
tim.scott@odt.co.nz
