Waiheke Island Yacht Club Popping Up at Pier 29

[Photo: wallyg/Flickr]

The America's Cup isn't just bringing sailors from around the globe: SF is also getting its very own New Zealand pop-up restaurant, Waiheke Island Yacht Club. Spearheaded by restaurateur Tony Stewart, who owns Clooney and The Hamptons in Auckland, the project is named for an island off Auckland's coast, and will run as part of the America's Cup festivities from July 4th weekend through the end of 2013.

According to Tablehopper, the plan is to serve progressive New Zealand cuisine, with an emphasis on the region's ingredients, like lamb. Head chef Hayden McMillen will make the trek from New Zealand to lead the project, assisted by local Nicholas Patchen (Boulevard, Spruce, Campton Place) as his sous chef. The menus will be prix fixe-only, with two to four courses at lunch and four courses in the evening, as well as an a la carte bar menu. They'll also serve brunch beginning in August.

On the drinks side, New Zealand craft brewer Moa will be shipping their wares over for the occasion, though there won't be any Kiwi sauvignon blanc, as an America's Cup provision stipulates that the restaurant can only serve Napa Valley wine. There's a full bar, and Needham Woodward, who manages the bar at Clooney's, will create a cocktail menu.

Located adjacent to the America's Cup Village concert venue at Pier 29, the 85-seat space (with an additional 12 counter and 20 bar seats) was designed by locals Sutro Architects and Kiwis Fearon Hay Architects. (Though Pier 29 suffered a fire last year, it's already been completely renovated, thanks to some of that America's Cup mojo/elbow grease/cash.) It'll feature polished cypress, pottery, and white oak furniture shipped over from that part of the world. We'll have more on the restaurant as it approaches opening day.

· Waiheke Island Yacht Club Coming to Pier 29 [Tablehopper]