Were you one of the snoops who peered into the peephole at 75 Featherston Street? Snap! Almost 200 people were captured by a motion sensor camera perfectly positioned to reveal just how curious we can be about refurbishment of a high-profile location. 

So, what was going on behind those papered windows? Portlander, the new restaurant at the Rydges Hotel, was coming to life as a steakhouse focused on free range and wild local meats, as well as sustainably-caught seafood. (That’s the port part of the name.)  

The restaurant opened in June, then closed again to complete renovations, during which the crew noticed so many people trying to peer into the windows. The hotel’s manager, Simon White, thought it would be funny to somehow capture that interest. 
Capture it did – pictures went up on Facebook, creating enough buzz to launch a contest for the best snap, with a prize of a two-night stay in the Penthouse suite, breakfast and a three course meal at Portlander. Emma Boyton’s curiosity killed the competition and won the prize. 

The restaurant’s official opening party is August 9. Head chef Kit Foe will feature an array of meaty canapés, but vegetarians shouldn’t beware this hot new spot – the oven roasted tomato soup and pumpkin risotto look delicious.