O'Connell Street Bistro: Eatery celebrates 20 years despite fire

Auckland fine dining restaurant O'Connell Street Bistro has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a promise that it'll be serving its famed rabbit pappardelle and beef tartare dishes for many years to come.

The restaurant was forced to close last year for eight months after a fire ravaged much of the restaurant's kitchen and dining room.

But a year later, owner Chris Upton says the bistro is back and better than ever.

"It was our focus to look at things we loved [about the restaurant] and make them even better than before.

"It was also important to look at things we didn't like so much and change them around.

"We didn't go away for the whole eight months it took to rebuild and get the business up and going again."

But while the extensive renovations saw many parts of the restaurant change, there were some things that were never going to be altered.

"The reason we have survived for so long is because we haven't changed who we are. A lot of our customers have been with us for long period of time so we get to know them on a first-name basis.

"It's the same with our food. Dishes like the rabbit pappardelle and beef tartare have never been changed. They are safe havens for a lot of people."

Upton says his love for the bistro is the same as it was 20 years ago when the restaurant first opened its doors and he has no intention of going anywhere.

"I just want to carry on what I'm doing. I don't have any aspirations to build a large empire.

"I'm just happy coming to work each day, looking after my customers and making their experience as good as I can."