Valerie and Phillip Littlejohn opened Orsini’s Restaurant in Wellington in 1958. Orsinis was one of the very first fine dining restaurants in New Zealand. Being pioneers of the hospitality industry in New Zealand, their son Bart was virtually born in the restaurant and lived onsite for the first couple of years of his life.
The family moved to Auckland and opened the 2nd Orsini’s in 1980 in Ponsonby. In 1991 they bought Sails Restaurant. Bart was the face, the heart and soul of Sails Restaurant for the next 30 years.
The Littlejohn’s are upfront about their philosophy: “If you employ the best chefs and ensure they have access to only the freshest, top-quality ingredients you’ll get award-winning dishes. You can’t compromise on either, but of the two the chef is definitely the most important.” And they’ve a fair claim to host one of the better chefs in the country. Jason Blackie has been executive chef for the past twenty-five years.
In 2008 marking 50 years in the hospitality industry, Valerie was the first woman inducted into the NZ Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame.
In August 2021, Bart passed away suddenly and his tragic loss will be felt for a long time to come.
Zachary and Thomas Littlejohn are the 3rd generation of Orsini’s Restaurateurs and working alongside their Grandmother Valerie, the boys are determined to honour the legacy of their father and carry on the traditions of the family.
“We look forward to hosting diners at Sails Restaurant for many years to come” Zachary Littlejohn.
Award Winning Auckland Restaurant
The Sails hospitality team, one of the longest standing in New Zealand, has won numerous awards for both the food and the service. Recently, the dining public voted Sails Restaurant the overall winner in the Great Auckland Seafood Challenge for the best seafood dish in Auckland.
Sails also has one of New Zealand’s most extensive wine lists, including rare vintages from New Zealand’s top vineyards. Our talented waiters will guide you through more than two hundred wines in the cellar.
Whether you’re a businessperson wishing to impress your clients or a visitor wishing to be impressed, Sails Restaurant’s stunning views and award-winning food and service make it a dining experience not to be missed.
