Every delicious meal and handmade cocktail experience at Alla Prossima has been carefully curated by our Food and Beverage Manager, Juan Isola. Argentinian with Genovese and Sicilian heritage, good food and the way it brings people together is part of who Juan is. He delivers customers at Alla Prossima an authentic taste of Italy while they soak up Abstract’s fun and funky vibe. “I love giving people that nostalgic taste when they dine with us. For me, food is about family and making memories,” he says.
Summary
From surfing at Piha to a negroni at Panacea, Alla Prossima’s Food and Beverage Manager Juan Isola shares the Auckland spots that keep him inspired on his days off. He also opens up about the Sunday pasta memories behind his favourite dish on the menu, and his ambition to make Alla Prossima an unforgettable experience on an affordable budget.
Wining and dining
Despite being Argentinian, football surprisingly doesn’t rate highly on Juan’s list of interests. Instead, he prefers to spend his free time dipping his toes in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s gastronomic scene and being endlessly inspired. “I like to go and enjoy a beautiful dinner, because you never know when you’ll get your next great idea.”
Whether it’s fine dining or just grabbing a late night snack after work, Juan lives to experience the vibes and culinary innovations around the city. Closer to home, he cites Alla Prossima’s tagliatelle as his favourite dish. “It reminds me of my Nonna, when she would make pasta from scratch on Sunday.”
The great outdoors
To decompress from the intensity required in prominent hospitality roles, Juan chooses to recalibrate and reset outside. He takes full advantage of Aotearoa’s waves and snow — surfing during the summer and carving the slopes during winter.
He’s also a big fan of exploring Auckland’s beautiful beaches. “I like to get lost in nature when I’m off and love Piha Beach and the Waitākere Ranges.” He savours the food and wine on offer on Waiheke Island and also loves to explore the harbourside heritage suburb of Devonport, which is just a short ferry trip from the city. “You can walk up Mount Victoria and North Head.”
Juan is also a big fan of heading to Takapuna Beach for a swim. “It’s a hidden gem in the city.”
Great eats near Abstract
Juan lives in Ponsonby, the neighbouring suburb to the vibrant K’ Road strip, and when he’s after a taste of home heads to El Sizzling Chorizo, an Argentinian barbeque restaurant. “I go there to treat myself and when I don’t have time to turn my own barbecue on, because I also love to cook at home.” He’s also a big fan of K’ Road’s French restaurant Atelier for tapas, wine and cocktails.
For me, food is about family and making memories.
A tipple or two
As a coffee connoisseur, Juan is a regular at Blackbird Espresso Bar in Ponsonby Central. “It’s small but the service and coffee are amazing. There’s a Chilean barista there who’s incredible.”
For something a little stronger, the self-confessed “negroni guy” loves to head into Panacea or Captain’s Bar where he used to work. “It’s in the Park Hyatt and they have a really beautiful cocktail list, or I love whatever the Caretaker guys are making. It’s a speakeasy concept and they’re really hard-working people.”
The place to be
Juan’s values align with the family-oriented, people-focused environment at Abstract, and he resonates strongly with the character and style of the boutique hotel.
Of his vision for Alla Prossima, Juan says, “My goal is that Alla Prossima becomes a must-visit destination in Auckland, a place to enjoy an unforgettable experience on an affordable budget. I’m looking forward to being part of the journey as well as motivating my team and connecting with our customers.”
Frequently asked questions
Where can I try Juan Isola’s food at Abstract?
Juan curates every dish and cocktail at Alla Prossima, the hotel’s own Italian restaurant — his tagliatelle, made in the same style as his Nonna’s, is a personal favourite on the menu.
Does Alla Prossima take walk-ins?
Guests are welcome to book ahead or start with happy hour at the Terrace Bar before dinner — see the Alla Prossima page for booking details.
What’s a good spot near Abstract for a drink recommended by the team?
Juan is a self-confessed “negroni guy” and points to Panacea and the Park Hyatt’s Captain’s Bar as two of his favourite spots for a cocktail in the city.
Ready to explore K’Road for yourself?
