All posts tagged: Auckland

Cheap date – $5 Wednesdays

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Academy Cinemas is a boutique cinema right in the heart of Auckland City. They’re located just under the public library and you might miss them if you don’t go to the library. They show a small selection of movies including biopics, festival, arty and indie. Academy Cinemas serve Stoke craft beer, organic juices, boutique wines, Kokako Coffee and Kapiti Ice cream. On Wednesdays, thanks to Vice, movies are $5 all day. Make sure you book ahead as this is proving to be quite popular. Tickets are usually $15.50 which is still cheaper than other cinemas who usually charge around $20. Academy Cinemas have an active Facebook page here if you would like to keep up to date with their goings on. Watch and Eat Combo I love a good dinner and movie combo and I’ve blogged about food and movie pairings before. Dinner and a movie can get expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. These are my suggestions on movie and dinner combos that won’t break the bank. All restaurants are within walking distance of the cinema (I’ve provided walking times) …

Love My City – Link Up Intro

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As much as I yearn to travel, there’s something wonderful about going out in your own city. Finding new places to eat, enjoying various festivals and events in your local. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s going on unless you’re committed to looking out for things to do. Jules over at The Kiwi Diaries founded Love My City last month. A monthly blogging event to connect bloggers and share spots and events worth talking about in our cities. I am delighted to host this month’s edition and for more information on how this started, check out the info page here. Rules Your post must contain the words Love My City and logo and the Host name and link to their blogs. Eg: This post is part of the monthly blogging event Love My City, where we share hidden gems and places worth talking about. This month event is hosted by [Host name] at [Blog name] Your entry must link to the hosts blog and to LMC original page. If you want to add an already published post, just make sure …

Urbis Design Day – A Round Up

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Urbis Design Day has been going for many years now and if you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen some pretty designs on my feed last Saturday. Urbis is about local designers, showrooms and venues pairing up with creatives to make cool, interactive installations. This year’s creatives included street artists, a French patisserie (macarons), a landscape designer, a fashion designer, screen printing, footwear, 3d artist. There was also plenty of coffee, edible treats, and wine. My kind of day. I’ve been attending Urbis Design Day for a while now and in 2009 my girlfriends and family celebrated my hen’s party (bachelorette party) at Urbis Design Day. Urbis took a year off last year and this year they came back with a 2 day event. Friday was just for registered design professionals and Saturday’s version was for public with $30 tickets (or two tickets for $50). This year I tagged along with my sister Joey and her friends. We started just after 10am and finished up after 3pm, although the event didn’t finish until 5pm. In hindsight, I should …

MiNDFOOD CheeseFest 2015 – The skinny

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This time last week, I had eaten so much cheese my eyes were glazing over. This time last week, I was at the MiINDFOOD CheeseFest having just grazed my way through most of New Zealand’s best cheeses. I was lucky enough to get a trade/media pass which entitled me (and others) to a full hour of tastings and cheesemaker attention before the general public got in. I caught up with Bri DiMattina, local foodie, and blogger. Bri was the winner of the Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese and Cheesemaker Award at last year’s CheeseFest. Being my first CheeseFest I was stoked to be cruising around with someone from the exclusive cheese society. Bri gave me some great festival tips and we rubbed shoulders with important people in the cheese and food industry.   I got to chat to one of the judges, Sonia Cousins, whose credentials include Cheese Activist, Cheese Judge, and Cheese Writer. I learned that like professional wine tasters, cheese tasting judges spit. Spit! It came as bit of a shock but Sonia assured me …

MiNDFOOD CheeseFest Double Pass Giveaway Winner!

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With special thanks to MiNDFOOD CheeseFest, I am pleased to announce the winner for the double pass for. Drawn by Random.org, the winner is… **drum roll please!** Natallia Yanachkina!   Thanks to all who entered, I loved reading your cheese answers and reminded me to eat more cheese. If you would like to find out more or purchase tickets, details are below. MiNDFOOD CheeseFest Wednesday 18 March 2015 5pm to 8.30pm The Great Room at The Langham, 83 Symonds Street, Auckland Tickets are $30 from Eventfinder or $35 at the door. See you there! Links you might love: New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association http://www.cheeselovers.co.nz CheeseLoversNZ on Facebook To keep up with announcements including giveaways, make sure you follow me on Bloglovin’ or Facebook.

Splore Food 2015

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This time last week, we were elbow deep in Splore. Splore is an extremely well run, three day festival of music and art. This was easily my favourite festival and it was over too quick. I’m a little ashamed to say I only ate 4 meals over 3 days because the food on offer is incredible. I did have plenty to drink…don’t worry, it wasn’t all Jägermeister and cider, I also managed a banana-berry smoothie and a green juice . Here’s a run down on some of the food we ate. Aloisio Brazilian BBQ Halloumi and Free range Harmony chorizo breakfast bun. Brazilian Churrasco. Chicken, beef and Brazilian sausage served with rice, black beans and vinaigrette topped with farofa (seasoned cassava flour). I only had a single meal during Day One and this plate of barbecued goodness from Aloisio kept me going for the whole the day (and night). Most people we saw shared a plate but The Koala and I had one each. No regrets! I loved the help yourself farofa which is a seasoned cassava flour and naturally …

A guide to Splore food

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Splore starts tomorrow! Splore is a 3-day music and art astival at Tapapakanga Regional Park on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand. Originally held every two years, last year, Splore decided to become an annual event. As Splore also happens to land on The Koala’s birthday, we’ve pretty much got his birthday party sorted for all of time. Splore is now celebrating its 11th festival and this year will be The Koala and my 7th Splore. They have a great sustainable green ethos and the arty atmosphere and beachy location make it unique. You can float in the sea or lie on the beach while watching international and kiwi artists on the main stage. Up on the hills and scattered throughout the site are never seen before artworks to keen you entertained and amused. There are various workshops and markets if you want to broaden your mind or wardrobe. If you like music, art and the beach, this is a winner.  Home The theme this year’s theme is “Home”. Home isn’t a place, it is where …

MiNDFOOD CheeseFest: Double Pass Giveaway

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Do you love cheese? Yes? Then keep reading. The ultimate cheese adventure is coming to Auckland. Thanks to MiNDFOOD CheeseFest, I have a double pass to give away (retail value $60) to the CheeseFest next month. To enter, please fill in the contact form below, including a skill question. What you can look forward to at the CheeseFest: Unlimited free samples of the best NZ cheese Mingling with the winners of the 2015 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Learn how great cheese is made Cheese sale tables Complimentary beverage on arrival (thanks to Crossroads Wine and Epic Beer) MiNDFOOD CheeseFest Wednesday 18 March 2015 5pm to 8.30pm The Great Room at The Langham, 83 Symonds Street, Auckland Tickets are $30 from Eventfinder or $35 at the door. See you there! Links you might love: New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association http://www.cheeselovers.co.nz CheeseLoversNZ on Facebook Terms and conditions 1 entry per person. This competition is open to Auckland residents only. It is the responsibility of the prize winner to redeem their prize. Prize includes a double pass only. You …

Monday Bundy: Needle & I Design

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Local creative crafter Lauren Butler is responsible for Needle & I whose blog I have followed for some time. She is also an avid foodie, a great home cook and LOVES to photograph food. Please check out her blog here or her Instagram here. Here are a few pics of some bunny-related Needle & I designs. Her range of cushions, garlands, mobiles and bedding use high quality natural fabrics like linens, cottons, silks, and boiled wools and are available at stockists such as Father Rabbit and Nature Baby.     Click here to see more editions of Monday Bunday.

Monday Bunday: The White Rabbit

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Monday Bunday went on holiday last week, I don’t know if anyone noticed but today I present a double whammy Monday Bunday rolled into a restaurant review. I recently joined the NZ-based bloggers group #brunchclub. Here, bloggers can network, share tips and advice on all things blog related and of course, meet regularly for brunch. On Saturday, I attended my very first#brunchclub meetup. I was super excited not only to meet local bloggers (some who I have followed for a while) but also because it was at a newish cafe/bar/restaurant called The White Rabbit. This week’s Monday Bunday is a review this visit. History of the space The White Rabbit is in downtown Auckland on the corner of Customs Street and Gore Street, where the slightly dingy pub Rose & Crown and later Britomart Brewery used to be. The building, originally known as Hotel Britomart was established in 1864, just a year before Lewis Carroll published Alice in Wonderland. Painted white and fitted out in Scandinavian inspired light fittings, the space is light, bright and very white. …

Sawadee Kaaaaa – Zomato Meetup

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I have three food-related events on this week. On Sunday there was The Auckland Seafood Festival and on Tuesday I indulged in a night of tasty Thai food, kitschy cocktails, and foodie conversation. I have one more event up my sleeve this week. More on that later. My fellow reviewers, bloggers and the lovely ladies from Zomato converged on Sawadee, a Thai restaurant at the K’ Rd end of Ponsonby Road, across from the sunken buildings at Western Park. It’s been around for about 20 years so I was embarrassed to admit that while I love Thai food, I had never been to Sawadee before. Sawadee is much larger than you might expect from the street. The decor is inviting, well lit and flowers and electric candles set the scene. Sawadee’s special summer cocktail menu is all retro tiki-bar. I tried the Crying Tiger (brandy, Cointreau and lemon juice, rimmed with sugar). I picked this because it seemed like the sensible choice out of the very flamboyant list of cocktails. It was perfect. Not too sweet, no crazy colours or …

Favourite Seafood Recipes

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Summer in New Zealand is all about gorging on simply prepared seafood. This summer has been particularly seafood filled. Here is a collection of five my favourite seafood recipes. Just click on the images to view the recipes. Enjoy!   1. Steamed Garlic Prawns Super easy recipe for Steamed Garlic Prawns, a very popular dish at Kingsland’s Canton Cafe. Includes a handy guide to prawn sizing in New Zealand.   2. Pan Fried Flounder The most popular recipe on my blog by miles, this buttery golden pan fried flounder makes use of a whole flounder. You’ll need a flounder (or two) butter, more butter, flour, salt and pepper. 3. Raw Fish Salad I fell in love with Ika Mata (raw fish salad) in Rarotonga. Here’s my version of it using fresh tuna fillets, though you can also use any firm white fish. 4. Oysters Kilpatrick Oysters Kilpatrick are an easy crowd pleaser. Oystes, bacon, tasty sauce and cheese. What could go wrong? 5. All-in-one Seafood Stew I test out Adie McClelland’s all-in-one seafood stew from her …

Auckland Seafood Festival 2015 – food porn and review

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My seafood gobbling friends and I descended on the Auckland Seafood Festival at midday today with hunger in our bellies and a readiness to partake. Being the middle of Auckland Anniversary weekend, the city was BUSY. There was plenty of atmosphere and things to do. There still are. The layout of the venue at Halsey Wharf was quite different this year and the areas felt a little less marked out. No restaurant alley this year, but it was easy to navigate. There was plenty of seating, though the limited shade was snapped up quickly. The lines were short all except for the line for the Oceanz’s crayfish (from $25 for half) which was so long (about 40 bellies deep) we didn’t bother. My favourite dish was one from NSIA a school for hospo students. Pulpo in honey and balsamic, gazpacho caviar, Spanish olive soil, capsicum sofrito ($8). Pulpo is spanish for octopus and this dish was filled with bite size octopi. Quite an adventurous and sophisticated dish, it really paid off. We also tried their …

Auckland Seafood Festival 2015: Double pass giveaway – COMPETITION CLOSED

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OoooOOhhhh yes! Another giveaway! Such is the festive season. I love giving stuff away, don’t you? Thanks to Auckland Seafood Festival, I’ve got a double pass to give away to next year’s festival in late January. To enter, fill in the form at the bottom of this post, including a skill question. I’ve been to  Auckland Seafood Festival many times and if you love seafood, it’s a great day out. It’s kid-friendly and adult-friendly and a great way to try lots of different seafood in quick succession. You can expect to find: scallops oysters scampi mussels eel fish crayfish octopus squid sea cucumber turbo shells prawns and prawn killers kina (sea urchin) Some of these seafoods are uncommon so this a great chance to tick them off your foodie bucket list. If you’re a blogger and you eat some weirdo things, please share them with Our Growing Edge! Pro tip: don’t attempt raw kina on a hangover. I did it once, not my finest moment. Who knew that raw/live sea urchins isn’t an ideal breakfast food on a queasy stomach? …

Taste menu announced

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Taste of Auckland have announced their menus for the festival which starts next Thursday. There are 38 dishes to try this year including 5 limited edition icon dishes. I’ve had a quick squiz and it’s a little overwhelming, especially since it’s almost 2pm here and I haven’t eaten my lunch (yikes!) but here’s my first thoughts on what I might like to eat at the festival…