All posts tagged: New Zealand

23. Lot23

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe.   The atmosphere is… Light and airy, though in a “hard to find, you’ll never find it if you didn’t know it was there” spot. A small covered outdoor area out front. Come here for… Amazing coffee and unusual cafe food. The most interesting thing on the menu… Island style raw fish with kumara crisps Unexpectedly wonderful… Mushroom Ragout I would come back to try… Island style raw fish with kumara crisps Catering to… Creatives mostly due to the other businesses in the building. Vegetarian options abound. Gluten free options might be available but not marked on menu. Expect to spend… $20-30 per person The service is… Friendly. At the counter. Avoid if… You need to be seen when you go out. Lot23 23 Minnie Street, Eden Terrace Open Monday to Saturday http://www.lot23.co.nz     

22. The Fridge

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… A busy neighbourhood cafe. Small in front, walk down the stairs, through their humming kitchen to more seating downstairs and outside. Come here for… Pies. Really good pies in a range of flavours. Some lovely cabinet food and sweet treats. The most interesting thing on the menu… Beef & Guinness pie Moroccan lamb pie Steak & mozzarella pie Unexpectedly wonderful… Pies of course! I am also addicted to their Chicken and bacon caesar wrap. The anchovy mayo is amazing. I would come back to try… All the pies. Catering to… Ominis and veges. Not much for gluten free diners but gluten free toast available on request. Expect to spend… $15-$30 per person The service is… At the counter, friendly and efficient. Kitchen and coffees a bit slow when they are busy. Best to stick to pies and cabinet food if you are hungry or in a hurry. Avoid if… …

21. Thirty Nine Cafe

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Front, typical cafe, out back in their outdoor area, it is bit more arty and funky. Could do with a reno though. Come here for… We have been coming here for a decade just for the bacon hash. I’ve tried a few other things on their menu but their bacon hash is just wonderful. When I go with friends, we order a table’s worth of bacon hash. The most interesting thing on the menu… The bacon hash. Unexpectedly wonderful… The bacon hash. I would come back to try… The bacon hash…again. Catering to… People who love honey bacon, roasted portabello mushrooms, a big hash brown, and shit-tons of hollandaise. Vegetarian options and gluten free options available. I dare you to swap the honey bacon for eggs to create a vege version of the bacon hash. Expect to spend… $20 per person The service is… At the counter. Friendly most …

20. Mamak Malaysian Restaurant

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Chancery Chic meets Malaysian street food. If you haven’t been to the Chancery, when it first opened, the cobble-stoned centre was very fancy. Now most of the stores have changed hands though the architecture remains. Very limited space inside so most of the seating is outdoors, they have heaters and big umbrellas for cold, wet nights. Come here for… Home made style Malaysian street food. A small selection of Malaysian main courses, drinks and appetisers. All at a food hall prices. Lots of tasty appetisers which are great for sharing. The most interesting thing on the menu… Nasi Lemak with ikan bilis (fried anchovies) Spicy soft shell crab Unexpectedly wonderful… Roti – made on site Beef Rendang Satay Chicken I would come back to try… Their laksa – These steaming bowls of spiced noodles are are huge and popular. I must see what the fuss is about. Catering to… Omni, …

19. DeBretts Kitchen

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… An expansive atrium that is brightly lit and surprisingly warm. A bit posh with bright coloured furniture and arty decor. What you might expect for an upmarket hotel restaurant. Come here for… Date night, special occasions, fine food and drink. The most interesting thing on the menu… Welsh rarebit souffle with quail egg, caramelised onion, rye Roasted hapuka, spiced pumpkin, wild rice, yoghurt Roasted quail with butter milk, baby beetroot, puff grain, sour cherry Unexpectedly wonderful… The artistic, thoughtful desserts Both pink breast and tender confit in their duck dish I would come back to try… The pre-show dinner ($45 for 2 courses and a glass of wine). The $35 lunch special which includes an entree, main and dessert served in one course and a glass of wine. Catering to… Limited menu catering to most appetites. No allergy info marked on menu.  Only one vegetarian starter and one …

18. Ima Cuisine

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Warm and cozy. Bookshelves full of books, a welcoming mural, beautifully patterned lit ceiling and low light make for lovely ambience. On the quiet end of Fort Street, once you are inside you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. The smallish dining area can feel a bit noisy and full though so be prepared if you’re looking for a quiet night out. Come here for… Middle Eastern, Israeli and North African inspired healthy and hearty food. Ima means mother in Hebrew and family-style dining is celebrated here. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The most interesting thing on the menu… Brik – North African delicacy. A crisp fried parcel with fresh tuna preserved lemon and a soft cooked egg The range of vegetarian sides Unexpectedly wonderful… Mezze – especially the spice roasted cauliflower Arab rice – lentil pine nuts almonds pistachios and caramelized onions I would come back to try… …

The Cult of Foodies

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On Monday I went to Late at The Museum. It is the first in the series for this year and this month’s edition was The Cult of Food in conjunction with Auckland Restaurant Month. Located in Auckland Museum’s events centre on top of the museum, the space has 360° night views of the city and harbour. The night was hosted by Aucklander Jesse Mulligan who you might know from TV or radio or Metro magazine or his food blog which is generically cleverly named the Auckland Food Blog. Providing both comic relief and a relaxed tone for his guests and panelists: Professors Rod Jackson and Grant Schofield provided insightful academic banter while celebrity chefs Al Brown and Anne Thorp provided the foodie perspective. The panelists nominated 4 dishes to be voted on for New Zealand’s national dish. Each panelist gave their reasoning for their nomination. Nominations for New Zealand’s national dish: Al Brown: Fritters Grant Schofield: Lamb roast Anne Thorp: Fish and spuds Rod Jackson: Chicken and bread I found Rod Jackson’s reasoning very interesting. Of the meat …

17. Cereal Killa

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Busy, airy and light but located in a crappy part of Dominion Road. Come here for… Not your average brunch. Eating on the way to/from weekend morning errands. The most interesting thing on the menu… Coconut porridge with pear, ginger and rhubarb. Unexpectedly wonderful… Their coffee. I would come back to try… Pancakes with bacon, banana, vanilla mascarpone & blueberry caramel Creamy herbed mushrooms on sour dough Catering to… Everyone. Plenty of vegetarian options and gluten free bread available on request. Kid friendly: there are 6 items on their kids menu. Expect to spend… $20-$30 per person The service is… Friendly and efficient. We had a few different servers but we were watered, coffees and fed in quick succession. Avoid if… You don’t like people experimenting with your breakfast. Cereal Killa 360 Dominion Road, Mt Eden Open 7 days http://www.cerealkilla.co.nz  

16. Crave

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… The neighbourly cafe you always wished for. A lofty space with lots of seating areas and local artwork. Edibles planted in front are a nice touch. Come here for… A well deserved brunch by a well-meaning bunch. The most interesting thing on the menu… Black rice risotto Unexpectedly wonderful… Crave’s community ethos and non-profit business practices. I would come back to try… Creamy herbed flat mushrooms on potato cakes Catering to… Everyone. Gluten free and vegetarian dishes clearly marked. Very kid friendly. Expect to spend… $20 per person. Please note, kids flufflies are free. The service is… A bit rushed during busy periods. At the counter only. Avoid if… You don’t like feel-good neighbourhood spots. Oscar the grouch can eat elsewhere. Crave 25 McDonald Street, Morningside Open 7 days http://www.cravecafe.co.nz

15. Fukuko

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… A surprisingly cozy space with clean lines, mood lighting, 6 tables and plenty of standing room. The jars and bottles of sochu may be decoration and/or ingredients for cocktails. We visited on a quiet weeknight but I can see this place filling up easily. Come here for… Very good Japanese fusion bar snacks. Their pork buns and tacos are divine. The softest, loveliest buns I’ve eaten in a long time. Their cocktail is extensive and very experimental. The most interesting thing on the menu… Spiced roast duck taco Unexpectedly wonderful… Steamed pork buns Sole tempura taco The temperature inside on a cold winter’s night I would come back to try… Braised miso short rib taco Japanese gimlet Catering to… Afterwork and lunch time drinkers and snackers. Not many vegetarian options. Gluten free options not marked on menu. Expect to spend… $20-$40 per person The service is… Great. Just …

14. Ramen Do

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… More like a cafe rather than a Japanese restaurant. They had a renovation but it’s still quite bare and utilitarian. Only a smattering of Japanese touches so there is not much ambience. Which is why people… Come here for… Ramen of course! A noodle shop first and foremost and most diners order ramen. The most interesting thing on the menu… Tuke Men – ramen noodles served with dipping sauce Unexpectedly wonderful… The beautifully cooked eggs. Boiled and marinated with runny yolks. I would come back to try… All of their ramen, add $1 egg (or extra meat if you prefer). Catering to… Omnis and vegetarians. No gluten free options, although you could order a rice dish and ask for no soy sauce. Vegetarian options available but limited. Expect to spend… $15-$20 per person. The service is… Functional. At the counter or table side. Up to you. Avoid if… …

13. Faro

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Pretty classy for a Korean BBQ. Quite spacious with warm wooden decor and the barbecue facilities are well thought out. Come here for… Interactive dining. Cook your BBQ meat. Special occasions as this is expensive compared to other Korean BBQ. The most interesting thing on the menu… BBQ ox tongue Whole baked pumpkin (prior reservation essential) Unexpectedly wonderful… Bulgogi The myriad of Korean pickles I would come back to try… BBQ ox tongue Catering to… Omnis. Not much for vegetarians. No allergen info. Expect to spend… $30-$40 per person The service is… Average. Not as good as the prices and decor would suggestion. Staff was not very knowledgeable about the menu. Avoid if… You have food allergies, you don’t like cooking your own food or you just want to eat somewhere quick. Very easy to cross contaminate (shellfish etc). Auckland Restaurant Month special: $40 FOR TWO COURSE DINNER, …

Anticipating Wine AKL

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In the last year, a new phase in my wine drinking has developed. I don’t drink as much, but every time I take my first sip of wine, I sigh aloud: “I loooooove wine”. I can’t help it. A glass of wine is classy, relaxing, social and delicious. It demands to be appreciated. I used to drink red or white, but these days I am a staunch red wine drinker. I’ll always pass on the white but I’ll drink any red. Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Sav, Syrah, Shiraz, Malbec. Oh yes. This weekend is Wine AKL. I’ve never been before but it looks a bit like Taste, except instead of a celebration of our loveliest restaurants, it is a celebration of our wine makers (and wine drinkers). As part of the Auckland Restaurant Month celebrations, the wine glitterati of NZ will be there talking all about wine. Over 60 of New Zealand’s wine makers will be represented. Entertainment provided by Base FM DJ Murry Sweetpants. Reasonably priced food provided by Euro’s pop-up restaurant. Pop Up Menu Can …

12. Kushi

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… A beautifully built wooden dining area with private booths and intimate tables. Come here for… Decent Japanese food right in the heart of the city. Izakaya style food, a little bit of fusion. They have a very well thought out drinks and snack combo menu worth trying. The most interesting thing on the menu… Takowasabi (raw marinated octopus in wasabi) Unagi (grilled eel) Unexpectedly wonderful… The chef’s choice of starters. A nice surprise and fun to discover and eat. I would come back to try… The drinks/snack menu such as 2 pints of Orion beer and a plate of karaage fried chicken. A $30.95 value for $19.30. Drumming performance at 7.30pm on Fridays. Catering to… Japanese food lovers, adventurous food lovers. Some vegetarian options, but most bento sets come with sashimi so check with your waiter. Special dietary requirements are not marked on menu. Expect to spend… $15 to …

11. Depot

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Heaving. A cosy but busy space for the average kiwi bloke in mind. Purposefully casual. A little bit of vintage. Very nostalgic. Come here for… For cheap cuts cooked well (mostly over charcoal or wood), fresh oysters and clams shucked to order, wine on tap. Honest (man) food designed to be shared. The most interesting thing on the menu… Fergus’ bone marrow (who is Fergus, and is he OK?) Southern fried skate wings Unexpectedly wonderful… Fish sliders Potato skins. I never thought I’d pay a man 10 bucks for potato skins. I would come back to try… Oysters and clams shucked to order Catering to… Boisterous and adventurous eaters. Meat and seafood lovers. Expect to spend… $30-$60 per person The service is… A bit cheeky, but good. Avoid if… You are a fussy eater or on a diet. Vegetarians need not apply most of their vegetable dishes include …

10. Star Thai

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Hey Aucklanders, do you like free food? In conjunction with review website Zomato.com, I’m giving away a $20 voucher to be used at Star Thai. To enter, fill in the entry form at the end of this post. In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… The glitzy Hollywood decorations could be over the top but thankfully they have kept the decorations to the walls only. The rest of the layout is understated and classy. The night we went, it was very quiet. Come here for… Delicious Thai curry. Mild and sweet which was perfect for our tastes, though I’m sure you can request “HOT” if you prefer. The most interesting thing on the menu… BBQ duck Unexpectedly wonderful… Baeng Bped Yang (BBQ duck red curry) I would come back to try… Larb Pla (chopped fish salad) Catering to… All diets. The vegetarian dishes are clearly marked. Gluten free available on request. Expect to spend… $25-$35 per person The …

9. Bolaven

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Simple, light, warm, inviting with Laotian inspired touches. Love the floor to ceiling display of dried ingredients. Come here for… Laos food and regular cafe food by day. Laos food only by night. The most interesting thing on the menu… Sticky rice with fried egg and Jeow Mak Len (Laotian style salsa) Unexpectedly wonderful… Their hand drawn, hand written menu (swoon) Sticky rice in baskets (just like in Laos) Eclairs I would come back to try… Pho with all the trimmings Pork belly with sticky caramel, anise, braised egg, crackling & watercress Catering to… South East Asian food lovers, but also a couple of regular cafe dishes and plenty of pastries and baked goodies at the counter. A couple of options for vegetarians and gluten free, marked on menu. Expect to spend… $20-$30 per person The service is… Friendly and warm. Avoid if… You are in a tight …

8. Tom Tom Bar and Eatery

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Quiet on the night we visited but the space has many areas and is well set up for groups. A bit flasher than your average pub. Come here for… A range of all purpose pub meals to please most picky eaters. Great for groups. The most interesting thing on the menu… Crispy eggplant with massaman dip Unexpectedly wonderful… Chocolate velvet molten lava pudding The unisex toilets with area for stylist on Fridays. Yes, ladies, get your hair done by a professional with a glass of Moet in hand. I would come back to try… Their weekly specials such as the $20 paella and a beer on Wednesday nights. Catering to… Lactose free, gluten free and vegetarian menu items clearly marked. Expect to spend… $20-30 per person The service is… Knowledgable. Avoid if… You can’t eat in front of a TV. Auckland Restaurant Month special: $55 FOR THREE COURSE DINNER …

7. Mexico

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… Very cool. A dimly lit treasure trove of eclectic Mexican and Day of the Dead trinkets and artworks. Come here for… Tasty Mexican food, cocktails for reasonable prices. The menu changes regularly so be warned that your favourites, might disappear. The most interesting thing on the menu… Hard to pick the one. Their snacks menu is pretty interesting: Queso fundido A dedicated tequila menu with over 70 premium tequilas They also have a cute kids menu Unexpectedly wonderful… Ceviche (past menu item) Fried chicken (permanent menu item) Grilled squid (current menu item) I would come back to try… Their regularly updated menu. They also have Caramba Pink Reposado here which I first fell in love with at a Tequila bar in Wellington…haven’t seen it since. Catering to… Everyone. Gluten free and other food intolerances. Plenty of vegetarian options. Expect to spend… $25-$40 per person The service is… Mostly …

6. Cazador

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In celebration of Auckland Restaurant Month, I will be posting 31 quick-fire reviews on 31 restaurants and cafes in the Auckland CBD and city fringe. The atmosphere is… A charming kitschy restaurant complete with round archways, plastered walls and more taxidermied beast and fowl than some diners will feel comfortable with. The bar area was packed and boisterous at 6pm when we arrived, the dining area quietly well behaved. Come here for… Game meat (and vegetable) dishes served in an unfussy style. Simple clean flavours using unusual ingredients. The menu of about 5 starters and 5 mains changes frequently with daily specials to entice. The most interesting thing on the menu… Crumbed lamb’s brains with sauce gribiche (current menu) Poussin hearts with pancetta and parsley (daily special) Unexpectedly wonderful… Braised ox tail Crumbed lamb’s brains with sauce gribiche I would come back to try… Everything. They menu is updated every 2-3 weeks to keep things interesting, though favourites will re-appear in various forms. Catering to… Omnivores and adventurous meat eaters. Free range, ethically sourced meat eaters. …