All posts tagged: Restaurant Month

Top 5 for Restaurant Month – $25 edition

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Love to dine out? Bank balance says “No”? I *could* spend an embarrassing amount of money dining out. But for the last wee while I’ve been to sticking to a self-imposed budget. $50 a pop. It’s not a super tight budget and I still dine out regularly, I just politely decline the $50+ invitations. With American Express Restaurant Month coming up in a couple of weeks, I was little nervous about what my bank account would look like…but never fear! The $25 menu is here. I’ve had a good squiz at the $25 menus and I’m pretty excited. This is my shortlist for the month, all $25 a pop, most with options and some even come with a glass of wine. I’m going to need some dining companions so hit me up and let’s make a date. Genie’s Top 5 for American Express Restaurant Month THE $25 EDITION (in no particular order) 1. BEAST & BUTTERFLIES – Quay Street $25 for 2 course lunch with options. ENTRÉE OPTIONS: Market fish ceviche: Pickled ginger gel, coconut, …

Tasty questions with Jamie and Debbie, Judge Bao

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Judge Bao is a regular at The Street Collective in Ponsonby. Judge Bao offers a modern twist to traditional Chinese convenience food. With just a few options you can be confident each item on their compact menu is perfectly executed with meat and vege options. Using only free range meat and local produce, their buns are hand rolled and steamed. Each bao is assembled to order. I think I’ve eaten their food about 4 times in the last little while. Jamie and Debbie are the cute couple behind Judge Bao and below are their answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment.   Describe your food: Local, ethical, and modern Chinese. What is your signature dish? ”The Sloppy Po” bao. It’s our take on Mapo Tofu – spicy, sweet and savory. It’s super umami! Name your favourite comfort food: Chicken and salted fish fried rice for Jamie. For Debbie it’s a slice of The Pie Piper’s Rocky Road Pie and Sweet Val’s Ice Cream’s nitrogen vanilla ice cream with salted caramel sauce and home baked choc chip cookies! What …

Tasty questions with Frederico Alves Tavares, Britomart Country Club

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One of those covered outdoor spaces that delights when you enter, I’ve always thought of Britomart Country Club as a good place to get a drink and snacks while being entertained. With shipping containers, antique furniture and a kitsch menu, spend the afternoon with tipsy pétanque or a spot of putting in this garden bar. Frederico Alves Tavares is the head chef from Britomart Country Club and below are his answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Tasty, simple, consistent. What is your restaurant’s signature dish? BBQ pork ribs. Name your favourite comfort food: Asian pork fried rice. What did you have for breakfast? Bacon, eggs and toast. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? A 400g Sirloin steak, medium rare, perfect, cook it, never forget (At Jaime Andres’s House). What is an underrated ingredient? Lemon. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? People, smiles and compliments. Favourite restaurant? Di Mare, Steak and Seafood restaurant in Parnell There’s a potluck dinner tomorrow night (and you’re not working) what are you bringing? Moqueca …

Tasty questions with Dimple Girish, iVillage

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Dimple Girish is the chef / owner of IVillage at Victoria. Below are her answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Well presented, deliciously mouth-watering food. What is your restaurant’s signature dish: Tandoori Trio. Name your favourite comfort food: Roti and goat curry. What did you have for breakfast? Porridge or cereal. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week: Tandoori prawns. What is an underrated ingredient: Saffron. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you: Food, innovation, passion. Favourite restaurant: Indian Accent, Delhi, India, Chef: Manish Malhotra. What is your most memorable meal: With my family at home. Just for Restaurant Month 2 courses with wine for $40 IVillage’s Restaurant Month special is a 2 course dinner with wine for $40, options include plum infused tandoori prawns, lamb rogan josh with Kashimir chilies and Goan fish curry, and a glass of Pegasus Bay Riesling or Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc.  Available throughout August 2015. Images used with permission from iVillage. Street Eats IVillage will also be at popular Street Eats at Shed 10 on Saturday 29 August. One of …

Tasty questions with Martina Lutz, Number 5

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Martina Lutz is the owner of Number 5 Restaurant, Wine Chambers and Chambers Bar. Below are her answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Fine, exquisite food, traditional French based cooking. What is your restaurant’s signature dish? We always have been known for our Duck Liver parfait. Name your favourite comfort food: My favourite comfort food is a Hungarian Goulash. What did you have for breakfast? I always have a “proper breakfast” Salami or ham, cheese, dark bread, an egg, either boiled or fried. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? I had the raw salmon dish for the new degustation menu today at Number 5, it is delicious, with horseradish, pine nuts, cauliflower panna cotta. What is an underrated ingredient? Parsley and carrots, both readily available but sooo good. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? Cook books Passionate chefs who talk about food Going to the market and finding a product to work with Favourite restaurant? Has to be the French Cafe, even I have …

Tasty questions with Ultimate OmNoms

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Ultimate OmNoms is a prolific Auckland restaurant review blog with stunning photography. I’ve met both Cecilia and Rayshur and had the pleasure of eating with them at events such as the grand opening of Ma Cherie and Graze and Feast. Cecilia Wong is the main belly behind Ultimate OmNoms and below are her answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your blog: Nommy || Sunny side up || Off the cuff. What is the most popular post on your blog? Baduzzi dessert post -> ultimateomnoms.com/baduzzi/ Name your favourite comfort food: Dumplings! There’s something soothing about the process of making them, seeing them all sitting quietly in their curved forms…then sending them away to be pan fried or steamed. Love adding chilli oil to serve. What did you have for breakfast? Avocado on toast. That’s been on repeat for almost the whole year now..A world without avocados is a bleak one.. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? Crepes at Odettes Eatery – both their savory and sweet crepes are amazing! What is an underrated …

Tasty questions with Nick Haszard, Crew Club

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Crew Club in the Viaduct is a fresh nautical seafood loving restaurant serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week plus brunch in the weekends. The space formally known as Waterfront has gone through a gorgeous transformation with many defined areas in the large space. I visited Crew Club last week and seriously, this place is a Pinterest dream. Nick Haszard is the executive chef at the Crew Club and below are his answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Relaxed. Fun. Tasty. What is your restaurant’s signature dish? All of our fish. Name your favourite comfort food: Braised beef shin. What did you have for breakfast? Oats / Bircher Muesli. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? Pumpkin gnocchi at Ortolana. What is an underrated ingredient? Beef cheeks. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? My wife, son and Peter Gordon. Favourite restaurant? Husk in Nashville. There’s a potluck dinner tomorrow night (and you’re not working) what are you bringing? Southern style doughnuts and Braised Beef. What is …

Tasty questions with Edouard Le Goff, Le Chef

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Le Chef in the Empire Tavern building features French cuisine with French and New Zealand wines. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner, enjoy something French from Le Chef’s open kitchen. Edouard Le Goff wears many hats at Le Chef and below are his answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Fresh, seasonal, and affordable. What is your restaurant’s signature dish? Le dessert du pirate, a chocolate sphere with a surprise inside… Name your favourite comfort food: Eye fillet! What did you have for breakfast? One hot chocolate to warm me up, three free range eggs fried with a bit of baguette and butter, salt on top, easy but so good. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? Very busy, so to be honest pasta with butter was my only dish of the week, but perfect & simple. What is an underrated ingredient? French cheese ! What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? Paul Bocuse, the famous French chef Pinterest, always good to see good ideas Customers, their ideas, their point of …

Tasty questions with Michael Choi, Lucky Buddha

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Lucky Buddha Eatery on Fort Street specialises in Asian fusion covering flavours from Japan, Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. Michael Choi is the chef/owner at Lucky Buddha Eatery and below are his answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Fusion Asian cuisine. What is your restaurant’s signature dish?: Chinkiang glazed lamb ribs with crisp apple salad. Name your favourite comfort food: Any kind of noodles What did you have for breakfast? Vietnamese beef broth (from night before) and croissant (from New World Supermarket). What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? Dry dan dan noodle and tofu salad from BASU Noodle & Dumpling in Takapuna. What is an underrated ingredient? Jellyfish and octopus. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? Travel, dining out and family. Favourite restaurant? Meredith’s and BASU Noodle & Dumpling in Auckland. Sixpenny and Supernormal in Australia. There’s a potluck dinner tomorrow night (and you’re not working) what are you bringing? A big plate of tiramisu with pandan cream. What is your most memorable meal? …

Tasty questions with Ben Barton, Scarecrow

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Scarecrow is an artisan foodstore, kitchen and florist on Victoria Street. They have a temporary pop up at 42 High Street, “Scarecrow on High” while their Victoria Street premises is being refitted. With a menu that changes daily, Scarecrow serves only seasonal and sustainable food. A beautiful ethos.       Ben Barton is the head chef at Scarecrow and below are his answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food: Local, seasonal, nourishment. What is your restaurant’s signature dish? Chopped liver on rye with crispy chicken skin, egg and parsley salad, mustard vinaigrette. Name your favourite comfort food: Hot smoked Kahawai. What did you have for breakfast? Croissant, butter and jam. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? An Indian version of quesadillas with paneer and chutney. What is an underrated ingredient? Cabbage. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? The seasons, fishing and foraging. Favourite restaurant? Orphans kitchen. There’s a potluck dinner tomorrow night (and you’re not working) what are you bringing? Sumac roast buttercup, sauteed brussel sprouts, citrus, date and tahinni dressing. …

Everything you need to know about Wine AKL 2015

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Do you like wine? Good. On Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August 2015, 80 of NZ’s top wineries will converge across the two floors of Shed 10 for Wine AKL. Wineries will be grouped by region so it will be like taking a little roadtrip vineyard tour of the country. Bottles of wine will be available for purchase and there will be a DJ, dancers and food from Euro available. Check out Euro’s festival menu here. Tickets are $25 plus booking fee and includes a tasting glass, the first five tastings and a wine guide. This event is strictly R18. There are 3 sessions: Session 1. Friday 14 August 2015, 5:00pm – 8:30pm Session 2. Saturday 15 August 2015, 12:00pm – 3:30pm Session 3. Saturday 15 August 2015, 4:30pm – 8:00pm For those with a thirst for some extra wine knowledge, there are 9 masterclasses which are $20 per class on top of your entry ticket. Masterclasses are: Session 1 Bob Campbell, Chardonnay – a regional round up of top wines Yvonne Lorkin, Organic Awesomeness! 5 of …

Tasty questions with Luis Cabrera, Besos Latinos

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Besos Latinos is hidden at the back of Elliott Stables in the heart of Auckland city. Serving a range of Latin American cuisine, you’ll find dishes from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru and more. Luis Cabrera is head chef and owner of Besos Latinos and below are his answers to the tasty questions I cooked up for your enjoyment. Describe your restaurant’s food in 3 words: Traditional, flavourful, lip-smacking. What is your restaurant’s signature dish? Ceviche. Name your favourite comfort food: Fresh fruit. What did you have for breakfast? Orange juice, Mexican-style scrambled eggs, fruit. What is the most delicious thing you’ve eaten this week? Duck Curry. What is an underrated ingredient? Goat. What are 3 sources of inspiration to you? Latin American street food, Mexican food markets, Grandma’s traditional food. Favourite restaurant? Non Solo Pizza. There’s a potluck dinner tomorrow night (and you’re not working) what are you bringing? Lasagna. What is your most memorable meal? Mexican-style salted cod at Christmas.    Just for Restaurant Month Brazilian Fever Every Sunday in August, Besos …

Ten delicious ways to spend $60 during Restaurant Month

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Restaurant Month is almost upon us. There are some amazing events at Auckland’s finest restaurants with tickets over $200pp. But for those who only dream of $200 dinners, I’ve picked out specials under the $60 mark. There are some pretty amazing restaurants on this list with big reputations so this is a great opportunity to dine out at some of these places for a fraction of the normal cost. There are so many options that I suggest you check out the master list over here. For the sake of quality, I have only included restaurants that have a Zomato rating of 3.9 or higher. If you are new to Zomato, make sure you check out my reviews complete with drool-worthy photos here. Ten delicious ways to spend $60 during Restaurant Month Besos Latinos, Elliot Stables $55 FOR A THREE COURSE DINNER Including a trio of Mexican dips, ham and cheese empanadas, quesadilla and char-grilled marinated steak. Industry Zen, Viaduct $55 FOR A FIVE COURSE DINNER Including wasabi-marinated seafood, sashimi selection, teppan hot plate, teriyaki chicken and beef and …

Ten delicious ways to spend $40 during Restaurant Month

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Here are some $40 options for Restaurant Month. I had a hard time compiling this list as it was a the biggest category. There are so many options that I suggest you check out the master list over here. For the sake of quality, I have only included restaurants that have a Zomato rating of 3.9 or higher. If you are new to Zomato, make sure you check out my reviews complete with drool-worthy photos here. These represent the best deals and are places I’ve either eaten at or are on my wishlist. Two or three courses and some of these even include a glass of wine. Ten delicious ways to spend $40 during Restaurant Month Scarecrow, Victoria Street East $40 FOR A THREE COURSE DINNER OR LUNCH Options include scorched sashimi with citrus and macadamia oil, North African spiced fish with roast romanesco and pear and ginger tart with vanilla ice cream. Tourquet, O’Connell Street $40 FOR A TWO COURSE LUNCH OR DINNER WITH WINE Including veal blanquette with glazed carrot and caramelised onion matched with …

Five delicious ways to spend $25 during Restaurant Month

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Restaurant Month is upon us. There are some amazing events at Auckland’s finest restaurants with tickets over $200pp. But for those who only dream of $200 dinners, I’ve picked out some $25 specials. These represent the best deals, two or three courses and one even includes a glass of wine! Yes, that’s right, a 3 course meal with wine for $25. Nuts! There are so many options that I suggest you check out the master list over here. For the sake of quality, I have only included restaurants that have a Zomato rating of 3.9 or higher. If you are new to Zomato, make sure you check out my reviews complete with drool-worthy photos here. I have eaten at all these places, these are very good deals! Five delicious ways to spend $25 during Restaurant Month Daikoku on Victoria, Victoria Street West $25 FOR A TWO COURSE DINNER OR LUNCH Including sashimi, tempura and miso soup and a choice of teriyaki chicken, salmon or beef served with rice and a side dish. Depot, Federal Street $25 FOR …

Auckland Restaurant Month 2015 – Events

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Auckland Restaurant Month starts this weekend! I’ve picked out a few budget-friendly events for those foodies who can’t quite make the $200 pp events that are happening across Auckland (as much as we’d love to). Check back over the next few days as I share restaurant promotions in different price brackets ($25, $40 and $60) as well as Q&A with chefs, owners, food writers and food bloggers throughout the month. Foodie Films If you missed the two food documentaries at the recent Documentary Edge festival, here’s your chance to see both of them for free. Deli Man is playing this Saturday and For Grace next Saturday. Seating is on a “first in” basis. Deli Man Saturday 1 August, 12pm Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium (FREE) For Grace Saturday 8 August, 5pm Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium (FREE) More info here: http://www.documentaryedge.org.nz Street Eats Saturday 29 August, 10.30am – 8pm Shed 10, Queens Wharf $5 entry (Free entry for supervised children) Immensely popular gourmet market with street food from central city restaurants. Beer, wine, kids’ entertainment and live music. …