Food!!! Also travel but the travel will always involve food. Even airplane food. Also coffee. Lots of coffee.
Japanese Seafood Buffet. Do I need to say more?
71 Mayoral Dr, Auckland, 1010
09-366 3000 , katsura@millenniumhotels.com
https://katsurarestaurant.co.nz
It’s OK, I’m pretty sure my will power is strong enough that I won’t just binge the whole pack. Maybe. Maybe just sneak a few every now and then. In handfuls.
And it’s open. Like Pandora’s Box.
Strange, Doornuts are easier to resist.
And we’re at it again, bubble tea because it tastes good. Although no bubbles this time round.
Purple Fairy, $14.00
Bull Demon King With Golden Diamond Milk Tea, $7.00
Yu Cha
96A Dominion Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
My sister swans around the city talking to people all day. Sales. Today she was at Pukeko Bakery and the owner there gave her some of his orange kumara bread to try. Not averse to having a post dinner non dessert snack, I took it home and threw it in the oven to heat up properly.
Bread being bread looks like bread. Very everyday. The proof is all about the taste and texture. Warmed in the oven it was still light and fluffy and kinda screamed to be filled. Lots of butter, sliced chorizo and some mustard pickle later and I was ready for snack time.
The bread was good. Really good. A little stronger in flavour than I expected but not overpowering and paired with chorizo etc, it worked well.
Lucky people in Mairangi Bay with this so close to them. Definitely a destination if I’m over that side of the world.
Pukeko Bakery Retail Store
Shop 1, Green Gables Shopping Centre, 376 Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland
http://www.pukekobakery.com
Introduced a friend to their beef cheek burger. His verdict? Good but has structural integrity issues. The beef cheek does just fall apart but in a super tender good way. I had the steak, because steak.
Slow cooked beef cheek burger, fries & aoili, $27.00
Angus sirloin, duck fat sweet potatoes, broccolini, red wine jus & hollandaise, $27.50
Kingsland Social
462 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland 1021
New place just opened around the corner. Not just around the corner, but right next to Eden Noodles. Bubble tea and Chinese food so of course had to try it.
Good prices, opening specials and tasty quick lunch. They need to work on their HVAC though, we got a little smoky at one point. One small down, the waitress didn’t believe me when I asked for spicy Sichuan Pork Belly, it could have been hotter. Damn tasty though.
Sichuan Pork Belly, $12.00
Hainanese Chicken Rice, $12.00
TikTak Gourmet
103 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
Full day at work so off for a quick lunch across the road. Got through the language issues and was able to get what we wanted, pork dumplings, pan fried and a chives with egg ‘pizza’. Something got lost in that translation though because their original menu called it a pie.
Doesn’t matter, still good.
Beijing Cuisine
81-83 View Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
One of those “tough” days, hanging out with like-minded people at Wenderholm, swinging sticks, learning new things, eating ice cream, soaking in the sun…
Still, the demands of the day required sustenance and this time we ended up at Ensalada Cafe for awesome Filipino food.
Sizzling Pork Sisig – Crispy chopped pork & chicken liver served on a sizzling plate with a fresh cracked egg, $15.00
Inihaw na Liempo – Grilled pork belly on special soy sauce mix, dipping sauce and rice, $16.00
BBQ Sticks with Java Rice – Grilled pork barbecue sticks with salad and java rice, $16.00
Longsilog – Longsilog is a short term for longanisa (sausage), sinangag (fried rice) and pritong itlog (fried egg). This version is with homemade Filipino chorizo,$15.00
Ensalada Cafe
286 Karangahape Rd, Auckland, 1010
https://ensalada.co.nz
More waffles! Brunch at Ponsonby Central, it’s been a while since I was here last. Lots of changes but still good to see some of the best still there.
Everyone ordered the waffles.
Excellent coffee too.
Bird On A Waffle – Buttermilk fried chicken, house-made waffle, chilli maple syrup, vanilla ice cream, candied bacon, marscapone, $19.00.
Best little Italian place, U.S. Aunty was well impressed. I’m always impressed.
Tagliere di Salumi tipici Italiani serviti con Tigelle e formaggio morbido – To share Italian charcuterie board accompanied by soft cheese and Tigelle, $29.00
Tagliatelle con avocado, cipolla rossa, olio extra vergine d oliva e Parmigiano Reggiano – Tagliatelle with avocado, red onion, extra virgin olive oil and grated Parmigiano Reggiano, $26.00
Tortellini con panna e Parmigiano Reggiano – Tortellini with cream and Parmigiano Reggiano (only Friday, Saturday, Sunday), $29.00
Polpette – Meatballs served with tomato sauce and peas with 2 garlic bruschetta, $29.00
Pasta & Cuore – Handmade Heartmade
409 Mount Eden Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
http://pastaecuore.co.nz
