BOOKS AT AVONDALE MARKETS

Avondale Markets aren't my favourite - the fruit and vege stalls are great, but the others have a lot of rubbish and it can be a little too hard to find a bargain amongst all the clutter. However, I do love this little book area that's tucked away in the back corner. Some of the pulp fiction on offer is hilarious (Is the Judge himself.... A KILLER?!) Again, hard to find anything that's gold, but there are little gems here and there.

Avondale Markets

Sundays (including Christmas Day)

FLOTSAM & JETSAM

This amazing little shop (tucked away next on Richmond Rd between a dairy and a laundromat) is truly one of the best places to buy offbeat gifts for friends, or actually just for yourself. It's crammed full of diverse stuff, from furniture to retro kitchenware to a monkey skull! It's not the cheapest, but you'll find things in here that you won't find anywhere else. I grabbed some old milk bottles in crates, managed to hold back on buying up old shop signage and also have my eye on the gold skull mugs. Go see and buy, it's wonderful.

168 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

09 361 3831

SIGNS I WANT TO STEAL: HAILWOOD

I love this old Fresh-Up sign. It's hanging on the wall of Hailwood on K Rd. When I popped into the shop to take this photo, Adrian was there and said that he'd picked it up on the side of the road during inorganics week! Argh! Wish I'd got there first. He then showed me the Frosty Boy light box that was in the same heap! Argh again!

Oh and the clothes look great too.

Hailwood

516 Karangahape Road, Newton

09 360 9931

LOVE A LITTLE TART...

Holy heck, where do I get some? Actually, I'll answer my own question: your best bet is Glengarry (which as a side note has a new outlet open on Williamson Ave). Still no sign of it at Grey Lynn Countdown... you did promise, guys...

SMOOTHIES

I know people rave about Teed St Larder… I’m not completely convinced after a few patchy experiences (and seriously, what’s with the giant highlighter-coloured light shades – clash city!) but one thing that blew me away was their Rhubarb and Vanilla smoothie. Refreshing, a little tart and a great change to the usual banana / mixed berry varieties. That said, the Banana and Berry smoothie at Meola Kitchen is sensational and surprising in that you can actually taste the banana. Both recommended.

BBQ AT THE OUTDOOR ROOM

I haven't been to The Outdoor Room on Quay St yet (from the same people behind Coast), but I think I want to... like this afternoon. From their website:

'We have teamed up with The Neat Meat Company and Moa Beer to complete the holy trinity of meat, fire and beer – and we want to invite our friends of Britomart to join us! You can also pre-order premium meat hampers from those purveyors of fine meat and pick them up from The Outdoor Room from 3pm on Fridays, when the barbie will be cranking and the Moas being passed around'.

104 Quay St, Britomart

www.theoutdoorroom.co.nz

oh!SO CAFE

I haven't been blown away by the food, but it has to be said that oh!SO does an amazing takeaway coffee. It's round the corner from the giant hole which if all had gone to plan would have made oh!SO the 'local'. So, a lost opportunity there but in a way I'm glad that it's tucked away out of the glare of Ponsonby Road, because it's doesn't feel rushed or impersonal. Definitely drop in and get a coffee. You've got your keepcup by now, right? 

oh!SO 

29 Crummer Rd, Grey Lynn

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MY FAVOURITE DISH

Bit of a plug for a series of articles I wrote for View Auckland interviewing 10 of Auckland's top chefs. I had a great time chatting to these guys, especially as the end of the interview usually ended with eating the dish! Favourite moments include tucking into a freshly made goats cheese soufflé with Carl from The Engine Room, redesigning Clooney's kitchen with Des Harris and sharing a make-your-own steak tartare (above) with Rebecca Jones from the much missed Tabou.

www.viewauckland.co.nz/restaurants/my-favourite-dish-features-feature-4754.html

HEATHER KEATS PHOTOGRAPHY

Take a look at the picture that is the background to this blog. This is one of a fantastic set of RWC Opening Night images taken from across the harbour by Heather Keats, who I've known since we both worked in radio 5 or 6 years ago. She's now moved into photography and is pretty amazing at it.  I love her shot of the museum, but it's her portraiture that really are the ones that show off her skills. Take a look at her website to see what I mean.

www.heatherkeats.com

FUSION'S CRUNCHY CHICKEN SUSHI

Oh now these are really very good - basically it's deep-fried chicken sushi with some special sauce on top. Not exactly rocket science, but its simpleness makes it all the more special. Offset these with a few salmon ones and you won't feel as bad. The team at Fusion Sushi on K Rd make a great selection and it's all constantly refreshed. They do a mean Bento Box too.

Fusion Sushi

258 K Rd

PENCIL BOUTIQUE

The stationary and supplies project of Pebbles Hooper is tucked away behind Agnes Curran on Franklin Road and is the place to pick up fancy, funky and quirky stationary items.  It's not just stationary - when we went in they had a ridiculously cheap display cabinet for sale (we should have bought it, we should have bought it....) amongst other pieces of furniture. Only suggestion - remove the novelty items. Other than that, perfect.

Cnr Franklin and Ponsonby Rds

www.pencilboutique.com

NEWTON FISH & CHIPPERY

Ah, I love this set-up. A hole in the wall along Great North Road (near Ariki Rd) serving up fantastic fish and chips with the lady behind the counter running the show with a wicked sense of humour. Newton Fsh and Chippery turns out great takeaways - their fish batter is golden, wonderfully salty and totally moreish, and the chips are always crispy. We're also big fans of their grilled snapper. Best to phone ahead as there aren't many places to sit and wait.

270 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

(09) 376 4516

THE VIEW FROM ANGLESEA ST

This is always a surprise when heading down Ponsonby Road - the great view of the city from the top of Anglesea St. This photo doesn't do it justice but I did manage to crop out Chapel Bar... which can only be a good thing, right?

Cnr Ponsonby Rd & Anglesea St, Ponsonby

THE LAMINGTONS AT AGNES CURRAN

It's amazing to think my visit to Agnes Curran last weekend was my first. Why haven't I been earlier? It's possibly one of the nicest cafes in Auckland (and one of the smallest). Their coffee is fantastic, but it's their cake selection. Hands down winner - the chocolate lamington. The outside chocolate shell is smothered in coconut and almost crunchy, whilst the sponge inside is airy and delicate. It's served with a hefty dollop of cream and raspberry jam, so basically a kiwi Devonshire Tea. If you can eat it sitting at the table in the window, all the better.

Cnr Ponsonby and Franklin Rd

(09) 360 1551 

Image via Smart Mouth Online

VISIONS OF A TRAM

Excuse the not-so-sharp photography but I quickly took this whilst sitting at the lights on the corner of K Rd and Upper Queen St. This is the view down Queen Street towards the harbour. Looking at it from this angle brings up all sorts of crazy visions of Queen St becoming car-free and trams gliding between the water and the crest of the hill where K Rd intersects. Come on Auckland Council... have some balls and take us another step towards Melbourne.

EAT HERE NOW

Created by Simon Farrell-Green and Natalie Smith, Eat Here Now is a simple but beautiful food blog that features both new and well-loved Auckland restaurants, each tagged under humorously helpful headings (such as 'Annoyingly Large Group', 'Open Mondays!' and 'Long Long Lunch'. It's sporadic (there have only been two updates in the last few months) but when a new post arrives online, it's stunning. Interestingly, the exquisite photography by David Straight doesn't feature any food. Instead, each restaurant's architecture and decor is allowed to speak for itself. Eat Here Now states that they love food and love Auckland. People after my own heart, then. 

www.eatherenow.co.nz

THE END OF QUEENS WHARF

Hidden away at the end of The Cloud on Queens Wharf is a fantastic little spot with a truly wonderful view of the harbour. There are some great curved seats to lounge on and watch the ferries go by. Recommended.

SUPREME COFFEE

Yes I know.... I bang on about Supreme, but here's some reasons why:

1: It's the best coffee around - seriously, a flat white from a Supreme cafe like what used to be called Good One or Mister Morning blows all others away.

2: A blend for every taste - personal favourites Brazil & Fair Trade Organic. Both great with milk. For something punchier, go for Boxer or if extremely brave the Caramel blend (where the beans are caramalised and come out of the bag oily).

3. Love the branding - as mentioned a few weeks back, their branding is great. From the colour-stamped brown bags, to their logo plastered on an old Land Rover. I want one of their wooden blackboards (as spotted in Charlie Boys) for my kitchen.

4. Order online from the Wellington roastery and you'll get that day's roast delivered to your door.

Favourite Supreme locations: Little & Friday, Coffee Supreme (formally Good One), Mister Morning

www.coffeesupremeshop.com

THE BRITOMART CAR PARK

On first entering the recently-opened Britomart carpark building, it can be a little daunting that there isn't the usual 'up, down' circular ramp system. Instead, it's a bright spacious barrier-free space that gently guides you around through well-placed signage. There's never been a problem getting a park there, even during the World Cup. It feels safe and clean (Victoria St and Albert St carparks take note), and the graphic design fits in perfectly with the 'Britomart' feel (and was runner-up for Best Environmental Design at this year's graphic design awards). Shame it's already pricier than when it opened. 

METRO'S TOP 50 CAFES

I don't agree with some of them (Hubcap? Really?), and there have been some pretty surprising omissions (Benediction, Twenty Three) but Metro's Top 50 Cafes is always a must-read. Short and snappy with some very helpful sidebars (Top Menus, Coffee, Counter Food etc), I'm disappointed Paul Henry bet it to the cover. It was last year's Top 50 Cafes list that inspired me to get into the whole food writing game when it dawned on me that after 3 years away, I'd seriously fallen behind in the amazing cafe scene that Auckland offers up. Metro follows this blog, so I'm putting my hand up to be on next year's judging panel please!


$9.75
In stores now

BOB STEINER CERAMICS

You will have seen his fantails adorning walls all over the city (and they've been one of our favourite gifts to give) but it's Bob Steiner's lamps which have recently caught my eye. The one above (brilliantly called 'Dalek') is from Mixt in Kingsland. The colour and shape is wonderfully retro but with a quirky twist. Bob's pottery is based in Avondale, so you'll see his work in many stores around the city including various Texan Art Schools.


www.steinerceramics.com

THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO DOWNTOWN AUCKLAND

It's been out for a while now, but a round of applause for this fantastic little app from Big Little City. Created as a tourist guide for the Rugby World Cup (but still being updated post-event), the app is a breakdown of the 6 central city neighbourhoods with suggestions, tips and guides to each area including food, fashion, heritage and the arts. It actually contains more than a few surprises for Aucklanders as well - I certainly had no idea about the Fort St / Shortland St escalator! Available on iPhone / iPad / Android etc. I'm not sure if it's still around in pocket book form, but you can download the e-book version at Big Little City's website.

www.biglittlecity.co.nz/InsidersGuide

THE WHITE LADY BOY @ MOOCHOWCHOW

From the MooChowChow menu:

'In John Le Carré’s 1965 novel The Looking Glass War, British spy Fred Leiser’s favorite tipple was a White Lady.  What he didn’t realise was that, thanks to her mysterious Asian ways, his White Lady was a White Lady Boy.  Light with lemongrass and citrus, but with the surprising strength and richness of Cointreau, this is the cocktail for anyone who’s winked at a lover and whispered: I won’t tell if you won’t.  PS. We suspect Leiser knew all along...'.


One of the best cocktails in Auckland - Hayman’s gin, Cointreau, lemongrass syrup, fresh lemon juice finished with lime zest. Just make sure you're over 18. 


$15
23 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

DELISH CUPCAKES

A week or so ago, a box of Delish cupcakes from their Christmas range arrived on my desk. I was out of the office but arrived back to find the box had been ransacked. Such is the draw of Delish cupcakes! Kathryn (Cupcake Chef) and Colleen (Cupcake stylist) are amazing and are definitely the go-to people for what I think are the best cupcakes around. They're members of Baked From Scratch (down with pre mix!), so their little bundles of goodness are always super fresh. They're reasonably pricey (you're looking at around $4.75 per cupcake plus delivery) but they're made with such skill and care that it's well worth it.

www.delishcupcakes.co.nz

09 974 3349

OLD SIGNAGE #2

This beautifully renovated building is on Cascade St in Freeman's Bay and I'm intrigued by the old signage that peeks through the foliage on one of the walls. It's like a large-scale cryptic crossword. From what I can make out it's _ A D _ A R K. It's definitely not aardvark. Any thoughts?

KEEP CUPS

Not enough people are using Keep Cups. Maybe it's the hassle of having to carry them around or wash them or both? They're certainly not cheap for what they are (retailing at around $15). But surely it's time for a change of thinking about takeaway coffee?  You can buy these at many cafes around Auckland (Good One and Queenies both have a good range) but if you want to get really clever, go to the Keep Cup website and have a custom version made up specifically to your tastes. Me? Black lid, black stopper, red band, black cup. 

www.keepcup.com

THE K RD OVERBRIDGE CORRIDOR

The bus union hate it apparently, calling the gap at the back of the K Rd Overbridge 'a $2 million toilet' with 'lowlifes creating a security risk'. Haven't seen that yet, but whatever your views on the new design, there is some enjoyment to be had by walking behind rather than in front of the bus shelters. It feels like you're walking through some Ken Adam-designed 60s Bond villain corridor. Only the garish Dick Smith sign at the other end slightly spoils the image. 

KINGS PLANT BARN

A visit to a garden centre is like visiting a library - all politeness and hushed tones, as if raising your voice would cause mortal offence to a nearby chrysanthemum. As such, they are the perfect place to go the morning after the night before. Kings Plant Barn isn't as flashy as some of its more famous competitors but it's got a nicer, slightly unkempt feel to it. The trolleys especially are cumbersome and at least one of the wheels will have a mind of its own, but it's all part of the fun. Our favourite is the Orakei branch but there are many dotted around the city. 


Kings Plant Barn
www.kings.co.nz

THE TUNNEL

Aucklanders had the chance to walk through the new Victoria Park tunnel last Saturday. It was an impressive sight if a lot brighter and shorter than I thought. Still, can't wait to drive through it. Two lanes open on November 14, with the third opening in March.

www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/victoria-park-tunnel