Everything is just amazing and the staff are super lovely

So much choice!

Freak Shakes - enough said

Ultimate in fine desserting

The fanciest ice cream ever! Be warned - you will get lot’s of samples!!

Nestled in the heart of the shops on the main drag in Henderson, this family-owned Thai restaurant has been one of the city’s best for many years. Good, honest, comforting fare is what the Thai Kitchen has specialised in for decades and I’ve been picking weekly takeaways up for 14 years now with no disappointment. I always order the Gai Med or their excellent Panang red curry.

Healthy, free-range, local and seasonal - these are the key kinds of ingredients that drive inspiration for the daily menu produced at this country destination dining experience. As State Highway 16 rolls out of Huapai and into long stretches of green fields, this delightful restaurant (on the site of former cafe and store, BeesOnline) comes into view complete with on-site produce gardens. The restaurants owners are dedicated to providing day-time diners with locally sourced meats and produce. And it’s the kind of recipes they create with these flavour inspirations that will never fail because you just can’t beat freshness. In fact, on my arrival, I’d just marvelling at an abundant head of the purple broccoflower that ended up accompanying my main fish meal. The swordfish was an unusual choice for me but I loved how the kitchen had teamed its meaty flesh with the crunchy broccoflower and delicate sauce. Dessert was a de-constructed lemon meringue that was equally delicious. Will be back again very soon!

A favourite Saturday morning out for me and the hubby is to head over the hills and into Oratia for this world-class rural farmers market. Many of the stallholders are veterans and have been coming here for as many years as we have. It's an excellent meeting place for a Saturday morning brunch on the go for friends and family. And I swear by the free-range meats and fresh produce - it's the only place I buy my vegetable seedlings each season because they are reasonably priced and many heirloom varieties are available.

I've been a local and a regular here for many years as Picollo was a stone's throw from our old property and their traditional pizzas pack a serious punch, thanks to the homemade tomato sauce that changes the flavour subtly with each new batch. Not to mention the fact that all of the salami is also hand-crafted with love! This kind of authentic Italian can be hard to come by in the suburbs of Auckland so if you are a westie like me, make this tucked away gem in Swanson Village, a never-fail staple. Or if you are passing through on your way to the beaches or the Waitakere Ranges, this place is worth a special trip.

If like hubby and I, you've been together for awhile then you can't go past a romantic evening at this popular Scenic Drive establishment. Another one of Auckland’s true best for destination dining, it’s all about teaming Italian flavours with local, seasonal, fresh produce at The Refreshment Room. The staff are efficient and friendly, and we raved about our meals. Plus because it was Thursday night, they had their Love our Locals special running - two courses for $30. It’s why I had to indulge in the bitter chocolate espresso mousse with salted caramel ice cream - I even took a pic because it was too good-looking (and tasting) not to!

Once you get to a certain age and your figure has seen better days, shopping for clothes is not the experience it once was. The wonderful shop assistants at Moa in Grey Lynn no how to find something for your life style. The clothes are designed to flatter and work with women’s bodies as they are now. Terrific colours and styles that have you walk out feeling fabulous. Plus the clothes are really well made over on Waiheke, timeless and don’t date.

My regular. Great food, coffee, service. Very good for a business meeting with the private room and easy parking. Good for a full meal or just a quick takeaway.

The rissoles, the bacon, the salami, the sausages, the haggis. It’s all delicous at the Westmere butcher.

Every week the www.glfm.co.nz is a fun place to catch up with friends, stock up on some nice food for the next few days, grab something for Sunday lunch.

Have loved everything I've tried

Good choices and great flavours

Interesting, delicious food, beautifully presented. A nice relaxing lunch spot

Best dumplings at a great price

Very authentic Mexican food to eat in or take home groceries to make at home. Limited hours and days make it a challenge to always get a seat but it’s definitely worth the effort.

Outstanding tacos - great service.

Amazing food, great atmosphere

Best sushi in town.

Best quick and easy meal on the run - healthy, organic and delish chicken and ah-mazing potatoes.

Everything about Moo Chow Chow is awesome. Best service, amazing cocktails and food is to die for. Hands down beats newcomers to the asian fusion scene.

Huge range of gluten free, organic, free range and grass fed produce for healthy eating.

Ordering healthy, gluten free, organic food online for delivery is so easy and quick.

Massive range of gluten free products and healthy options. Handy store in Takapuna or online delivery.

Online delivery or in-store shopping for all your gluten free, organic baking goods, nuts, seeds and sun-dried fruits.

Perfect spot to pick up some healthy, gluten free products, and then pop out to a local Grey Lynn Cafe for an organic coffee!

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Creative organic raw vegan. Three locations from New North Road, Ponsonby Road and since June Britomart. Inspiring atmosphere, kind and happy staff. I have mastered chef Megan May’s raw cheescake receipe. Made a large version for my wedding!

In the Countdown mall opposite the ASB, Dominion Rd btw Valley and Ewington. Premium organic produce. Free coffee. Lots of Parking in the mall lot. Just opened this winter 2015.

Sister to Grey Lynn and Glen Oak Huckleberry Organic markets. Open ‘til 8pm. Got all the basics. I hit this place up for healthy snacks in btw home cooked meals. Good bread selection and the Meats are top of the line ethically sourced. Next to best gluten free fish n’ chips in Auckland, The Ancient Mariner.

I walked past this place so many times on the way to the ferry and only stopped to try it recently which was honestly the best decision I've made in a long time . The scoops are massive, they're great value for money, and the flavours are incredible. I'm in love with the fig and honey, it's everything to me.

This place is definitely more than meets the eye. One side displays tech equipment for sale but the other hold a display cabinet full of homemade ice-blocks that are so cheap and yummy you'll find yourself coming back for more whenever the heat gets a bit too unbearable. There are fruity options and creamy options, so you're sure to find something to tickle your fancy no matter what mood you're in.

This is some of the best gelato in town I reckon, and the lists of awards that they’ve won more than proves that. The ginger flavour is the best, and I keep coming back for it time and time again. You have to get a load of it, it’s heavenly.

The massive scoops here are amazing and the array of flavours is incredible. My favourite by far is the liquorice allsort flavour which is something I’ve never seen anywhere else. The milkshakes and burgers here are great too, so it’s a win-win no matter what you’re after!

My friends and I are known to make regular pilgrimages out to this place on hot summers days to get the massive strawberry ice creams that are made for you on the spot. These treats are absolutely incredible, made from freshly picked fruit straight from the farm you're eating it on and they have punnets of sweet strawberries available for purchase too, which we always leave with several of.

Unfortunately it was raining last Friday night, however if it was nice weather I would have been on that deck having the time of my life! Next time you're there, have a look at the menu - delicious.

What do I say? Thanks for the $5000? Sure that'll do.

Nothing like a burger and fries to go with your massive jug of delicious Macs Gold.

2 pieces is all you'll need at this place, they are huuuuuuuge. Classic NY styled pizza washed down with a cold Coke, perfect.

This place is awesome, sugar overload!

If you have not tried there pizzas than you have not lived! If you are a true Pizza Lover then this is were you wanna be If you want a pizza that is as big as your table i suggest trying the large sized pizza. Epolitos is an authentic New York styled pizzeria. The bases are made fresh everyday by the pizza chef which is a friend of mine who is originally from New York and has the accent to go with it. If you are someone who loves classic italian pizzas then try the margherita if not there are a lot more to choose from on the menu, if you are a more modern or something different kind of person I suggest trying the artichoke heart, Anchovy and lemon pizza it will blow your mind and give you a whole new look on how pizzas should taste and look.

The most Authentic Chinese dumplings for 10 bux and you get a choice of 10 different kinds and also not just dumplings chinese noodles and rice dishes with chinese green tea served always.

Good food for less than 15 bux always can rely on a good meal and see a few friends while you're there.

2 for 1 pizzas on a Wednesday are amazing check it out

Amazing surroundings while you enjoy a romantic date with your other half and the food is not badly priced either.

Beaches are a go-to romantic spot, their beauty and openness tantalising lovers around the world. Piha, on the other hand, reveals itself as the beach-made-for-singles. It’s busy come weekends, to the point where you’d be lucky to find a private nook at South. The sun shines so bright that couples-selfies are a no go. You’ll always get sand in your packed sandwich, no matter what you try, so a cute picnic would be tragic. Finally, it’s packed with fit surfers and stunning sunbathers, a vision you wouldn’t want your beau to be distracted by whilst you’re lugging around your beach chairs. So get your togs ready, alert your fellow singletons and grab a few gold coins for a sand-free snack from Blair’s on the Beach and you’ll be sorted come Valentines day.

You cannot be cute at Ponsonby International Food Court. You just can’t. Whether you’re chowing down on ramen noodles or demolishing a pad thai, you’re guaranteed to get sauce on your face, coriander in your teeth, and yes, you will start heaving from an overzealous chilli courtesy of the friendly Malaysian. And let’s be honest, no one orders a curry and stays cute throughout a date night and gets away with it. This is why the food-court can be declared a Valentines Day free zone. Come Saturday afternoon and you’re starving from dodging the all-day couple brunches at local cafes, head to the food court for some seriously good kai and a breath of valentines-day-free-air.

Whether (most) people like to admit it or not, they often work out to impress other people. If they are willing, this ‘impressing’ usually lands them a Valentines date. This means that on Valentines Day the gym can be considered a lovers free zone. You can work on your abs, glutes, and other body bits and bobs with ease, no fear of stumbling across a loved up pair hovering by the treadmill. Les Mills will be a top pick for you come the 14th, with plenty of training sessions and dance classes on offer, which you can top of with a sauna or a deep tissue massage. Who says you need a spouse to pamper yourself, Less Mills will do it for you.

There’s nothing like good food, good people and a great local vibe to distract you from Valentines Day. The Pakuranga Night Markets brings all of this and then some to you, making it the ideal escape on that particularly soppy Saturday. Couples will be lost amongst the crowd and there will be little time for romance as the vendors hustle and bustle between hungry customers. You can wander around without a care in the world, with not a single trace of Valentines Day paraphernalia catching your eye. Visit your favourite stalls, try a little something out of your comfort zone, perhaps the grilled octopus skewers, who’s stopping you?

If we ignore the people who try to earn some chivalry points by taking their date volunteering on Valentines Day, we can declare the activity a Valentines Day free event. Volunteering in your community is a great way to support the locals, help out a charity and allow yourself to step outside of the me-me-me-bubble we’re so accustomed to. This Saturday February 14th you can volunteer your time to the NZ Heart Foundation by helping out as a collector in your local neighbourhood, raising money and awareness for a cause close to Kiwi hearts. Pun intended.