Helene R.'s
My favourite places for dining a deux
- 164The French CafeNewtonThe French Café is one of Auckland oldest, much loved and much awarded dining establishments. Serving up stellar modern French cuisine, the restaurant offers a nine-course chef’s tasting, a six course tasting that includes a vegetarian option, and an a la carte menu that has been carefully designed to be enjoyed in four courses.
- 224Late Night DinerPonsonbyThere aren’t enough American diner-style eateries round these parts in my opinion, but one near me that is pretty perfect is the Late Night Diner on Ponsonby Road. The menu isn’t all the usual diner fare, but it is very much present in dishes like popcorn grits, the Reuben sandwich and the meaty goodness that is the cheese and bacon burger. Diner food taken up a notch, and with a well stocked bar to keep things humming.
- 39O'Connell St BistroAuckland CentralAn intimate inner city venue that is serious about great food and incredible wine, this place is the best Downtown degustation spot by far. The cocktails aren’t bad either!
- 454MilseAuckland CentralTucked away behind the Kathryn Wilson store in the Pavilions at Britomart you’ll find Milse, the ultimate sweet tooth’s dining destination. Styled as a ‘secret dessert garden’ it has amazing cakes, pastries and gelato to go as well as a restaurant that serves three, five and seven course degustation menus for those that really want to indulge! You can also order cakes for special occasions, and they serve Milse sweets and desserts next door too at neighbouring bistro Ortolana.
- 521CocoroPonsonbyCocoro’s $85.00 per head dinner degustation menu gives you a great snapshot of their innovative modern Japanese menu, with creations like Teriyaki Canterbury quail and Tsukune free range chicken brochette with Japanese ratatouille. Cocoro is sister to popular Ponsonby eatery Soto, with the head chef from there, Makoto Tokuyama, now in residence at the Brown St location. The six-course degustation is called "omotenashi", and there is also a wine or sake pairing option available.
Helene R.'s
Top foodie haunts around town
- 124Ceres FreshMarketPonsonbyCeres Market at Ponsonby Central is one of my favourite places to shop for fresh produce, especially as there is always something unique to take home and add to your pantry and their fresh squeezed juices are amongst the best in town. They also always have the likes of kale and kefir available to keep all the green foodies happy.
- 215Auckland Fish MarketFreemans BayWhen fish is on the menu in our house there is only one place to go: the Auckland Fish Market. As well as an incredible array of fresh seafood they have a great food market packed with all sorts of treats and inspiring cooking ingredients, and if you can’t wait to get home they even sell perfectly prepared hot fish and chips to eat in or takeaway. And it’s close to Wynyard Quarter - a bonus for coffee lovers and little ones alike.
- 39Cook The BooksGrey LynnAs well as stocking some of the most inspirational and great looking recipe books in the country, Grey Lynn’s Cook the Books offer some of the finest cookery classes and workshops. These range from Vegetarian Cheese Making to North African Flavours and Mexican, and you can also buy vouchers for foodie friends to attend. They also offer private group lessons for friends, just pop in and ask the wonderful staff to tell you more.
- 424Milly’s on Ponsonby Road is heaven for lovers of home baking and lovers of eating home baking alike, and stock some of the world’s most illustrious culinary brands. They have the city’s best selection of cute and quirky cake and cookie tins and decorating tools as well as mixing and prep bowls preferred by the masters. Saturday always sees live cooking and baking demos taking place too, so bring an empty tummy!
- 529Farro Fresh - Grey LynnGrey LynnThe Grey Lynn branch of Farro Fresh is one of my favourite places to buy wine. They have an insanely good selection from all over the globe and the specials are always enticing - drop in and take the chance on something you’ve never tried before!
Helene R.'s
Shoe stores to keep the whole family covered
- 13Runway Shoes & AccessoriesNewmarketSince Ponsonby’s legendary Mei Mei closed its doors last year, one of the few places to try on - and be very tempted by - killer international designer shoes is Runway Shoes in Newmarket. They have a beautifully edited collection of brands always evolving in store, as well as accessories and bags by the likes of DVF and Stella McCartney that have to be held to be believed. Much more fun than online shoe shopping by far.
- 28Pat Menzies ShoesAuckland CentralThe Pat Menzies store in Queen Street’s Cantebury Arcade has been around for a long time with good reason. A haven for sneaker freaks and boot lovers alike, it has the most varied range of both on offer and if you can’t find what you want or need the friendly staff are always on hand to help. A true inner city icon!
- 35Kathryn Wilson BritomartAuckland CentralThe Kathryn Wilson store at Britomart is the flagship store of the local shoe designer of the same name, and the perfect place to view her beautiful collections in their entirety . The staff are amazingly friendly and the shoes are to die for, making it a must visit when you’re in the downtown district. Try and leave with just one pair, I dare you.
- 44Future Feet (2010) LtdHerne BayWhen I’m shopping for kids shoes there is one place I always hit first - Future Feet on the corner of Jervois and St Mary’s Bay roads. Their staff are highly trained in measuring and fitting shoes for little feet and the selection on offer is vast. As well as the likes of Clark’s they stock Nike, Vans and DC shoes in kids sizes too, so you are always spoiled for choice at any budget.
- 543Smith & Caughey'sAuckland CentralIf you are a beauty freak like me then the news that San Francisco brand Benefit had finally arrived in New Zealand would have been greeted with much joy. They are renowned for their cute, quirky campaigns and their amazing brow bars, one of which can now be found smack bang in the middle of Smith & Caughey’s Queen Street branch. They do a fast, seriously great job and work with what Mother Nature gave you, as well as taking walk ins. Hallelujah.
Helene R.'s
Child's play on a rainy day
- 161Stardome Observatory & PlanetariumRoyal OakYou can visit the Stardome Observatory day or night, rain or shine to experience the wraparound sky and special effects of a planetarium. Each clear evening you may also see planets, double stars, glowing gas nebulae, or lunar craters through their amazing telescopes.
- 218New Zealand Maritime MuseumViaduct HarbourVoyager AKA the Maritime Museum occupies some of Auckland’s most impressive real estate snack bang on Viaduct Harbour, making it a great place to take visitors from out of town. It is also the ideal way to waste a few school holiday hours learning about our city’s seafaring history, and kids love the interactive displays in particular as much as adults love the heritage element. A very cool, much underrated attraction for sure.
- 3162Auckland Art GalleryAuckland CentralHeading into an Auckland winter means serious prep for ways to fill up rainy days, and one of the best and brightest is a visit to the still sparkling, recently renovated Auckland Art Gallery. They always have something new to look at and ponder thoughtfully, and when the tummy starts to rumble they offer some great food and coffee options. Best of all, the gallery is open seven days a week, so whenever the heavens open it’s ready and waiting for you.
- 4107MOTAT Museum of Transport and TechnologyWestern SpringsMOTAT is one of my favourite places to take kids, and the fact that their trams take you around the periphery of the Zoo and Western Springs Lakeside makes it even better. A sunny day can be spent without needing to jump in the car, and the buzz of a tram ride never seems to grow old.
- 5113Auckland War Memorial MuseumParnellAuckland War Memorial Museum is my top pick for kids on a rainy day, with loads of parking, a cafe with decent coffee and endless exhibitions to explore. Weird & Wonderful is a favourite in our family, with new oddities to discover on every visit. And for most of us - it’s free!
Helene R.'s
The city's finest cocktail hot spots
- 1291885 BritomartAuckland Central1885 in the Britomart Precinct is one of the city’s slickest venues. Beautifully designed, it was a hot spot from the moment it opened its doors for a variety of reasons. It has a selection of DJs spinning an eclectic range of tunes most nights, as well as live music with a jazzy feel a few nights a week. The venue also has three distinct function spaces and a maximum capacity of five hundred, making it a great place to book for your next party or gig.
- 26The WhiskeyPonsonbyIt doesn’t happen there every night, but when Ponsonby Road bar The Whiskey host live music it is often out of this world. During New Zealand Music Month in particular they have gigs almost every night of the week, with some of our country’s biggest musicians performing acoustic sets or forming whole new ‘mega’ bands. Keep an eye on their website for listings.
- 335ClooneyFreemans BayOne of my all time favourite restaurants to visit when there is something very special to celebrate is Clooney, which brings a little New York to Auckland and is packed with style and great food. Head chef Des Harris seems to garner one award after another with good reason, and there is even a private dining area if you like the idea of a secluded spot all your own. We love you Clooney!
- 448SPQRPonsonbyA Ponsonby institution for over twenty years, SPQR is one of the finest places to begin - or end - a night out. Cocktails like ‘The Slapper’ come highly recommended!
- 535The Blue Breeze InnPonsonbyThe Blue Breeze Inn has only been open a few weeks but has been a hive of activity from the moment it opened its doors. It has garnered incredible reviews for its unique modern Chinese menu, which was created by chef Che Barrington of Moo Chow Chow fame. The har gau and twice fried duck are my favourites so far, best washed down with the delish Damn Native rum cocktail. If you haven’t been yet then I recommend that you get in quick!
Helene R.'s
Best beach-y spots to take visitors to
- 117Cable Bay VineyardsOneroaCable Bay Restaurant is at the heart of Cable Bay Vineyards. A major hit with both Waiheke locals and landlubbers from the moment it opened its doors, it has some of the island's best views from its picture windows and a spacious alfresco courtyard from which to graze on tapas and sip a glass or two of the local produce. I also recommend taking the time to check out some of the venue’s amazing art and sculpture on display.
- 23Pakiri BeachPakiriOne of my favourite places to go that’s not too far from Auckland but pleasantly far enough that it feels like a holiday is Pakiri Beach. As well as the horse rides and surfing to occupy your time it is close enough to Leigh to grab coffee and pizza at the Sawmill, and if you come for a weekend then you can’t pass through the Matakana markets without making a stop.
- 335Takapuna BeachTakapunaOn a sunny day Takapuna Beach is a great place for sunbathing or walking the dog, but during the winter months it’s also a great destination for a brisk walk or to explore the rock pools. We love the ones by the famous Petrified Forest and close to Takapuna Beach Cafe, where you can pop in for an order of fresh fish and chips to enjoy in the winter sun.
- 41Zealandia Sculpture Garden is an artist's sculpture garden in Warkworth that makes for a great day out. The garden is open by appointment over winter and daily for limited hours during the summer months, so make sure you call in advance before making the trip.
- 54Zomer CafeTakapunaThe sister of Herne Bay favourite Zus & Zo, Zomer is a great spot to hit Pre or Post visits to Takapuna Beach. It has a similar menu to Zus with a few tweaks here and there, and the coffee is just superb. Their yellow and white striped awning just screams Summer (as does the name, which is the Dutch name for the sunny season) but we think it’s a top place to visit any time of year.