Helene R.'s
For spicy food lovers
- 111Maldito MendezPonsonbyThe best dining spots to hit when the mercury dives are those that serve great food with more than a hint of spice. Maldito Mendez does exactly that, and have a menu that changes according to fresh produce on offer so there is always something there that is bound to surprise. Good Hibiscus Margaritas too.
- 242MooChowChowPonsonbyThai restaurants are a dime a dozen in Auckland city, but not all are created equal. There are some places where the food to go is impeccable but the interior not too salubrious, but at MooChowChow on Ponsonby Road you’ll find the perfect mix. The menu is a riot of flavours and the cocktail offering even more so, and the atmosphere on a Friday and Saturday night is always buzzing. Even if you just swing by for a drink there is a great bar menu too, although I reckon you will find it hard to leave.
- 346Barilla DumplingsBalmoralA phenomenon so hot that it even had its own Twitter hashtag for a while, Barilla Dumpling turn out what are widely believed to be Auckland’s finest Sichuan dumplings. Reportedly over 37 varieties of dumplings at that, all from a petite premises on the legendary Dominion Road.
- 433Sri Pinang Malaysian RestaurantAuckland CentralSri Pinang can be found at the “wrong” end of iconic Karangahape Road, but don’t let that put you off a visit to this incredibly popular location serving up perfect Malaysian cuisine. Loyal customers have been coming back for years for a weekly fix of their beef rendang curry or nasi lemak with good reason.
- 540This is the menu for the amazing Satya South Indian restaurant that we keep in a drawer at home. The reason it looks so tired? Because it is thumbed, salivated over and ordered from on an insanely regular basis! We eat in and take out, and have been working our way through the lengthy lineup of dishes for quite some time now. And we are yet to be disappointed. An unmissable spot.
Helene R.'s
When cooking just isn't an option
- 1101Ponsonby International FoodcourtPonsonbyPonsonby Central may have some great foodie residents in the house, but for tastiness coupled with value - and speed - you can’t go past the original purveyor or amazing international cuisine at incredible prices. The Ponsonby International Food Court is pretty much always bustling with locals and visitors alike, and the fare is varied and delicious. We love the Vietnamese for its fresh spring rolls and lemongrass chicken, whilst the Massaman curry is the best tasting in town and the fresh juices from the fully licensed bar always appeal. You can’t visit Ponsonby without a trip to the Food Court and definitely won’t leave hungry.
- 233Food Truck GarageAuckland CentralMichael Van de Elzen’s TV One show The Food Truck was a huge hit for the Auckland chef, and now the industrial style food destination that shares its name is set to do the same. Serving up his trademark delicious, healthy fast food, it is the perfect spot for a hearty lunch or early dinner on the run and thus far the burger offerings are my standout fave. They even have Hallertau beer on tap, or try the homemade honey lemonade and lavender cola for a real taste sensation.
- 35Sliced Lunch BarGrey LynnSliced Lunch Bar on Richmond Road in Grey Lynn is home to the best sandwich filling selection in town in my humble opinion, as well as epic salad offerings and more. Their blackboard sign outside shows the special of the day, and is pretty impossible to drive past without pulling in for a purchase.
- 47Bamboo KitchenEden TerraceIt has been great to see the proliferation of healthy takeaway options popping up around Auckland, the latest of which is the rather awesome Bamboo Kitchen. They serve up tasty Chinese fare that is heavy on fresh ingredients and naturally good sauces, and their menu is growing by the day. If you love fresh Asian meals then this is definitely the spot for you.
- 53Wishbone Vulcan LaneAuckland CentralThe Central city is full of food to go options, some healthier than others. One of my picks when I am Downtown and on the go is Wishbone in Vulcan Lane, who serve up both hot and cold, nutritionally sound and yummy meals. As well as the usual sandwich and salad fare they have winter warmers like paella and chunky soups, which you can buy ready to eat or chilled to take home and heat yourself.
Helene R.'s
Places to take mums for a treat
- 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.
- 254MilseAuckland 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.
- 34Spa at the PullmanAuckland CentralThe Spa at the Pullman hotel is always a treat to visit. It’s boutique, elegant and wonderfully serene, and their menu of treatments is always inspired. For the month of May - and perfectly timed for Mother’s Day - they have launched a body treatment using Whittaker’s chocolate, a true feast for the senses! You can choose from orange chocolate or peppermint chocolate and the super luxe treatment is a steal at just $99.00. This includes valet parking and a takeaway bag of Whittaker’s treats.
- 47I had no idea that beauty spot Lucy & The Powder Room was open Sundays until I was offered an appointment there recently, and now I’ll never look back! Takapuna parking was plentiful and free, whilst the Powder Room itself was sun filled and serene and there was ample time for a little shopping both before and after. The best Sunday I have treated myself to in a long time, and suggest you do the same!
- 510I am a regular at both the Newmarket and CityWorks Depot branches of Dry & Tea, and not just visiting to get my hair done. They are absolutely passionate about beautiful teas too, and stock the most amazing range from T2 that includes my favourites: Liquorice Legs and Gorgeous Geisha. They even have tea-related gifts you can buy and take home, like Limoges cup and saucer sets at $199 a pop! Now THAT is every day luxury.
Helene R.'s
Where to go to get Him a makeover
- 18Maloney's Barber ShopFreemans BayMaloney’s Barber Shop in Freeman’s Bay has been renowned for great cuts for over ten years now, and is home to some of the city’s sharpest barbers. They are open six days a week and you don’t need an appointment, and you might also like to check out their cool products in store like Layrite Deluxe Pomade and the Triumph and Disaster range of grooming necessities. Old school meets new school cool at its best.
- 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!
- 39Superette PonsonbyPonsonbyAlways worthy of a visit, the Superette store on Ponsonby Road has the perfect edit right now of men’s and women’s winter clothes. Its racks are jam packed with high end street and casual labels like Bassike, Vanishing Elephant and Nudie jeans, as well as top notch sneakers and the Beau Coops shoe collection. If you’re on the other side of town their Newmarket store is also a great place to browse - and spend.
- 412Two Hands TattooPonsonbyStefan Sinclair is the man behind Two Hands, one of Auckland’s best and most unique tattoo parlours. The artists you’ll find wielding guns there are amongst the country’s best, and visiting international names add even more to the mix. They have also just opened the flash only studio Flash City next door and even have an in house barber. Definitely a spot not to be missed, if you’re in the market for fresh ink then I highly recommend that you give them a call.
- 57Area 51 Auckland CBDAuckland CentralIf you like your street wear slick, you can’t miss the Area 51 store on High Street for some quality browsing. It’s an essential. Brands in store include Cheap Monday, Commoners, Opening Ceremony and Ksubi, and there is plenty to choose from whether you’re a guy or a girl. The staff are always super helpful too - bonus!
Helene R.'s
Organic and natural-leaning beauty spots I love
- 18Aroha LoveGrey LynnRosanna Marks leads the team at Aroha Healing in Grey Lynn, a serene haven at the Great North Road end of Maidstone Street. They are specialists in the art of Reiki, and their Reiki facials and massages are a little bit unique and a lot amazing. They also hold regular workshops if you are looking to learn Reiki yourself, and you can even book in for a four handed Reiki session for a real treat.
- 27I had no idea that beauty spot Lucy & The Powder Room was open Sundays until I was offered an appointment there recently, and now I’ll never look back! Takapuna parking was plentiful and free, whilst the Powder Room itself was sun filled and serene and there was ample time for a little shopping both before and after. The best Sunday I have treated myself to in a long time, and suggest you do the same!
- 33D & M Hair DesignPonsonbyD & M Hair Design on the border of Ponsonby and Herne Bay has a team of amazing stylists and colourists to choose from, as well as the best magazine selection in town! If you’re like me and never have to time to enjoy a mag or two over coffee then this is your spot - and the service always comes with a big smile.
- 44Urban AshramPonsonbyIf you haven’t experienced a yoga class with the extraordinary Nikki Ralston then you really haven’t lived. A brilliant alternative to the gym any day, her classes in The Ralston Method will stretch and strengthen your body and quieten your mind, with plenty of laughs in the process. She takes group and private classes from her Ponsonby studio the Urban Ashram, and also offers some of the best massages in town.
- 51Elle Health and SkincareMt EdenMichelle and Janine at Elle Beauty in Mount Eden are a rare find - beauty therapy practitioners who view the big picture and look at every angle from the inside out. They are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Skincare and nutrition, and incorporate cranial sacral work and other modalities into the likes of facials and massage with ease. Even their building has the easiest parking of pretty much any beauty therapy clinic I have been to, so even arriving is good for the soul!
Helene R.'s
Top spots to get a summer makeover started
- 12Louise Gray Skin Care - Mission BayMission BayThe team at Louise Gray Skin Care are amongst the most knowledgeable in the country when it comes to all things skin. They truly have the power to transform, using Dermalogica products and some of the most unique skin enhancing technology around. Their latest toy is a Hydraderm machine, a more delicate option than microdermabrasion that delivers seriously great results.
- 23D & M Hair DesignPonsonbyD & M Hair Design on the border of Ponsonby and Herne Bay has a team of amazing stylists and colourists to choose from, as well as the best magazine selection in town! If you’re like me and never have to time to enjoy a mag or two over coffee then this is your spot - and the service always comes with a big smile.
- 36Re:ab on SelbourneGrey LynnThis place is my pick for stellar Pilates classes and now they have added some ballet barre to the mix. Great teacher and a killer workout.
- 451Hot Yoga AucklandNewmarketIn my opinion winter weather in Auckland isn’t that conducive to outdoor fitness activities, so a favourite place to head when I need warming up is the Hot Yoga studio on Broadway. It is beautifully designed, sweet smelling and clean, unlike a few Bikram classes I have tried where the sweaty masses were a bit too much! They also have several styles of yoga to choose from in a heated room, including the super restorative yin that even has a candlelit session happening on Sundays in the late afternoon. Heavenly.
- 51FaceworksRosedaleDr. Teresa Cattin at Faceworks is New Zealand’s most highly respected cosmetic doctor, with a fine line in all manner of needles. She is a spokesperson for the use of Botox and fillers here and around the world, and is a fountain of information if you’re in the market for a little rejuvenation. Her Albany clinic is also incredibly discreet - if discretion is what you’re after!