Asher W.'s
So what's the deal with Ponsonby Central?
- 118Dante's Pizzeria NapoletanaPonsonbyThere's a reason that Dante's pizza has won a bunch of awards. They make really, really good pizza. I think it has something to do with the fact that the owner has some Italian certificate in pizza making, the fresh ingredients or the wood fire pizza oven. Whatever it is, it's working. We ordered the chorizo and the famous margarita. The staff were helpful in the choices and when the pizza arrived it was delicious. The chorizo was spicy, the mozzarella creamy and the tomato sauce tangy and sweet! The base was crispy and when folded in half (the traditional way) the slices became delicious parcels. Get there if you haven't tried it.
- 22Fruit World PonsonbyGrey LynnRecently I started getting all my fruit and vegetable delivered by Ooooby, an organic delivery service that drops my fruit and vegetable off at my front door. The only problem with Ooooby is that you don't control what is delivered, which is great on some fronts but also a little frustrating on others as sometimes there are necessary items missing. Thank goodness Fruit World is just down the road from me. It wass my one stop shop for fruit and veges, and now it's a support player in my relationship with Ooooby! The store has all you need, and the quality and price are generally right up there! Plus they have a great selection of beverages and dried bits and pieces. My only question is, who the heck buys the pre-peeled madarins? That's straight up cray.
- 38I don't know the name of the guy in this photo. I do know that he used to work at Kokako in Grey Lynn, is really personable and knows coffee. I also know that once he offered to buy the shirt of my pack when I was in Kokako and was aware that I took his photo because my phone did that annoying click click thing it does when you're trying to be sneaky. Good coffee is something that is found easily, great coffee on the other hand not so much. Eight Thirty is a cafe that makes great coffee and this small little coffee roaster in Ponsonby Central pushes their reputation even further.
- 416Toru CafePonsonbyMy sistet recommend Toru cafe to me a couple of months ago so I figured it would be worth giving a whirl for lunch. I ordered the prawn salad and my friend got the pork belly sandwich with crinkle cut fries. The salad was tasty and the prawns fresh and juicy. The dressing tied all the flavours together and the generous smattering of nuts was a nice touch. The report on the sandwich was that it was nice but could do with some more flavour, the chips though got two thumbs up.
- 55Fish FishPonsonbyJimmy the Fish, in Ponsonby Central, has some seriously fresh fish. Whether you’re purchasing fresh fish or deep fried fish’n’chips it’s all really tasty. I would go as far as to say that it’s my favourite fish and chip shop in the city centre. The service was also great and they gave some great recommendations.
Asher W.'s
Every so often you need takeaways...
- 122Burger Fuel PonsonbyPonsonbyAfter deliberating for about an hour about what to eat it was decided that we should opt for burgers, they’re easy and dependable. And when it comes to consistency Burger Fuel tops this, across the board the sauces, meat and add ons are pretty dam good. I opted for the ring burner, a burger stuffed with jalapenos, bacon, salad and beef. It was just what I was after. As an aside, the bacon backfire and ford freakout are also great tasting bites.
- 22Pizza Hut Mount EdenMount EdenWhen I saw that Pizza Hut was trialing a pizza that had a hot dog in the crust suddenly I was convinced that there was a god. This pizza dog is all kinds of wrong (comes complete with sauce satchets for the dog/crust part!) but at the same time all kinds of right. It’s far from gourmet but this is revolutionary fast food. Get excited people.
- 32Riba Fish & ChipsDevonportWe decided to do something a little different with our Saturday and caught the ferry across to Devenport. On the way up to the Devenport lookout we picked up a deep fried package from the Riba Fish and Chip shop. Their was a good menu of options and the staff were friendly and helpful. The fish, chips and fritters, which were ready within ten minutes, were all crispy and well cooked, and boy the view was exceptional!
- 48The White LadyAuckland CentralLike a lot of Aucklander’s I’ve never actually had food from The White Lady sober. In saying that it is the best end to a night of shenanigans that downtown has to offer. The white caravan is an Auckland institution (my dad worked there when he was my age) and as far as fast food goes their bacon burger is up there among the best in Auckland.
- 536I’ve never been to New York but I’m sure that I’d enjoy it. I can imagine working at a diner and scraping enough tips together in order to buy one of those big greasy New York slices. I can play out this fantasy at K’Rd’s Sal’s Pizza. Either pick up a whole pizza or opt to pay per slice. It’s hard to go past the pepperoni, the simple mix of tomatoe base, heaps of cheese and pepperoni slices makes for a very enjoyable experience (accompanied by a refreshing tall beer of course). There are pinwheels and garlic knots aswell if you’re looking for sides. Yum!
Asher W.'s
Favourite date spots
- 172Tanuki's CaveAuckland CentralTanuki’s Cave was the first Japanese restaurant that I tried in Auckland and it’s still up there with my favourites. The wait for a table can be up to an hour but take some time to enjoy the authentic atmosphere and get started slurping on a jug of Japanese beer. When the time comes for food be prepared to share, this is not a place for lone rangers. I usually start with edamame and cabbage and then move onto the squid, beef and satay chicken. For the adventurous the chicken hearts are worth a try. Accompany the experience with mates, Japanese beer and sake and you can be assured your night will go off like a frog in a sock.
- 211Maldito MendezPonsonbyPonsonby Central is the cool kid on the block. It’s brimming with various pop up stores, cafes, street food inspired eateries and grocery shops. I ordered the beef quesadilla from Maldito Mendez, it was served with a generous dollop of sour cream, black beans and salsa. The meat was tender and well seasoned. Definitely worth a try if you’re in the area.
- 3110Mexico Auckland CentralAuckland CentralWinter is a gloomy season, so why not get the hell out of here and head to Mexico. Mexico, the restaurant that is, serves some of the best South American fare this side of the Atlantic from their Britomart and Takapuna locations It’s hard to go past the salsa with house made corn chips, the prawn soft shell tacos and the Mexican fried chicken all accompanied by a black plum margarita (made for sharing). The friendly staff and warm interiors will be sure to brighten up your day.
- 457When someone has had a particularly bad week it makes sense to take them to Coco's Cantina. At least this is my logic. As this is the case after a particularly big week the girlfriend and I headed to Coco's on a Friday night. Heads up, you can't book so be prepared to wait for a table. We had a drink at their bar next door and waited for a table to come up. When the time came I ordered the pork belly (with some kind of sausage, a pickled red cabbage, poached apples and pesto) and she ordered the ravioli (vegetarian friendly) with a sharing platter to start. Everything was exquisite, the ambiance cosy and the staff amazing. Kudos to whoever did the hiring. I know it's a big call but I would go as far to say as this is perhaps my favorite place to eat in the whole of Auckland.
- 546Barilla DumplingsBalmoralIf you’re in the zone for dumplings then it’s common knowledge Dominion Rd is the place to head. Barilla is my favourite of the dumpling houses on the road (although the rest are great). The bright lime green interiors and menus in plastic folders scream no frills but the food is cheap, cheerfull and delicious. I recommend delving into the eggplant, the crispy beans, the fried squid and whichever dumplings grab your fancy! Top night out.
Asher W.'s
Male grooming and tattooing
- 18Sacred TattooAuckland CentralSacred Tattoo is one of Auckland’s top tattoo shops. Located in an arcade in the middle of K’rd the place has a friendly vibe and the depth of artists will certainly be able to create a piece suited just to what you are after. Pictured is a piece from my favourite artist there, Capilli. His ugly old school has quickly gained in popularity and you might have to wait a while till he’s free to mark you with some of his distinctive work!
- 28Maloney's Barber ShopFreemans BayI’ve been going to Barber Dan to get my haircut for around two years now. Recognisable for his extensive tattoo collection and. ’60s get up Dan is defenitely up there with Auckland’s best barbers. He was scissoring at Cutting Crew on Shortland Street but can now be found at Maloney’s, next to Les Mills on Victoria St. Drop in and get that dome looking sharp, you won’t regret it.
- 312Two Hands TattooPonsonbyWhen it comes to ink there’s a new kid on the block, Stefan Sinclair, owner of Two Hands Tattoo, has opened a flash shop right next door to his flagship shop. The difference? It’s a flash shop, meaning that there is no custom work and clients choose from the tattoo flash that adorn the walls. Upstairs you’ll also find a classic mens’ barber, something that was missing from Ponsonby. Ink and fades, it’s a winning combo.
- 46Flash CityPonsonbyPonsonby’s new tattoo shop Flash City does not offer any custom tattoo designs. Instead customers choose from the tattoo flash (sheets of designs), that cover the walls of the small shop. There’s a bunch of rad designs all hand drawn by the tattooists at Two Hands Tattoo next door. Each day a different artist mans the shop (pictured is Josh Solomon), so if you’re after someone in particular keep an eye out when they're in the shop. If you’re up for a haircut or wet shave, there’s also a barber in the adjoining room!
- 515Crane BrothersAuckland CentralOne of my friends at high school wore a Crane Brother's suit to our school ball. Another of my friends recently got married wearing Crane Brother's threads. What did these guys have in common? They looked pretty dam suave. Crane Brother's is known as Auckland's premier tailor, the cuts are sleek and well fitted. The suits are rather pricey hence why I wasn't wearing one at my school ball but I'm pretty sure if the time comes I'll commit to the investment so I can look ridiculously dapper at the end of the aisle.
Asher W.'s
Cheap and cheerful Asian
- 131New Flavour RestaurantMount EdenDominion Road houses quite a few really good dumpling houses. New Flavour is up there with the best of them. With great prices and a host of delicious choices you won’t leave hungry. Items I’d recommend from the menu are the pork and chive dumplings, the cucumber salad and chicken noodles (pictured). The New Flavour experience is best enjoyed with mates as the dishes are perfect for sharing.
- 24No. 1 DumplingAuckland CentralI’m a sucker for a good steamed dumpling. When dipped in soy and chilli the slippery, meat filled parcels of flavour are a treat to the pallete. Genera only I’m a stickler for dumplings on Dominion Rd but we stumbled across No. 1 Dumpling at lunch time and decided to give it a hoon. I ordered a plate of ten pork, prawn and chive dumplings which set me back $7.50 and they were right up my alley. The texture and flavours were spot on and the service was great.
- 346Barilla DumplingsBalmoralIf you’re in the zone for dumplings then it’s common knowledge Dominion Rd is the place to head. Barilla is my favourite of the dumpling houses on the road (although the rest are great). The bright lime green interiors and menus in plastic folders scream no frills but the food is cheap, cheerfull and delicious. I recommend delving into the eggplant, the crispy beans, the fried squid and whichever dumplings grab your fancy! Top night out.
- 48Empress Garden RestaurantHerne BayFor some reason Yum Cha seems to be a Sunday lunch activity. As it was a Sunday afternoon we got amongst. We ordered a pile of dumplings, a couple of noodle dishes, some buns and a red bean pancake. The food arrived promptly and was promptly eaten. Everyone rolled away from the table satisfied and plans were made to do it again the following week!
- 522Hansan has a good vibe about it, it feels like eating at an upmarket eatery but without the price tag. I had the noodle soup with fried pork. What arrived was a massive bowl of pho’ish soup and what looked like a large pork schnitzel. Although the soup needed a lot of seasoning (spoons full of chilli) both were tasty and for $12 you can’t go wrong. Both of my comrades opted for the chicken noodle salad, they both gave glowing reports. I’d recommend this place to anyone wanting a nice meal but who doesn’t want to bust the bank.
Asher W.'s
Favourite grocery shops
- 129Farro Fresh - Grey LynnGrey LynnFarro’s is a one stop shop for all your household food needs. The bakery, fish counter and butchery are all second to none and the prices competitive. For the record the crab legs are currently on special.
- 211Nosh Food Market - Glen InnesSt JohnsI was assisting on a location shoot (photography) in Glen Innes when the stomachs started rumbling. Something had to to done about it so we didn’t a quick stop off at Nosh. As I flew through the food market I was impressed. The produce, meat and seafood all looked fresh and inviting but I was in the market for the pictured pretzel. It was just what I was after and the hunger demons were put to rest. If I was doing a bigger shop, I would have made some more purchases. Ah well, next time.
- 312The Little GrocerGrey LynnAll I knew about the Little Grocer was that they made home made ice blocks (notable signs mention this) and that according to my friend "it's a little bit like Ripe". I made the trip to check it out and liked what I saw. The little store offered offered a small selection of organic fruit and veg, some quirky gift ware, a nice selection of deli style food and a host of dips. I got a coffee (Volcano) which was fine, a custard brioche, a jar of hearty, natural peanut butter and a tub of fresh feta dip which was pretty dam delicious. You can also purchase from a range of gourmet frozen meals which I'm guessing is perfect for young couples and busy parents. I recommend checking it out if you're in the neighborhood.
- 42Fruit World PonsonbyGrey LynnRecently I started getting all my fruit and vegetable delivered by Ooooby, an organic delivery service that drops my fruit and vegetable off at my front door. The only problem with Ooooby is that you don't control what is delivered, which is great on some fronts but also a little frustrating on others as sometimes there are necessary items missing. Thank goodness Fruit World is just down the road from me. It wass my one stop shop for fruit and veges, and now it's a support player in my relationship with Ooooby! The store has all you need, and the quality and price are generally right up there! Plus they have a great selection of beverages and dried bits and pieces. My only question is, who the heck buys the pre-peeled madarins? That's straight up cray.
- 524Harvest Wholefoods Grey LynnGrey LynnHarvest Wholefoods is a great little store in the heart of Grey Lynn that specialises in natural, organic and gluten free foods. My girlfriend suffers from a number of food allergies so we often pop in here to pick up supplies, The Little Bird gluten free treats being a specific weakness of hers. The store stocks a whole range of other products including gluten free pastries, a large bulk bin section, eco-friendly cleaning products and organic fruit and vegetables. The staff are all extremely helpful and full of good advice on what products contain.