Isabeau B.'s
Where to go for a delicious smoothie or shake
- 149Fidel's CafeTe AroNamed after Fidel Castro, a revolutionary communist and president of Cuba, this quirky Cafe is themed around this man. Nestled at the top of Cuba street it’s all a little bit ironic. The coffee and food however, are not it the slightest. Fidels is regularly packed from front to back as people keep returning to try their strong decadent coffee and delicious food. I recommend checking out their pizza menu and $25 deal for a pizza and two beers.
- 25Mount Cook CafeMount CookThis house-turned-cafe steams up on a cold day with the Massey faculty and students. With its old-school fireplace and brick floor, it's the perfect place to get lost in during a hard day's lunch break. The cabinet cake selection is as decadent as it looks. Nothing beats procrastinating with a warm piece of chocolate brownie and a cup of well-earned coffee.
- 340Southern Cross provides a relaxed dining experience. Famous for it's 241 stone grills on both a Monday and a Tuesday, you have to get in quick to avoid missing out. Stone grill is a clever way to make the customer cook their own meal while dining out. However, watching your meat (or vegetarian option) of choice cook away provides satisfaction when it reaches the mouth.
- 449Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club CafeLyall BayThis delightful sea-side cafe is in remembrance to the life saving club that burnt down in 2009. The beautiful food and old school atmosphere leaves for the cafe’s patrons waiting up to an hour during prime Sunday brunch time. The food and drink is well worth the wait, and I have never known of someone who has left disappointed. I recommend splashing out and treating yourself to a full breakfast.
- 56Kapai Cuba MallTe AroIt has been drummed into us since we were little that takeaway food is not healthy for you. However, thanks to modern times where fad diets, nutritional food options, and raw food are all the craze these healthy takeaway options are only increasing. Kapai provides its customers with tasty eat in or takeaway options with just the slightest bit of naughty, and a whole lot of nice. With a Subway type cabinet setup you can pick your healthy treat from a range of wraps, salads, puku (pita bread of sorts) and baked potatoes. Not like your average grease-dripping takeaway, this you can eat in front on the telly and not feel guilty afterwards. On a cold day I favour the baked potato, filled with pumpkin, avocado, pine nuts, feta, and topped with a dollop of sour cream.
Isabeau B.'s
Friday night with friends
- 122The Embassy TheatreWellington CentralThere is nothing more relaxing than going to sleep to the faint pitter-patter of rain falling on the roof. Rainy days however, are not as comforting. On a day when it's grim outside I like nothing more than immersing myself in the newest Hollywood creation. The Embassy Cinema seems to make movie watching that much more spectacular. With it's elegant marble staircase, large selection of drinks and snacks, and large comfy seats it doesn't get much better. A day at the Embassy includes curling up eating M&Ms mixed with freshly popped popcorn, while enjoying someone else's fairy tale life. A day at the Embassy, is a day well spent.
- 26Phu Thai LannaTe AroThai food always has, and always will, make an appearance in my top five choices of dining experiences. This in mind, I have searched far and wide throughout the Wellington region for tasty Thai! Phu Thai Lanna not only fills this spot in my belly, but appeals further with affordable prices and B.Y.O. I would have to recommend the Chicken Pad Thai, a peanut noodle dish that is a great option for someone who fears spicy food. What makes this Pad Thai better than any other I have tasted is it's rich peanut flavour. The atmosphere during most week nights is peaceful, if dining out on the weekend be prepared to get amongst the party goers.
- 319Every Tuesday this mysterious book-laden bar does 241 desserts. What better to do on a chilly night with your favourite person than snuggle up in one of Library's booths with a cocktail and a delicious sugary morsel for that sweet tooth
- 412Nic Nac'sTe AroThis Cuba Street candy store is a treasure chest of sugary treats. Pick and mix was pretty great back in the day when 50 cents would get you a mountain of colourful lollies, but Nic Nac’s takes it to a new standard of lolly choosing. Here you can grab a bag and a scoop and pick exactly how many of each type of candy you would like to savour (or gobble). Nic Nac’s also supplies a range of different types of ‘junk food’ from around the world.
- 54Like a library of visual moving books, this video store is decked out with shelves of films. Whether its a Friday night in with friends, date night or Sunday fun-day with the fam there is something in this shop for every occasion, mood, or ‘genre’.
Isabeau B.'s
Where to get your groove on
- 117Bangalore Polo ClubTe AroIt’s a night out and what better than some nice drinks, a boogie to old school music and apparently peanuts. Bangalore, has a classy yet relaxed feel and the perfect option if you have either younger or older party people in tow. There is both a dance floor where you can enjoy songs from ABBA and Michael Jackson, and plenty of chairs and tables around to rest your tired dancing feet. Peanuts are everywhere to nibble on and the best thing is you can drop the shells where ever you please
- 212El HornoTe AroThank god it’s Friday. Four little words with so much joy attached to them, so much joy it’s been abbreviated to TGIF that you can say it even faster and with more excitement. So it’s finally time to leave work on Friday and you’ve probably spent most the day thinking about the weekend’s festivities. For most people this includes some form of bar for some form of drinking. Why not change or even continue on from your ‘local’ down to El Horno. Famous for its jugs of Sangria served up in jars, and old school music, it’s a great place to waste the weekend away.
- 38Boogie Wonderland WellingtonWellington CentralBoogie Wonderland is the place to go if you are in the mood to whip out those old school moves and dance the night away to songs from ABBA and Michael Jackson alike. With its light up disco floor and patrons often wearing flared pants it takes those old enough, back to their childhood dancing days
Isabeau B.'s
Best brunch spots
- 15Mount Cook CafeMount CookThis house-turned-cafe steams up on a cold day with the Massey faculty and students. With its old-school fireplace and brick floor, it's the perfect place to get lost in during a hard day's lunch break. The cabinet cake selection is as decadent as it looks. Nothing beats procrastinating with a warm piece of chocolate brownie and a cup of well-earned coffee.
- 29When walking past Brooklyn the Bakery at night, the aromas do nothing short of making you wish you had a piece of freshly baked bread in your hand. No matter how full I am the smell leaves me salivating. When the doors finally open the next morning you can find trays of fresh baked breads, most of which are under $5 and generous in size. If you are hoping to get a loaf during the weekends, I would recommend beating the brunch rush as most breads sell out before 12pm. The Ciabatta bread I tried reminded me of Sunday breakfast with the family, eggs and bacon served with toasted slices of my favourite Italian bread. The outside was perfectly crisp with a deliciously moist and springy interior. Paired with basil pesto and olive oil it makes for an appetizing afternoon snack.
- 349Fidel's CafeTe AroNamed after Fidel Castro, a revolutionary communist and president of Cuba, this quirky Cafe is themed around this man. Nestled at the top of Cuba street it’s all a little bit ironic. The coffee and food however, are not it the slightest. Fidels is regularly packed from front to back as people keep returning to try their strong decadent coffee and delicious food. I recommend checking out their pizza menu and $25 deal for a pizza and two beers.
- 449Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club CafeLyall BayThis delightful sea-side cafe is in remembrance to the life saving club that burnt down in 2009. The beautiful food and old school atmosphere leaves for the cafe’s patrons waiting up to an hour during prime Sunday brunch time. The food and drink is well worth the wait, and I have never known of someone who has left disappointed. I recommend splashing out and treating yourself to a full breakfast.
- 532Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroIf you are a fan of a good hot chocolate, then look no further than this modern glass beauty. Italian hot chocolate is hot chocolate at its finest. Thick liquid chocolate served up with a splash of cream and chocolate sprinkles, its a drink I recommend to all sweet tooth’s, and non are disappointed.
Isabeau B.'s
Wellington City Walks
- 15Oriental BayWellington CentralWhen the weather is nice, or even when the weather is not so nice, nothing beats a walk along the waterfront. With the sea air filling your lungs and the blood pumping in your veins, its bound to help clear that head. For those hot sunny hungover days, a quick dip in the ocean has been known to speed up the recovery time!
- 216Mount VictoriaWellington CentralThe Mount Vic lookout is a beautiful place to admire Wellington’s beauty. There are two ways to the top; stairs, stairs and more stairs or through the ‘wildness’ that looks like the set of Lord of the Rings itself, and some of it actually is. After today’s early morning adventure, I decided it would be great to learn some yoga poses for the next time I decide to pop up there.
- 320Wellington Botanic GardensKelburnWhether or not you are a fan of flowers, nothing beats a sunny afternoon stroll through the botanical gardens. It’s the perfect place to take the kids for a picnic, or even treat that special someone for a romantic date.
Isabeau B.'s
Where to get delicious pizza
- 132Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroIf you are a fan of a good hot chocolate, then look no further than this modern glass beauty. Italian hot chocolate is hot chocolate at its finest. Thick liquid chocolate served up with a splash of cream and chocolate sprinkles, its a drink I recommend to all sweet tooth’s, and non are disappointed.
- 228Tommy MillionsWellington CentralNothing beats the wind down of a great night out, more than a slice of hot tasty pizza. I have never been sure why pizza tastes that much better after a boozy night out. Whether it is your body getting confused because it has been awake nearly 24 hours, or the fact that you're still not sober enough to handle the cold walk home. A serving of one of these deliciously topped thin-crust pizzas will fill that belly, soak up the alcohol and warm you up; inside and out. For those extra cold nights I like to munch down on a slice of the Pepperoni. With its generous sprinkle of chili flakes it certainly gets the blood pumping.
- 349Fidel's CafeTe AroNamed after Fidel Castro, a revolutionary communist and president of Cuba, this quirky Cafe is themed around this man. Nestled at the top of Cuba street it’s all a little bit ironic. The coffee and food however, are not it the slightest. Fidels is regularly packed from front to back as people keep returning to try their strong decadent coffee and delicious food. I recommend checking out their pizza menu and $25 deal for a pizza and two beers.
- 43Hell Pizza Cuba StTe AroOut of all the pizza chains in New Zealand, Hells is by far the most superior. With endless options of pizza toppings and interesting sides, its a menu that wont disappoint. Hells always has some great money saving option providing the consumer with large amounts of food, and has a decent delivery option for those lazy Sundays.