Alice H.'s
Great ideas for spring
- 12Half an hour’s drive out of Palmerston North, and 90 minutes from Wellington, Owlcatraz makes for a great day out, with a farm walk, Wairuru caves, the Shannon jail and Lake Owlsmere. But the main attraction are the titular owls, of which there are several, all with excellent names, like Owl Capone and Owlvis Presley. Around springtime there are bound to be baby animals, too.
- 29Staglands Wildlife ReserveUpper Hutt CentralSpringtime means baby animals, so check ‘em out at Staglands. There’s an aviary, an eel pond, a deer park, and a stable of chicks, piglets and other baby animals. As removed from the city as it feels, it’s less than an hour’s drive from Wellington and there’s plenty of parking.
- 31Citta DesignTe AroA new season is the perfect opportunity to refresh your personal space, and when I’m looking for something to brighten up my living area I like to pop over to Citta Design. Its selection of beautiful homewares and accessories is very covetable, but – even better – just practical enough so that you can justify the expense. Its online shop is very comprehensive, too, and you can often snag a bargain on sale.
- 44Woodstock FloristTe AroNothing says spring like fresh flowers and Woodstock Florist does among the best in Wellington. They’ve got a huge selection at a range of price points, and if you’re in over your head and don’t know your hydrangeas from your hibiscuses the staff are willing and able to put a bouquet together for you. If you’re making someone else’s day, there are greetings cards and small gifts in-store, too.
- 56Mitre 10 MEGA PetonePetoneHerald in the new season by nailing the traditional ‘spring clean’ and ticking all those odd jobs you swore you’d do over the winter months off your to-do list. Mitre 10 MEGA is your one-stop shop for DIY supplies and advice, both inside the house and out. Get in, get out and get ‘em done.
Alice H.'s
Where to shop for Spring
- 11FruttiTe AroSomething of a Wellington institution, Frutti is home to one-of-a-kind, handmade clothing in colourful prints; crafty jewellery and gifts; and beautiful, colourful leather bags. None of your cliche, classic Kiwi black here! Next to Midnight Espresso on Cuba St, it’s a great place to pick up a dashing new scarf or shirt with which to see in the warmer months.
- 23Twenty Seven Names’ new collection, Rutshire Forever, dropped in its Vivian St boutique just this week. This season is inspired by the books of Jilly Cooper, all rosette prints, big daisy florals, red Breton stripes, and exaggerated linen peplums. Get in quick because these pieces are never around long. Their Vivian St boutique also has a small but charming selection of accessories and homewares and Repetto ballet flats.
- 36Karen Walker WellingtonTe AroI’m not alone when I say Karen Walker is my favourite New Zealand designer – her collections tread the balance between fresh and fashion-forward, and impeccably tasteful and classic. The most recent one, spring-summer ‘14 ‘The League’, draws on New Zealand’s history of suffrage, with digital tapestry-esque florals and exaggerated prints of hands, harpies and wreaths. I’ve started saving my pennies.
- 43The Service DepotTe AroThe Service Depot brings together some of New Zealand’s best designers of clothing and accessories – Deadly Ponies, Meadowlark, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Lonely Hearts, Company of Strangers – together in one contemporary, edgy, beautifully-curated space. Their new seasons will be arriving in store in the coming weeks, and you’ll want to get in quick to snap up a new piece – the limited stock is part of the charm.
- 54Coco Wellington LimitedTe AroCoco is my go-to when I’m shopping for a special occasion. The clothes it stocks are mostly by Australian and New Zealand designers like Zimmerman, Juliette Hogan, and Bec and Bridge, and while they’re certainly on the higher end of the price scale, they’re quality items that will see you through years of 21sts, engagement parties and weddings. Plus if you’re not sure what you have in mind Coco’s customer service is among the best I’ve ever experienced in Wellington. Kathryn Wilson shoes and Saben bags are stocked here, too.
Alice H.'s
How to be healthy
- 110Les Mills ExtremeTe AroIt’s only four months ‘til summer, and if you want to put those to good use, get yourself a membership at Les Mills. Sometimes gyms can skew too relaxed (in which case, you slack off) or too intimidating (in which case, you don’t go) but I find Les Mills hits the perfect balance between motivating and welcoming. Their full class timetable means there are bound to be group fitness options for you, regardless of when you start or finish work, or the multiple levels of gyms mean you can choose to go it alone if you’d like. The staff are friendly and helpful and provide plenty of options and support if you feel a bit rusty or unconfident among such hot sporty people – before you know it, you’ll be one of them yourself.
- 24Health 2000 Lambton QuayTe AroOccasionally – usually after a weekend of carbohydrates – I get the urge to go on what I ambiguously term ‘a health kick’, which I start with a trip to Health 2000. If it’s supplementary to your diet and beneficial to your health, you’ll find it here – and they often have great deals if you prefer to buy in bulk, too.
- 35Tank Juice Bar Lambton SquareWellington CentralIt can be hard to eat healthy when you’re pressed for time – or short of money – but Tank Juice Bar has you covered, with juices and smoothies both dairy-based and dairy-free. They’re usually happy to swap out ingredients if you want to personalise your beverage, or you can go with one of their tried-and-true recipes – try adding a vitamin or supplement shot for an extra $1 if you’re feeling under the weather or just low on energy.
- 412Freyberg Pool & Fitness CentreOriental BaySometimes you want a break from your regular gym – and it’s too cold to go it alone outside. In such a situation I head to Freyberg Pool & Fitness Centre – the perfect place to work out during the colder months, in part because it has a spa pool. Of course if you’re serious about getting a workout you could always go for a swim or a jog on the treadmills overlooking the Wellington waterfront.
- 59East Day Spa - WellingtonPipiteaBeing healthy isn’t just about working out and watching what you eat – you can have your body in tip-top condition but you won’t be at your physical peak if you’re stressed and running ragged from workday to workday. If you’re finding it hard to make time for yourself and your mental health, book in for a stress relief massage or facial at East Day Spa, a little slice of serenity tucked off Thorndon Quay.
Alice H.'s
Rainy day ideas
- 14Island Bay Marine Education CenterIsland BayThe Island Bay Marine Education Centre, on the waterfront of Island Bay, is a great place to go beneath the waves when it’s wet outside. Home to an ever-revolving selection of sea creatures like seahorses, terrapins, octopuses and invertebrates in the ‘touch gently’ pool, it’s a real education about the kind of sealife living in the waters of Wellington. The centre is only open Sundays – and even then, not all day – so make sure you check they’re open before you make the trip out. (HOT TIP: They also have a great Facebook presence.)
- 217Roxy CinemaMiramarWhen the weather is bad but I feel like venturing further afield for a wet weather activity than my usual stomping grounds, the Roxy is a good choice. Its glamorous decor makes it feel a cut above your common or garden trip to the cinema, and the excellent in-house Coco restaurant/cafe/bar means you can hunker down, away from the elements, in the one venue.
- 314Wellington Central LibraryWellington CentralIn this digital age, where we’ll all speeding at breakneck pace down the information super highway, you can forget just how all-encompassing, useful and even comforting the Wellington Central Library. In my university days I used to spend hours here – and you still can’t beat grabbing a pile of month-old overseas fashion magazines and curling up in one of the armchairs when it’s wet and wild outside. It helps that the coffee and food at the in-house Clark’s Cafe is great, too.
- 418Wellington City GalleryWellington CentralThere’s always something interesting to see at the Wellington City Gallery, with its impeccable range of revolving exhibitions. Over the past few years, some of my favourites have been Yayoi Kusama, Simon Starling and Seung Yul Oh, but I’ve also enjoyed the pieces I haven’t gone there specifically to see – and that’s part of the joy of the City Gallery. You don’t always know what you’re in for, but sometimes the surprises are the most memorable pieces of all. I like to pop in for a Supreme coffee at Nikau cafe before venturing up to the second floor.
- 512Freyberg Pool & Fitness CentreOriental BaySometimes, when it’s wet and wild outside, it can pay to just go with it – and simply get wetter. I mean, if you’re already soaked from the ankles down and the neck up, why not go the whole hog? At least Freyberg Pool & Fitness Centre has a spa – the perfect thing for the colder months. Or you could go for a swim or a jog on the treadmills overlooking the Wellington waterfront.
Alice H.'s
Best pies
- 19Caffe L'affareTe AroCaffe L’affare’s pastry meat pies are iconic in Wellington: served piping hot, some swimming in gravy or others with a side of relish, there tends to be a couple of choices of flavours. As for atmosphere, the cafe is big, noisy, and a bit hectic, but a great choice for families with young kids (in that any tantrums won’t really disturb anyone!) and a surprisingly wide range of reading material.
- 29Clark's CafeWellington CentralWhat Clark’s lacks in ambiance – it’s on the top floor of the library, and as such lacking in natural light; you have to line up with a tray – it makes up for in consistently excellent cabinet food, and its range of pies are no exception. The chicken, courgette and blue cheese, straight from the pie heater with golden flaky pastry, is my favourite. And if I feel like a treat I’ll get one of their excellent sweet muffins or slices for after.
- 336Midnight EspressoWellington CentralIt can be a hard road for pie-loving vegetarians, but Midnight Espresso, the iconic Wellington cafe, usually has one on offer in its cabinet. It’s usually a generous portion, heavy on the pumpkin, with a side of relish; sometimes it’s even vegan (!). Midnight Espresso serves Havana coffee, and I highly recommend their carrot cake if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat after.
- 445Sweet Mother's KitchenTe AroSweet Mother’s Kitchen is a go-to for Wellingtonians on the hunt for southern, Cajun cooking, like chicken gumbo, po-boys and quesadillas. The food is consistently excellent, and reasonably priced for the generous portions – and you can’t go past its wide selection of sweet pies, including pumpkin, apple, pecan and Key lime, for dessert.
- 54Hataitai Hot Bread ShopHataitaiIts name suggests it trades in "hot bread", but don’t let that fool you – this place has an impressive range of pies. I only wish it were somewhere more convenient than Hataitai – though perhaps that’s for the best. I’ve heard good things about the steak and cheese, though my favourite is the classic mince. The HHBS is open late on weekends.
Alice H.'s
Best of NZ beef and lamb
- 14As one of the many hospitality hotspots run by the Bresolin brothers, you know you can count on Crazy Horse for consistent quality. It’s by no means a ‘cheap eats’ spot, but if it’s a steak you’re after, by the gram, then this should be number one on your list. There are sides available, of course, but meat is the main event, and few places in Wellington do it better. The central location and intimate ambiance certainly don’t hurt, too.
- 212El MatadorTe AroThis Buenos Aires-style eatery and bar specialises in putting an Argentine twist on the best of New Zealand beef by way of its traditional wood-fired asador and parrilla. I like to come here for weekend brunch – a kicky take on your bog-standard eggs bene with lots of spicy chorizo – but it’s at nighttime when this place comes alive, with the action all centring around the open kitchen.
- 31Grill Meats BeerTe AroGrill Meats Beer is a relative newcomer to the upper Cuba St scene, but early indications are that it’s definitely one to watch. As for its specialty, the clues are in its name: it’s a grill bar that specialises in meat – sausages, ribs, burgers, steaks, you name it. There is also beer. Perhaps, on balance, not somewhere you’d take your vegetarian friend.
- 433You want the best of New Zealand beef? You want to get to Duke Carvell’s for the Angus, grass-fed, 600g ribeye. Cooked medium rare, pickled walnuts, with watercress and bone broth. At $50, it’s on the pricier side of an evening out, which means it’s best saved for special occasions, but for a taste that will set a new standard in your food memory, it would be cheap at twice the price.
- 517Ekim BurgersWellington CentralNow that Ekim Burgers has moved to a more central location, there are no good reasons not to head there all the time. My go-to is any one of the beef burgers, which come with an array of onion jam, blue cheese or jalapenos for extra kick. The service is always friendly and as fast as it can be, given there’s often a hell of a queue. But trust me – that calibre of beef burger is worth the wait.