As we face down the various winter flus that are coming at us from all directions, it is this time of the year in particular that simple wellness habits are paramount. And one daily ritual that often is forgotten is a simple dose of vitamins — with all the essential nutrients needed to maintain optimal health and fill in any nutrient gaps in your diet.
In a bid to Marie Kondo our bathroom cabinets, we have been searching for supplement solutions that reduce our need for bottles and bottles of pills that, honestly, we don’t even know if our body actually needs. We’ve recently discovered Vitable — a company that is revolutionising the way people take their vitamins via a personalised system that is now available to New Zealanders too.
Vitable makes taking vitamins almost a novel concept. Its process begins with an expert quiz to understand a bit more about your current health and lifestyle habits before (only moments later) an expert-informed algorithm recommends a bespoke combination of daily supplements in the correct dose for you. Your recommendation is fully tailored to what your body needs, out of 1.2 million possible vitamin combinations. With rationale for how each supplement would benefit you clearly explained, the monthly supplies are curated and your bespoke monthly vitamins are custom formulated, just for you. But what makes this brand a cut above the rest is the ways in which it has collaborated with pharmacists, naturopaths, nutritionists and other health experts to leverage the latest, most effective products, ensuring that every recommendation is of the highest quality and offers the most efficient results.
Essentially, Vitable’s core offering is based on your daily needs. Your supplements are delivered each month in personalised daily vitamin sachets, providing just the right amount of nutrients you need each morning, and leaving nothing to be desired. It is simple, targeted, sustainable and efficient.
We get that some may consider a concept like this potentially wasteful, which is why Vitable prides itself on carbon neutrality. The plastic-free daily sachets are actually compostable at home (made from sustainably-harvested eucalyptus trees), so you’re replacing all those plastic bottles on your bench for a sustainable alternative. The sachets are made even more easily dispensable thanks to the addition of a chic, neutral tin — the perfect place in which to store your daily doses and clear all the clutter.
So if you are looking to up the ante when it comes to your health and implement a foolproof daily supplement regime, Vitable’s offering is the perfect place to start, and the brand is offering Denizen readers an exclusive $100 off the first four months. Take the online quiz and start your journey to daily health here.
Since setting up its first North Island taqueria on Ponsonby Road earlier this year, Taco Medic (originally from Queenstown) has become a go-to for those seeking simple, tasty food and a lively atmosphere — its popularity proved by its always-busy locations. That said, there is always plenty to go around, especially today as Taco Medic opens the doors to a second Auckland outpost on Quay Street — the next in a long line of Mexican diners to come.
Furthering Taco Medic’s fiesta vibe, this new waterfront eatery clearly has summer on its mind, with a courtyard that overlooks the harbour and a frozen margarita menu that is hard to rival. But on top of the new offerings from Taco Medic, including a bar and a raft of new dishes, it is the classics that we expect to see diners coming back for time and time again.
It’s Taco Medic’s commitment to the cuisine that makes it so adored. One hundred percent gluten-free tacos are made and prepared in-store, with flavours like the Adobo Chicken and the Al Pastor being some of the most popular (alongside an abundance of plant-based offerings). “It all starts with our fresh handmade tortillas, making all of our products in-house, great quality meats, fresh fish and topped with our selection of house-made hot sauces,” Co-Founder Robbie McGillivray shares with me. “The final part of the recipe is love and passion for great food.”
Thanks to its steadfast dedication to bringing quality tacos to the masses, Taco Medic Quay Street is one destination we will happily welcome, and with summer just around the corner, we’re predicting that this spot will swiftly become popular with city-slickers seeking mouthwatering food and a laid-back, convivial atmosphere.
Remaining at the forefront of some of the most talked-about new openings in town (see Ooh-Fa and Famous Eddy) Dominion Road is drawing us down its lively, food-filled stretch again this week, with the opening of Gray’s — a charming new spot that everyone should visit.
Located across the road from Cazador, Gray’s Wine Bar boasts a refined, understated frontage that gives way to a cosy, light-filled interior. Officially opened last week (after a couple of covid-related delays) this cute new space is a coffee-shop-wine-bar hybrid, with the welcome addition of a small vintage and artisan-goods shop, designed to be perused while you pick at your pain au chocolat.
It seems like the kind of space that would come together after years of thought and planning, and yet, according to its owners Daniel Nisbet and Grayson Dauphin, Gray’s was started on a whim. When the friends saw a space for lease, they initially thought, ‘someone better put a wine bar there’, before the thought process shifted to, ‘why not us?’
Some lease politics later, the duo was finally given the space of their dreams — 771 Dominion Road — and while they wait for their liquor licence to come through, they have created a space that serves multiple purposes, which actually gives Gray’s its point of difference. “We are not seeking to be one thing,” Nisbetreflects. “Hopefully, this means that no one thing is our ‘tent pole’, so we are freer to explore all the interesting parts of running a space. We can connect with lots of different people, like our sellers, which helps extend our reach, and ultimately create a space full of cool things and people we can be proud of.”
And that is the epitome of Gray’s offering. Rich Coffee Roasters coffee and Messy Kitchen Bakes goods by day and soon, beautiful wines by night. The curation of shoppable goods is available at any time. So while we wait for the outpost to open its after-dark offering, it is a gorgeous daytime venue in which we will happily post up for our daily coffee and a tasty baked treat (or two). We should expect any future evolutions of Gray’s Wine Bar to happen just as organically as its inception, be that live music in the basement or an expansion of the retail element — we’re only too eager to see what the future holds.
Opening hours: Tuesday — Friday, 7.30am until 3pm Saturday — Sunday 8am until 3pm Closed Mondays.
When Pici’s cacio e pepe was voted Auckland’s best dish earlier this year, it really came as no surprise. Since the St Kevin’s Arcade restaurant opened two years ago, it has become a beloved addition to the city’s burgeoning Italian culinary scene. Founded by Jono Thevenard, Kazuya Suzuki and Gemma Hareb, the concept of Pici was somewhere that served simple, humble and delicious food — and at its core, the concept of their new restaurant is much the same.
Last year Fraser Childs joined the Pici team, and while his talents most certainly include pasta, his first love (of 10 years) was authentic woodfired pizzas. It was a concept that the collective was only too happy to explore. Today they officially open the doors to their new Dominion Road restaurant, Ooh-Fa, a neighbourhood pizzeria specialising in unspeakably delicious fermented sourdough pizzas and exquisite wines.
“Pizza is often perceived as fast food,” Hareb tells me. “However, there is a long process involved that people don’t often consider. Fermentation of our sourdough will be at least 72 hours, so making sourdough pizzas becomes an art. There is a connection between the maker and the dough, a living organism.”
Perhaps, for this reason, the attention to detail, Ooh-Fa feels like a step up from the pizza joints we are used to. With a comfortable, warm atmosphere, thanks to its woodfire oven and a local feel, the 22-seater restaurant is the perfect neighbourhood spot to drop into and catch up with friends over a slice or two and some delectable wine.
“We are really focused on keeping this an intimate wine bar and restaurant,” explains Hareb. “While there are many spots to get pizza in Tāmaki Makaurau, there aren’t many really focused on a wine bar setting. We want this space to be a welcoming neighbourhood vibe — one you’d go for a no-fuss pizza and a glass of wine, or you can go all out for a special evening.”
Bringing in the essence of traditional flavours, Ooh-Fa’s offerings are far from the norm. The focus on fermentation also goes beyond the bases alone, with small snacks available like pickled cauliflower, carrots, beetroot and onion served with bagna gauda.
Hero pizzas include those we would expect, like the marinara (with tomato, garlic, and oregano plus added stracciatella) or a seasonally-inspired cavolo nero with Italian sausage, mozzarella and oregano. An unlikely crowd favourite? The woodfired carrots with whipped ricotta and pistachios — a simple side that everyone needs to try.
And to further distance its offering from the traditional pizza experience, Ooh-Fa won’t be doing takeaways. The owners agree their pizzas are best enjoyed straight out of the oven, in the restaurant’s cosy, hospitable surrounds — with the Front of House led with inimitable care and grace by Sha Singh (a former Hero Sandwich House star).
Ooh-Fa’s playful approach to ferments also extends to its drinks menu, where a curation of wines perfectly complement the kitchen’s offerings. Selected by James Pain of Pici notoriety (a familiar face also from this year’s Hospo Heroes), the list draws inspiration from mostly natural wines, with a focus on New Zealand and Italian grape varietals where the inspiration calls for it. And to round out any meal here perfectly, the kitchen is making its own gelato — the best ending to a night of pizza and wine.
With snaps of the soft opening making waves across social media over the last week, today marks the official opening day with a party to celebrate tonight. The first official night of service will be Wednesday the 10th of August, and the restaurant will be operating at a 50% booking, 50% walk-in capacity. If you ask us, this celebration marks the beginning of a legacy destination, and a new go-to for the best pizza in the city.
Renowned for the unique way it bridges engineering and art, Powersurge studio has built its reputation on creating exquisite brass and metal-work for both private homes and public or commercial spaces, with pieces that deliver warmth, depth and a sophisticated design edge that is both tactile and commanding in a space.
From grand metal and brass centrepieces like coffee tables, mirrors and lighting fixtures to smaller, more decorative pieces like trays, handles, hooks and vases, Powersurge’s range is vast and varied, offering something to suit any area or taste, and reminding us that it really is in the details that an interior comes alive.
Now, thanks to the lauded brand’s imminent (and much-anticipated) sale, getting our hands on one of Powersurge’s exquisite pieces has never been easier. And given that this is the second sale Powersurge has ever undertaken, we suggest taking full advantage of this rare occurance.
Left: Sun Tray in solid brass and hand-finished with a clear, satin lacquer. Right: Beam Handle in cylindrical brass.
For anyone who is already part of Powersurge’s database, the brand’s unmissable VIP sale is on right now, in which those who qualify will get 25% off lighting and mirrors (some of Powersurge’s most recognisable pieces) until midnight on Sunday the 7th of August.
Otherwise, starting from Monday the 8th of August and running for a week, everything on the Powersurge website will be available at 15% off. So, if there is something you’ve been eying up for a while, or you feel in need of an interior refresh, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a special piece to treasure forever.
Never has there been a better time to tuck into a little light watching that contributes to your broader trivia knowledge, or acts as an impetus for fun conversation starters at winter dinner parties. From religious cults to fashion pioneers, these are the documentaries that we’re watching right now.
Keep Sweet: Prey and Obey A four-part documentary surrounding the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism, and its current leader Warren S. Jeffs. Watch on Netflix
Black &Blues – The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong’s distinctive voice is globally renowned, but his backstory is less talked about. In a fascinating new documentary, director Sacha Jenkins pulls back the curtain on the musician’s life and legacy. Watch on Apple TV+
Quant Mary Quant, a trailblazing fashion rebel forever ahead of her time in the 1960s set the tone for fashion generations to come. In this documentary, audiences peer into the iconoclast’s mind over the decades and how she inspired individuality in fashion as we know it today. With appearances from those closest to her, this documentary is sure to breathe new life and inspiration into your closet. Watch in cinemas from August 18th
Prehistoric Planet From Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth comes a docuseries of epic proportions. Narrated by David Attenborough and scored by Hans Zimmer, Prehistoric Planet transports viewers back 66 million years to paint a picture of what the Earth would have looked like when dinosaurs roamed the land, sea and sky. Watch on Apple TV+
The Velvet Queen Photographer Vincent Munier and writer Sylvain Tesson document their mission to catch a glimpse of a rare snow leopard in Tibet. Uncovering parts of the natural world we don’t often see, The Velvet Queen has been described as a ‘lyrical nature film more concerned with soulfulness than spectacle’, and delivers remarkable insight into the world around us, and why we need to start taking the future of the planet seriously. Watch in cinemas now
The Girl in the Picture A young mother’s mysterious death and her son’s kidnapping blows open the door to a frightening story full of twists and turns that delve into the woman’s true identity and the federal fugitive at the heart of it all. With a stranger-than-fiction story that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, this true crime doco is the genre at its finest. You won’t be able to tear your eyes away.
Throughout lockdown level 3, we in Auckland have been lucky enough to have a seriously comprehensive amount of takeaways available to enjoy at home. However, when the hunger stakes are high, indecision haunts the best of us. If you can narrow down what genre of food you feel like (pizza or dumplings for example, or perhaps Middle Eastern or Japanese), then this list is here to help you find the best places to get said meal. Forget cardboardy pizza and stale burgers, these restaurant-quality bites make staying home a delicious endeavour, all while still supporting your favourite operators.
Non Solo Pizza.
Craving pizza?
Parnell institution Non Solo Pizza isn’t just about long lunches in its Tuscan-inspired courtyard, during level 3 it’s also offering its namesake woodfired pizza to-go. Order online via the Savor Goods website. When nothing but a big, bodacious New York pie will do, Epolito’s Pizzeriahas both delivery and takeaway covered. The lemon, artichoke and parmesan pizza is a work of art. For more enticing slices, head to our round-up of the best takeaway pizzas in town.
Craving Indian?
There are few cuisines that complement a cosy night at home quite like Indian, so it’s lucky indeed that 1947 offers both takeaway and delivery for those seeking its contemporary yet authentic fare. From bang bang butter chicken to curry chips, mouthwatering biryani and juicy tandoori options, enjoying 1947 at home sounds a lot like heaven. If your tastebuds are luring you further south, Satya’s South Indian specialities such as dosa and idli hit the spot. Add a side of dahi puri and you’re away. Discover more indian food and hidden gems and trusted favourites in our round-up of the best Indian eateries in town.
Paasha Turkish Kitchen.
Craving Middle Eastern?
Far from your average 2am kebab, Fatima’s exceptional takeaway offering secured the highly competitive top spot for ‘Best Cheap and Cheerful’ in last year’s Denizen Hospo Heroes. The pitas, chawarmas and salads hit the spot every time — whatever you order, a side of potato koftas is mandatory. If Turkish is what you desire, hotfoot it to Paasha Turkish Kitchen on Dominion Road. Fresh, authentic and brimming with flavour, its smokey grilled meats, creamy hummus and excellent vegetarian options make it a certified favourite with team Denizen. There are a variety of other delectable Middle Eastern takeaways on offer right now from the Iikes of Gemmayze St and Ima who don’t normally do them. Find the whole list here.
Hello Beasty.
Craving dumplings?
Great news folks — Hello Beasty’s alluring fusion fare is generously available for takeaway too. We can’t go past the savoy cabbage, water chestnut and tofu dumplings which can be found within its Vegetarian Dinner Pack. You’ll also find us regularly calling on Sandringham’s Tianze Dumpling House for a hunger-busting serve of 20 of its finest dumplings — which you can get takeaway or delivered. We’ll have the prawn, pork and chives numbers fried, please. Can’t get enough? Discover our guide to the best dumplings in town.
Lowbrow. Burgers and fried chicken.
Craving burgers?
It’s very lucky indeed that Lowbrow offers its sandos (a.k.a burgers) for takeaway and delivery, giving us an extra opportunity to chow down at home. Specialising in cheeky takes on beloved fast-food favourites, the MacDaddy and O-Fush may seem familiar in principle, but once that first bite hits, the comparison ends. Elevated to delicious new heights, these sandos will have you forgetting all about those that came before them. For more unforgettable buns, see our round-up of the best takeaway burgers in town.
Eden Noodles.
Craving noodles?
Where do we begin with noodles? From ramen to some of the city’s greatest hits, Auckland’s noodle options are second to none. Eden Noodles‘ dan dan noodles have practically reached icon status, where elsewhere we rate Selera‘s seafood laksa, Xi’An‘s hand-pulled numbers and North Shore hero Basu Lounge‘s dry and soup noodles (the beef noodle soup is a particular highlight). Thoughtful operators will package your takeaway noodles and soup separately, so you avoid a soggy situation when you transport your goods home.
Oji Sushi.
Craving Japanese?
If sushi is what you crave, Oji Sushi’snewly-opened Britomart location is perfect for grabbing a pack to-go — it’s open for takeaways Thursday to Sunday 11am to 2pm, or order family-sized sushi platters online here. Sister restaurant Ebisu also has its delicious fare on offer including the famous Ebi Mayo roll, plus an Omakase (chef’s choice) menu. From Jervois Road, Janken is doing dinner deliveries for Herne Bay, Westhaven, St Mary’s Bay, Ponsonby, Freemans Bay, and part of Westmere, on Uber Eats. Order for a meal that combines the deliciousness of traditional Japanese cuisine with healthy, local produce. Find the rest of the best Japanese takeaways in town here.
FishSmith.
Craving fish and chips?
Predictable we know, but we can’t seem to get enough of Herne Bay favourite FishSmith. From the supremely fresh fish to the twice-fried chips, grilled fish tacos, wholesome salads and irresistible sides such as battered haloumi and smoked salmon fish cakes, FishSmith ticks all our boxes for a Friday night fish and chip feast. Catch a Fish on Parnell’s Gladstone Road is also high on our list, offering all the classics alongside its tasty rolls and burgers.
Yeah Bowl.
Craving something healthy?
When nothing but good old-fashioned nourishment is in order, Food Truck Garage is a go-to for obvious reasons. From the popular burger bowls (with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options available) to wraps, plus sides like burnt broccoli and kumara chips, the menu at this City Works Depot staple was designed to leave you feeling wholesome indeed and is available via click and collect, Uber Eats or phone order. Over K’ Road ways, the team at Yeah Bowlis open until 9pm, offering build-your-own poke bowls and signature flavours for takeaway and delivery.
Amano.
Craving pasta?
The pasta masters at Amano offer some of their most famous dishes, hot to take away — available for order via its Grocer service. Take your pick from scampi chimaera or shorthorn beef and Hampshire pork Bolognese on tagliatelle, spaghetti cacao e pepe and more. Plus, the likes of beef carpaccio, burrata and the mozzarella focaccia di recco. Pasta is undoubtedly one of the greatest comfort foods there is — for more comforting takeaways, consult our list here.
Aucklanders who know the virtue of weekend brunch in all its beloved forms might be no stranger to Famous Eddy. But we’ve done some digging for those yet to discover the joys of this under-the-radar food truck. Capturing the attention of foodies across the city, Famous Eddy’s indulgent, on-the-go brunch options are a welcome sight. And having seen them littered across our feeds on Saturday and Sunday mornings, we simply had to know more.
Famous Eddy was the nickname given to Eddy Janchinorat by his former boss at Rude Boy Deli and Winona Forever. The talented chef is no stranger to brunch fare, having led the kitchens at Just Like Martha before purchasing a food truck and setting up his own weekend shop in a garage just off Dominion Road.
Here, alongside Jenny Siangphloen (a food science student), he marries his two food loves. Menu items like the pork belly sandwich (the perfect combination of double-smoked, thick-cut pork belly teriyaki, a sunny side up egg, paired with Japanese slaw and Big Mac sauce, served on a grilled brioche) and the croffle fried chicken benedict (white balsamic hollandaise and cajun spiced buttermilk fried chicken served on a waffle-croissant hybrid with red wine pickled onion) are evidence alone of his culinary creativity — and it is one that crowds can’t get enough of.
Given the indulgent nature of Famous Eddy’s fare, we’re almost grateful that it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays (saving our waistbands somewhat). The food truck concept makes it perfect for a brunch to grab and go, but there are tables should you choose to grab a coffee and stay a while longer. With rumours from Janchinorathimself of an expansion into a nighttime offering on the horizon, this is a spot we’re grateful we’ve discovered before it completely takes flight.
The latest addition to our already impressive roster of delicious neighbourhood eateries comes in the form of Pikuniku, offering a playful take on the idea of a Japanese picnic, and offering all things delicious and joyful to the community of Greenlane (and beyond).
From the group that brought Aucklanders the likes of &Sushi and the nearby Slowlane (another delicious Greenlane eatery worth discovering), Pikuniku is a fun and fresh take on the traditional cafe, and it is one that we can’t help but adore.
Immediately, upon stepping into the spacious interior (courtesy of design studio Millé) it is clear that the owners wanted to create a warm, inviting space that feels modern and fresh. Warm-coloured walls meet beautiful, of-the-moment furnishings, while a dedicated ice-cream counter serving fresh scoops of Kohu Road offers a cutesy touch.
Just like all of the group’s other outposts, the food at Pikuniku is definitely worth celebrating. Taking the idea of traditional brunch and giving it a decidedly Japanese twist, Pikuniku’s menu is deliciously indulgent and full of flavour. Despite only soft-opening last week, firm crowd favourites already include the Tako Omurice (an omelette-fried rice hybrid), the Smoked Salmon Soba (with salmon that will melt in your mouth) and of course, the Matcha Croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid) — which is poised to become one of Pikuniku’s hero dishes.
Whether you’re taking the kids for something sweet, or looking for a nearby brunch to rest your Sunday morning head, Pikuniku is an utterly cute addition to its Great South Road corner, and somewhere worth travelling to if you don’t live in the area.
Opening hours: Monday — Friday, 7am until 3.30pm Saturday — Sunday, 7.30am until 3.30pm
Lately, as trends tilt towards brow lifts and lash lifts (essentially micro perms), innovative products are becoming a mainstay in my arsenal for healthy, fluffy brows and strong, flexible lashes.
Between swiping RevitaLash Advanced on my lashes and RevitaBrow Advanced on my brows, my lashes and brows have never looked so healthy. But the latest addition to my collection promises some of the most coveted conditioning yet. Launched today, the RevitaLash Cosmetics Lash & Brow Masque is a physician-developed treatment that addresses visible signs of compromised lashes and brows, both immediately and in the long-term. This is a nutrient-rich, hero product for those beauty addicts all too familiar with over-styling, daily make-up usage and the damage caused by environmental stressors.
While the famous serums from the brand are designed to condition the hairs, this new treatment focuses more on immediate hydration. Using the Tri-Flora Complex (a blend that includes ginseng, gleditsia and white nettle) alongside ingredients like vitamin E and biotin, the masque works to repair and restore lash and brow health.
This new masque has been in the works for some time, designed to complement the purpose-focused products RevitaLash Cosmetics has been developing and curating for some years while meeting the growing needs of their fans. “We knew it was important to offer a treatment that works in tandem with [our other products] to repair and restore while also delivering hydration for strong, shiny, healthy lashes and brows — and especially so as consumers continue to seek out lash and brow services that can cause damage,” says RevitaLash Cosmetics President and Global CMO, Lori Jacobus.
But perhaps RevitaLash Cosmetics’ most impressive claim to notoriety is that all the products we have tried actually work; sadly often a rarity in the beauty industry, where lofty claims are made without the technology or evidence to back them up. But in the 15 years since its inception, RevitaLash Cosmetics continues to impress the Denizen office by living up to its promises. So we know that this next addition promises nothing short of greatness.
RevitaLash Lash & Brow Masque will be available nationwide from the 15th of August.
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