As if we needed more reason to book a table at Ebisu or one of Azabu’s two Auckland spots, the three restaurants have recently added a selection of mouth-watering, soul-warming ramen bowls to their weekly lunch menus, the ideal midday meals to see us through winter.
Satiating, comforting and utterly delicious, the three ramen bowls on offer include the Shio Tare ramen with char siu pork, soy egg, bamboo, pork and chicken bone broth, the Spicy Miso Goma ramen with char siu pork, soy egg, bamboo and sesame pork broth and the Spicy Miso Tantanmen ramen with chicken mince, soy egg, bamboo and miso pork broth. From their warming, brothy bases to their hearty, flavoursome toppings the new ramen offering is drawing us out of the office for a lunchtime feast.
In addition to the bowls themselves (which are available for a mere $25 a pop), diners who want a little something extra can choose two sides to pair with their ramen for $49. These include fresh salmon or tuna sashimi, karaage chicken or vegetable tempura (at Ebisu) or spicy pork gyoza (at Azabu).
Only available at lunchtime, this new ramen offering can be ordered from Monday to Friday at Ebisu, from Wednesday to Friday at Azabu Mission Bay and on Thursdays and Fridays at Azabu Ponsonby.
Cosy, comforting and offering a menu packed with some of our favourite, go-to dishes in Auckland, there are many reasons why Andiamo has been given stalwart status. Long-serving the discerning diners of Herne Bay with its contemporary, Italian-style fare and impeccable service, this relaxed but elevated bistro has never let us down and now, as we embrace the chill of winter, the team at Andiamo are giving us even more reason to book a table, recently adding three, new, utterly delicious dishes to the restaurant’s famous menu.
Left: Pomodoro pizza Right: Potato gnocchi
For those who love Andiamo for its pizza (a perfectly-flavoured line-up with toppings that hit the spot every time), there is a new iteration to sink your teeth into. Meet the new Pomodoro Pizza, boasting a charred and chewy dough base topped with juicy bits of salsiccia (Italian sausage), smoky and spicy salami picante and nduja and creamy fior di latte to balance it all out. This pizza will warm your cockles on cold winter nights and is the perfect dish to share with dinner companions.
That said, if you’re more of a pasta fan, you’ll be hard-pressed to pass up the gnocchi (which is actually the return of an Andiamo winter classic). Here, fluffy morsels of gnocchi have been prepared in the cacio e pepe tradition (a moreish combination of salty Italian cheese and plenty of pepper) and mixed with a mouthwatering roast chicken butter sauce to deliver warming depth and unbelievable flavour. This one, we think, you’ll want to keep to yourself.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
The third new addition is the Bistecca alla Fiorentina — and it’s not for the faint of hear. Meat lovers, listen up. This is essentially a T-bone steak that has been cooked to tender perfection, sliced precisely on the bone and served with rosemary, garlic and salsa verde. Simple, satiating and exactly what you need sometimes in winter, this totally indulgent option is ideal for sharing paired with some of Andiamo’s various side dishes or enjoyed as a hearty main, depending on how hungry you are.
So whether you consider yourself an Andiamo devotee or only visit occasionally, here are three very compelling reasons to book a table now.
In response to the hotly-anticipated Barbie movie (out this week), Barbie mania has swept the globe, spawning numerous fashion, design and cultural movements that have ushered in an unapologetically feminine, vibrant and decidedly optimistic aesthetic. So, if you’re not entirely sick of seeing Barbie’s signature, hot-pink hues everywhere, we have rounded up a concise edit of the very best pieces (from prim dresses to sparkly accessories and some seriously eye-popping tones) to help you live out your Barbie dream in the real world.
LOEWE Striped stretch-knit mini dress from Faradays
As the Women’s Football World Cup fast approaches there are plenty of ways that we can all start getting into the spirit of the competition beyond just throwing on a supporter’s jersey. Anyone who isn’t actually attending a game at Eden Park can support from afar with Commercial Bay’s Football Season kicking off in fine form tomorrow, the 20th of July.
Right: Best Ugly Bagels
This downtown shopping and dining precinct will be streaming all the World Cup football games live at Harbour Eats’ Public Bar (on level 2) with special half-time refreshments and bites on offer from all the Bay favourites, from Shake Out’s cheesy fries to Ghost Donkey’s tacos, Best Ugly Bagels and more.
Ensuring everyone can get into the convivial spirit, Commercial Bay will also be offering anyone who spends $50 or more at one of its many beauty, fashion or food retailers access to claw-machine prizes including CB vouchers, Adidas jerseys, Kokako Coffee Vouchers and Double passes to the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Eden Park. And every weekend, Harbour Eats will be packed with fun, pre-game activations and activities, from onsite face-painting to live music to food and beverage deals and everything you need to get amped for the big games.
Left: Shake Out’s Cheesy Fries
Commercial Bay is the perfect place to get amongst all the action, whether you’re a football fan or not — there will be something here for everyone to enjoy.
Few restaurants are heaving on opening day, but walking into Tacoteca on a wintry Monday to see the venue humming speaks to the reputation this new destination has already garnered. Such is the pull of Edmundo Farrera’s vision — the enigmatic figurehead behind Snickel Lane’s La Fuente, the City’s only mezcal bar that has garnered somewhat of a cult following since it opened. Joined by Chef Patron Jean Brito helming the kitchen, their cumulative decades of experience have inspired the quest for the perfect taco. Here, we think they have achieved it.
Left: Lamb Barbacoa Tacos
Until now, Tacoteca has existed as an inner-city lunchtime pop-up, only spoken about between those in the know. And yet when the perfect location presented itself, Farrera and Brito knew it was time to plant some firmer roots. Now found where Food Truck Garage once stood at City Works Depot, it feels like a new destination entirely, where authentic Mexican is served at its most vibrant and brilliant.
For those unfamiliar, Tacoteca grew much of its popularity for its blue corn tortillas, all handmade on-site (when we visit, they’re being rolled through a press at the back of the open kitchen). They’re naturally gluten-free and, as such, feel slightly healthier, so you’ll find a good helping of them (made into corn chips) on the side of most dishes. These also form the base of Brito’s tacos, which come in an impressive array of flavours, like the rich lamb barbacoa, the fresh fish and the vegan smoky cabbage. (They’re also available in packs to take home, which we think is the perfect touch.)
Chilaquiles
After indulging in more than our fair share for a Monday lunchtime, what we loved the most was the small details, like the thoughtful introduction of caramelised crunchy nuts throughout dishes and grilled pineapple atop the fresh, citrusy (and gently spiced) guac, plus a surprising standout, the vegan cabbage taco, charred and exploding with flavour, although still light enough to comfortably eat more than just one (or two). For more indulgent sharing plates, the queso fondue, topped with chorizo, and the chilaquiles (almost like a shakshuka-nachos hybrid) are essential.
Right: Guacamole with housemade tortilla chips
And while City Works Depot is primarily a daytime precinct, Tacoteca’s hefty bar menu means that this delicious venue is open well into the evening. Given its roots, a comprehensive margarita menu is, of course, on offer, while wines are drawn from global vintages and an impressive craft beer menu sits alongside, too. Horchatas and jarritos are served as teetotalling alternatives; the former is a traditional milky Mexican drink, and the latter is a soda popular across Central and South America.
In Tacoteca, we’ve found exactly what the City has been missing — genuinely authentic, delicious Mexican cuisine in an elevated eatery setting. It’s the kind of destination where neither experience nor legitimacy is compromised. And given its convenient proximity to the Denizen office, we can assure you that it is a destination we will frequent often.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11:30am until 10pm tacoteca.co.nz
Tacoteca
City Works Depot
1/90 Wellesley Street West
Auckland CBD
Mere moments after completion, only two apartments remain within St Heliers’ Sonata — the latest luxury living development redefining our approach to downsized urban living. Thanks to its enviable lifestyle proposition, this collection of luxury private apartments swiftly became one of Auckland’s most sought-after addresses when its plans were first unveiled, drawing potential residents for the way it embraced the beauty of St Heliers and its refusal to compromise on the requirements of a luxury forever home.
Ideally suited to those seeking to downsize as much as those seeking a second address in the City, these exquisitely crafted apartments showcase meticulous attention to detail, where no stone has been left unturned. And yet the build, a vision of the award-winning team at Buchan (and the pioneering approach of developers Reside), is not overly opulent or ostentatious but rather timeless and gorgeous, leaning into quality finishes that speak to the deliberate nature of the development.
Take the kitchens, for instance, all designed by luxury Italian manufacturer Poliform in collaboration with Studio Italia, which anchor each apartment and cultivate a sense of community and connection. Poliform is an international leader in furniture design, founded in 1970 by Alberto Spinelli, Aldo Spinelli and Giovanni Anzani, and its work brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to every home. Expansive wardrobes in every residence have also been carefully crafted by the brand — a testament to the developers’ commitment to maximising storage solutions, ensuring that residents can do their downsizing with ease. If all that were not enough, the apartments’ lighting has been sourced locally from ECC, proving an assurance that only the most discerning finishes have been applied here.
This attentive approach is echoed in the exterior, too, where Sonata’s silhouette depicts something artistic and sculptural, boasting a unique curvature that almost mirrors the famous bays it overlooks. Each residence is luxuriously appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling out onto substantial balconies and, in the ground floor apartment’s case, a generous courtyard — offering the perfect space for any pets to make the move as well. These are apartments with home-like proportions, where the transition to this low-maintenance style of living is seamless.
The execution of Sonata is flawless — as one would expect given developer Reside’s enduring reputation of excellence. Behind landmark developments such as Victoria Quarter’s Grace, and Mission Bay’s Horizon, Reside is a legacy residential developer that, since the Location Group’s inception in 1972 (of which Reside is just one part of), has pioneered a new, elevated standard for urban living. This latest address feels like the pinnacle of this. As only two apartments remain at this coveted Devore Street address, we recommend expressing your interest with the listing agent, Paul Neshausen, at Barfoot & Thompson.
Giving us yet another reason to pay Faradays a visit (as if the latest drop of Loewe wasn’t enough), Faraday’s Bar has just launched a luxurious, new Thursday night offering that will only be on for a limited time.
‘Bubbles & Bumps,’ as it is aptly called, gives diners the chance to enjoy the opulent pairing of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs with Vintage Sturia Caviar, for a very special price. Perfect for celebrating special occasions or romantic date nights, this sumptuous duo can be ordered as either a half-bottle and 15g tin, or a full-sized bottle and 30g tin, the former at $199, the latter at $399.
So whether you’re looking to treat your significant other to a special evening out, or are seeking a more elevated experience for your next catch-up with friends, ‘Bubbles & Bumps’ is just the ticket. (Plus, when you’re finished you can peruse the latest fashion and homeware collections that have just landed at Faradays — an added bonus.)
On for a limited time only, we suggest booking your Thursday evening at Faraday’s Bar soon, lest you miss out. Bookings can be made online here, or by emailing here.
A celestial celebration, Matariki is a time-honoured occasion to celebrate with your nearest and dearest. It can be seen as a time for renewal, connection, and honouring life around us — while acknowledging those who have left us too, as per tradition. With this in mind (and the welcome extra day in our long weekend), we’ve consulted our agendas and discovered all of the cultural and dining events to uncover this weekend for those staying at home, and some for those that may be holidaying too. For an extensive list of everything going on in Auckland, the Matariki Festival directory has something for everyone at this fortuitous time of year. But in the interest of a more curated programme, here’s our edit.
Passa Passa x Toi o Tamaki Matariki Menu
Adding to Auckland Art Gallery’s burgeoning programme of Matariki’s events is a specialty menu, courtesy of Denizen favourite, Passa Passa. Having returned from a short hiatus, this marks Passa Passa’s first pop-up back in Auckland, where the menu has been inspired by the land. Dan will be slinging his signature pizza fritta, topped with local delicacies like creamy paua or kumara and watercress. Divine! More info can be found here.
IWA at Viaduct Harbour
IWA at Viaduct Harbour
Able to be viewed by the public from Viaduct Harbour’s Te Mata Topaki (the waterfront pier structure at 117 Customs Street West), IWA comprises nine illuminated buoys that float on the water in the formation of the Matariki stars and comes to life in a captivating audio-visual performance at 6pm and 8pm every evening until Sunday the 23rd of July. Discover all of the details behind this spectacular show here.
Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou
Considering Matariki is a celebration written in the stars, Stardomes’s celebrations should be essential visiting this long weekend. Following three years of sell-out runs, the Epsom observatory’s annual Matariki celebrations return with a new show that explores the stars and stories of significance at this time of year. Bookings are essential and filling up fast — further details here.
A Seat at the Table with Chatham Island Food Co at Kingi
Blue Cod from Chatham Island Food Co
To celebrate this shift into the Māori New Year, The Hotel Britomart’s Kingi is hosting one of the most discerning dining experiences that draws inspiration from Kai Māori and the bounty of produce our waters offer. Hosted with Chatham Island Food Co, the menu is filled with delicacies like crayfish, black foot paua, kina, blue cod and even wild boar from the furthermost limits of our country. Having worked closely with Delwyn and Gigi Tuanui since the early days of Kingi, the restaurant has invited the duo behind the kaimoana over to speak candidly about their life on the island. Reservations are essential for this set menu and can be made here.
Te Tomokanga ki te Pō
At Silo Park, standing at an impressive 26 feet, this luminous waharoa is a captivating masterpiece that seamlessly blends artistry and spirituality, designed by artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu) in collaboration with Hawke House, Angus Muir, Fresh Concept and Eke Panuku for Matariki on the Waterfront 2023. Find out more details here.
Marae in the Sky
Marae in the Sky
This transcendent performance at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki was created exclusively for Matariki and takes place on Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th of July. Directed and choreographed by the visionary Taane Mete, this immersive dance and music experience pays homage to the celestial mother star, Matariki, while celebrating hauora, hope, reflection, and the interconnectedness of all beings with nature. Discover all of the info here.
Matariki at Auckland Zoo
When the rain eases, Auckland Zoo offers the kind of Matariki celebration that families of all ages will love. With the new addition of self-directed activities, a celebration of our most precious wildlife, and the invitation to share food at Te Puna, it’s the perfect reason to take the kids in tow. Find out more about Matariki at Auckland Zoo here.
Auckland Matariki Festival Day
Sweet As Bowl
This inner-city celebration marries so much of what we love about our indigenous culture. Taking over Auckland Town Hall, there’ll be food, art, live performance, discussion panels and shopping from local Māori designers. Discover more about the celebration here.
Feast Matariki at Sage
For those taking the opportunity to head up north, the award-winning Sage is offering an exquisite four-course menu perfect for the occasion. Drawing inspiration from the world around us, the lunchtime feast is $80 per person, with a glass of Paroa Bay Wine and free transport to and from Russell; it makes for essential dining for anyone up north. More details are available here.
“The biggest expression of a culture, after the language, is through the food,” Chef Fabio Bernardini explains, speaking to the vision for his new restaurant, Tempero. The Pan-Latin restaurant has this week opened its doors at an iconic address (which, until recently, housed Peach Pit), and the ethos here is to offer pared-back, bistronomy-style dining that hits the spot just as this kind of cuisine was always meant to.
The restaurant is a journey back to Bernardini’s ancestral roots, who, alongside working in some of Auckland’s top kitchens with the likes of Michael Meredith, brings some seriously impressive international credentials to the restaurant. He has served as the Executive Sous-Chef at Mexico City’s Pujol — which was recently awarded the 5th spot on last year’s World’s Best 50 list — as well as Michelin-starred Saison in San Francisco and D.O.M in his native Brazil, not to mention being named a finalist in the prestigious San Pellegrino Young Chef Latin America competition. With this resume at its helm, it’s fair to say Tempero is already punching well above its weight.
Right: Confit of Chicken Leg, Mole Negro and Carrots.
Joined by his partner Tiffany Low to manage operations, whose past also includes a tenure as Maitre d’ at New York’s Mercer Kitchen, the intention was always to create something intimate and approachable that reflected the cuisine’s heritage. As the menu brings together diverse flavours and influences from Latin countries, so too does the fit-out — all of which was a hands-on process for the owners. The simple 40-seater space underwent a significant transformation that included extensive tiling, licks of paint and reupholstering. The bare bones of the room initially spoke to the duo, I’m told, where the high ceilings and colonial structure felt reminiscent of buildings in Brazil. The couple brought a playful approach to the space, with modernist art and minimalism, and like most, sustainability, as an overarching principle.
Left: Tamal of Potatoes, Green Salsa and Bean Salad.
The latter concept is applied to the food too, where Bernardini adopts a nose-to-tail approach to cooking, ensuring a more sustainable practice, introducing new flavours to the palette, and leaning into a traditional Latin approach to cooking. After all, anyone familiar with the cuisine can see its immediate influence on the menu — from emphasising meats and traditional dishes like moqueca to introducing delicious pantry staple ingredients like cassava, beans and farofa — a treasured addition. Low explains that because of the ingredients, much of the menu is (almost unintentionally) gluten-free and there’s much that can accommodate vegan and vegetarian preferences too.
Right: Fish Moqueca, Rice and Farofa with Banana.
Tempero’s dishes you can’t get away without trying include the pão de queijo, a moreish little Brazilian cheese bread that is perfect for sharing, and the tamal of potatoes, which, when drenched in green salsa and topped with bean salad, feels like a modern rendition of the Mexican classic. For something heartier to share, opt for the acarajé, which is a flavour-stuffed morsel designed to share, the confit chicken leg (which is perfectly cooked), and the fish moqueca, a traditional Brazilian stew, served with rice and farofa with banana. And while all of these plates are packed with new and intricate flavours that offer a sense of intrigue, and are served in such a way that could be seen at some of the world’s best restaurants, there is a sense of familiarity at the menu’s core — each dish is flavoursome but inherently simple, like something you might find in the home kitchens of Central and South America.
Left: Caipirinha.
Beverage offerings here also consider the notions of nostalgia and simplicity while speaking to the rich tapestry of Tempero. Latin-inspired cocktails like margaritas and pina coladas are a mainstay, alongside a carefully curated wine list, house-made horchatas and agua de sabor. While some might see a destination like this as another delicious string in K’Road’s already impressive bow, we’d suggest recognising it for what it is — a world-class establishment that could quickly become one of our City’s best restaurants. After all, it’s about time for some new flavours, we think.
Opening Hours: Tuesday — Thursday, 4pm until 11pm Friday, 12pm until late Saturday, 4pm until late Closed Sunday & Monday
Those who find themselves in need of a caffeine hit like clockwork would do well to discover Cafe Perch, the new(ish) Freemans Bay cafe we’ve just discovered that caters to all of our workday needs. Conveniently found in an enlarged, foyer-style space on Hargreaves Street, this destination is the perfect new addition for anyone in the area, whether for a coffee on the fly, a fresh sandwich for lunch, or a place to perch for a while in the middle of a busy workday.
Left: Coffee by Eightthirty.
A vision of Drew Brown (who worked in the space when it was formerly Red Rabbit, which he describes as more of a specialty coffee bar) and the neighbouring RCP offices, Cafe Perch exists as the kind of space every office block needs. Brown uses eightthirty coffee — roasters known and loved around town — and has teamed up with Five Loaves to offer fresh daily sandwiches and other baked goods. When Denizen visited, the cabinets were stocked with delicious Chicken Caesar Wraps, Korean Chicken Sandos and Veggie Pides, as well as some fresh toasties, frittatas and slices — offering something to suit any taste or need.
Left: Vegetable Pide. Right: Korean Chicken Sando.
The space itself is simple but sleek. Brown worked tirelessly over one weekend with a friend to ensure no disruptions to the local coffee trade in the address’ handover. It features tall, cavernous concrete walls, curtains and plants to add warmth, commissioned artworks and a large communal table paired with IMO stools, where you could quite easily bring your laptop and set up shop for some time.
Open Monday through Friday; we consider Cafe Perch essential for anyone looking to add a little more pep to their step, whether you find yourself near or far.
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