For the season ahead, look to styles that hinge on classic with a twist. For a slightly unexpected sunglasses update, try coloured, tinted lenses and unique frames. They’re sure to have you seeing the bright side.
Whether we’re talking about diamond drop earrings or a scoop of your favourite ice cream, the old adage often rings true — two is better than one. As a true romantic, Häagen-Dazs has combined a couple of its favourite irresistible flavours, snug in one delicious Duo tub.
The ultimate treat, Häagen-Dazs’s Dark Chocolate & Salted Caramel Crunch Duo includes velvety dark chocolate ice cream with a silk caramel sauce on one side, and a salted caramel ice cream with crushed chocolate shards on the other.
Equally satisfying every possible sensorial chocolate craving, the Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla Crunch Duo includes Belgian chocolate ice cream with truffle chocolate sauce, sidled-up next to vanilla ice cream with fine cracking chocolate.
Whichever you choose, it’s time to prove yourself the most significant of significant others, or the best of best friends, by sharing yours open-heartedly.
To honour the delicious Duo this Valentine’s Day, Denizen is giving away an ultimate Häagen-Dazs experience. It will spoil you and your partner with a night’s stay at QT Auckland and a premium prize pack including tubs of the indulgent Häagen-Dazs Duo, Papinelle robes, silk eye masks and more to share with your cutie.
This competition is now closed.
If you’re like us, you’ll want to make the most of your weekend — and one way to ensure you feel contented is going all out for brunch. When you need a change of scenery, rain or shine, Grangers Tap House and Kitchen gives the whimsical feeling of being by the water, without having to commit to being on the sea as the weather patterns change — making it the perfect spot for a carefree breakfast-meets-lunch.
Located in the picturesque Half Moon Bay Marina, Grangers is (luckily) putting brunch back on the menu this weekend. With a range of mood-boosting brunch options with a sea breeze twist, and a full bar — from coffee to cocktails — the world really is your oyster here.
For something light and bright, we recommend the Granola with mango and coconut yogurt and seasonally sweet blueberries. For something more substantial, the Three Egg Omelette on sourdough satisfies all our culinary cravings, whether we go for the seafood option — with prawns, rocket and creme fraiche — or the vegetarian concoction — with wild mushroom, chorizo and gruyere cheese.
On menus all over town, there is that star dish we keep coming back for. While it is hard to narrow one down at Grangers, after some deliberation we have found that the Breakfast Burger can’t be beat. From its brioche bun all the way down its layers of delicious ingredients — including bacon, egg, avocado, rocket, tomato relish and hollandaise — it’s sure to leave you satisfied.
With plenty to wrap your laughing gear around, Grangers’ back-and-better-than-ever brunch menu gives us something to smile about — no matter whether the weekend weather plays along.
Grangers’ Seaside Brunch:
Saturday and Sunday: 10am — 12pm
Grangers Tap House and Kitchen
The Promenade, 1 Ara Tai,
Half Moon Bay, Auckland
A short-sleeved shirt is a versatile wardrobe winner. Choose a crisp style for work and elevated occasions, or go for something easy breezy for casual wear, the beach and beyond. Whatever rendition is more in keeping with your style, take advantage of its versatility by wearing alone or layering, open, over a singlet or t-shirt. When the weather cools, you can also slip a long-sleeved layer underneath for warmth. Evidently, this is one sartorial staple that works as hard as you do.
FOR HER
FOR HIM
We know this is a big call to make, but Mug ‘N’ Bowl Café is serving some of the best phở to delight our senses this side of Ho Chi Minh City. Made with the help of her grandmother’s recipe, co-owner and head chef Nevaeh Hua cooks the bone marrow broth of the ‘12 Hour Phở’ with cardamon, star anise and cinnamon seeds — cutting through its own decadence with seasonal herbs.
“We’re generous with it because quite a few of the phở’s around Auckland are served Northern style, but this is from Saigon, so it’s sweeter and a little richer,” explains her business partner, and Mug ‘N’ Bowl restaurant manager, Rico Tan.
Having opened Mug ‘N’ Bowl towards the end of last year, Hua and Tan work as well together as brown nice noodles and its simmering broth. While Hua was being inspired by the Vietnamese dishes throughout her childhood, Tan grew up with his family’s cafés and bakeries in Auckland. Hua went on to work in leading restaurants for the past decade, including Baduzzi and Mekong Baby, while Tan went on to thrive doing front of house for the likes of Tok Tok Takapuna.
It was only a matter of time until the friends combined their talents and opened their own venture. Central to the success of Mug ‘N’ Bowl is the use of fresh herbs, especially those that are used in traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The vegetable garden is filled with diếp cá (from the chameleon plant), purple shiso and Vietnamese mint. “Anything we hear of or get our hands on we try to grow ourselves,” says Tan.
Patrons have been calling from all over the city to taste its phở, but it’s also worth sticking around for Mug ‘N’ Bowl’s Banh Mi — a baguette filled with house-made pork pâté, mayonnaise, coriander, spring onion and pickled vegetables. We recommend the pulled pork option for a creation that is reminiscent of char siu, but even better for being in a bun. An undercover cult favourite on the menu, which Tan also recommends trying, is the Saigon Xiu Mai, which sees pork meatballs with a sensational tomato base piled high on a banh mi.
Hua and Tan introduce their new community to different varieties of Vietnamese dishes as the seasons, and occasions, change. For Valentine’s Day, Mug ‘N’ Bowl is offering a Bánh Xèo special. Shared by two, and eaten by hand, the savoury crepe is filled with pork belly, prawns, bean sprouts and fresh herbs and salad, in one intimate dish.
For a drink, you can’t go past the Vietnamese Drip Coffee, with sweetened condensed milk. “It’s a bit more traditional than usual,” says Tan. “We make sure that we tamper it well so we can eke all the caffeine out of it. A coffee that you take your time with.”
With a relaxed vibe and friendly service, Mug ‘N’ Bowl is the place to discover these delicacies anew. With the humidity we have been experiencing lately, we felt like we’d been on a transcendent trip to Ho Chi Minh City too.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6am — 4pm
Saturday and Sunday: 7am — 3pm
Mug ‘N’ Bowl Cafe
8A Carr Road
Mt Roskill, Auckland
We have a love-hate relationship with the big heat of high summer. Certainly, sprawled on a beach or unwinding in a backyard around the pool, the humidity and beaming sun become far more enticing. But even then, we all have commitments that require a put-together appearance. To avoid a crimson complexion or melted makeup, be sure to stock up on these cool, and very cooling, face mists. Pro tip: store them in the fridge to feel even more calm and collected.
Mattifying and Energising Skin Care Water by Codage
Not only does Codage’s Skin Care Water deliver a high concentration of active ingredients to the skin, but this version is also specifically formulated to mattify and reduce unwanted shine — so you can be sure to look fresh and radiant, rather than sweaty, all day long.
Beauty Elixir by Caudalie
With essential oils and plant extracts that brighten and clarify the complexion, Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir spray is an absolute cult classic. Beloved worldwide by celebrities, makeup artists and everyday spritzers alike, use as a priming base or setting spray for makeup, and refresh as wanted for a polished glow.
Hydrating Facial Mist by Weleda
Weleda’s Hydrating Facial Mist makes us misty-eyed with love for its key duo of hydrating, soothing ingredients: prickly pear extract and aloe vera. The prickly pear creates an intensively moisturising and protective layer on the skin, while the aloe vera is great for cooling and soothing — something that’s much-needed on the muggy morning commute. Plus, it smells herbaceously wholesome, as all Weleda’s products do.
The Mist by La Mer
Packed with a concentrated percentage of La Mer’s renowned miracle broth, with its luxurious inclusion of kelp, The Mist not only hydrates the face but also renews the complexion in a way that echoes the revitalising power of the brand’s coveted line of skincare. The epitome of effortless cool for your summer sangfroid.
Catch up on the latest and greatest streaming series that are garnering plenty of buzz, from new seasons of Euphoria, Cheer and Starstruck, to must-watch debut shows.
Cheer: Season 2
None of us were prepared for how season one of this Emmy-winning reality series swept us off our feet (while we watched all its stars bounce off theirs), but those who watched it will know the feeling of sheer investment it engendered. Season two sees all the favourite faces return (minus Jerry Harris, which is addressed throughout) and shows how the Navarro College Cheer squad’s sudden fame has changed everything.
Watch on Netflix
Emily in Paris: Season 2
The world’s favourite hate-watch (second only to And Just Like That, perhaps…), Emily in Paris has returned and we’re once again immersed in the colourful world of Emily Cooper and her supporting cast of friends and acquaintances. Now feeling more at home in Paris, Emily still struggles with assimilating to French life — and a love triangle makes things even more complicated. Mon dieu…
Watch on Netflix
Stay Close
This British miniseries is about past lives and how much you can really know about those closest to you. A gripping thriller based on the book by Harlan Coben (The Stranger, Safe and The Five), Stay Close sees three seemingly unrelated people’s lives start to splinter as the tenuous threads that bind them become more cloying, revealing buried secrets.
Watch on Netflix
The Puppet Master: Hunting The Ultimate Conman
A chilling true-crime series, The Puppet Master is the story of Robert Hendy-Freegard, an abusive and audacious conman who, over the course of two decades, controlled, conned and fleeced at least seven women and one man out of almost one million pounds — all with his devious charm.
Watch on Netflix
Euphoria: Season 2
While there’s an awful lot that seems to happen not at school for a “high school teen drama”, we can’t resist Euphora’s often raw portrayal of young adulthood. Season two has certainly ramped up the intensity, and its worth watching for the performances alone — plus, given the amount of internet hype this show has, surely you’re keen to be up with the play.
Watch on Neon
Reacher
Much more on the mark tone-wise than Tom Cruise’s humourless turn as Lee Child’s titular hero, the new iteration of Reacher is a fun, rollicking watch that stays true to the original written series. Action buffs, this is one for you.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
The Afterparty
We love a whodunnit, and The Afterparty delivers with an all-star cast and clever writing. When a high school reunion’s afterparty ends in a stunning death, everyone is a suspect. A detective grills the former classmates one by one, uncovering potential motives as each tells their version of the story — culminating in the shocking truth.
Watch on Apple TV+
And don’t miss these others, coming soon
Raised by Refugees
Don’t miss this funny and poignant series, created by well-known local comedian and actor Pax Assadi. Based on his own lived experiences, it’s garnering a lot of hype before its premiere on the 24th of February. Two years in the making, Raised by Refugees is set in the early 2000s and follows the Iranian/Pakistani Assadi family (Pax plays the part of his own father in the series) and their New Zealand-born sons as they move to Auckland’s North Shore. Each of them faces their own challenges trying to fit into the culture, and this prompts many hilarious but also thought-provoking scenarios.
Watch on Prime and Sky Go from 24th Feb and Neon from 25th Feb
Starstruck: Season 2
Rose Matafeo’s globally acclaimed series returns, and it’s already received rave reviews. The British rom-com sees Jessie and her movie star beau Tom Kapoor finally give being in a relationship a proper go, but as Jessie had been planning on moving back to New Zealand (then stayed in London to be with Tom), she’s now having to deal with the fallout of her decision.
Watch on TVNZ from 16 Feb
So, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. While marking the occasion may not be at the top of everyone’s list, there are still plenty of lowkey ways to celebrate romance on the day — even though, this year, V’ Day falls on a Monday. Those allergic to grand gestures can find comfort (nay, inspiration) in the simple pleasures listed below, no soppiness required.
Add a picnic for instant romance
To keep things light, unfurl a blanket in the park (weather permitting, of course), pop a bottle and voila, the mood is masterfully set. To show you’ve made some effort, we suggest skipping the supermarket salami and going for something more refined, like one of Cazador or Savor Good’s excellent hampers — who can resist the likes of duck parfait, game terrine and heritage pork coppa? If you’d rather secure a table indoors, refer to our guide of the most sophisticated spots to wine and dine your Valentine.
Wander wistfully through the countryside
As we’ve learnt from watching countless period romances, a long, anticipatory stroll is the key to building sexual tension. Take advantage of the lingering long daylight hours and go for an evening walk — we suggest you take your pick from our favourite local walks, historical garb optional.
Show a rare glimpse of your nurturing side
No, not with a fur baby or an actual human child. We’re talking about a plant, you fool. Plan ahead and peruse your local nursery on Saturday the 12th or Sunday 13th, picking out a pot plant to care for.
Do something fancy, but not too fancy
Champagne and oysters at any other locale may seem over the top to Valentine’s Day grinches, but at your local beach, it’s perfectly charming. If you’re at work for the day, there’s still time to pop a bottle of bubs and grab a dozen deep-fried oysters from the nearest chippie to be enjoyed by the water’s edge. Why not go a step further and add a jar of caviar to the mix?
Get swept off your feet
Show yourself some love or encourage your boo to do the same, and book one of Spring Spa’s special Valentine’s Day treatments. We like the sound of the TLC for my Toes, a sweet orange and patchouli pedicure. Sit back for 60 minutes and enjoy a decadent soak, full pedicure and soothing foot massage.
Chocolate-dipped strawberries, but make it wholesome
If you’re spending the daytime hours together, change gears and make it a family affair by taking the kids to a pick-your-own berry farm, like Sweet Red or Zaberri. Once home, pair your freshly picked score with any ambrosial delights that tickle your fancy — melted chocolate, yoghurt and caramel sauce are all tasty bets.
Enjoy the silence at long last
If your epitome of romance looks a lot like sitting quietly in the dark for an hour and a half, you’re in luck. Academy Cinemas is showing David Lean’s masterpiece The Passionate Friends as its Valentine’s Day flick.
When in doubt, eat in bed
Some say cliché, we say who cares. Breakfast in bed is an unfussy token of love that not only tastes delicious but means the rest of the day can go back to your regular programming — if you so wish. We recommend this sensational breakfast sandwich, these crumpets or arguably the fluffiest pancakes ever.
Growing up in Hanoi (a city that is heavily influenced by the French), Malisa Nguyen still has fond memories of holding dear a hot, flaky croissant either in the early morning or after school from the local bakehouse. “A croissant is as close to my heart as a Banh Mi,” she says.
As the owner and chef at the popular Luna Cafe — which brought her two loves together enticingly — Nguyen has opened Luna Bakehouse to focus on her perfectly puffed pastries. Created from scratch from 4am daily, the Bakehouse in Newmarket is Nguyen’s chance to be as creative as she can in introducing Asian flavours to traditional French pastries. “Luna Bakehouse very much embodies all that I am, my tradition, and my upbringing.”
Introducing the essences of other regions in the world, especially from the team’s wider cultures, too her contemporary take includes everything from hand-laminated matcha almond croissants to double ube halaya cruffins and summer passionfruit danishes. “Luna Bakehouse is not just my personal representative,” says Nguyen. “It also represents team Luna, of how diverse and creative our team is.”
While Luna Cafe in central Auckland’s Chancery is for the fast-paced inner-city set (much like you’ll find in Hanoi), Luna Bakehouse takes a step back and appreciates its Parisian artistry. At its charming corner on Broadway, you can stay awhile and enjoy the fresh-from-the-oven creations alongside Kokako coffee, as you watch the world go by from its outdoor marble table and French chairs.
It’s an ideal set-up to enjoy a new kind of café society — one that appreciates the hopes of both its patrons and its pastry chef. “Luna Bakehouse is a dream of mine and it was encouraged by everyone throughout the hardest times we had over the past years,” says Nguyen. “I still pinch myself till this day, looking at its little door, and it still feels like a dream.”
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 8am — 3pm
Saturday to Sunday: 8.30am — 3.30pm
Luna Bakehouse
270 Broadway
Newmarket, Auckland
It’s been a great summer, and we sure are not alone in utilising our outdoor areas at home with gusto. Should you be after a refresh, we suggest investigating the three following ideas that will see you in stylish stead for years to come.
Al Fresco Approach
Bringing new meaning to the term “indoor-outdoor flow”, outdoor areas are increasingly being styled to mimic full-on living rooms — minus the four walls and roof part, of course. In order to create an open-air living space you’ll gravitate towards, opt for a sofa that has been specially designed to offer comfort, style and sturdiness in one.
The Giro collection, designed by Vincent Van Duysen for Kettal, is a perfect example of seamless versatility between both interior and exterior configurations. The Ansel sofa by Antonio Citterio for Flexform has been specifically crafted for just the outdoors, with a sleek stainless-steel base into which iroko wood slat armrests and backrests are fitted. Position two sofas facing one another, or a sofa and some lounging chairs, with a good-sized table in the middle to bring a feeling of enclosure and conviviality.
Ingenious Weaving
Thinking of woven furniture, you might have boho connotations. While that aesthetic certainly has its place, these wonderfully sophisticated woven pieces harbour plenty of appeal for even the more minimalistic among us.
From Patricia Urquiola for Kettal, the Maia armchair offers both cocooning comfort and an ultra-light look. Artisan braiding is just as at home in rustic surroundings as it is more elevated curations.
The Emma Cross outdoor chair by Varaschin utilises an acrylic fabric that overlaps the rope weaving covering the aluminium frame, drawing the surface of the backrest with diagonal lines. This double motif on this elegant armchair is particularly striking in all-white.
Calming Tones
Soft tones will prove timeless, and it’s certainly possible to think outside the box within a muted colour palette rather than relying on neutrals. Another elegant outing from Patricia Urquiola for Kettal is the Roll dining chair, exceptionally comfortable with clever colourful straps that convert a regular backrest into two independent ‘wraps’. We love the underrated pairing of muted chocolate brown and light pink with the cream frame.
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