On a coveted corner of Remuera, a new café has polished its plates, and rolled out its outdoor table settings in time for a hot, sometimes socially distanced, summer.
With the utmost attention to detail, Knead on Benson has entered its neighbourhood with something for every discerning diner. From artful pastries (cinnamon rosettes and scones) to scrumptious pies and sandwiches, its ever-evolving cabinet goods are as gourmet as you’d expect of its address. There’s even ‘dogscotti’ for the Remuera retrievers.
Left: Seasonal Stonefruit Danish.
For those dining in (or streetside, should we say), at Auckland’s level red setting, there is a refined menu championing local produce. It includes smashed eggs adorned with halloumi, courgette, almond and chilli, and scampi spaghetti twisted together with tomato, fennel, chilli and pangritata. Of course, you can order eggs any way you would like, along with an Allpress Espresso coffee.
While dining is only available out the front at the moment, Knead’s large windows open upwards to allow a glimpse at their gorgeous, intimate interior and stacked shelves. Being so open to the street, the café is a welcome new entry to what is already a dining destination for the suburb — including the stalwart success that is Benson Road Deli and the more recent bistro and bar, Morell.
Almond Croissant, Rosette.
Judging by the locals we have already seen lining up for a slice of Knead on Benson, since it opened in early December, this is one haunt that is here to stay.
Opening hours: Daily: 7am — 3pm Outdoor dining only during Red
From its prime Sydney coastal location, shaded by a heritage eucalyptus tree, Cove House radiates serenity. This family home was reimagined by Sydney-based design studio Decus Interiors, the property’s existing bones reinvigorated to allow the architecture, interior and surrounds to seamlessly harmonise.
With an emphasis on natural light, and natural materials throughout, Cove House embodies contemporary and sophisticated Australian living through quiet yet layered design. In order to flood this home with as much light as possible, a glass cupola was added over the formal dining area and the entire ceiling was intentionally raised, with 13-metre-high glazed sliding doors installed to connect the interior with the spectacular ocean-facing views.
Catering to the client’s love of entertaining, the terrace houses an outdoor bar and a pizza oven, while indoors a secondary work area is concealed behind the main kitchen bench, furnished with another pantry, a wine fridge, sink and bespoke cabinetry also designed by Decus Interiors.
A tranquil, tonal colour palette in the living areas provides an amicable backdrop for curated artwork, furniture and objects to add texture and richness to each of the spaces, ensuring predictability is not on the cards. Softness is added through furniture pieces such as the Redondo armchairs by Moroso from Matisse, and interest through additions like the Atollo table lamp by Oluce from ECC in one of the spacious wardrobes.
By intelligently elevating this project to embrace and reflect its glorious surroundings, Decus Interiors have created a home with liveable sophistication, ensuring it effortlessly nurtures the needs of its residents for years to come.
The entranceway features the Match console by Poliform from Studio Italia
Few moments can compare to listening to a song you love and being transported back to your favourite memory, or off on a new fantasy. But have you noticed that the longitudinal waves that lift you up are slowly lowering in quality over time?
Since the advent of the iPod and miscellaneous MP3 players in the early 2000s, the music we listen to has been compromised, and it’s not just the vinyl collectors lamenting the loss of authentic sound. The size of digital music files has been flattened by 90 percent, which is much less than CD-quality.
While recording artists have more advanced equipment than ever, the music that is eventually streamed to the listener, known as a lossy, is a far cry from the original track. “We’re making music to the highest level; it sounds more amazing than ever before, in my opinion. And [yet] we’re listening to it on this platform where it’s compressed,” announced DJ/producer Calvin Harris at the official launch of Jay-Z’s Tidal service in 2015.
Tidal started the mainstream conversation around ‘high-fidelity’ lossless streaming. Since then, others have developed streaming technologies that are so close to a studio master, they can also transport you inside the recording room only a famed few have access to.
Arguably the largest streaming service, Apple made its catalogue of 75 million songs available in opt-in lossless audio this year. On the same day in May, Amazon Music was quick to notify its millions of subscribers that they would remove the charge for its HD lossless streaming. Tidal even relaunched an uncompressed HiFi audio tier. Now, Spotify’s subscription is eagerly awaited.
No longer reserved for the realms of the audiophile, lossless streaming preserves the details agonised over by sound engineers — so you can hear the light pluck of an acoustic guitar at the same time as a cymbal crash. “The soul and life of the mix is sitting in the extra bits of data that are stored in the lossless file,” said American producer Piper Payne at Apple’s launch. “As a mastering engineer, having the ability to convey the music to the listener at its highest quality is the end goal.”
Without having a philosophical meltdown — is what I hear what they hear? — the podcast Song Exploder highlights the kinds of details you might only notice in high-quality audio. In one episode, special guests Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas revealed that in ‘Everything I Wanted’ layers of often-whispered backing vocals give a sonic depth that is only noticeable as distinct voices when listened to closely in high quality.
At these unprecedented levels, many high-resolution streams have a dramatic dynamic range of 24-bit audio, which means you can hear a sound range from a pin dropping on the floor to a shotgun being fired right next to your ear. Without denouncing your musical taste, this doesn’t seem that necessary.
It’s widely acknowledged that human hearing can achieve around 20,000 vibrations per second (known as a hertz). Lossless audio streamers can reproduce frequencies as high as 96,000Hz, which means every second of a digitised song has been sliced into 96,000 intricate sections of sound waves, known as samples. The difference in this extra level of detail may be detectable to bats, but would likely be difficult for humans to hear.
While our cochleas are catching up, so too is our listening technology. Many Bluetooth devices, such as portable speakers and wireless ear-buds, can only receive compressed songs, they can’t play high-quality songs as their high-quality specs promise — until leading brands find a solution.
In the meantime, you can turn to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which comes either built into speakers and headphones or as an accessory. Some newer Android smartphones have headphone jacks that are all set, while your average laptop or tablet will need an add-on. If you want the room to fill with lossless sound — and you will — a DAC can be connected to high-quality speakers through a stereo preamp, integrated amplifier or standard audio receiver.
Because higher-quality files require more space and data, portable music players with their own headphone jack are best for carrying sound waves on the go. They’ve come a long way from unwieldy Walkmans, playing direct stream digital (DSD) files — the highest quality digital music available.
For those who are determined to be cordless, all-in-one systems that connect to your home’s Wi-Fi are the most seamless for now. And there are plenty of other ways to amplify your listening experience, from surround sound speakers to specially designed spaces. Still, not all systems will match all services, so it helps to have an idea about your gear.
For those who want to travel to a new dimension, Apple has rolled out Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos. The latter lets artists place each voice or instrument of a song in its own space, including above and below the listener, for a transcendent soundscape experience.
“Since recording began, artists, producers, and engineers have [been] transporting listeners to worlds they never knew existed, even when the sound came from a single speaker,” said Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and composer Giles Martin. “Now with the dawn of immersive audio, we can take the music lover inside the music. From the feeling of hearing your favourite artist in the same room as you, to the experience of sitting directly in the middle of a symphony orchestra, the listening experience is transformative and the possibilities for the creator are endless.”
While there are fewer Dolby Atoms songs — thousands as opposed to millions — the category, and its number of collaborators, is increasing. Soon the tracks will be the default on most Apple products, as well as for the Lucid Air, an anticipated luxury electric vehicle that has had its interiors configured for forward-moving music.
In a new sonic fantasy, we’ll not only be carried away by crystal clear sound waves but floating in an ocean of songs that break new ground.
Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, Solid-Body Custom-Fit Earphone.
Lossless audio files drastically improve our listening experience, delivering uncompromised sound as the artist originally intended it to be. But how do we make sure we stream these songs in a way that brings crystal clear music to our ears?
Here is the best tech for turning it up:
Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition For those who want to get the best out of their headphones, the Naim amplifier allows you to connect your cans to digital streaming libraries, wireless AirPlay and even old-school, plugged in turntables.
Solid-Body Custom-Fit Earphone Campfire Audio’s earphones, which you can use with a matching cord, are custom engineered for a personal fit and finish. Designed in the USA, we’re keeping our ear to the ground for New Zealand audiologists taking impressions.
Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 Portable High Resolution Audio Player Astell & Kern is known for its impeccable MP3 players — as seen in its A&norma. Designed with a touchscreen on a lean, it connects to streaming services over WiFi and can process high-quality tunes in no time.
AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC One of the sleekest digital-to-audio converters for headphones, this Dragonfly has a colour- changing LED to signal the sample rate of your track — intentionally limited to 96kHz for the optimal experience.
Covered in romantic edible flowers, this caramelised white chocolate brownie is not only blooming lovely to look at, it’s utterly delectable to eat — and much more straightforward to make than it looks. Created by Liv Glazebrook, a.k.a Kitchen of Treats, this is one impressive sweet treat that’s sure to serve many sighs of delight.
Kitchen of Treats Blondie Pressed Flower Brownie Recipe
Ingredients 300g butter ¾ cup dark cocoa 2½ cup brown sugar 3 large eggs 1½ cups flour 250g Whittaker’s Blondie chocolate 1½ tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil) Pressed edible flowers (refer to method below on how to press)
Method
Brownie 1. Preheat oven to 160°C fan bake. 2. Grease and a line a 20x30cm baking tin (we used one with high sides) 3. In a large saucepan, melt butter and cocoa over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add brown sugar. 4. Quickly beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in flour and pour into the prepared tin. 5. Bake for 30 minutes or until firm around the edges. Remove from oven, allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then transfer to a cooking rack. 6. Once completely cool, return to the baking tin. 7. Break up blocks of Whittaker’s Blondie Chocolate and melt with oil in the microwave (in short increments to avoid burning). Pour onto the top of the cooked brownie. 8. Leave for 10 mins until partially set, then lay edible pressed flowers on top of the soft chocolate. 9. Allow to set completely and then cut into squares (to ensure a clean cut, place the brownie in the freezer for 5 mins)
Pressing Flowers 1. Use scissors to cut the flower as close to the bottom of the bloom as possible. 2. Place the blooms on a paper towel and lay another paper towel on top. 3. Place them inside the microwave and weigh down the flowers with a microwave-safe dish. 4. Make sure the entirety of the flowers are under the weight. 5. Microwave strength will vary, so we recommend microwaving your flowers for a minute to start and check the flowers as you go. 6. Heat the flowers until they are dry and appear flat.
There’s nothing better than a classic cheese toastie — with vintage gouda, maasdam and parmesan, to be precise. At Cheese on Toast, the ingredients are really that simple, and savour-able.
Founders, and partners, Steve Kennedy and Yang Yang have mastered the art of making toasted sandwiches with house-made sourdough bread and layers of seasonal produce with their Guerilla Grill food truck, as well as their first Cheese on Toast site in Three Kings.
Their formula is clearly working as they open the second Cheese on Toast outpost — rising through the covid challenges at their comfort-food locale just down from the Birkenhead village on Hinemoa street.
The store is in the Hellaby’s Building, built in 1912. Honouring the heritage of the building while still keeping things fresh, the Birkenhead site does look different to the Three Kings space. Rather than a garage roller door and concrete floors, there are large front windows and vintage tiles. But both have now-familiar touches, including its casual wooden tables and seating, and approachable grab-and-go counters.
From left: Braised Sichuan Pork belly with green capsicum and ginger sauce. Bacon and eggs on house made sourdough.
The toastie menu is far more superior to what we could put together from home. The Truffle Mushroom, with sautéed white and portobello mushrooms, onion, garlic and truffle oil, melts in the mouth. The Rump Steak, with spring onion, lemon coriander, soy, chilli and garlic sauce, satisfies with every crunch. And, with their newfound kitchen space at Birkenhead, we’re told there will be more creative Cheese on Toast choices to come.
Certainly, we have no doubt Kennedy and Yang will keep the new regulars happy. “Toast and cheese toasties are humble offerings but we put so much effort into making them special so I’m really stoked when I see people loving it and working us into their weekly routine,” says Kennedy. “We’re absolutely stoked to provide our community comforting, high quality, feel-good food and drinks and we won’t stop any time soon!”
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am — 2.30pm (Closed public holidays)
Cheese on Toast Birkenhead
96 Hinemoa Street
Birkenhead, Auckland
Whether you like them spicy, sweet, frozen or classic, there are often times when nothing but a strong margarita will do. Here is Denizen’s definitive guide to ten of the best margaritas to quench your thirst.
Coconut Chilli Margaritafrom Andiamo Get your fiery fix and sit in the sun with one of Andiamo’s delicious Coconut Chilli Margarita. Crafted using 1800 coconut tequila, their rendition is served on the rocks and exudes a spicy kick that’s not too overwhelming.
Mango, Pineapple & Chilli Margaritafrom Siso Indulge in a touch of the tropics at Remuera eatery Siso. Their refreshing rendition includes a mango and pineapple mix that is balanced perfectly with a decent bout of chilli.
Magdarita from Bar Magda Bar Magda’s take on the margarita packs a smokey punch with Gracias Dios mezcal paired with Arette tequila, elderflower and agave for a touch of sweetness and a perfectly salted rim. Bar Magda’s delicious Magdarita can also be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home thanks to their new takeaway cocktail menu.
Lilian, Madame George.
Blood Orange Margaritafrom Lilian Refreshingly zesty, Lilian pairs Blanco tequila with campari, Angostura bitters and a house-made blood orange syrup to craft their sought after margarita.
Classic MargaritafromMadame George Although it’s not featured on the menu, all you have to do is ask. Their elevated rendition is poured into a coupe, coated with a salty rim and served without ice.
Chilli Margarita from Hello Beasty The perfect accompaniment to their delicious dumplings and crispy karaage chicken, Hello Beasty’s chilli margarita hits the spot with a fresh lime zing and a touch of spice.
Hotel Ponsonby, Bar Non Solo.
Coconut Margaritafrom Hotel Ponsonby Seen on countless Aucklander’s instagram accounts, Hotel Ponsonby’s coconut variation is a fan favourite and deservedly so. Tequila is shaken with coconut cream, coconut water and lime for a decidedly tropical take on the classic margarita.
Watermelon Margarita from Bar Non Solo Indulge in the ultimate summer tipple with Bar Non Solo’s margarita crafted with Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver, Vermouth Blanc, fresh watermelon juice, and lime. This refreshing concoction is only available for a few more weeks so you had better get in quick.
Inca, Ponsonby Road Bistro.
Frozen Margarita from Inca Fans of a frozen marg can look no further than Peruvian-Japanese eatery, Inca. Made in the in-house slushy machine, flavours change daily using El Jimador tequila for the ultimate refreshment to cool down with on the rooftop.
Jalapeño Margarita from Ponsonby Road Bistro A shake up from the standard spicy margarita, Ponsonby Road Bistro uses smashed Jalapeños for an extra kick.
Whether you’re after booty bouncing beats or sounds smoother than a Kardashian’s keratin-treated hair, here are the playlists to stream until the next work email demands attention. From celebrity mixes to fashion favourites and straight-up nineties throwbacks, ready your earbuds and surrender to the stream.
Michel Gaubert As well as being one of the coolest people on Instagram, Michel Gaubert is the sound designer for Chanel, Loewe and Louis Vuitton’s epic runway shows. Prepare to pony walk down the corridor to the Pet Shop Boys, Kraftwerk, Robyn and Diana Ross.
Honey Bones Summer 19 Just to qualify things, we know it’s no longer summer and it’s certainly no longer 2019 but Honey Bones Summer 19 is a reminder of much, much more carefree days. The vibe is best summed up by Angus & Julia Stone meets Boz Scaggs with a hefty dose of Rhye. It’s on constant repeat in the Denizen office, so tap into our musical spirit.
I Love My 90s Hip Hop It’s all there in the title, what else do you need to know? Put on your snap-side tracksuit pants and oversized sweater and bust some moves to Missy Elliot, De La Soul, Dr Dre, Common and some Fugees.
Kym Ellery’s Isolation Edit Paris-based Aussie designer Kym Ellery is known for her exaggerated silhouettes and luxe fabrics. She created this playlist while isolating, and it’s a goldmine of simple, stripped back sounds. Let Dragon’s ‘April Sun in Cuba’, David Bowie’s ‘Sorry’and Tame Impala’s ‘The Less I Know The Better’ play in the background as you go about your day.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row Having transitioned from Full House to New York’s favourite twin set via their ultra-luxe, yet pared-back label The Row, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Spotify playlist is just what you would expect. The Row: February 2022 swings from Aretha Franklin and Fleetwood Mac to The Cure and Dean Blunt.
Katy Perry — At Home Together With Katy Perry, one expects to get bright and breezy pop through a neon filter, which is exactly the vibe of her Spotify playlist At Home Together — designed for quarantining Americans but equally uplifting for Antipodeans at any time. Shuffle in your seat along to Harry Styles’ ‘Lights Up’, The Beach Boys’ ‘In Your Room’and some old school Jamiroquaiwith‘Virtual Insanity’. “Some of them are new and some of them are classic and some of them say exactly how I’m feeling in this time and some of them are hopeful little nuggets of empowerment,” Perry said.
Jacquemus Showroom French fashion’s It boy designer Simon Porte Jacquemus is known for his style-setting ready-to-wear shows (cue oversized straw hats and micro purses) but with this showroom playlist he’s offering a feast for the ears rather than the eyes, so you can feel his influence around you wherever you’re playing it from.
Missy Rayder Supermodel Missy Rayder has nothing to prove when it comes to cool credentials, having walked for Balenciaga and Prada, but her taste in music is up there with her choice of designers. Missy Rayder’s Love-In features old school Johnny Cash, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. “I chose songs that are meaningful for the time and artists who clearly have endured the darkness-found and were able to transform bleak days through the creative process manifesting in the song,” Rayder says.
Ryan Heffington — Sweatfest For Everyone With his Instagram, Hollywood choreographer Ryan Heffington did his best to get everyone off the sofa during lockdown, and went viral in the process. His playlists are equally energising — this seriously upbeat mix is perfect for dressing-up drinks before a big night out or even for working out at home.
TheUrbanaut Brewery and Taproom in Kingsland is known for its colourful craft brews, with a rotating roster of food trucks on the weekend. It’s been a competitive spot for pop-up purveyors of everything from poutine to ramen and plant-based treats.
Now, the team has committed to one smashburger kitchen to rule them all — Burgernaut. By a former food trucker who used to set up regularly at Urbanaut, Jamie Stewart, Burgernaut offers simple yet sensational burgers for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike — with all sauces and seasonings made onsite.
Right: Texan smash burger.
“I have known and loved the crew, the venue, and their outstanding beers for several years now,” says the head chef, who previously frequented Urbanaut with his truck Toasted As. “My vision is to create burgers every bit as high quality as the delicious beers they offer, and to become known as the premier venue for burgers and beers in Auckland.”
As such, look out for the classics as well as limited-time specials, including the current favourite — a Texan smashburger. It features prime New Zealand Angus brisket patties with finely sliced onions and jalapeño smashed into the pattie, swirls of charred mustard and ketchup and, to top it off, double cheddar on a toasted milk bun. Plant based versions are available by switching to Impossible Meat and the dairy-free Angel Food cheese.
Classic smashburger.
Burgernaut is a team effort, with many of the new options on the menu dreamed up by chef Isaac Chadda, who comes from the team that set up Better Burger. With these concoctions served next to Urbanaut’s icy cold full-pour beers from twelve rotating taps, there are no shortage of feel-good ordering configurations that will keep you coming back.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 12 — 8pm Sunday: 12 — 6pm Closed Monday and Tuesday
Burgernaut at Urbanaut Brewery and Tap Room
597 New North Road
Kingsland, Auckland
For when you want a great night in, an artful at-home bar is all you need for a niche knees-up. Known to push the boundaries of what we can expect for our home, Timothy Oulton’s bar range is causing quite the design stir.
The Classic Crystal Bar takes inspiration from the glamorous Art Deco period. Fashioned from illuminated moonstone sourced from Italy, and herringbone K9 optical glass prisms fixed by either steel or brass panels, it shimmers all night. A modern yet traditional concoction, it’s sure to be a talking point.
The equally elegant Classic Curved Bar shines in a choice of moonstone or black marble. Paired with a mirrored splashback and high bar stools, it elevates any nightcap.
Both bars are crafted by hand in Timothy Oulton’s artisanal workshops, and are available in one-metre sections from Dawson & Co to suit each speakeasy space.
Whether it’s a quick lunchtime jog you’re after or an epic race along the waterfront, behold a round-up of the best runs in the CBD, commencing at Auckland Domain. Dust off your running shoes and leave the excuses at home. You’ll thank us in the long run.
The lunch break quickie Duration: approximately 30 minutes | Distance: 4.5km Ideal for inner-city professionals who need to let off a little steam, this run takes you through two of Auckland’s most popular parks — Auckland Domain and Albert Park. Starting at the War Memorial Museum in the Auckland Domain, you’ll head along Grafton Bridge past the Symonds Street Cemetery and along a short section of Karangahape Road to St Kevin’s Arcade. From here, it’s a quick sprint down Myers Park towards the Town Hall and Aotea Square and onward to Albert Park along Mayoral Drive. From Albert Park, turn onto Alfred Street (off Princes street), cross Symonds Street onto Grafton Road, which then crosses the motorway via pedestrian lights, and you’ll see the entrance back into the Domain once more ahead of you.
The three-park run Duration: approximately 50 minutes | Distance: 10km Not a bad way to start or end the workday, this run offers a scenic three-in-one. Starting from the corner of Lover’s Walk and Domain Drive (by the pond in Auckland Domain), you’ll head west via Park Road and Grafton Bridge to Karangahape Road. Run along to Ponsonby Road, and jog down through Western Park, before making your way towards Victoria Park via Howe Street, Hepburn Street and Franklin Road. Then, run along the promenade at the Viaduct. The seafront leg along Tamaki Drive takes you to a footbridge that passes over to the Parnell Baths (Auckland’s only outdoor saltwater pool). The path then winds up the side of a cliff to Resolution Park — the top of which offers an ideal place for a breather overlooking the beautiful Waitematā Harbour. After running through Resolution Park, along tree-lined St Stephens Ave, left on Parnell Road and right on Domain Drive, your run concludes back at the Auckland Domain.
The scenic waterfront route Duration: approximately 50 minutes | Distance: 9.5km Passing by unique historical, coastal and geological features, this run kicks off near the George Street exit of the Auckland Domain before heading left on Parnell Road and right down Ayr Street, passing Kinder House and Ewelme Cottage. Continue along Shore Road, Orakei Road and over the Purewa Bridge, which crosses between the Orakei Basin (an ancient volcanic crater) on the right-hand side and Hobson Bay on the left. Follow Ngapipi Road along the shores of Hobson Bay and Whakatakataka Bay and then back along Tamaki Drive. When you arrive at the Dove-Myer Robinson Park, make your way through the Parnell Rose Gardens, then up Gladstone Road and St Stephens Ave towards the Holy Trinity Cathedral. This is the perfect place for a rest, before walking back to Auckland Domain (via Parnell Road) to cool down.
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