Having become an unexpected high-fashion hero, the sweater vest is the perfect trans-seasonal layering aid to invest in right now. For styling inspiration, look to street style snaps from the contingent of Scandi-cool girls, plus the collections of Dior, Gucci, Ganni and more.
Whether worn oversized as a solo statement piece on a warmer day, or layered over a shirt and under a coat for when the chill sets in, a sweater vest is no longer the domain of your granddad’s closet — it’s a bona fide styling staple.
Landing a coveted spot on The New York Times bestseller’s list would be a career highlight for any author. Achieving this with a debut novel at the age of 21? Sounds like fiction. Unless, of course, you’re Chloe Gong, a Pennsylvania-based student and writer who grew up on Auckland’s North Shore.
Her novel These Violent Delights debuted at number three on the Young Adult Hardcover bestseller’s list last November, solidifying her as well and truly one to watch in the international literary world. Gong was, rightfully, “super thankful and pleased’ with this result.
“When I set out to be traditionally published, all I wanted was to reach as many readers as possible—reach the teen readers in particular who wander the shelves of their library like I did, looking for some new world to sink into,” she says.
“I’m so happy that word-of-mouth travelled so well in the weeks leading up to release and helped the book shoot up to number three on The New York Times list. Of course, it’s set high expectations, so I can only hope to keep working hard and writing good stories from here!”
These Violent Delights is a reinterpretation of a classic. Having always adored the themes and language of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Gong had wanted to do a blood-feud-meets-rival-gangs story for her first novel.
“I only really delved into the play after deciding I would do a reimagining,” she says. “Knowing that the story I had in mind was way too similar to the very touchstone text that’s foundational in Western literature as the original blood feud story—Romeo and Juliet—I decided to embrace approaching Shakespeare’s original themes, but with an entirely new lens.”
Set in 1920s Shanghai (Gong’s city of birth), These Violent Delights centres on 18-year-old Juliette Cai and her first love and rival Roma Montagov. Imaginative, vivid and fast-paced, the book has garnered widespread fans and praise from readers.
“Though the setting changes and the characters are altered in These Violent Delights, Romeo and Juliet’s original themes about daring to love in a place filled with hate remains, and I wanted to bring these ideas into the stories I was telling,” says Gong. “Plus, some of Shakespeare’s lines in that play are just so beautiful, and I wanted a go at weaving it into my prose.”
Having written the book in about a month during a summer break back in New Zealand, Gong then signed with an agent and the manuscript was sold at auction to Simon & Schuster. She worked with her editor to separate it from one manuscript to two — and the sequel has already been announced. Named These Violent Ends, the second of the duology is coming this November.
Until then, Gong will be graduating this year from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is double-majoring in English and international relations, and while she would usually be returning to New Zealand during her breaks, says that will be difficult this year. “So I guess I will see wherever the wind takes me…”
One major lesson Gong has learned throughout the whole process is to take all writing-related advice with a grain of salt. “Especially online, there are a thousand different people trying to offer a thousand different perspectives, and a lot of them will try to claim that their way is the only right way.”
There is no right way, she says, only a way that works uniquely for every different person. Evidently, Gong has tapped into a way that is working very well for her.
Chloe Gong is participating in the Auckland Writers Festival this May, within the 2021 Schools Programme. Find more information and tickets here.
For chef Croydon Cole, one of the joys of cooking for people is seeing their faces when they try something new, or something extraordinarily delicious. At Smokin Cole BBQ, his Grey Lynn eatery that specialises in the irresistibly charred flavours of American-style BBQ, chances are he sees these expressions a lot.
Located at the intersection of Surrey Crescent and Richmond Road, Smokin Cole opened in December 2019 and has been bringing its smoky charm to the neighbourhood ever since. Cole’s experience is vast and varied, having worked in kitchens for around 30 years both in New Zealand and abroad.
Spending 15 years as a private chef aboard super yachts, Cole has travelled widely, indulging in the cuisines of more than 80 countries. A solo motorcycle trip across the United States provided the opportunity to sample the delicious BBQ joints from South Carolina all the way around the southern part of the country — “I went up and down 14 different states just eating, basically”, he laughs.
Having been approached to help out some friends who owned the site where his venue now sits, Cole saw the opportunity for what he originally thought would be a pop-up. However, when a huge woodfire cooker and smoker became available through a friend, he couldn’t let the opportunity pass — thus, Smokin Cole was born.
Left: Buffalo chicken wings.
When asked what appeals to him about the style of cooking, Cole says one of the best things is it’s a labour of love. “It’s all about the time you put into it. I love how you can turn something that’s really tough to eat, into something that people drool over.” There are no shortcuts with these meat cuts, with most of them being cooked and smoked for several hours. It also takes skill to get it right, he says. “You can’t hide anything behind it.”
Working with his ‘pit master’ Ants Tutavake, Cole creates a menu of varying meats and vegetable-centric sides that can be mixed and matched depending on what the diner feels like eating. “A lot of places already have pre-made platters for BBQ, but I designed my menu so you design it yourself.”
Left: Chef Croydon Cole; Right: A selection of Smokin Cole’s slow-cooked meats and sides.
The meats are all offered by the 100-gram, and overall the menu is brilliant for sharing — hot tip, come with a bigger group as you’ll want to sample everything. From Memphis ribs to beef short rib; pulled pork, Buffalo chicken wings and Cole’s signature ‘meat candy’ (pork jowl, smoked for up to eight hours and served with pickled kamo kamo), the offering is a carnivore’s heaven.
Surprisingly, Smokin Cole does actually cater quite well to vegetarians too (just maybe not vegan eaters) with jackfruit options like loaded nachos, truffle mac ‘n’ cheese or cauliflower cheese, smoky corn, slaw, fries and more. Everything is also gluten free (aside from one or two pasta dishes).
The eatery is fully licensed, with Asahi beer on tap and Jess Farrelly taking care of thirst-quenching cocktails and front of house. With its backyard BBQ vibe and excellent culinary offering, we suggest you make Smokin Cole a priority on your foodie hit list.
We’re excited, because The Dusty Apron (known for some of Auckland’s most high-quality, delicious baked goods) opens a new retail arm of the business in East Auckland tomorrow.
Previously only available in wholesale form on the menus of well-known eateries like Homeland, Saint Alice, Soul Bar & Bistro and Park Hyatt Auckland’s restaurants, The Dusty Apron founder Paul ‘Dusty’ Leaming and his business partner Stephane Bleriot have opened Dusty’s Depot as a customer-facing shop for fans of their tasty treats — of which there are many.
Dusty himself is an ex-car mechanic-turned expert baker; he re-trained in New Zealand and San Francisco at the renowned San Francisco Baking Institute, before landing the role of head baker at Amano. He then moved on to set up The Dusty Apron as a commercial business two years ago, slotting into an empty former bakery in St Johns.
The demand for a retail outlet or cafe has been there for a long time, he says, but there has been no space to do it in — until now. Fortuitously, Dusty Depot’s location is only 100 metres up the road from the main bakery, in what used to be the old Simkin Ave dairy.
Dusty’s Depot is inspired by the French way of having a ‘depot de pain’ in a tiny village — essentially a shop that stocks freshly baked bread, delivered from the bakery in a nearby, larger village. Servicing and welcoming the locals, and making sure they’ve always got a place where they can get top quality goods without having to travel so far.
Dusty and his team of bakers — Nancy Au, Dan Wilson and Sophie Peters — supply the Depot with fresh loaves of bread, pastries and sandwiches each day, while Bleriot takes care of everything front of house. Ozone coffee is on hand to pair perfectly any of the baked goods.
From left: Dusty, Nancy Au and Dan Wilson
They’ll have all the classics like croissants and Danishes, and original treats like the ‘Moira cinnamon bun’, a decadent delight named after one of Dusty’s first bakers that started with him. For both Dusty and Stephane, an emphasis is placed on supporting and highlighting local suppliers and farmers, and making people feel welcome no matter who they are.
“We’ve got a real sense of community here”, says Dusty, who recognises the importance of there being high-quality offerings throughout wider neighbourhoods as well as in the central suburbs. “There are plenty of amazing eateries in the city, but just to be able to go into your backyard and get a fresh croissant and a coffee, is a really cool thing.”
Dusty’s Depot 44 Simkin Avenue, St Johns Opening Hours:
Thursday to Sunday, 8AM until sold out
Building a stylish autumn and winter wardrobe requires pieces that will offer protection against the elements, while complementing and elevating an array of cold weather ensembles. We dare say there is no outerwear garment as chic and versatile as a trench coat, and local label Dadelszen has given this perennial classic a luxurious update
The Stephanie trench coat — named in homage to iconic supermodel Stephanie Seymour — is rendered in a lightweight, supple lambskin, ideal for trans-seasonal wear as it is unlined. Featuring a notch lapel and detachable belt, the leather is subtly perforated throughout, lending a sports-luxe feel and breathable comfort.
The beautiful hazelnut tone of this coat is a more understated and uplifting alternative to black, more complimentary with a variety of skin tones and wearable with both neutrals and bold shades. The perfect sophisticated outer layer for over a T-shirt — we love Dadelszen’s unisex Brando cotton and cashmere version — the Tuscan silk shirt, or Aspen cable knit cashmere sweater on a chilly day.
For him, the cooler seasons are set to be just as stylish thanks to pieces like Dadelszen’s Perfecto biker jacket. Carrying all the key elements of a classic biker jacket, with a far sleeker silhouette, it is cut in deer leather by expert artisans and lined with silk.
From left: Dadelszen Langsford long sleeved tee; Dadelszen Perfecto biker jacket.
Everyone needs a reach-for layer, and the sell-out Langsford long-sleeved tee is back in shades of midnight blue, obsidian black and Nordic grey. Crafted from 70 percent cashmere and 30 percent, it’s an unbelievably soft wardrobe essential.
The Stephanie trench coat has arrived at Dadelszen’s showroom only recently, yet has been sprinting out the door. So, if you want to get your hands on this, and other timeless, exceptionally crafted pieces from a brand that specialises in made-to-last luxury, we suggest you make haste.
North Shore locals rejoice — celebrated brewery Brothers Beer has opened a new outpost in Birkenhead, and it’s an excellent place to park yourself for a pint and a selection of tasty eats. This is the sixth Brothers Beer & Juke Joint BBQ location in Auckland, following on from successful venues in the central city, plus Mount Eden, Ōrākei and Onehunga.
Located at 6 Rugby Road in a lovely neighbourhood area that overlooks the harbour, the main bar has taken up residence in a building with over 100 years of history (it was previously the Hellaby’s butchers that operated from 1912) and the renovated interior incorporates exposed timber beams and brickwork, while a new outdoor, all-weather glass conservatory has been added.
As for the beverage and culinary offering, there are 15 taps of Brothers Beer craft beer from the Mount Eden brewery, as well as a curated selection of wines, ciders, kombucha and cocktails. Juke Joint BBQ’s specialty is Southern Style cuisine, with a sharing menu featuring slow-cooked meats and vegetables, such as 14-hour smoked beef brisket, tender spiced lamb shoulder, and smoked and fried chicken.
With its large, sun-catching covered courtyard and comfortable interior, Brothers Beer & Juke Joint BBQ Birkenhead is family and dog-friendly, and is sure to be a popular addition to the area.
One of Auckland’s most prestigious and anticipated live auction events is making its way south, and it’s set to be an unmissable occasion for those with an eye for special pieces of utmost quality and provenance.
Hosted by premier auction house Webb’s, the auction will span the arts, decorative arts, fine jewels, watches and fine and rare wines categories, and will include some of the most exquisite pieces we have laid our eyes on.
The leading items will be auctioned at Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort at 2:30PM on Sunday, 18th April, and these include works by celebrated artists Gordon Walters, Pat Hanly, Judy Rae and Max Gimblett; Ralph Hotere, Karl Maughan, Fiona Pardington and more.
If you aren’t going to be down south this weekend, it is also possible to both view the entire catalogue and bid online, or over the phone.
From left: Gordon Walters, Untitled (1978), 2018 screenprint on paper, 2/100 1055 x 805mm; Cartier Tank Solo Wristwatch; George Nakashima Conoid bench.
Among the selection of sought-after design items are pieces by George Nakashima and Pierre Jeanneret, while fans of exceptional jewellery and watches will delight in adornments from the likes of Cartier and Naveya & Sloane.
Bottles from revered makers like Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Ardbeg will also be available within the rare wines & whiskies selection, and all-in-all this auction will be an excellent opportunity for Queenstown to experience the superlative treasures represented by Webb’s, in the flesh.
A preview event for the auction will be held on Thursday, 15th April, from 6PM until 8PM, with auction viewings taking place on Friday, 16th April and Saturday, 17th April from 10AM until 4PM. A final viewing is scheduled for Sunday, 18th April from 10AM until 2PM, prior to the auction at 2:30PM. Find the full catalogue online here.
South, A Queenstown Auction Event by Webb’s Sunday, 18th April, 2:30PM Millbrook Resort 124 Malaghans Road, Arrowtown 9371
Estimates for the items pictured above: Gordon Walters EST. $6,000 – $9,000 Cartier Tank Solo Wristwatch EST. $2,600 – $3,200 George Nakashima Conoid bench EST. $65,000 – $75,000
Just in time for the weather to cool and for us to start craving warming food and soul-nourishing activities, acclaimed Dominion Road restaurant Cazador has concocted a very attractive proposition indeed.
In collaboration with The Capitol Cinema, every Wednesday night this winter sees the Cazador team putting on their Movie Night Menu — three delicious courses to enjoy before soaking up some culture in the form of a film at The Capitol.
The menu will change regularly throughout the season, but currently diners can expect the likes of house-made charcuterie, followed by a grilled pork chop with romesco, spring onion and lemon, or a vegetarian option of coal-roasted cauliflower, kale, raisins, pine nuts and sumac. For dessert, dark chocolate and brandy mousse with candied orange and toasted nuts will be a perfectly decadent finish.
At only $50 per person for three exquisite courses and a movie, this offering is an absolute steal. Currently showing at The Capitol are several acclaimed films on our must-watch list such as Cousins, The Father, French Exit — plus, a selection of iconic films from the past including Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, The Birds and more.
So, next time you’re planning a date night or friendly catch-up, we suggest reserving yourself a seat at The Capitol, and a table at Cazador.
A symbol of effortless style, the slip-on Penny Loafer is more timeless and comfortable than it’s ever been. While it’ll serve you well for myriad occasions and with almost any ensemble year round, the loafer especially comes into its own in autumn and winter.
Able to be styled with socks or tights, trousers or skirts, dresses or denim, the loafer is the undisputed versatile shoe of choice for fashion-forward dressing in 2021, prioritising aesthetics without sacrificing comfort.
Eden Terrace often seems fairly off-the-radar when it comes to dining out, but the Uptown suburb, while compact, is overflowing with excellent food and drink offerings for any occasion and inclination. From legendary sandwiches to fine dining stalwarts, here are the places you should be eating in Eden Terrace.
From left: Coffee Pen; Benedict’s Cafe.
Start the day Coffee Pen This sweet cafe is tucked away down Basque Road, and has a cult following for its delicious cabinet food, excellent coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere cultivated by owners Yasuji and Fumi Hisai. Pull up in the sunshine at one of the outdoor tables, and enjoy a delicious piece of cake or a tart with your hot drink.
Benedict’s Cafe Boasting an all-day menu filled with enticing dishes, Benedict’s Cafe (previously Benediction) on peaceful St Benedicts Street is a real gem. Owners Emma Zhao and Jay Yang have created dishes that often tie in tasty Korean flavours, like a kimchi pancake with tiger prawns, or a bulgogi beef bowl. They also offer some classic Kiwi brunch fare like bacon eggs Benedict (only fitting, given the location), and pancakes with berries and vanilla mascarpone.
Goodness Gracious This cafe and bagelry has three locations city-wide, and its Eden Terrace spot is always humming at brunchtime — on the weekends, especially. Peruse the large selection of New York-style grilled bagels with delicious sweet and savoury toppings, and get your caffeine hit with a cup of in-house roasted coffee.
From left: Mizu Bread; Hero Sandwich House.
Lush lunch options Hero Sandwich House It’s well-known that the maestroes at Hero Sandwich House are behind some of the best sandwiches in the city, and with good reason. From sourdough sammies filled with the likes of chicken, bacon jam and cheddar, or the Philly cheese steak roll, Hero’s offering will always have you walking out happier (and far more full) than when you went in.
Mizu Bread These guys also specialise in sandwiches, but they’re completely different to Hero’s. Mizu’s famed chicken katsu sandwich is a thing of beauty, with juicy pieces of crumbed chicken in teriyaki sauce, ensconced in cloud-like white milk bread. The egg sandwich is also unmissable, and it’d be rude not to indulge in one of Mizu’s delicious desserts.
Bian Sushi & Donburi You can’t beat a classic, and Bien Sushi never lets us down. Whether eating inside its humble, no-frills space or taking away, Bian’s sushi selection may not be as fancy as somewhere like &Sushi, but it’s always delicious all the same.
From left: Burger Geek; Ramen Do.
Easy dinner destinations Ramen Do Open for both lunch and dinner six days a week, Ramen Do’s bowls of warming noodles and broth are some of the best in the city. The Hokkaido Miso Ramen is the star of the show, featuring a complex and flavourful soup topped with pork, a jammy egg and some vegetables. They also do a selection of Donburi, with meat, fish and vegetarian options available, and tasty sides like gyoza dumplings and agedashi tofu.
Burger Geek The founders of this Symonds Street joint pride themselves on not taking any shortcuts when it comes to their burgers. Grinding their own, special blend of Wagyu and Angus beef each day, the proof is in the final, mouth-watering result. On the menu, find a variety of beef-based burgers, plus free-range chicken and a couple of vegetarian burgers. Hot Wings are also available, and some indulgent sides like jalapeno poppers, mac ‘n’ cheese balls and beer battered onion rings.
Kokoro Kitchen — 37 Symonds Street Another great sushi spot that also offers Donburi, Bento boxes, noodles like Udon, Ramen and Yakisoba, and more, Kokoro is open for both lunch and dinner. Fans of affordable, approachable Japanese fare will know that this eatery is the place to go.
From left: Forest’s fried feijoa dessert; Sid at the French Cafe.
Special occasion spots Sid at the French Cafe Eden Terrace’s collection of fine dining restaurants is impressive indeed, and Sid at the French Cafe is famed for its elevated fare and impeccable service. Whether you’re after a private dining room for an event, or are out to celebrate, this stalwart will ensure it’s an occasion to remember.
Kazuya A truly enduring presence on Symonds Street, Kazuya’s artful plates combine European and Japanese culinary traditions. Evening diners can choose a five-or-seven-course degustation, which will be presented with quiet ceremony rarely seen these days. Kazuya also has a less fine-dining but still tasty lunch offering from Thursday to Saturday, called Kozzy Ricebox — a fresh and tasty combination of vegetables, rice and your choice of protein, to takeaway.
Lillius.
Lillius Run by Fraser McCarthy and Shannon Vandy, Lillius is a modern fine dining restaurant with a focus on highlighting local growers and producers, and hyper-seasonal ingredients. The menu is ever-changing, which keeps things exciting, and there are both a la carte and tasting menus available — both of which are usually spectacular.
Forest Founded and run by innovative chef Plabita Florence, Forest is a plant-based experience unlike anything else in this city. Sourcing the majority of her ingredients locally, and aiming to minimize waste as much as possible, Florence does things with vegetables we’re sure you’ll have never seen before. For example: A dessert of fried feijoa rolled in feijoa skin sugar, with roast cauliflower and Earl Grey ice cream, popped caramel barley, and sorrel syrup.
Good for a brew Galbraith’s Alehouse Open every day, rain or shine, we love Galbraith’s for an easy and casual meeting place to grab a drink with friends. Fireplaces inside and out ensure it’s always cosy, the perfect, unpretentious place for a pint and a bowl of hot chips.
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