Nespresso’s World Explorations Range celebrates coffee cultures around the world, and encourages Nespresso devotees to enjoy their morning brew in different ways. The latest addition to this collection (one of four new coffees added) is the Limited-Edition Miami Espresso, inspired by the melting-pot culture of Miami.
Infused with the boldness and vibrancy of the Hispanic influence in this city, Nespresso’s new coffee delivers an intense roast and dark crema with peppery, tobacco-leaf aromas. If you’re looking for a truly authentic experience, do as Miami locals do and enjoy yours with brown sugar sprinkled on top. Or for a more conventional coffee, this blend makes the perfect cappuccino.
World Explorations Miami Espresso has been released as the first part of a limited-edition line-up with flavours that go from Miami to Paris to Istanbul and even Rio de Janeiro (a blend previously known as the Cafezinho do Brasil).
These cities are no coincidences either, they all embody a strong history of coffee in their own unique ways; from the first coffee merchants and coffeehouses of Istanbul, to Paris’ rich coffee culture which boasts more than 35,000 cafés and coffee-serving restaurants. Coffee drinking in Miami is deeply ingrained in the local culture, while Rio de Janeiro is part of the world’s largest coffee-producing country, Brazil.
While the limited-edition espresso is exactly that, limited, we’ve been enjoying the opportunity to step away from our usual brew and explore the tastes of Miami from the comfort of home.
For Mt. Eden locals, De Nada has been a long time coming. Located in the heart of the suburb’s village, it’s a space that has been drawing speculation from passers by on their daily commutes and now, after months of renovations, it is finally opening its doors. For the owners, it’s been a much longer wait (two years in fact), and they intend to celebrate accordingly.
De Nada is a new Mexican eatery and taco joint — aptly named after the common Spanish phrase for ‘you’re welcome’ — and it’s set to be a place where you can truly leave your worries at the door. From the funky fit-out to the the joyous drinks menu that puts a creative take on traditional Mexican cocktails, De Nada offers a convivial atmosphere that promises to set the perfect tone every time.
But as much as we love a margarita, it’s the food here that is the real drawcard. While the classic offering of sharing plates (platitos) will allow you to sample all the sumptuous flavours on the menu, there are still options for those who prefer to order just for themselves — think tacos, nachos and larger comidas. Of course, to experience the full effect of this menu, we recommend taking a bunch of friends and getting at least one of everything to share (and at least two servings of chimichangas for good measure).
Located directly next door to local favourite, Scarlett Slimms and Lucky, the team behind De Nada certainly know what they’re doing and who they’re doing it for and with a track record of excellent hospitality, we’re expecting De Nada’s offering to be delicious, memorable and fun.
Opening hours: Monday — Friday, 12pm until 12am Saturday — Sunday, 8am until 12am
Soul Bar & Bistro is a stalwart for a reason. Over the years it has mastered the art of balance on its menu, where longstanding favourites sit alongside a selection of seasonally-rotating dishes that harness the produce of the moment — offering a culinary experience that always keeps us coming back for more.
Given the recent change in seasons, a raft of delicious new dishes have landed on Soul’s menu. So if you haven’t been down in a while or are yet to step outside your comfort zone of classic mac and cheese (we get it), we strongly suggest booking a table and delving into the new offering. These are the dishes to be eating right now.
Wagyu oxtail raviolo.
Wagyu oxtail raviolo Served with celeriac and pickled onion gremolata, this satiating dish is packed with rich, warming flavours that complement the perfectly-filled piece of al dente pasta.
Brussels sprout caesar salad.
Brussels sprout caesar salad It’s a Caesar salad but not as you know it. Soul’s more wintery take on this classic dish harnesses all the flavours you might expect, but unexpectedly uses Brussels sprouts as the vehicle. Genius.
Lime semifreddo.
Lime semifreddo Even if you don’t sport a serious sweet tooth, this semifreddo is the perfect way to wrap up any meal. Here, lime is matched with feijoa, mandarin curd and buttermilk granita to offer a dessert that is tart, refreshing and sweet but not overwhelming.
For design purists, cordless lamps hold their own aesthetic power by removing the visual clutter of wires, and allowing the space for creativity to flourish.
Column table lamp by Norm Architects for Menu from Tim Webber, Dipping light table lamp by Jordi Canudas for Marset from ECC, Bellhop Table Lamp by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby for Flos from ECC.
Lafleur table lamp by Adriano Rachele for Slamp from Matisse, Clizia table lamp by Adriano Rachele for Slamp from Matisse, Carrie lamp by Norm Architects for Menu from Tim Webber.
Caret MF1 Portable Table Lamp by Matteo Fogale for &Tradition from Cult Design, Last Order lamp by Michael Anastassiades for Flos from ECC, Lucca Table Lamp by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition from Cult Design.
For those who can eat gluten without a care in the world, I envy you. I also warn that this article may be of little interest unless you’re planning a meal friends for whom gluten-laced food is a problem. But for my fellow diners who can’t indulge in gluten, knowing that your needs are still catered to throughout the city is paramount. No one likes to be the person who can’t go anywhere because of the food on offer, so we’ve uncovered the restaurants serving Auckland’s best gluten-free food (that your gluten-loving friends will adore too).
Faraday’s Bar The beautifully-appointed bar attached to Parnell’s Faradays, knows how to cater to the most discerning of diners, with elevated offerings unlike anywhere else in the city. Here, the superbly-crafted menu is mostly gluten-free, with sumptuous substitutes on offer for any dish that does contain gluten. It’s the finest of dining experiences for everyone — regardless of dietary requirement.
Azabu Where would we be without Azabu, one of the city’s favourite establishments? Gluten-free is often the norm here, and the fresh flavours and Japanese fare ranks as some of Auckland’s best.
Hello Beasty, Jervois Steak House.
Hello Beasty Viaduct Harbour’s beloved Hello Beasty serves up some of our favourite gluten-free dishes in the city. With a specialty menu, so your needs don’t feel amiss, you could spend days dining on these tasty offerings.
Jervois Steak House A simple steak done well is an easy, reliable option that manages to more than satisfy us every time. Renowned for serving some of the best in Auckland (and Queenstown, too), Jervois Steak House is an impressive option to add to your gluten-free dining agenda.
Pici K’ Road cult-favourite Pici is known for its pasta — the vice for many gluten-free folks. But they make their addictive offerings inclusive with homemade gluten-free alternatives, meaning you can indulge in the beloved cacio e pepe without a care in the world.
Honey Bones, Ahi.
Honey Bones This Grey Lynn brunch gem truly is a wonder. All menu foods can be made gluten-free if you need them, and the staff are only too happy to accommodate.
Ahi In all its fine glory, Ahi’s menu is renowned for being both innovative and delectable and decidedly delightful for those with a range of dietary requirements. Here, gluten-free dishes can be found in great abundance (although we suggest letting the kitchen know when you book).
The Butcher’s Son Generally speaking, if a kitchen knows how to cater for one dietary requirement, they’re pretty good at adapting for them all. Perhaps that’s why plant-based eatery, The Butcher’s Son’s gluten-free menu is just so good and is filled with delicious options.
Odettes, Giapo.
Odettes The Crown jewel of City Works Depot, Odettes, offers a menu that’s always accommodating. Here, most meals that aren’t already gluten-free can be made so easily, and it provides some of the city’s most beloved brunches.
Giapo It’s another little known secret that Giapo’s famed waffle cones are naturally gluten-free. This means that those who need to avoid gluten, need not compromise on deliciousness or be relegated to the use of a pottle and spoon.
INCA With two outposts now, this Peruvian-meets-Asian joint offers the best of the two cuisines and a dietary-friendly take on the menu. We love the Pacifica ceviche and the spicy tuna tostada (both dairy-free too).
Taco Medic, Masu.
Taco Medic Ponsonby Road’s taste of Mexico is a fiesta for all. The 100% gluten-free outpost (with a second venue coming soon) often has lines out the door and serves some of the most divine tacos in the city — we love the Kaimanga for vegan folks too.
Masu Skycity’s Masu is revered for Nic Watt’s fresh take on Japanese cuisine, but it’s a little-known secret that some of the best gluten-friendly foods in the city can be found here too.
Cafe Hanoi Those who have been gluten-free for a while will know how accommodating Asian cuisine can be. Although Cafe Hanoi is not purposely gluten-free, dishes are often accidentally so or can be made to cater to your needs. This is inspired, flavoursome dining at its best.
There was a solemnity that descended on the fashion set as they hit the streets of New York, London, Milan and Paris for the Fall 2022 season. After all, it was absurd to be chatting about clothes with war breaking out only a few countries away. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia hung over the shows like a fog, with some designers choosing a business-as-usual approach and others addressing it directly (see: Georgio Armani’s eerily silent show in Milan). Although none could have done it as poignantly as Demna did at Balenciaga — the designer pivoting his dramatic show from a climate change allegory to an act of defiance, with every seat surrounding the glass rotunda runway given its own Ukrainian flag alongside show notes that spoke to the designer’s first hand experience with war, ending with a message of love always winning.
Looking beyond its immediate geopolitical context, Fall 2022 still felt, in many ways, like it was reacting to the disruptions of the last few years. Suiting, for example, spoke to the question of whether people will ever return to the office, with new takes on tailoring at brands like Givenchy and Dior and preppy details like formal mini-skirts and neckties (here’s looking at you, Gucci) feeling distinctly at odds with the idea of sitting behind a desk.
Clockwise from top: Louis Vuitton Fall 22, Max Mara Fall 22, Christian Dior Fall 22.
Elsewhere, Y2K nostalgia (encouraged by a pandemic-driven desire to reminisce) was responsible for a plethora of skin-baring looks at the likes of Nensi Dojaka, Coperni and Miu Miu, which bizarrely didn’t feel out of place among the season’s heavy suiting and winter coats. (So don’t pack away your summer outfits too hastily.) In a similar vein, glamorous peignoire-inspired pieces by Fendi and Bottega Veneta (among others) shimmered in all their after-dark appeal, satiating our craving for clothes that feel flirty and fanciful. Building on this idea was the sense of playfulness introduced with various fur, feather and tassel trimmings at brands like Alaïa, Alexander McQueen and Prada, lending levity to traditionally severe styles.
Speaking of severe, the Fall silhouettes were exaggerated. Think elongated bodies, strong or dropped shoulders, slouchy sleeves and cinched-in waists. There were sleek, boxy tuxedos at Saint Laurent, corsets at Versace, Christian Dior and Fendi and geometric surrealism at Loewe, but nowhere was this idea as well executed as at Louis Vuitton, where coats were perfectly oversized, hips pushed out and proportions placed at the centre of every look.
Gucci Fall 22, Givenchy Fall 22, Bottega Veneta Fall 22.
Hemlines dropped down just as boots were rising up. Over-the-knee styles at houses like Chanel and Givenchy saw those brands putting their best foot forward as showstopping boots became the shoe of the season. Floor-dragging skirts, trousers and dresses at the likes of Saint Laurent and Burberry offered an elegance that felt effortless and uber-feminine — while faux-fur and feather trimmings put a sumptuous spin on the season’s more show-stopping pieces (think Valentino and Prada).
Leather and denim seemed to be the textiles of the season with almost every major brand sending their own versions of leather jackets, dresses, pants or all of the above down the runway. While the proliferation of denim heralded what was undoubtedly one of the biggest trends of Fall 2022 — elevated basics. The white tank top became an unexpected breakout star, and understated singlets, T-shirts and white collared shirts were hailed as winter wardrobe must-haves, often paired with simple blue-denim jeans. If nothing else, this ascent of basics from foundational to fundamental spoke to our collective desire to dress purposefully again. Fashion at large is becoming less interested in playing into ‘trends’ and more invested in looks that truly last. And thank goodness for that.
Clockwise from top left: Alexander McQueen Fall 22, Chanel Fall 22, Burberry Fall 22, Bottega Veneta Fall 22, Balenciaga Fall 22.
As far as accessories were concerned, handbags were doubled up and layered, offering a more chic (but possibly less practical) alternative to the single, oversized tote; while faux fur staged a fluffy takeover of bags, shoes and even hats. In fact, headwear in general really had a moment on the Fall 2022 runways. From the Gucci beret to the Burberry headband to the balaclavas at Max Mara and even the hair clips at Chanel and Versace — it would seem that forgetting to dress your head will prove a serious faux-pas this winter.
Reminding us how fashion is bouncing back from the last few years with aplomb, the Fall 2022 runways made a case for the industry’s hearty resilience. And while we won’t solve the world’s problems with a new pair of boots or a tailored coat, maybe those things will help us to draw on the collective courage of designers who continue to create impeccable clothes despite everything, and face this changing world with confidence.
After the appointment of Gabriela Hearst as Creative Director at the heritage fashion Maison Chloé, the fashion set eagerly awaited the brand’s new era. Over the years, Chloé has retained its recognisable aesthetic, tied in with whimsical silhouettes and uber-feminine detailing. And where other houses made bold shifts, Chloé remained steadfast and true to its signature (and to the women it dressed).
With the world already having had a taste of Hearst’s offerings through her own, eponymous label, anticipation for how she would make her mark at Chloé was high. When the brand’s SS22 collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week, its arrival at Workshop couldn’t come soon enough.
From left: Lauren Lace Up Sneaker, Lilli Leather Slide, Nama Mesh Sneaker.
A simple way to add a touch of summer to winter days is with the Kattie Bag in Soft Tan. Featuring a refined, structured form and a braided handle, the juxtaposition is quintessentially Chloé. It’s perfectly paired with the Nama Sneaker — destined to elevate any classic look. And it’s in this sneaker where the creative direction of Hearst comes alive, showcasing her unique aesthetic and love for natural forms.
Also landing at Workshop straight from the runway is the Lilli Slide, a perfectly coquettish sandal that draws on athleisure foundations and one that is high on our wish list.
Marcie Shoulder Bag, Kattie Mini Shoulder Bag.
That said, where Hearst’s impact is most felt is in her approach to sustainability. It’s a question that underlies the industry at large — how will the world’s most revered design houses evolve into the future of fashion? And it is certainly one that Hearst has never shied away from.
Hearst’s bohemian approach and affinity for the sustainable draw on a childhood spent working on her father’s sheep ranch in Uruguay. And while her tenure at Chloé may be remembered for her designs, it will most certainly go down in history for her leadership in environmentally-friendly fashion, with the announcement of a goal to use 80% dead-stock fabric within three years and no virgin materials by 2022. In this alone, Chloé is paving a new path for considered luxury design.
Arguably the most prolific precious gem to exist, diamonds have long been synonymous with luxury. But recently, this recognisable stone has been given a decidedly more pared-back look. This modern interpretation of the glamour that diamonds are known for is resulting in pieces that are perfect for the contemporary woman and is making a strong case for adorning yourself in these stones everyday.
From Bulgari’s fine Serpenti Viper bracelet to Tiffany & Co.’s T1 ring, these diamond-set pieces will look as good with day-to-day denim as they will with showstopping occasional looks.
Beloved by the lunchtime crowd for its fresh sushi, satiating bowls and tasty sandos and dumplings, Oji is a downtown favourite, with outposts in Commercial Bay and Britomart.
Having set itself apart from Auckland’s other sushi spots for its focus on locally-sourced ingredients, sustainable practices and a straightforward, no-fuss approach, Oji is the perfect place to pop into for an easy, healthy and downright delicious lunch, particularly for those who work in the city.
Now, as more and more workplaces return to office life (after an extended WFH period), Oji is adding some noteworthy new dishes to its offering. From new rice and vegetable bowls like the Sweet Bird (with sweet chilli chicken), the Belly Banger (with pork belly and tomatillo salsa), the Purple Power (with crispy Japanese eggplant) and the Big Don (with Panko-crumbed chicken) to tantalising handmade gyoza and dumplings (think prawn with crispy onion or spicy pork with spicy mayo), and signature sandos now available in two- and four-packs, Oji is making a return to the office look all the more appetising.
And if you’d rather enjoy Oji’s offering from the comfort of the office kitchen, its catering options will see sushi platters, salads and generous packs of sandos sent directly to your workplace.
Temperatures have taken a turn, which in the Denizen office, usually signals the beginning of a recurring conversation around where to find coats and jackets that will keep us warm without sacrificing style. This year, however, we haven’t had to look far.
JH Down, the aptly timed collection of outerwear from the local fashion house Juliette Hogan, is equal parts warm and considered, and has been made in keeping with the kinds of elevated, timeless design this brand is known for.
JH Down Puffer Coat in Olive.
The collection is small but impactful, and comprises two styles of outerwear — a puffer jacket and a puffer coat — made from 100% recycled materials, including a recycled polyester outer (sturdy enough to withstand the elements) and a recycled duck down and feather inner. In a world plagued by textile waste, this sustainable twist is where the collection truly sets itself apart.
JH Down Puffer Jacket in Black.
Alongside classic, monochromatic options, this year the puffer styles have also been rendered in a sleek, olive colourway that promises to add some tonal inspiration to your winter wardrobe. The shape of this outerwear is gorgeous, too. Gone is the Michelin man aesthetic of puffers past, replaced with a sleek and totally wearable structure that is both flattering and functional — where high collared necks are both of-the-moment and practical. Each style also boasts a double zip and button closure to provide warmth against the season’s chilliest days.
Reimagining the puffers of old with an elevated twist, these new styles from JH Down really are the only outerwear you need this winter (and for seasons to come).
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