Auckland has welcomed a new eatery that is bringing a taste of Greece to the bustling streets of Ponsonby. Named Daphnes Taverna, the new opening comes courtesy of Clare and Joost van den Berg, the well-known restaurateurs behind Odettes Eatery and Hugo’s Bistro (which they sold in 2019).
Having spent a blissful four months travelling around Greece in pre-Covid times, the van den Bergs were inspired to harness the philosophy and cuisine of the richly-historic country and its islands, filling a gap in the local culinary offering in the process.
With its high, vaulted ceilings, painted brick walls, varied lighting and eye-catching art, the space makes you feel instantly at home as soon as you sit down, with a purposeful eclecticism that feels comfortable yet polished. Clare utilised her years of interior design experience to curate the space, aiming to create the vibe of a fun, Greek-style family gathering for each and every diner.
Daphnes’ head chef is Anna Weir, formerly of Odettes and Amano, who designed a modern Greek menu inspired by this family-style sensibility, with a range of small, mid-sized and larger sharing plates that span light snacks and more substantial dishes.
Olives, pita breads and dips like taramosalata, melitzanosalata (Greek eggplant dip) and hummus introduce the offering, snacky plates to complement one of Daphnes’ moreish house cocktails. A selection of ‘mezedes’ follow, including the likes of saganaki (fried cheese) with fermented honey and oregano; spinach and feta Spanakopita; smoked Warehou fish cakes; and kingfish lakerda, a pickled fish dish served with labne and fermented chilli.
There’s whole flounder with capers and tomatoes, and a lamb shoulder to be shared between groups; a range of souvlaki, or skewers, sees octopus, ox tongue, eggplant, chicken and more given the charcoal treatment. A selection of vegetable dishes is also on hand to freshen up the spread, with a succinct offering of desserts including baklava and katoumari, a kind of sweet pie, with blueberries and honey.
With seemingly the whole town abuzz with word of this new opening, we have no doubt Daphnes Taverna will be a sought-after spot for anyone keen on a lively atmosphere and tasty, modern-Greek fare.
Opening hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: 5PM — Late Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:30AM — Late Saturday: 11:30AM — Late Sunday: 11:30AM — 3PM
These days, it’s not unusual for at least one person in a dining-out duo or group to have some kind of dietary requirement. From vegan to keto, gluten free or dairy-free, the trick is finding dishes that manage to bridge the Venn diagram of catering to these demands while still being delicious for everyone — especially given the overwhelming trend for sharing plates. If you yourself are vegan, or are not but your dining partner is, these dishes are sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Teriyaki tofu from Ebisu Delectable cubes of teriyaki tofu sit atop black miso jam, garnished with zucchini carrot julienne, cherry tomatoes and white truffle oil for a fresh yet delectably umami dish.
NSP’s butternut squash risotto.
Butternut squash risottofrom Non Solo Pizza Sometimes only a nourishing risotto will do. This one is delicious, garnished with almonds, oregano, balsamic and truffle oil — order without the cheese on top and it’s instantly vegan.
From left: Clay’s aubergine pizza; Hello Beasty’s Korean fried cauliflower.
Aubergine, pickled chilli, mint and coriander pizzafrom Clay No need to sacrifice pizza — K’ Road wine bar Clay’s version forgoes dairy products and instead has a slightly smoky, puréed aubergine base, topped with plenty of fresh, fragrant coriander and mint, pickled chilli and lashings of extra virgin olive oil.
Korean fried cauliflower from Hello Beasty Addictive from the get-go, these cauliflower bites are slathered in a spicy gochujang glaze and topped with toasted sesame seeds — the perfect accompaniment to Hello Beasty’s other vegan dishes like the heirloom tomatoes with whipped tofu and yuzu dressing.
Soul Bar’s tempura zucchini flowers.
Tempura zucchini flowers from Soul Bar & Bistro This zucchini flower dish is a colourful and textural vegan option, light yet full of flavour. It is served with poached greens and a paprika salsa verde, garnished with mint and extra virgin olive oil.
Qualified personal trainer Amélie Creusy steps out of her comfort zone and explores the ancient practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with some surprising results.
“As a personal EMS-trainer (running my own training business for three years), a runner and a dedicated yogi, I have always been fit. After all, when fitness is as much a part of my down time as it is inherent to my professional life, how could I not be?
But it wasn’t until I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu nearly a year ago — thinking it would fast-track my ‘bikini body’— that I quickly realised how different being fit was from being strong. A year later and my goal is no longer bikini-centric. It’s about being strong enough to protect, defend and assert myself if I ever needed to. The importance of that ability, I’ve learned, far outweighs how I look, and this has given me the kind of body confidence I have never had before.
My first Jiu-Jitsu class was an eye-opener. There I was, dressed like the Karate Kid, facing a stranger whose objective was to overpower me (and mine to overpower them). And while the get-up and set-up felt silly at first, Jiu-Jitsu’s various choke holds, shoulder locks, wrist locks and armbars demanded that I took it seriously — quickly showing me how dangerous it could be if I didn’t. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, your opponent will come up against you with a number of techniques and all of their force. You need to be prepared to stop them from breaking your arm or suffocating you by indicating submission and ‘tapping out’ (by tapping the ground or them). It might sound confrontational and violent, but actually it’s a game of strategy and strength.
That was one of the first things I learned — that the fundamental pillars of this sport are consent, trust and support. That isn’t to say that I avoided the inevitable bumps, scratches and bruises that came with a session of Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a serious workout, and the people who practice it are there to work hard. Being in pain after Jiu-Jitsu is part of the game, almost half of the fun and is strangely satisfying — it’s like a lasting reminder that you have conquered a gruelling workout.
The other thing I quickly learned about Jiu-Jitsu, is that it isn’t reserved for big burly men, or muscle-bound, athletic women. People are surprised when I tell them I practice it, which is probably because they see me as a petite Parisian who would be more suited to barre classes than wrestling on the ground. The truth is, Jiu-Jitsu is perfect for anyone with the impetus to give it a go.
I also love the solitude that Jiu-Jitsu provides. After fielding non-stop questions from my three inquisitive kids all day, a session of Jiu-Jitsu offers some much-needed respite from the busyness of my regular routine.
When you’re wrestling or focusing on techniques, concentration is key. Trying to stay upright while your training partner is grappling you is a great way of clearing your mind of anything that has been worrying you. I’ll tell you now, there’s no time for self-pity or misery when you are pinned to the ground under someone 20kgs heavier. Now, rather than fight against them, I relish these meditative moments in the middle of my week for the way they leave me both mentally and physically calm — a feeling I often return to when I feel under pressure in my day-to-day life.
But the real beauty of Jiu-Jitsu is that you never stop learning. If you don’t win your fight, or you are struggling to master a technique, you must develop the patience to learn how to be better. As in Jiu-Jitsu, so too in life. When you finally get something right, or you win your first fight, the joy is insurmountable.
Jiu-Jitsu has given me a newfound appreciation for my body’s abilities. Being able to pin an adult larger than me on the floor and have them eventually submit is empowering to say the least and I’m not ashamed to say that I am completely hooked.
Despite the fact that it will probably take me the better part of a decade to reach Jiu-Jitsu’s prestigious black belt status, it’s a journey I’m very happy to embark upon. The pursuit of progress and mastery in this sport runs through your veins forever.”
While we would happily head to Culprit for any kind of special occasion, the good news is you don’t have to wait for one to enjoy the delicious fare from one of Auckland’s most innovative eateries, thanks to its affordable Trolley Derby menu.
Culprit founders Kyle Street and Jordan MacDonald created the ever-evolving Trolley Derby to be their most accessible offering, a compilation of four clever bites from the trolley that travels around the dining room, plus a mouthwatering main — all for only $55 per person.
Speedy and seasonal, the Trolley Derby menu is designed with the Auckland local in mind. As the selection of dishes changes every two weeks or so, the team enjoys seeing some of the same faces making repeat visits to try the fresh fare coming out of the kitchen. Never fear, however, if you don’t want to see your favourite go — the additions menu “Oysters, Offal & More” contains their famous chicken liver parfait and donuts, the roast bone marrow and other iconic Culprit dishes.
From left: Burnt Brussels Sprouts; Pickled Pork Shoulder on Vogels.
The current Trolley Derby menu is tantalising indeed. Within Trolley Bites, you’ll find a variety of flavours spanning fresh, charred, creamy and salty that all harmonise together to create a collection of utterly satisfying bites.
The Kingfish Sashimi with fermented sweetcorn, a Culprit classic, is back, along with the Burnt Brussels Sprouts which are delightfully spicy and caramelised. Pickled Pork Shoulder on Vogels brings to the fore all the flavours we love in a Reuben in a couple of bites, and the Chilled Potato Vichyssoise is supremely smooth and silky with savoury depth from fried black pudding, pearl barley salt and fresh pear.
From left: Braised Lamb Neck; Green Onion and Goat Feta Souffle.
For a main, carnivores shouldn’t go past the Braised Lamb Neck. Fragrant with curry leaves, an Indian-style eggplant relish, golden raisins and toasted almonds, the lamb itself is exceptionally tender and juicy. The Roast Hapuka dish is cooked to perfection, a lovely light option which still has depth of flavour from the chorizo and grape dressing, on a base of celeriac puree with weightless crunch from crispy cavolo nero. For a vegetable-centric main, the Green Onion and Goat Feta Soufflé is divine; a twice-baked soufflé in a reduced cream sauce with toasted walnuts, shaved pear and quince jelly imparting satisfying texture and contrast.
Culprit’s Trolley Derby menu is available Tuesday to Saturday nights for dinner, and Thursday and Friday at lunchtime. Given Street and MacDonald’s ability for staying invigorated and inspired in the kitchen, we can vouch for the fact that each new iteration is as unmissable as the last.
To celebrate the latest menu, we’re giving away a chance for you and three friends to experience Culprit’s Trolley Derby. Includes a Trolley Derby dinner (comprising 4x Trolley Bites and 1x Main each) for four guests and a welcome cocktail on arrival. We have a table of four to give away to two lucky Denizen readers.
Make the most of the long weekend by catching up on some culture, whether that be new books to sink your teeth into, or catching a highly acclaimed film or series. Events Cinema is open all weekend, or if cuddling up on the couch is more your idea of heaven, there are plenty of great options to stream online.
Showing at cinemas now French Exit Michelle Pfeiffer gives the performance of a lifetime in this satirical, brilliantly-written film that borders on farce (without ever feeling entirely ridiculous). Frances Price, caustic and larger-than-life, falls from financial grace and must move with her sullen son from New York to Paris where she makes an unapologetic entrance and leaves a lasting impression.
The Father Devastating in its depiction of dementia, this moving film starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman follows the degradation of a stubborn old man’s mind as he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances while his adult daughter (against his will) moves in to take care of him.
Cousins This moving and important locally-made film has been hailed as a must-watch. An adaptation of the Patricia Grace novel by Waru directors Ainsley Gardiner and Briar Grace-Smith, it follows three Māori women, who are all related yet separated by circumstance, as they find their way back to one another.
Nomadland Director Chloé Zhao won the Best Director Golden Globe for this acclaimed film, starring Frances McDormand as a woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling, modern-day nomad.
Streaming Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry One of the most recognisable pop stars on the planet, it’s easy to forget that Billie Eilish is still a teenager. This documentary offers an intimate look into Eilish’s extraordinary journey navigating global stardom and teenage angst, all while finishing her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Watch on Apple TV+
Malcolm & Marie Starring John David Washington and Zendaya, this two-character, black and white film follows the intimate interactions of a couple after they return home from a movie premiere. Deftly toying with the audience’s impressions as it navigates the intense peaks and troughs of an emotional, vibrant and compelling conversation, this is one movie you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from. Watch on Netflix
Lupin A master of disguise, a spider web of conspiracy and a certain je ne sais quoi combine in Netflix’s new French drama, Lupin. Starring Omar Sy, the story follows Asene Diope, a man whose journey of revenge sees him following the playbook of iconic French fictional character (and gentleman burglar), Arsene Lupin. Watch on Netflix
It’s a Sin From the mind of award-winning producer Russell T Davies, this new series delves into the HIV/Aids crisis that plagued the UK in the early 1980s. Following five friends who move to London at 18, the show’s five episodes span ten years, and tell the story of how lives were turned upside down by a disease about which (at the time) so little was known. Watch on TVNZ
Two years ago, New Zealanders Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray set out on an endeavour to navigate the globe. The quest would see them travel 350,000 kilometres across seven continents in their trusty purpose-built vehicle ‘Gunther’. With the global pandemic putting a hold on their journey, we check in with the duo’s on-going plans, and ask them to share some of their favourite destinations in our own country.
“We had just come out of the Yamal Peninsula in northern Siberia when we received a call from the embassy in Moscow informing us that the Russian borders were closing. Russia was country number 76 on our global adventure which we had originally thought would take only two years.
Our remaining route from Moscow to Auckland was due to be completed in 2020 but when Covid shut the borders, we had no choice but to return to New Zealand to wait out the virus.
Topher Richwhite, Bridget Thackwray and Jeep Roman at Muriwai beach.
With our Jeep ‘Gunther’ still parked outside Moscow Airport, we have spent the last few months building a new vehicle that we have named Roman. We plan to continue to explore New Zealand with Roman until the borders reopen along our Leg Three route and hope to bring Roman to Russia, where we will continue the journey with Gunther. When over-landing there is safety in numbers, so having a second vehicle will have its advantages when crossing certain terrains.
Our third leg takes us from Moscow south to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran. We will then head north east into Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and China before crossing south over the Gobi desert into Nepal and India. We will drive through South East Asia and cross from East Timor to Australia before shipping Gunther and Roman across the Tasman to our finish line in Auckland.
Although we constantly have itchy feet, we feel very lucky to be home safe in New Zealand enjoying the beauty of our own backyard. Below we share some of our favourite places.”
Hidden waterfall in Mount Aspiring National Park.
Mount Aspiring —waterfall Beneath an old railroad in Mount Aspiring National Park, lies a hidden waterfall in a moss-clad canyon. The water is blue from glacial erosion which causes fine silt particles known as ‘flour’. Because the water temperature fluctuation between summer and winter months is minimal, it is worth wearing some merino socks before entering. The waterfall in this photo is fed from the same source as the famous Blue Pools of Tioripatea. Established in 1964 as New Zealand’s tenth national park, Mount Aspiring National Park covers 3,562 square kilometres.
Haast Pass.
West Coast —Haast Pass In 1960, the Haast Pass Road (part of State Highway 6) opened from Otago to Haast on the West Coast of the South Island. Five years later, the section from Haast to Lake Paringa was completed, allowing motorists to make a circuit around both the east and west coasts of the South Island. Today, it is still only one of three road passages that cross the Southern Alps. With its moody beech tree forests and emerald blue rivers, the mountain passage between Lake Hawea and Haast is one that was the inspiration for us to take on our global adventure.
Exhibition Bay.
Far North —Exhibition Bay The Far North is thought to be the first part of New Zealand to be walked upon by early Māori settlers. Today, there are still vast landscapes protected by local Iwi and kept hidden from outsiders. We were invited to spend a few days inside Exhibition Bay to explore the white silica sand dunes of Parengarenga Harbour. Now gated off to the public, it was only a few years ago that this land was mined for its silica. Because of the fine grands of sand, the silica dunes are notorious for their quicksand which is known to swallow entire vehicles.
Northland —Mahinepua Since returning to New Zealand to wait out border closures, the Far North has become our new home. Bridget grew up north of Kerikeri in a small bay called Mahinepua with her three sisters. In this photo, we were joined by Bridget’s younger sister Penny and her horses Kiara and Turk. Both horses are thought to have come from Aupouri Forest, from where wild horses can roam freely onto 90 Mile Beach.
Nevis Valley.
Central Otago —Nevis Valley In 1862 gold was discovered in the Nevis Valley. The miners tried to keep their find a secret but failed — and so began the Nevis Valley gold rush. Saved by the remoteness of this valley, the remains of numerous stone buildings from the gold mining days offer insight into the perseverance and ingenuity of early pioneers. The relics include everything from the cemetery and settlement buildings through to a woolshed and even the first ski hut. Today only the family at Ben Nevis Station occupy the area.
Te Paki.
90 Mile Beach — Te Paki On the northern end of 90 Mile Beach lie the giant sand dunes of Te Paki. Down the riverbed and behind the thick shrub, we found ourselves exploring landscapes we never knew existed in New Zealand. Te Paki was once its own island disconnected from the mainland. Over millions of years, sand built up from volcanic activity elsewhere in New Zealand, and the dunes were created.
If you listen to the radio with any regularity, you’ve probably heard the song ‘Not My Neighbour’ by Niko Walters. An upbeat yet relatively spare melody with strumming guitar and a lazy percussiveness, Walters’ voice slips from honeyed falsetto to textured mid-range with the effortlessness of somebody born with natural talent.
Having released his debut album Escape in November 2020, the singer-songwriter is quickly gaining momentum and recognition from the masses — ‘Not My Neighbour’ has gone Gold in New Zealand, sitting comfortably within the top five on the local Spotify chart and peaking at 32,000 streams a day.
Needless to say, Walters is pleased with how his music has been received. “The response has been more than I anticipated,” he says. “I’m pretty ecstatic to hear everybody playing it and receiving amazing messages from people saying how much they like the songs.”
Music has always been an important part of Walters’ life. He grew up loving it, playing instruments and singing for the sheer enjoyment of it, and his older brother Matiu Walters is the lead singer of ultra-successful New Zealand band Six60. While the younger of the two siblings had never considered a career in music as an option, now he’s off to a successful start he’s excited to continue on this trajectory.
Photo: Dexter Cheng
“I genuinely love the whole process of creating music, and I always have,” he says. “Even if people didn’t like it, and it wasn’t financially feasible, I’d be making music for fun.”
Walters describes his sound as “contemporary soul”, combining elements of RnB, Hip Hop and Pop to create music that is smooth and catchy, yet still alive with unexpected moments of interest. His mother exposed him to a lot of poetry growing up, he remembers, and he used to write his own. When it comes to crafting songs, a fragment of poetic prose or even just a word will often be the starting point, and from there he’ll work with a studio team to expand on a sound or a mood. “That’s the fun part, not knowing [where it’s going to go].”
While ‘Not My Neighbour’ is playful and narratory, the rest of the songs on Escape vary in tone, often drawing on both personal and challenging aspects of Walters’ life. It’s an intimate approach to songwriting that moves listeners to reflect and feel seen.
Currently, Walters is back in the studio recording new tracks — and on the cards later this year is a tour around the country, with dates still to be announced. His journey so far has already imparted some important lessons that he’ll be taking with him as he continues on his way. “One is dropping your inhibition a little bit, and being brave. It takes courage to release music, and also to create music — you’ve gotta back yourself.”
The other, he says, is not taking strategic and business decisions too personally. “Just leaving ego at the door, considering everyone’s perspectives and doing what’s best for the ultimate goal — which is just to create beautiful music, and get it heard.”
As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch, but for American Express Platinum Card® Members, by simply spending $150 or more on their American Express Platinum Card at one of its extensive list of Dining Collection restaurants, they’ll receive a dining credit of $150, twice a year, up to $300 per year.
With a broad and enticing list of participating eateries, there’s something for everyone. From the eternally popular Italian all-day restaurant Amano to Jervois Steakhouse, Michael Meredith’s acclaimed new eatery Mr Morris, the seafood-centric Harbourside or Nic Watt’s Japanese eatery Masu at SkyCity — to name just a few.
The Platinum Card dining credit is just one of the many benefits of being an American Express Platinum Card Member. And what’s more, with the recent launch of its shiny new metal card adding some style and cachet to the Card Member experience, if you’re not currently an American Express Platinum Card Member sign up today to reap the benefits.
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Apply today for the new metal Platinum Card® by clicking here.
This weekend, the Auckland Rainbow Pride Parade and the Ponsonby Street Festival are finally going ahead after a series of postponements due to Covid-19 restrictions. On Saturday, 27th of March, the much-anticipated, all-day event will see folk from all around the city coming together to celebrate the history, courage and diversity of our rainbow communities.
Fun for the whole family, the carnival-style parade will move on its colourful way on foot and un-motorised floats — starting from Tole Street, down Ponsonby Road to Williamson Ave, encompassing dancing, performance and music, and key messaging from the community.
The day’s proceedings will begin from 11am with the Ponsonby Street Festival kicking off with market stalls and pop-ups. Ponsonby Road will be closed to traffic from 4:30pm, and the Parade then begins from 6pm, with live music, dancing, performances and on-street dining from 7pm.
Why not make a day of it, and get out there to support local retailers and hospitality businesses at the same time as our rainbow community? We suggest parking up at one of Ponsonby Road’s many excellent bars and eateries — peruse our list below and we suggest you make a booking quicksharp, or get there early to secure your spot.
SPQR This iconic Ponsonby Road restaurant is bound to be heaving from the get-go, but if you can suss a table it’ll be one of the best places to be. Keep the espresso martinis coming.
Blue Breeze Inn Blue Breeze’s outdoor tables are the perfect vantage point to see all the action, with a side of the fusion eatery’s delicious dumplings and bao buns.
Prego Got hangry children in tow? Pasta or pizza at stalwart Prego is just the ticket, and the vibe is sure to be humming.
Ponsonby Road Bistro Another icon of the strip with excellent outdoor seating, Ponsonby Road Bistro will have you sorted with its comforting menu of bistro fare. We’re particular fans of the chicken liver pâté and the confit duck.
Elmo’s Heading out for the day with a group? Elmo’s will cater to you with its varied menu of sharing dishes and pizzas. We can’t go past the burrata bar, either.
Chapel It’s an institution for a reason — park up at this iconic corner site for drinks in the ample sun. A great option for when you’re in it for the long haul.
Ockhee This Korean cutie will have you sorted with its tasty yet wholesome fare and drinks menu of natural wine, beer and clever twists on classic cocktails. Snag an outside seat and catch the parade near its starting point.
Conch Easy and inviting, Conch is just the place to relax with a beer in hand, and some tacos or other South American-style bites and watch the colourful action go by.
Rainbow Pride Parade & Ponsonby Street Festival Saturday, 27th of March Ponsonby Road
When it comes to massage, there is certainly a time and place for a gentle method that lulls the recipient into a state of soporific bliss. However, sometimes a firmer hand is required, and when this is the case we will be turning to East Day Spa’s brand new Thai massage.
The most recent addition to the world-class spa’s roster of beauty and wellness treatments, this oil free massage is not for the faint-hearted. A firm, strong massage that combines pressure point and acupressure therapy with assisted stretching, the East Thai massage is performed by master therapist Wii, whose experience hails from spa royalty palaces like the Mandarin Oriental and The Four Seasons Hotels.
Designed to relieve tension and improve flexibility, this massage is performed on a fully-clothed recipient (loose, comfortable clothing is encouraged, with East Day Spa providing soft pajama trousers to wear), and is recommended for those who love a strong, deep tissue experience.
To begin with, the body is warmed up through a combination of acupressure and deep compressions, before the therapist begins working through yoga-like stretching exercises that are tailored to each individual need. Whether the problem area is a tense neck and shoulders, sore legs or back, this highly-bespoke massage will be customised to address it, with no two sessions the same.
The effects are almost instantaneous — expect an increased range of motion, better posture and reduced joint pain. Rather than feeling like you need a nap afterwards, the East Thai massage will leave you feeling elongated, invigorated and energised, for far longer than just the duration of the appointment.
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