If you’re looking for a light and healthy brunch, then The Breakfast Club probably isn’t for you, and that’s entirely the point. Instead, this is a cafe that dives headfirst into the utterly indulgent, playful side of brunch, where flavour, generous portions and a sense of fun and spectacle take precedence.
Here, the pancakes are the main event, with a full stage of theatrical characters. We’re talking triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes, presented in the most wildly indulgent way, loaded with Dubai chocolate, or layered with fruit loops and vanilla ice cream, Biscoff crumbs and mascarpone, each iteration unapologetically aiming to be the star of the show. And for those more inclined to the savoury side, the melt-down cheeseburger, stacked with crispy onion rings, spicy bacon jam and crinkle-cut fries, delivers in all the right ways, while the habanero fried chicken on a croffle, finished with house-made habanero maple syrup, walks the line between chaotic and completely convincing.
Open seven days across both locations, it’s the kind of place to keep in mind when brunch calls for something a little more wild, a little more indulgent, and far more fun than usual.
Some of the best things in life happen when creative minds collide, and this upcoming dinner at Trivet is proof. On Thursday, 26th March, Executive Chef Wallace Mua will welcome Executive Chef Lucas Parkinson of Piha’s acclaimed Aryeh Restaurant into his kitchen for a one-night-only collaborative dining experience that brings together two of Auckland’s most admired culinary talents.
Chef Lucas Parkinson of Piha’s Aryeh
Trivet, the elevated all-day bistro on Albert Street that has quickly become one of Auckland CBD’s most talked-about dining destinations, is the ideal setting for such an occasion. A place where every plate tells a story of innovation and local passion, the restaurant celebrates New Zealand’s rich flavours and global inspirations, which is a philosophy that sits at the heart of this collaborative dinner.
Both chefs share a deep reverence for local produce and a commitment to letting quality ingredients lead the way, yet each brings a distinct perspective to the plate. Mua, whose career has taken him from Soul Bar & Bistro to the kitchens of France, from helming Euro and Kingi to cooking for the All Blacks during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, describes his style as ‘elaborately simple,’ drawing on his Samoan heritage to weave Pasifika flavours through every dish. Parkinson, meanwhile, is guided by nature itself. The chef behind Wānaka’s award-winning Ode and now at the helm of the brilliant Aryeh in Piha, he builds his menus entirely around seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients; wild proteins, kaimoana and organic produce procured with care and consideration.
Chef Wallace Mua
Together, the two will present a multi-course menu celebrating seasonality, creativity and the spirit of collaboration. At $125 per person, with an optional $60 wine pairing, it’s an evening that promises to be as memorable as it is delicious. Book here.
When it comes to unforgettable celebrations, Fiji doesn’t just roll out the welcome mat, it lays down the red carpet. Crystalline waters, warm hospitality, and the kind of personalised service that make every guest feel like royalty. This island paradise doesn’t just rise to the occasion; it elevates it.
Royal Davui Island
Best For: Secluded Celebration
This is less a getaway, more a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With just 16 villas and a no-fly zone option (for when you truly want to disappear), Royal Davui is the epitome of private island luxury. The barefoot paradise delivers effortless glamour with an edge, ideal for intimate weddings or milestone birthdays where quality over quantity reigns. The island can be exclusively yours, with private chefs, turn-down touches, and custom theming that brings your vision to life. Days are spent snorkelling, enjoying spa rituals, and sipping cocktails on a sandbank in the middle of the ocean. Nights unfold with torchlit dinners, meke performances, and dancing barefoot under the stars. Here, the team is as detail-obsessed as they are discreet, and no request is too grand. Whether it’s a family-style island BBQ or a banquet by the waves, they’ll ensure the memory lingers long after the tan fades.
Tokoriki is what happens when romance grows up. This adults-only retreat hits the sweet spot between pared-back luxury and immersive intimacy. The vibe? Think less saccharine, more sophisticated. Floating champagne breakfasts? Tick. Candlelit dinners on a private jetty? Of course. But the warm, quietly intuitive service is what makes Tokoriki truly memorable. Whether you’re celebrating a honeymoon, a proposal, or a wedding anniversary, the setting is nothing short of cinematic. Think lush palms, frangipani petals, and ocean views that make you forget what day it is. Each villa comes with its own private pool and courtyard garden, making it easy to keep the outside world exactly where it belongs — far, far away. Throw in a spa treatment or two and a few fantastic meals, and you’ll find that doing nothing has never felt so indulgent.
Vomo Island has perfected the art of the all-ages celebration. What sets it apart from Fiji’s other luxury escapes is its ability to seamlessly host milestone moments for families in every configuration, from couples with young children to multi-generational gatherings. With seven expansive luxury residences, plus a variety of villas and suites, there’s an option for every guest, ensuring everyone stays close without compromising on space or style. Vomo makes group celebrations effortless. Whether it’s a renewal of vows, a landmark birthday, or simply making the ‘official’ family wedding happen, the island’s team ensures guests dine together with ease (no awkwardly rearranged tables here). Special touches like a private picnic on Vomo Lailai, a ‘Sigi Drigi’ sunset atop Mt Vomo complete with Champagne and a Fijian choir, or a snorkel safari followed by a castaway lunch ensure any gathering becomes something unforgettable. At Vomo, togetherness comes both naturally and beautifully.
When Ariana Grande first partnered with Swarovski, the collaboration felt less like a marketing exercise and more like a natural alignment of aesthetics. Grande’s signature blend of sweetness, glamour and otherworldly sparkle sits comfortably within Swarovski’s crystalline universe.
Now the pop icon returns with her second capsule collection for the Austrian house, co-created with Swarovski’s Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert. Launching globally on March 17, the 29-piece Ariana Grande x Swarovski capsule moves decisively into a more whimsical territory, imagining a glittering garden where nature and fantasy meet.
Ariana Grande x Swarovski ear cuffs from Swarovski
Ariana Grande x Swarovski Y necklace from Swarovski
Ariana Grande x Swarovski stud earrings from Swarovski
If the duo’s debut collaboration leaned toward polished classicism, this chapter feels altogether more playful. The collection draws inspiration from the magic of the natural world, translating delicate forms into jewellery through Swarovski’s signature crystal craftsmanship. Dragonflies shimmer across earrings and pendants in both literal and abstract interpretations, their wings rendered in prismatic stones that catch the light with every movement.
Elsewhere, crystal butterflies appear across brooches and hair accessories, while floral motifs bloom through necklaces and rings set with rainbow-hued stones and softly luminous crystal pearls. Mixed-metal settings allow the colours to shift and glow, creating an iridescent effect reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis.
For Engelbert, the collection represents a fully realised creative world shared between designer and muse. “This capsule is a world Ariana and I created together,” she explains. “After last year’s collection, which was more timeless and classic, this one moves fully into her dreamy, magical universe. The fantasy-garden imagery and the inspiration of the Aurora Borealis, with its shifting light and iridescent colours, are translated into the jewellery through crystal play, delicate pearls and refined craftsmanship.”
Ariana Grande x Swarovski motif ring from Swarovski
Ariana Grande x Swarovski stud earrings from Swarovski
Grande herself describes the collaboration as an ode to the wonder found in everyday life. “This capsule is inspired by nature and the magic that exists everywhere around us on this extraordinary planet,” she says. “We wanted to design a collection that brings a bit more colour, wonder and playfulness into our everyday lives, as well as reminds us to appreciate the beauty that constantly surrounds us.”
The Ariana Grande x Swarovski capsule collection launches globally from March 17, available in Swarovski boutiques and online. A sparkling invitation, one might say, to step briefly into Ariana’s garden.
Hollywood’s biggest night once again delivered a red carpet rich with spectacle, polish and the kind of sartorial theatre the Oscars does best. For the 2026 Academy Awards, the prevailing mood leaned toward refined drama, with sculptural silhouettes, luminous fabrics and quietly confident tailoring dominating the arrivals. Designers favoured fluid gowns that moved with ease, punctuated by moments of bold colour and intricate embellishment, while classic black remained a steadfast favourite among those embracing understated elegance. From ethereal romance to sharp architectural statements, this year’s fashion proved that Hollywood still knows exactly how to dress for the occasion.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Giorgio Armani Privé and Tiffany & Co. Jewellery
For a short time only, First Mates, Last Laugh is serving a crayfish roll worth rearranging your plans for. It is the sort of limited offering that doesn’t linger; some dishes are better left as a fleeting indulgence.
Arguably one of our most beloved kaimoana, crayfish, is a sort of local delicacy that’s rarely treated with this kind of ease. More often reserved for indulgent long lunches and special occasions. But for a limited time, the clever chefs at First Mates, Last Laugh have made it something that’s generous, unfussy, and designed to be eaten with your hands.
The crayfish roll delivers exactly what it promises. A soft, pillowy bun packed with sweet crayfish meat, sharpened with chilli-lime mayo and finished with a glossy hit of lemon butter. It is rich without being overworked, indulgent without tipping into excess. A side of crisps adds crunch, though the focus never strays far from the main event.
For those inclined to lean all the way in, there is the option to add a tin of caviar. If you’re going to go, you may as well go all the way, as they say.
Set within Westhaven Marina, First Mates, Last Laugh knows how to frame a moment. As autumn draws the light out longer and softer, the pull toward the water becomes harder to ignore. Here, sunsets land properly, cocktails arrive cold, and seafood does exactly what it should.
And while you’re there, it would be silly to ignore Bluff oysters, which are currently in season and, in very short supply. Like the crayfish roll, they reward those who get in early.
Whether it is an after-work detour that turns into an evening, or a deliberate booking to chase the last of the season’s golden light, this is one to act on. The crayfish roll will not be around for long, and missing it would be irresponsible.
Every home has an armchair that is instinctively claimed, understood without discussion to belong to one person alone. Generously proportioned and upholstered in supple leather or soft fabrics, it wraps around the body with a quiet, architectural embrace. Its low, cocooning profile invites listening, reading, thinking. More than seating, it is territory. A place where comfort meets design integrity, and where the rituals of daily life unfold in private, enveloped ease.
Tiffany & Co. has unveiled a new short film starring its latest global House ambassador, Natalie Portman. The Academy Award-winning actor, producer and director takes centre stage in a cinematic portrait that reflects on strength, legacy and the quiet power of self-belief.
Directed by Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet of Magna Studios, and shot by acclaimed cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, the piece presents Portman as herself rather than a character. For the first time in a luxury project of this kind, she appears not in costume or role, but as the woman she is today, navigating the many identities that define her life beyond the screen.
The film unfolds through a letter Portman writes to her daughter. In it, she reflects on the lessons that shape a life, from resilience and vulnerability to the importance of curiosity and courage. The tone is intimate and thoughtful, aligning with Tiffany & Co.’s long-held belief that jewellery often carries meaning far beyond its material form.
At the heart of the story is the HardWear by Tiffany collection, a design line that has come to symbolise modern strength. Rather than serving simply as adornment, the pieces become a visual metaphor for the idea that strength is something built gradually over time.
An original interpretation of “Moon River” weaves softly through the film, offering a subtle nod to Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the enduring cultural mythology that surrounds the House.
The film premiered during the 98th Academy Awards before debuting globally across Tiffany & Co.’s channels, marking Portman’s first appearance as the brand’s newest global ambassador. The result is a restrained, quietly powerful portrait that feels closer to cinema than to spectacle.
There comes a point in the season when Auckland’s appetite for the new and noteworthy softens slightly, replaced by a more primal craving. Not for theatre, nor culinary gymnastics, but for the steady, deeply civilised comforts of a proper steakhouse. Which is precisely when the idea of revisiting Jervois Steak House begins to feel less like a suggestion and more like common sense.
For years now, the Ponsonby institution has been doing what very few restaurants manage to sustain: consistency with swagger. While the dining scene pirouettes through trends, reinventions and occasional bouts of edible performance art, Jervois Steak House simply carries on delivering the sort of meal people actually want to eat. Excellent beef, generous sides, strong wine and a dining room that hums with the contentment of people who know they have chosen well.
Gochujang-glazed calamari, kimchi, and gochujang aioli
Walking through the doors feels rather like slipping into a familiar club. The lighting is flattering, the tables are alive with conversation, and the whole room carries the warm, confident rhythm of a restaurant that has long understood its purpose. It is not trying to be the cleverest table in Auckland. It is far too busy to be one of the most satisfying.
Chef’s selection, three of JSH favourite cuts
Naturally, the beef remains the headline act. Jervois Steak House has built its reputation on sourcing exceptional cuts and treating them with the kind of reverence usually reserved for rare watches or vintage Bordeaux. The Chef’s Selection remains the move for those unwilling to choose just one. Three premium cuts arrive together on a board like a small symposium on carnivorous pleasure, each offering its own argument for why steak remains the most persuasive food group.
Seared scallops, green garlic, shallot, Champagne butter sauce
Before that, however, there are the scallops. Seared and glossed with Champagne butter, green garlic and shallot, they are rich without tipping into excess. A gentle warm-up act before the main event begins, flexing its muscles.
The supporting cast performs its duties with equal conviction. Truffle mac ’n’ cheese is unapologetically indulgent. Onion rings arrive crisp, golden and dangerously easy to demolish. A serious red appears in the glass, and suddenly the notion of leaving any time soon feels deeply misguided.
Truffle mac ‘n’ cheese
Which, ultimately, is the magic trick Jervois Steak House has always performed so well. It reminds you that dining out does not need to be complicated to be memorable. Sometimes all it takes is a beautifully cooked steak, a generous pour, and a room that understands exactly how to look after you.
In a city forever chasing the next big thing, there is something wonderfully reassuring about returning to a place that already perfected its craft years ago.
Unveiled in Michael Rider’s Printemps 2026 collection, the New Luggage signals a poised revival of one of Celine’s most recognisable forms. Reworking the Phantom Luggage introduced under Phoebe Philo in 2010, this iteration softens the structure, lending the silhouette a more fluid, rounded ease while retaining its architectural authority.
left: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing the Celine Phantom in 2012. Right: A$AP Rocky wearing Celine New LUGGAGE in 2026
Crafted in supple, high shine lambskin, the bag retains its signature front zip, including a subtle Smile variation that gestures to the house’s quiet wit. Heritage is referenced rather than replicated, with proportion and polish carefully recalibrated.
LITTLE LUGGAGE IN GRAINED CALFSKIN Sandcastle from Celine
LITTLE LUGGAGE IN GRAINED CALFSKIN Syrah from Celine
LITTLE LUGGAGE IN GRAINED CALFSKIN Black from Celine
Function remains integral. The Small transitions seamlessly from crossbody to shoulder, the Medium favours hand or elbow carry, and the Large offers everyday structure without rigidity. A pared-back Flat Cabas completes the offer. Rendered in classic black and deep brown alongside citrus, oxide blue, suede calfskin and Porosus crocodile, the New Luggage reasserts Celine’s ability to evolve an icon without diluting its edge.
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