Matzo Ball Soup — Federal Delicatessen

These are the winter-warmer dishes you need to keep the chill at bay

Balmy summer days have been replaced by cold, rainy nights, and a hunger for foods that warm us from the inside out. While it’s not quite soup weather yet, we’re nearly there, and dinner reservations see us seeking comfort and warmth. The city’s restaurants know this too, with many adapting seasonal menus to offer the best winter warmer dishes that are inspired and soul-soothing. 

So for when the fireplace doesn’t feel quite warm enough, or your usual favourites no longer cut it, these are the dishes across the city that you need to be eating for a touch of winter warmth.

Slow-Cooked Coastal Lamb Shoulder from Hello Beasty. Roasted Eggplant from Onemata.

Slow-Cooked Coastal Lamb Shoulder — Hello Beasty
While Hello Beasty’s menu is designed to be shared, we wouldn’t blame you for keeping this dish to yourself. Again drawing on the wintery flavours of lamb at its best and served with red chilli, Szechuan sauce, coriander and mint, it incorporates heat in every sense of the word and is drawing us down to Viaduct Harbour this winter.

Roasted Eggplant — Onemata
Although often praised for its elevated seafood offering (which makes sense considering its views across the water) Onemata’s vegetarian options are nothing to be sniffed at. In fact, the roasted eggplant is one of our favourite dishes, particularly at this time of year. Served in a pool of babaganoush with truffle and date syrup, the magnificent flavours of this dish shine in their simplicity, and will enchant even the most avid meat-eater.

Gnocchi with Roast Cauliflower — Faraday’s Bar
Faraday’s Bar — located in Faradays department store — is perhaps Parnell’s best-kept culinary secret, with a refined menu that heroes some of the country’s best produce. Now, as cooler days start to take over, it is dishes like Faraday’s Bar’s gnocchi with roast cauliflower that we turn to. Served with golden raisins, toasted almonds and gorgonzola, this is a creative take on classically comforting flavours, and we can’t get enough.

Chargrilled Chicken — Amano
Amano can always be relied upon for its sensational takes on seasonal produce, and this dish is no exception. Embracing the best of winter foods, this chargrilled chicken feels much like a precursor to a Sunday roast, only here, its celeriac, onion and rosemary that drive the flavours. Our advice? Order with side of chargrilled Brussels sprouts to round out the meal.

Bar Magda, Andiamo.

Lamb Ribs ‘Pyanggang’ — Bar Magda
Lamb is one of the most comforting things to eat in winter and Bar Magda’s fresh take offers both the warmth and flavour we crave. Made via a traditional Filipino method of cooking, this iteration of lamb ribs is served with soft herbs and green sambal, and is a flavoursome, moreish dish we can’t help coming back to time and time again.

Beetroot Risotto — Andiamo
This Herne Bay mainstay offers exactly what we crave in the cooler months, with a number of dishes designed to satiate our seasonal needs. That said, the new beetroot risotto is a particular standout, offering a comforting combination of red wine, roasted shallot, salt-baked beetroot and ricotta salata.

Aged Beef Fillet — Non Solo Pizza
Hearty, beautifully-cooked and full of mouth-watering flavour, Non Solo Pizza’s aged beef fillet is a must on any winter warming list. Proving the power of simple foods done perfectly, this beloved dish pairs its expertly-prepared meat with slow-roasted tomatoes, crispy polenta and a healthy dose of garlic butter, for good measure.

Cotto, Cazador.

Maltagliati & Beef Cheek Ragu — Cotto
Cotto’s seasonal pasta dishes have all of the makings of winter classics, and the restaurant’s refined approach keeps the offering elevated. Here, mouthwatering beef cheek ragu is combined with fresh handmade pasta, peppercorns and guanciale to offer the perfect medley of warmth, comfort and flavour.

Braised Boar — Cazador
Dominion Road’s Cazador is renowned for its approach to meat that is second to none in this city. With a delicious menu and cosy interior perfectly suited to winter, Cazador boasts a range of options that will warm the soul this season, but its braised boar with saffron fazzoletti, red wine, juniper, tomato and rosemary is one of our favourites.

Ricotta Tortellacci, Pumpkin, Sage, Pancetta — Ortolana
Offset rainy days by cosying up in the pillowy fit-out of Ortolana to enjoy this delicious ricotta tortellacci. The classically warming combination of pumpkin and sage hits the perfect note, making this dish must for anyone seeking some lunchtime comfort on cold days.

Aegean Island Goat — Lokanta
Grey Lynn’s Lokanta is a hidden gem, beloved for its homely take on Mediterranean cuisine, and its Aegean Island Goat is a must-try. A traditional, beautiful dish of braise-roasted goat served with barley risotto and caramelised carrot and soaked in pan juices, it is exactly this kind of tasty goodness we want to eat right now.

Mumbaiwala, Federal Delicatessen.

Murgh Makhani (with Garlic Naan) — Mumbaiwala
When it’s cold outside, few things hit the spot like a butter chicken. At Mumbaiwala, the elevated take on Indian cuisine provides the perfect comfort. Murgh Makhani is a traditional take on butter chicken (and so good that we are ruined for others), served with impossibly tender chicken pieces in a rich silk (Makhani) sauce with fresh tomatoes, sundried fenugreek and a side of satiating garlic naan.

Matzo Ball Soup — Federal Delicatessen
Known as the ‘Jewish Penicillin’, this particular type of chicken soup boasts the remarkable ability to make one feel like all is right with the world. The Fed’s take is truly delicious, and will indeed encourage this feeling of toasty wellbeing, served as it is with shredded chicken and bagel matzo balls, for a dish is destined to warm you from the inside out.

Alpine Merino Lamb Rump — Oyster & Chop
Viaduct Harbour’s Oyster & Chop is renowned for its cuts, and the Alpine Merino Lamb Rump can’t be faulted. Cooked to your definition of perfection, this is one of the best places for a steak in the city, and one that should not be looked past this season.

Gastronomy

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Van Bone Restaurant

Why every home needs one of Resident’s Kashmir chairs

Designer Simon James is known for creating pieces that offer sumptuous luxury with a subtle, restrained edge. In creating collections for his globally-renowned furniture label, Resident, James plays with ideas of elevated simplicity, timeless shapes and lasting materials to offer each of his furnishings an evergreen appeal.

Residence by Strand Properties and Auden Studio
Left: Residence by Katerina Volokhova. Right: Van Bone Restaurant.

Resident’s Kashmir chair and stool exemplify this and then some. So prolific have these styles become, in fact, that they can be found in some of the most impressive homes around the world, beloved for the pared-back elegance they bring to a space.

Rosedale No. 4 by Ali Budd Interiors
The Hotel Britomart
Left: Residence by Grigoriy Obolenskiy

Both the chair and stool boast a curved, steel frame that proves how impactful simple design can be, with slender, straight legs that offset a meticulously-stitched, tailored backrest—made to curve comfortably around the sitter. Despite their sparseness, the Kashmir chair and stool have been designed with comfort in mind, each version boasting a plush, upholstered seat that makes us forget any uncomfortable encounters we might have had with dining chairs or barstools in the past. Here, the rules have been re-written.

Able to be made in a wide variety of textures and colours, the Kashmir chair and stool will deliver a touch of simple sophistication to any kind of home. So why not make it yours?

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Mor is the online bakery delivering tantalising pastries to your door

As far as we’re concerned, the only thing better than a freshly-baked croissant in the morning, is a freshly-baked croissant that we don’t have to leave the house for. Which is exactly what this new, online ‘micro-bakery’ is offering — its delicate, delicious viennoiserie able to be ordered online and delivered tout de suite, so that we might enjoy our favourite French pastries from the comfort of home.

Called Mor (an appropriate name for a place of which we cannot get enough), the online bakery was started by friends Laura Metcalf and Kelsie Culpan, who met while studying patisserie in Auckland, before each doing a stint overseas. On reconnecting back in New Zealand earlier this year, the duo realised that they had a shared vision for opening their own place, and began to lay the foundations for what Mor would eventually become.

“We essentially wanted to make damn good pastries,” Laura tells me, “but we’d also like to create a sort of community I guess,” she says, divulging that there are a few pop-ups in the works to showcase Mor’s impressive offering. “There’s something so comforting about a freshly-baked pastry,” Laura continues (and I agree). “With Mor we are really focused on quality over quantity, so all the little details really matter to us… our goal has really been to give the classics a little extra oomph… which has meant playing with traditional flavour combinations and giving them a few unexpected twists.”

From Mor’s exceptional almond croissants (trust us, they’re some of the best in town), to its ever-changing monthly Danishes (the current flavour, Laura tells me, is poached pear and buttermilk custard with Manuka honey glaze), the line-up of tantalising baked goods from this small operation is impressive in flavour and scale.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChOsHjEL3mv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

And the process of ordering is very simple. Via Mor’s website, you can choose your preferred pastry and how many you’d like in your box (usually 4 or 6 or 10), and have it delivered between Thursdays and Sundays. While Mor does deliver to a range of Auckland postcodes, it still is only a two-woman operation, so if you fall outside the delivery zones, you can elect to pick up your goodies instead.

Offering an easy and practical service that we really didn’t know we needed until now, Mor is a welcome new addition that (despite having only opened recently) has fast become essential for any cosy weekend at home.

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Luxurious French beauty brand La Bouche Rouge has officially arrived in New Zealand for the first time

Literally translating to ‘red lips’ in French, La Bouche Rouge is a sumptuous, luxurious Parisian makeup brand that produces environmentally-responsible, natural formulas in refillable, recyclable, customisable cases — free from plastic. Since its launch in 2017, La Bouche Rouge has cemented its reputation via a number of high-profile collaborations with renowned designers and personalities (from The Attico to Rosie Huntington-Whitely) and now, the brand’s globally sought-after collections are available in New Zealand for the first time, thanks to luxury department store, Faradays.

La Bouche Rouge Lipstick from Faradays.

As the exclusive Australasian stockist of this exceptional brand, Faradays will now have a dedicated La Bouche Rouge beauty bar in its store, at which customers can experience the comprehensive range by booking make-up appointments (redeemable entirely on product). Each of La Bouche Rouge’s innovative, serum-infused makeup formulas is free from petrochemicals, toxins, plastic powder, micro-plastics, silicones, beeswax or preservatives. They are as clean as they are luxurious, and as effective as they are good for the skin.

Beyond the makeup alone, La Bouche Rouge’s refillable, fine leather cases (handmade using high-quality upcycled materials) offer a more personal touch that will please any lovers of considered design. In fact, customers can choose their case just like they choose their product, and will even be able to have their new La Bouche Rouge purchase personalised via Faradays’ very own monogramming machine (set to arrive in-store soon).

La Bouche Rouge Les Ombres Salton Compact and case from Faradays.

Proving that quality and sustainability need not be mutually exclusive, and with an ethos to incite people to ‘buy less, buy better’, the La Bouche Rouge range delivers beauty with purpose, which is exactly what people are seeking in their beauty cabinets now.

To celebrate this exciting arrival, we are giving one lucky Denizen and a friend the chance to win an exclusive La Bouche Rouge package. Worth over $3000, the winners will receive a complimentary makeup appointment each with a Faradays makeup artist at the La Bouche Rouge Beauty Bar and a full set of La Bouche Rouge cosmetics each, including…

  • A leather lipstick/baume case
  • A compact case (which holds eyeshadow, bronzer and highlighter refills) and a mascara case – all cases will be monogrammed with their initials
  • A lipstick or baume colour refill of their choice
  • A mascara refill
  • An eyeshadow refill of their choice
  • A bronzer refill
  • A highlighter refill
  • A kohl eyeliner
  • A brow gel

And, to top off the experience, you will both be treated to a glass of champagne and a sweet delight from Faraday’s Bar, along with a beautiful floral bouquet each from Grace and Flora in the La Bouche Rouge lipstick tones.

This competition is now closed.

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Embrace leather weather with the sleek jackets we are coveting this season

Few garments have remained a wardrobe staple quite like a leather jacket. Equal parts necessity and style statement, a leather jacket has always asserted itself (and will continue to do so) as a key piece for both the fashion set and those who apply a ’buy once, buy right’ philosophy to their wardrobes.

In its many iterations, the leather jacket is timeless, essential, and a provider of just the right balance of warmth and steeze. Be it in the more elegant and tailored shape of a blazer, or a rebellious take on the boxy biker silhouette, one should always consider the importance of adding a little leather to any look.

From the left: Leather Suit Jacket from Saint Laurent. Double-breasted leather jacket from Prada. Totême Double-breasted croc-effect leather blazer from Mytheresa. Embossed GG leather jacket from Gucci.

From the left: Bottega Veneta Leather coat from Mytheresa. Embossed Monogram Bomber Jacket from Louis Vuitton. Nanushka Hide Puffer Jacket from Muse Boutique.

From the left: Acne Studios Cropped Biker Jacket from Workshop. Biker Jacket from Dior. Suki Slinkskin Jacket from BONZ. Alexandre Vauthier Leather Biker Jacket from Faradays.

From the left: Aje Porta Nuova Trench Coat from Commercial Bay. Flare Hourglass Coat from Balenciaga.

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Meet Origine — the French bistro taking downtown dining to a whole new level

In an exciting development for Auckland’s downtown dining scene, a new hospitality destination has taken up residence in the space that used to be Saxon + Parole (in the heart of Commercial Bay), and it is officially opening its doors next Monday.

The brainchild of renowned chef, Ben Bayly and his wife Cara Bayly, alongside their Ahi co-owners, Chris Martin and his wife, Lucile Fortuna (a group who, combined, have five decades of experience in French-inspired cuisine), Origine bistro is the impressive culmination of their longstanding dream to open a French restaurant together — a place at which they hope to share their love for French food and culture with Auckland’s discerning diners.

From the left: Origine, afternoon. Gnocchi À La Parisienne.

“I adore the way the French love to eat,” Ben Bayly says, “they know how to enjoy a meal. We want to convey a sense of this with Origine — presenting the classics but in our own way”. This means getting rid of the white-table-cloth connotations that French cuisine might conjure for local diners by creating a more relaxed, traditional brasserie, where people can pop in for a quick drink and an aperitif, or indulge in a more drawn-out lunch or dinner.

Poisson Meunière.

Nowhere is this idea more clear than in Origine’s extensive menu, designed to showcase the best of regional French food, grounded in fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Here, the trifecta of French cooking comes alive — seasonality, terroir and technique — with dishes that are flavourful and unique without losing any of the richness or depth one might expect from a French dining experience. The menu is divided into hors d’oeuvres (snacks), à partager (to share), pour commencer (starters), plats principaux (mains), accompagnements (sides), les desserts, and fromages (cheese), and boasts a comprehensive ‘steak frites’ offering, an enticing line-up of ‘fruits de mer’ (seafood) and basically all of the classic dishes (although with a distinctly New Zealand twist). From soupe à l’oignon, enriched with oxtail and topped off with baguette grilled with comté to Les escargots in ravioli, with parsley butter and garlic velouté, the food at Origine is vast and varied and undeniably delicious. Here, there is something for everyone to enjoy, including the little ones, thanks to its ‘P’tit’ options, perfect for kids.

From the left: Huître champenoise et caviar. Poireaux vinaigrette des Halles.

It’s a similar story with Origine’s drink offering. In the main restaurant downstairs, diners can choose from an array of French wines, spirits and cocktails, sourced from the finest vineyards and made at the hands of Origine’s expert bar staff. While those seeking a more convivial night out will find good times and excellent cocktails upstairs, at ‘Le Bar.’ Set on the mezzanine floor, this sleek space serves a raft of cocktails curated by Ahi’s Anton Baylon and Egor Petrov (ex QT-bar), centred around the classics, as well as a series of bar snacks, charcuterie and cheeses.

From the left: Whiskey Sour. Le Bar at night.

All of this is to be enjoyed in Origine’s exquisite surrounds. Having been treated to a refit by the award-winning Jack McKinney Architects, the bistro feels warm and inviting, despite its 10-metre-high stud, floor-to-ceiling windows and elevated views. Distinctly French touches are seen in the wall of Austral Venetian glass bricks flanking the entrance (inspired by McKinney’s visit to Maison de Verre in Paris), the red leather banquette seating and the solid French oak floors. Just picture parking up here on a beautiful evening to watch the sunset over the water with a delicious drink in hand. Heaven.

And considering the experience of those involved in bringing Origine to life, including Executive Chef Thibault Peniarbelle, who was born in Noumea and grew up in Toulouse, and whose partner, Judika Ramcharand (born and raised in Montréal) has taken up the mantle of restaurant manager, its hardly surprising that we’re expecting great things from this bold new opening. Come next week, this is where you’ll find us.

The Restaurant will be open seven days for lunch from 12pm and dinner from 5:45pm until late.
Le Bar (upstairs bar) will be open Wednesday through to Sunday from 5pm until late
.

Origine

Level 2, Commercial Bay
172 Quay Street,
Auckland CBD

www.origine.nz

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Making a case for eclecticism, this fun Sydney penthouse is colourful, charming & chic

The vision for the Dream Weaver penthouse by YSG Studio was to be an expression of its experimental, open-minded owners, and a home that refused to play into contemporary trends. As such, the interiors are a kaleidoscopic cacophony of colour and texture, almost cinematic in scale, and pulling from a vast array of inspiration. From a nod to the tonal tiles found in traditional Spanish tapas bars to a material expression of the Northern Lights, to a futuristic, 2001 A Space Odyssey vibe with a twist of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavillion thrown in for good measure, Dream Weaver is rich and layered and full of life — which is really what all homes strive to be.

Here, there is a compelling tension created between the straightforwardness of the penthouse’s boxy construction and pared-back (but essential) glass facade and its “Pantone party” interiors, in which oversized soft furnishings, plush deep-piled rugs and swirling stone surfaces collide in unexpected harmony. And while the intriguing material layering offers a fascinating masterclass in courageous design, it also serves to demarcate the apartment’s spaces, lending depth and dimension via tactile warmth.

The home’s interior also benefits from its Darlinghurst location and floor-to-ceiling windows that not only offer unbeatable views across Sydney Harbour but act as conduits for natural light. As a result, the colours used here, from deep blue, red and purple, to splashes of citrusy orange, bright yellow, brass and soft pink, come alive when illuminated by the antipodean sun.

Really, the charm of this home lies in its disinterest in fitting into any kind of mould. And while there is a lot going on here, it miraculously never feels too much. (Such is the skill with which those at YSG Studio have ensured that everything feels perfectly balanced.) It is also refreshing to see a home in which fun and creativity have been allowed to take centre stage — a timely reminder of the wonderful things that can happen when our spaces truly reflect who we are.

Dita Stools from Grazia & Co.

Cipria Armchair by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra. Brand available locally from Design 55.

Grande Soffice Sofa by Edra. Brand available locally from Design 55.

Cortina Outdoor Armchair by Gordon Guillaumier for Minotti from ECC, Volley Loungers from Tait.
Harp chairs by Rodolfo Dordoni for Roda from ECC.

28 Series Pendant Lights by Bocci from ECC.

Saarinen Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll from Studio Italia and the 28 Series Pendant Lights by Bocci from ECC.

Press Mirror by Tim Webber from Tim Webber Design.

Design

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Three delicious dishes you need to try this weekend

Auckland’s dining landscape is rich and robust and ever-changing, thanks to the clever, culinary minds behind some of our favourite restaurants. And recently, a raft of new menus and delicious-looking dishes have been inspiring us to book a dinner out. From delicate, raw fish starters to impossibly-fluffy soufflé to a hearty, winter pies, these are the new dishes around town that we recommend tucking into this weekend.

Yellowfin tuna from Milenta
This popular Victoria Park restaurant (beloved for its focus on wood-fired flavours) has recently launched a new menu, offering a raft of perfectly-cooked meats and rich, smokey flavours that showcase why (despite not even being open a full year yet), this spot has become a steadfast foodie favourite. And between the new grilled chicken with salsa macha and red pepper hummus, and the Chatham Island Blue Cod in banana leaf with banana and Amarillo curry, it is the delicate flavours of the yellowfin tuna with tiradito, onion ash salt, white soy and habanero oil that has captured our attention — light and refreshing but full of flavour.

Chicken, mushroom and leek pie from Hotel Ponsonby
Nothing beats tucking into a robust pie on a cool winter’s day, which is something the clever, culinary minds at Hotel Ponsonby are recognising with their indulgent new dish. Part of Hotel Ponsonby’s exceptional new menu, the chicken, mushroom and leek pie is an elevated take on the classic comfort food, from its flavourful filling to its golden pastry. Best enjoyed with a crisp beer or a glass of red and some of Hotel Ponsonby’s tasty new sides (think yams in brown butter and salsa verde or parsnips with Granny Smith apples and hazelnuts).

Soufflé from Bar Magda
Inspired by owner, Carlo Buenaventura’s favourite childhood snack, Bar Magda’s new soufflé is something you seriously need to try. A unique take on ube puto — a traditonal Filipino steamed rice cake made from purple yams — this dish combines its uber-soft texture and subtle, earthy sweetness with aged Waikato cheese, sherry Anglaise and coconut cream. A showcase of the culinary creativity that has cemented this Cross Street spot one of our absolute favourites, this soufflé is unlike anything you will have tried before.

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Negroni but not as you know it, this brand is giving the classic cocktail a barrel-aged twist

It was after visiting a New York bar that specialised in barrel-aged Negronis, that Al White started to consider how to create his own version back home. Now, the Negroni-enthusiast and his wife, Lisa, have launched Bariletto, a new, local drinks company that offers by-the-bottle, or by-the-barrel Negronis made from their own, original recipe and aged to perfection in specialty barrels.

As Lisa White tells me, the process to get Bariletto’s offering right, was painstaking. “We were gifted a small oak barrel which, over a few years was our constant companion on holidays and at dinner parties,” White explains, “we tested many different combinations of premium gin, sweet vermouth and, of course, Campari, before settling on the optimal blend that worked for our ageing process.” Bariletto’s barrels were also a journey to find, with White telling me that they eventually landed on handmade barrels by expert coopers in an Eastern European village (who had been crafting barrels since 1932) and that as a result, no two are the same.

And while some might bristle at the idea of altering such a classic drink, in reality, barrel-ageing actually brings a lot to the Negroni’s already-powerful nature, offering a rich, opulent quality that adds to the cocktail’s depth. “To ensure the contents don’t get over-oaked, our oak barrels take a long time to prepare before we put the Negroni in,” White explains, “they all have a heavy char that works to give the Negronis delicious smokey notes and hints of vanilla… it also makes the Negronis ever-so-slightly syrupy and a lot smoother on the palate.”

Alongside selling bottles of its aged Negroni, Bariletto also offers five- and ten-litre oak barrels for those seeking something a little more involved. Not only do these barrels get better with age (allowing you to experience their flavour changes over time) but Bariletto also offers re-fills of pre-aged Negroni by the litre, making it a more economical option for those who typically opt for a Negroni as their drink of choice.

So whether you already love Negronis or are someone who is wanting to try something new, Bariletto’s unique offering is a must-try. Its barrels also make the perfect gift for someone who might be harder to buy for. “Our Negroni has turned many a non-Negroni drinker into a Negroni-lover,” White tells me, “and so far, we’ve had amazing feedback… these drinks really are something special.” Having sipped on a glass of the good stuff myself, I have to agree.

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Here’s why NZ’s first net carbon-zero drycleaners is the only place to trust with your clothes

Everyone drycleans. Be it your regular laundry preference or a more occasional service, reserved for expensive suits and luxury gowns, regular trips to the drycleaner are unavoidable. And while nothing else is as effective at reviving a beautiful garment, there can be an ugly side to this service; where historically, harsh chemicals and single-use products have been required in the cleaning process, significantly impacting the planet (and the quality of our clothes too). That said, not all drycleaners are created equal, and recently, our longstanding go-to, Regal Drycleaners, was officially announced as the country’s only certified zero carbon outfit, so now, our conscience can be as clean as our clothes.

Despite its long history as the leading drycleaner in Auckland, Regal’s recent acquisition of an Ekos Certification (a New Zealand-based measurable and verifiable standard) really cements our trust in the brand’s ethos. It has been a rigorous road to reach this point, but this status now means that an independent body has observed the carbon emissions within each element of the company’s business activities. And in instances where Regal was unable to change its processes to be more eco-conscious, efforts have, instead, been directed towards fully offsetting its carbon footprint by supporting the Babatana Rainforest Project in the Pacific Islands.

But it’s where changes have been made that is the exciting and industry-disrupting part. Unnecessary packaging is a thing of the past, with single-use plastic garment bags banned entirely, and biodegradable film only offered as an optional extra, giving the power of choice back to the customer (something that should really be the new standard). In addition, there is also an offer of a reusable garment bag, which can become your new drycleaning regular (and doubles as a laundry bag when you’re ready to take everything back again). To add to that, the Couture Care service (the only service we would use for our most precious pieces) offers wooden hangers instead of the typical plastic.

As far as the chemical impact is considered, there are many benefits to using Regal’s cleaning processes — the gentler solutions help our beloved garments last longer. This limits potential textile waste and avoids toxic chemicals that some other drycleaners use (that have been shown to harm the planet, as well as the workers exposed to them daily).

Continuing in the vein of maximising the lifespan of our clothes, Regal’s specialised restoration services will bring pieces that we might have written off (and thrown out) back to life, and the company also offers a free pick-up and delivery service, which (in addition to being utterly convenient) tackles the cumulative carbon emissions of our individual, sole-purpose trips to drop off dry-cleaning.

With all of these thoughtful additions considered, it makes sense that Regal is our drycleaner of choice. And, given that the brand was voted the best in the city by our readers in last year’s Everyday Heroes, it’s safe to say that whenever we need drycleaning done, there’s only one place we’ll be calling.

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How this personalised vitamin service will revolutionise the way you take supplements

As we face down the various winter flus that are coming at us from all directions, it is this time of the year in particular that simple wellness habits are paramount. And one daily ritual that often is forgotten is a simple dose of vitamins — with all the essential nutrients needed to maintain optimal health and fill in any nutrient gaps in your diet.

In a bid to Marie Kondo our bathroom cabinets, we have been searching for supplement solutions that reduce our need for bottles and bottles of pills that, honestly, we don’t even know if our body actually needs. We’ve recently discovered Vitable — a company that is revolutionising the way people take their vitamins via a personalised system that is now available to New Zealanders too.

Vitable makes taking vitamins almost a novel concept. Its process begins with an expert quiz to understand a bit more about your current health and lifestyle habits before (only moments later) an expert-informed algorithm recommends a bespoke combination of daily supplements in the correct dose for you. Your recommendation is fully tailored to what your body needs, out of 1.2 million possible vitamin combinations. With rationale for how each supplement would benefit you clearly explained, the monthly supplies are curated and your bespoke monthly vitamins are custom formulated, just for you. But what makes this brand a cut above the rest is the ways in which it has collaborated with pharmacists, naturopaths, nutritionists and other health experts to leverage the latest, most effective products, ensuring that every recommendation is of the highest quality and offers the most efficient results.

Essentially, Vitable’s core offering is based on your daily needs. Your supplements are delivered each month in personalised daily vitamin sachets, providing just the right amount of nutrients you need each morning, and leaving nothing to be desired. It is simple, targeted, sustainable and efficient.

We get that some may consider a concept like this potentially wasteful, which is why Vitable prides itself on carbon neutrality. The plastic-free daily sachets are actually compostable at home (made from sustainably-harvested eucalyptus trees), so you’re replacing all those plastic bottles on your bench for a sustainable alternative. The sachets are made even more easily dispensable thanks to the addition of a chic, neutral tin — the perfect place in which to store your daily doses and clear all the clutter.

So if you are looking to up the ante when it comes to your health and implement a foolproof daily supplement regime, Vitable’s offering is the perfect place to start, and the brand is offering Denizen readers an exclusive $100 off the first four months. Take the online quiz and start your journey to daily health here.

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Taco Medic has opened a delicious outpost in Auckland’s CBD, just in time for summer

Since setting up its first North Island taqueria on Ponsonby Road earlier this year, Taco Medic (originally from Queenstown) has become a go-to for those seeking simple, tasty food and a lively atmosphere — its popularity proved by its always-busy locations. That said, there is always plenty to go around, especially today as Taco Medic opens the doors to a second Auckland outpost on Quay Street — the next in a long line of Mexican diners to come.

Furthering Taco Medic’s fiesta vibe, this new waterfront eatery clearly has summer on its mind, with a courtyard that overlooks the harbour and a frozen margarita menu that is hard to rival. But on top of the new offerings from Taco Medic, including a bar and a raft of new dishes, it is the classics that we expect to see diners coming back for time and time again.

It’s Taco Medic’s commitment to the cuisine that makes it so adored. One hundred percent gluten-free tacos are made and prepared in-store, with flavours like the Adobo Chicken and the Al Pastor being some of the most popular (alongside an abundance of plant-based offerings). “It all starts with our fresh handmade tortillas, making all of our products in-house, great quality meats, fresh fish and topped with our selection of house-made hot sauces,” Co-Founder Robbie McGillivray shares with me. “The final part of the recipe is love and passion for great food.”

Thanks to its steadfast dedication to bringing quality tacos to the masses, Taco Medic Quay Street is one destination we will happily welcome, and with summer just around the corner, we’re predicting that this spot will swiftly become popular with city-slickers seeking mouthwatering food and a laid-back, convivial atmosphere.

This competition is now closed.

Taco Medic Quay Street

188 Quay Street,
Auckland CBD, Auckland

www.tacomedic.co.nz

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Gray’s is the cute new cafe, shop and soon-to-be wine bar that should be on your radar

Remaining at the forefront of some of the most talked-about new openings in town (see Ooh-Fa and Famous Eddy) Dominion Road is drawing us down its lively, food-filled stretch again this week, with the opening of Gray’s — a charming new spot that everyone should visit.

Located across the road from Cazador, Gray’s Wine Bar boasts a refined, understated frontage that gives way to a cosy, light-filled interior. Officially opened last week (after a couple of covid-related delays) this cute new space is a coffee-shop-wine-bar hybrid, with the welcome addition of a small vintage and artisan-goods shop, designed to be perused while you pick at your pain au chocolat.

It seems like the kind of space that would come together after years of thought and planning, and yet, according to its owners Daniel Nisbet and Grayson Dauphin, Gray’s was started on a whim. When the friends saw a space for lease, they initially thought, ‘someone better put a wine bar there’, before the thought process shifted to, ‘why not us?’

Some lease politics later, the duo was finally given the space of their dreams — 771 Dominion Road — and while they wait for their liquor licence to come through, they have created a space that serves multiple purposes, which actually gives Gray’s its point of difference. “We are not seeking to be one thing,” Nisbet reflects. “Hopefully, this means that no one thing is our ‘tent pole’, so we are freer to explore all the interesting parts of running a space. We can connect with lots of different people, like our sellers, which helps extend our reach, and ultimately create a space full of cool things and people we can be proud of.”

And that is the epitome of Gray’s offering. Rich Coffee Roasters coffee and Messy Kitchen Bakes goods by day and soon, beautiful wines by night. The curation of shoppable goods is available at any time. So while we wait for the outpost to open its after-dark offering, it is a gorgeous daytime venue in which we will happily post up for our daily coffee and a tasty baked treat (or two). We should expect any future evolutions of Gray’s Wine Bar to happen just as organically as its inception, be that live music in the basement or an expansion of the retail element — we’re only too eager to see what the future holds.

Opening hours:
Tuesday — Friday, 7.30am until 3pm
Saturday — Sunday 8am until 3pm
Closed Mondays.

Gray's Wine Bar

771 Dominion Road,
Mount Eden, Auckland

www.instagram.com/grayswinebar

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Meet Ooh-Fa: The pizza and wine bar from the city’s favourite pasta chefs

When Pici’s cacio e pepe was voted Auckland’s best dish earlier this year, it really came as no surprise. Since the St Kevin’s Arcade restaurant opened two years ago, it has become a beloved addition to the city’s burgeoning Italian culinary scene. Founded by Jono Thevenard, Kazuya Suzuki and Gemma Hareb, the concept of Pici was somewhere that served simple, humble and delicious food — and at its core, the concept of their new restaurant is much the same.

Last year Fraser Childs joined the Pici team, and while his talents most certainly include pasta, his first love (of 10 years) was authentic woodfired pizzas. It was a concept that the collective was only too happy to explore. Today they officially open the doors to their new Dominion Road restaurant, Ooh-Fa, a neighbourhood pizzeria specialising in unspeakably delicious fermented sourdough pizzas and exquisite wines.

“Pizza is often perceived as fast food,” Hareb tells me. “However, there is a long process involved that people don’t often consider. Fermentation of our sourdough will be at least 72 hours, so making sourdough pizzas becomes an art. There is a connection between the maker and the dough, a living organism.”

Perhaps, for this reason, the attention to detail, Ooh-Fa feels like a step up from the pizza joints we are used to. With a comfortable, warm atmosphere, thanks to its woodfire oven and a local feel, the 22-seater restaurant is the perfect neighbourhood spot to drop into and catch up with friends over a slice or two and some delectable wine.

“We are really focused on keeping this an intimate wine bar and restaurant,” explains Hareb. “While there are many spots to get pizza in Tāmaki Makaurau, there aren’t many really focused on a wine bar setting. We want this space to be a welcoming neighbourhood vibe — one you’d go for a no-fuss pizza and a glass of wine, or you can go all out for a special evening.”

Bringing in the essence of traditional flavours, Ooh-Fa’s offerings are far from the norm. The focus on fermentation also goes beyond the bases alone, with small snacks available like pickled cauliflower, carrots, beetroot and onion served with bagna gauda.

Hero pizzas include those we would expect, like the marinara (with tomato, garlic, and oregano plus added stracciatella) or a seasonally-inspired cavolo nero with Italian sausage, mozzarella and oregano. An unlikely crowd favourite? The woodfired carrots with whipped ricotta and pistachios — a simple side that everyone needs to try.

And to further distance its offering from the traditional pizza experience, Ooh-Fa won’t be doing takeaways. The owners agree their pizzas are best enjoyed straight out of the oven, in the restaurant’s cosy, hospitable surrounds — with the Front of House led with inimitable care and grace by Sha Singh (a former Hero Sandwich House star).

Ooh-Fa’s playful approach to ferments also extends to its drinks menu, where a curation of wines perfectly complement the kitchen’s offerings. Selected by James Pain of Pici notoriety (a familiar face also from this year’s Hospo Heroes), the list draws inspiration from mostly natural wines, with a focus on New Zealand and Italian grape varietals where the inspiration calls for it. And to round out any meal here perfectly, the kitchen is making its own gelato — the best ending to a night of pizza and wine.

With snaps of the soft opening making waves across social media over the last week, today marks the official opening day with a party to celebrate tonight. The first official night of service will be Wednesday the 10th of August, and the restaurant will be operating at a 50% booking, 50% walk-in capacity. If you ask us, this celebration marks the beginning of a legacy destination, and a new go-to for the best pizza in the city.

Ooh-Fa

357 Dominion Road,
Mount Eden, Auckland

www.instagram.com/oohfa__

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Powersurge is having a special sale, and these are all the pieces we’re coveting

Renowned for the unique way it bridges engineering and art, Powersurge studio has built its reputation on creating exquisite brass and metal-work for both private homes and public or commercial spaces, with pieces that deliver warmth, depth and a sophisticated design edge that is both tactile and commanding in a space.

Left: Arc Mirror in solid brass. Right: Loop Mirror in solid brass.

From grand metal and brass centrepieces like coffee tables, mirrors and lighting fixtures to smaller, more decorative pieces like trays, handles, hooks and vases, Powersurge’s range is vast and varied, offering something to suit any area or taste, and reminding us that it really is in the details that an interior comes alive.

Left: Lito Dual Trio light in solid brushed brass. Right: Lito Dual Trio light in dark antiquated brass.

Now, thanks to the lauded brand’s imminent (and much-anticipated) sale, getting our hands on one of Powersurge’s exquisite pieces has never been easier. And given that this is the second sale Powersurge has ever undertaken, we suggest taking full advantage of this rare occurance.

Left: Sun Tray in solid brass and hand-finished with a clear, satin lacquer. Right: Beam Handle in cylindrical brass.

For anyone who is already part of Powersurge’s database, the brand’s unmissable VIP sale is on right now, in which those who qualify will get 25% off lighting and mirrors (some of Powersurge’s most recognisable pieces) until midnight on Sunday the 7th of August.

Otherwise, starting from Monday the 8th of August and running for a week, everything on the Powersurge website will be available at 15% off. So, if there is something you’ve been eying up for a while, or you feel in need of an interior refresh, this is the perfect opportunity to pick up a special piece to treasure forever.

Design

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Louis Armstrong.

These are the fascinating new docos to add to your watch list now

Never has there been a better time to tuck into a little light watching that contributes to your broader trivia knowledge, or acts as an impetus for fun conversation starters at winter dinner parties. From religious cults to fashion pioneers, these are the documentaries that we’re watching right now.

Keep Sweet: Prey and Obey
A four-part documentary surrounding the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism, and its current leader Warren S. Jeffs. Watch on Netflix

Black & Blues – The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong’s distinctive voice is globally renowned, but his backstory is less talked about. In a fascinating new documentary, director Sacha Jenkins pulls back the curtain on the musician’s life and legacy. Watch on Apple TV+

Quant
Mary Quant, a trailblazing fashion rebel forever ahead of her time in the 1960s set the tone for fashion generations to come. In this documentary, audiences peer into the iconoclast’s mind over the decades and how she inspired individuality in fashion as we know it today. With appearances from those closest to her, this documentary is sure to breathe new life and inspiration into your closet. Watch in cinemas from August 18th

Prehistoric Planet
From Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth comes a docuseries of epic proportions. Narrated by David Attenborough and scored by Hans Zimmer, Prehistoric Planet transports viewers back 66 million years to paint a picture of what the Earth would have looked like when dinosaurs roamed the land, sea and sky. Watch on Apple TV+

The Velvet Queen
Photographer Vincent Munier and writer Sylvain Tesson document their mission to catch a glimpse of a rare snow leopard in Tibet. Uncovering parts of the natural world we don’t often see, The Velvet Queen has been described as a ‘lyrical nature film more concerned with soulfulness than spectacle’, and delivers remarkable insight into the world around us, and why we need to start taking the future of the planet seriously. Watch in cinemas now

The Girl in the Picture
A young mother’s mysterious death and her son’s kidnapping blows open the door to a frightening story full of twists and turns that delve into the woman’s true identity and the federal fugitive at the heart of it all. With a stranger-than-fiction story that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, this true crime doco is the genre at its finest. You won’t be able to tear your eyes away.

Culture

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Satya.

In need of inspiration? Satisfy every craving with our round-up of the best takeaways in town

Throughout lockdown level 3, we in Auckland have been lucky enough to have a seriously comprehensive amount of takeaways available to enjoy at home. However, when the hunger stakes are high, indecision haunts the best of us. If you can narrow down what genre of food you feel like (pizza or dumplings for example, or perhaps Middle Eastern or Japanese), then this list is here to help you find the best places to get said meal. Forget cardboardy pizza and stale burgers, these restaurant-quality bites make staying home a delicious endeavour, all while still supporting your favourite operators.

Non Solo Pizza.

Craving pizza?

Parnell institution Non Solo Pizza isn’t just about long lunches in its Tuscan-inspired courtyard, during level 3 it’s also offering its namesake woodfired pizza to-go. Order online via the Savor Goods website. When nothing but a big, bodacious New York pie will do, Epolito’s Pizzeria has both delivery and takeaway covered. The lemon, artichoke and parmesan pizza is a work of art. For more enticing slices, head to our round-up of the best takeaway pizzas in town.

Craving Indian?

There are few cuisines that complement a cosy night at home quite like Indian, so it’s lucky indeed that 1947 offers both takeaway and delivery for those seeking its contemporary yet authentic fare. From bang bang butter chicken to curry chips, mouthwatering biryani and juicy tandoori options, enjoying 1947 at home sounds a lot like heaven. If your tastebuds are luring you further south, Satya’s South Indian specialities such as dosa and idli hit the spot. Add a side of dahi puri and you’re away. Discover more indian food and hidden gems and trusted favourites in our round-up of the best Indian eateries in town.

Paasha Turkish Kitchen.

Craving Middle Eastern?

Far from your average 2am kebab, Fatima’s exceptional takeaway offering secured the highly competitive top spot for ‘Best Cheap and Cheerful’ in last year’s Denizen Hospo Heroes. The pitas, chawarmas and salads hit the spot every time — whatever you order, a side of potato koftas is mandatory. If Turkish is what you desire, hotfoot it to Paasha Turkish Kitchen on Dominion Road. Fresh, authentic and brimming with flavour, its smokey grilled meats, creamy hummus and excellent vegetarian options make it a certified favourite with team Denizen. There are a variety of other delectable Middle Eastern takeaways on offer right now from the Iikes of Gemmayze St and Ima who don’t normally do them. Find the whole list here.

Hello Beasty.

Craving dumplings?

Great news folks Hello Beasty’s alluring fusion fare is generously available for takeaway too. We can’t go past the savoy cabbage, water chestnut and tofu dumplings which can be found within its Vegetarian Dinner Pack. You’ll also find us regularly calling on Sandringham’s Tianze Dumpling House for a hunger-busting serve of 20 of its finest dumplings — which you can get takeaway or delivered. We’ll have the prawn, pork and chives numbers fried, please. Can’t get enough? Discover our guide to the best dumplings in town.

Lowbrow. Burgers and fried chicken.

Craving burgers?

It’s very lucky indeed that Lowbrow offers its sandos (a.k.a burgers) for takeaway and delivery, giving us an extra opportunity to chow down at home. Specialising in cheeky takes on beloved fast-food favourites, the MacDaddy and O-Fush may seem familiar in principle, but once that first bite hits, the comparison ends. Elevated to delicious new heights, these sandos will have you forgetting all about those that came before them. For more unforgettable buns, see our round-up of the best takeaway burgers in town.

Eden Noodles.

Craving noodles?

Where do we begin with noodles? From ramen to some of the city’s greatest hits, Auckland’s noodle options are second to none. Eden Noodles‘ dan dan noodles have practically reached icon status, where elsewhere we rate Selera‘s seafood laksa, Xi’An‘s hand-pulled numbers and North Shore hero Basu Lounge‘s dry and soup noodles (the beef noodle soup is a particular highlight). Thoughtful operators will package your takeaway noodles and soup separately, so you avoid a soggy situation when you transport your goods home.

Oji Sushi.

Craving Japanese?

If sushi is what you crave, Oji Sushi’s newly-opened Britomart location is perfect for grabbing a pack to-go — it’s open for takeaways Thursday to Sunday 11am to 2pm, or order family-sized sushi platters online here. Sister restaurant Ebisu also has its delicious fare on offer including the famous Ebi Mayo roll, plus an Omakase (chef’s choice) menu. From Jervois Road, Janken is doing dinner deliveries for Herne Bay, Westhaven, St Mary’s Bay, Ponsonby, Freemans Bay, and part of Westmere, on Uber Eats. Order for a meal that combines the deliciousness of traditional Japanese cuisine with healthy, local produce. Find the rest of the best Japanese takeaways in town here.

FishSmith.

Craving fish and chips?

Predictable we know, but we can’t seem to get enough of Herne Bay favourite FishSmith. From the supremely fresh fish to the twice-fried chips, grilled fish tacos, wholesome salads and irresistible sides such as battered haloumi and smoked salmon fish cakes, FishSmith ticks all our boxes for a Friday night fish and chip feast. Catch a Fish on Parnell’s Gladstone Road is also high on our list, offering all the classics alongside its tasty rolls and burgers.

Yeah Bowl.

Craving something healthy?

When nothing but good old-fashioned nourishment is in order, Food Truck Garage is a go-to for obvious reasons. From the popular burger bowls (with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options available) to wraps, plus sides like burnt broccoli and kumara chips, the menu at this City Works Depot staple was designed to leave you feeling wholesome indeed and is available via click and collect, Uber Eats or phone order. Over K’ Road ways, the team at Yeah Bowl is open until 9pm, offering build-your-own poke bowls and signature flavours for takeaway and delivery.

Amano.

Craving pasta?

The pasta masters at Amano offer some of their most famous dishes, hot to take away — available for order via its Grocer service. Take your pick from scampi chimaera or shorthorn beef and Hampshire pork Bolognese on tagliatelle, spaghetti cacao e pepe and more. Plus, the likes of beef carpaccio, burrata and the mozzarella focaccia di recco. Pasta is undoubtedly one of the greatest comfort foods there is — for more comforting takeaways, consult our list here.

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Famous Eddy is the weekend-only spot serving some of the best brunch in the city

Aucklanders who know the virtue of weekend brunch in all its beloved forms might be no stranger to Famous Eddy. But we’ve done some digging for those yet to discover the joys of this under-the-radar food truck. Capturing the attention of foodies across the city, Famous Eddy’s indulgent, on-the-go brunch options are a welcome sight. And having seen them littered across our feeds on Saturday and Sunday mornings, we simply had to know more.

Famous Eddy was the nickname given to Eddy Janchinorat by his former boss at Rude Boy Deli and Winona Forever. The talented chef is no stranger to brunch fare, having led the kitchens at Just Like Martha before purchasing a food truck and setting up his own weekend shop in a garage just off Dominion Road.

Here, alongside Jenny Siangphloen (a food science student), he marries his two food loves. Menu items like the pork belly sandwich (the perfect combination of double-smoked, thick-cut pork belly teriyaki, a sunny side up egg, paired with Japanese slaw and Big Mac sauce, served on a grilled brioche) and the croffle fried chicken benedict (white balsamic hollandaise and cajun spiced buttermilk fried chicken served on a waffle-croissant hybrid with red wine pickled onion) are evidence alone of his culinary creativity — and it is one that crowds can’t get enough of.

Given the indulgent nature of Famous Eddy’s fare, we’re almost grateful that it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays (saving our waistbands somewhat). The food truck concept makes it perfect for a brunch to grab and go, but there are tables should you choose to grab a coffee and stay a while longer. With rumours from Janchinorat himself of an expansion into a nighttime offering on the horizon, this is a spot we’re grateful we’ve discovered before it completely takes flight.

Opening hours:
Saturday — Sunday, 8am until 5pm.

Famous Eddy

660 Dominion Road,
Mount Eden, Auckland

www.instagram.com/famouseddy120

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

Everything you need to know about delicious new Japanese-inspired eatery, Pikuniku

The latest addition to our already impressive roster of delicious neighbourhood eateries comes in the form of Pikuniku, offering a playful take on the idea of a Japanese picnic, and offering all things delicious and joyful to the community of Greenlane (and beyond).

From the group that brought Aucklanders the likes of &Sushi and the nearby Slowlane (another delicious Greenlane eatery worth discovering), Pikuniku is a fun and fresh take on the traditional cafe, and it is one that we can’t help but adore.

Immediately, upon stepping into the spacious interior (courtesy of design studio Millé) it is clear that the owners wanted to create a warm, inviting space that feels modern and fresh. Warm-coloured walls meet beautiful, of-the-moment furnishings, while a dedicated ice-cream counter serving fresh scoops of Kohu Road offers a cutesy touch.

Just like all of the group’s other outposts, the food at Pikuniku is definitely worth celebrating. Taking the idea of traditional brunch and giving it a decidedly Japanese twist, Pikuniku’s menu is deliciously indulgent and full of flavour. Despite only soft-opening last week, firm crowd favourites already include the Tako Omurice (an omelette-fried rice hybrid), the Smoked Salmon Soba (with salmon that will melt in your mouth) and of course, the Matcha Croffle (a croissant-waffle hybrid) — which is poised to become one of Pikuniku’s hero dishes.

Whether you’re taking the kids for something sweet, or looking for a nearby brunch to rest your Sunday morning head, Pikuniku is an utterly cute addition to its Great South Road corner, and somewhere worth travelling to if you don’t live in the area.

Opening hours:
Monday — Friday, 7am until 3.30pm
Saturday — Sunday, 7.30am until 3.30pm

Pikuniku

167 Great South Road,
Greenlane, Auckland

www.instagram.com/pikunikunz

Gastronomy

Long live the long lunch: Ki Māha for King’s Birthday
Why SkyCity’s DELISH is Auckland’s most comforting culinary event this winter
K’ Road’s newest café doubles as a quietly cool concept store

See how RevitaLash Cosmetics’ new mask will give you the healthiest brows and lashes of your life

Lately, as trends tilt towards brow lifts and lash lifts (essentially micro perms), innovative products are becoming a mainstay in my arsenal for healthy, fluffy brows and strong, flexible lashes.

Between swiping RevitaLash Advanced on my lashes and RevitaBrow Advanced on my brows, my lashes and brows have never looked so healthy. But the latest addition to my collection promises some of the most coveted conditioning yet. Launched today, the RevitaLash Cosmetics Lash & Brow Masque is a physician-developed treatment that addresses visible signs of compromised lashes and brows, both immediately and in the long-term. This is a nutrient-rich, hero product for those beauty addicts all too familiar with over-styling, daily make-up usage and the damage caused by environmental stressors.

While the famous serums from the brand are designed to condition the hairs, this new treatment focuses more on immediate hydration. Using the Tri-Flora Complex (a blend that includes ginseng, gleditsia and white nettle) alongside ingredients like vitamin E and biotin, the masque works to repair and restore lash and brow health.

This new masque has been in the works for some time, designed to complement the purpose-focused products RevitaLash Cosmetics has been developing and curating for some years while meeting the growing needs of their fans. “We knew it was important to offer a treatment that works in tandem with [our other products] to repair and restore while also delivering hydration for strong, shiny, healthy lashes and brows — and especially so as consumers continue to seek out lash and brow services that can cause damage,” says RevitaLash Cosmetics President and Global CMO, Lori Jacobus.

But perhaps RevitaLash Cosmetics’ most impressive claim to notoriety is that all the products we have tried actually work; sadly often a rarity in the beauty industry, where lofty claims are made without the technology or evidence to back them up. But in the 15 years since its inception, RevitaLash Cosmetics continues to impress the Denizen office by living up to its promises. So we know that this next addition promises nothing short of greatness.

RevitaLash Lash & Brow Masque will be available nationwide from the 15th of August.

Wellbeing

The grounding movement may just be one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your mental and physical health
Eight nourishing foods to support your immunity
The next-generation toxin promising speed, subtlety and rare staying power