Try as we might, there are some outposts that make sticking to a healthy diet difficult. This week’s vice? Gourmet American hot dogs, courtesy of Ponsonby Central’s newest opening. As of last week, The Dog Spot has been our go-to purveyor of this beloved snack — and trust us, once you try them, you won’t go back.
The tour de force, of course, is the sausages, which hail from the award-winning Westmere Butcher. From there, each hot dog is inspired by an international flavour. From Texas to Tijuana, they’re all just as indulgent as the next. Call us classic, but we tend to lean towards the Frankfurt, topped with caramelised onions, sauerkraut and mustard. But we’ve been known to be partial to a side of loaded fries too…
And what’s a hot dog without a milkshake? The Dog Spot’s iterations are topped with churros to really round out the palette. Because, after all, if you’re going to dip your toes in, why not embrace the cuisine entirely? Beloved by our Editor-in-chief and her young children, The Dog Spot is another welcome addition to Ponsonby Central’s already impressive stable — and one you need to try before the word gets out.
Is there a new opening you believe should be on our radar? Let us know at [email protected]
The Dog Spot
Ponsonby Central,
4 Brown Street,
Ponsonby, Auckland
Should you find yourself on a jaunt across the Tasman in the coming months, might we suggest a night or two in the tropical capital of Brisbane for a luxury staycation? Often overlooked in favour of Melbourne’s arts and Sydney’s beaches, Brisbane is swiftly making a mark on the Australian landscape — the Fortitude Valley postcode drawing crowds for its burgeoning arts and hospitality scene. The crown jewel is none other than The Calile Hotel, an urban oasis that feels more akin to something found in Palm Springs than the sticky heat of South East Queensland.
But at this James Street address, it is paradise found — a hotel you’ll simply never want to leave. Built around a gorgeous central pool, with cabanas, day beds and inspired Greek cuisine delivered at a moment’s notice, it is the epitome of laid-back luxury. At The Calile, leisure and wellbeing sit at the heart of the experience.
Boasting some of the City’s most popular dining experiences on-site and a world-class spa and wellness centre, the only thing more relaxing is its utterly gorgeous rooms. There, swathes of linen and simple, sophisticated interiors set the tone for the ultimate escape, offering private spaces in which the world outside fades away. Although, with a number of luxurious boutiques at your doorstep, The Calile is the perfect base from which to explore Brisbane’s ever-growing offering. With Camilla and Marc and Dion Lee on James Street, alongside more than 100 other stores, this is a location spoilt for choice. But even if you never venture further than the poolside, it will have been a holiday well spent.
The olfactory powers of curated fragrance are quite remarkable. From conjuring seminal memories to transporting you to distant places, there is something to be said for considering your perfume as carefully as you do your clothes. And it is in that vein that we welcome a new fragrance to the fold — one that is poised to quickly become part of your daily rotation. Sunsets In Capri is the latest release from the lauded Glasshouse Fragrances, and is a formerly limited-edition sell-out that has now joined the brand’s permanent range.
Drawing inspiration from the romantic notes of a warm, Mediterranean evening, Sunsets in Capri was crafted by world-renowned perfumer, Steven Classie, and boasts layers of mandarin, peach, amber and salty, oceanic hints that evoke the heady sensation of being by the water. To take in this perfume’s complex, enchanting scent is to be transported to a European seaside, watching the dusky sun set below a vast expanse of blue.
Anyone familiar with Glasshouse Fragrances are likely to have already experienced Sunsets In Capri. The fragrance emerged as a limited-edition hero in both 2019 and 2020 (and quickly sold out both times). So the news that this beloved perfume will be added to the brand’s already-impressive permanent line-up was music to the ears of anyone who might be savouring the last of their limited-edition bottle.
Not only will Sunsets In Capri be available as an Eau de Parfum (in a variety of sizes), it will also come as a candle, a shower gel and a body lotion. And if that all weren’t enough, Glasshouse is launching two never-done-before scented products — a limited edition coffee-based body scrub and a rich body cream — both rendered in the scent of the moment.
With the new range officially available today, we’re considering its past success as a sign that it will soon be sure to sell out again. Our advice? Get in before the sun actually sets to secure your own little taste of an Italian getaway, one that you can enjoy from home.
A new wave of design — functional art — has seen the birth of pieces that are drawing the attention of the most esteemed collectors in the global art market. Functional art refers to aesthetic objects that serve a utilitarian purpose. It is a medium of art that doesn’t discriminate or exclude, which can inspire creative genius and embraces the fluidity of both art and industrial design to result in pieces that are unlike anything else.
The adornment of art-like attributes to furnishings adds personality and narrative to a space, alongside simply providing the owner with a point of difference — something that makes their home truly unique. And Bonham Art & Design was imagined with this singular purpose: to offer its clientele a unique take on furnishings that would transcend trends and be sought after for decades to come.
Earlier this year Bonham Group, one of the leading architecture and interior studios across New Zealand and Australia, launched Bonham Art & Design alongside Bonham Gallery. This brand evolution has seen it land exclusive access to some of the world’s best luxury furniture and functional art, bringing those pieces to the Australasian market for the first time.
From the left: Wrap Large By SkLO. Hive Lamp by J McDonald, both from Bonham Art & Design.
As pioneers of this functional art movement, Bonham Group is showcasing the rich potential of this new design frontier. Functional art is just starting to come into its own, offering a wellspring of rare and collectible pieces destined to become heirlooms for the next generation. And as we move away from old design trends, there seems to be more room for individual expression in interiors than ever before.
“A home should be a reflection of who a person is,” suggests Bonham Group founder Jason Bonham. “Collectable design is a way to illustrate this with unique and handmade pieces that are absolutely timeless. Collectable art and design is also an investment and passes from generation to generation as future heirlooms.”
After all, there’s nothing quite like having a piece in your home that is utterly unique and specific to your space. And where iconic design pieces or collections of art might have fit that brief in the past, now it’s a hybrid of the two that modern consumers seek.
“We’ve seen a huge shift in the purchasing mindset from our clients and their approach to good design,” Bonham shares. “They want to buy once, buy right, knowing that what they have appropriated is the best of the best.”
From the left: Moon Orchid Sconce shade by John Pomp Studios. Six Legged Chair By Troy Smith, both from Bonham Art & Design.
As far as names to know on the functional art scene, contemporary creators like J McDonald and Troy Smith are just a tiny taste of Bonham Art & Design’s stable, with a range of functional art pieces able to be experienced at the group’s new Bonham Gallery in Arrowtown. There is also space being carved out for collectable design on the global secondary art market, with coveted pieces now being included in auctions at Sotheby’s and Christie’s, which have uncovered the profitable potential of pieces that are rare and design-led.
We have been reflecting for some time now on how the worlds of art and design continue to overlap, each pushing the other to evolve in new and exciting ways. Now that Bonham Group’s foray into functional art is set to keep us at the forefront of this, we can think about how our spaces and the pieces they are filled with will contribute to our legacy as lasting heirlooms for generations to come.
The first day of September means the start of everything good in life; the days are getting longer, and summer is well on its way. One other clear indicator of that is the arrival of Margarita Month at Viaduct Harbour’s iconic Soul Bar & Bistro, and if past experiences are anything to go by, this year’s iteration is going to be one hell of a fiesta.
Having all likely experienced a long lunch at Soul, we know that an afternoon of convivial activities is guaranteed with the right libations. And really, what drink is better to lift the mood than a margarita?
Aside from offering the classic iteration of this cocktail (shaken, not frozen with a salted rim of course), Soul’s beloved bartenders have taken inspiration from Olmeca Altos’ superior tequila to create an inspired menu that pushes the bounds of what we would typically call a margarita. Take The Devil Wears Plata, for instance, which sees Altos Plata married with crème de mûre, raspberry, lime, mint and ginger — an uncharacteristically fruity margarita. Or for those seeking something more tropical, Tequila Mockingbird sees tequila mixed with the welcome addition of coconut, ruby red grapefruit, pandan and lime. An inspired drink, we think.
As self-appointed margarita connoisseurs, we’re glad that this springtime takeover lasts all month. So as the sunshine and warm days emerge from their seasonal hibernation, you’ll know exactly where to find us.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Viaduct Harbour,
Corner of Lower Hobson Street and Customs Street West,
Auckland City
Whether cosied by the fire or sprawled in the sun, there is always occasion for a good book, no matter where the season may take you. Here, we deliver a line-up of recently-released, unmissable reads that run the gamut from moving memoirs to gripping novels to funny, romantic romps. And while it was certainly a difficult task to whittle down our favourites, these are the page-turners you’ll want to keep on your bedside table.
A Visible Manby Edward Enninful In his own words, one of the most important cultural change makers of our time delivers an astonishing, moving and powerful memoir. A lifelong champion of inclusion, Edward Enninful’s ascent to becoming the first black Editor-in-chief of British Vogue has seen his tenure break barriers in a way that no others have done before. Here, the icon delves into his astonishing journey as a black, gay, working-class refugee with big dreams, to reaching the pinnacle of the world’s most exclusive industry.
Bliss Montageby Ling Ma A collection of eight short stories that touch on the madness and reality of our collective delusions, this rich narrative series marries elements of the fantastic with those grounded in the everyday. From a woman who lives in a house with all her ex-boyfriends to a toxic friendship that grows around an invisibility drug, Bliss Montage is outlandish and ordinary and undeniably compelling.
Faith, Hope and Carnageby Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan The result of over 40 hours of conversations between Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagen, this book offers thoughtful, intriguing insight into the musician’s inner life. Examining questions of art, faith, music, freedom, grief and love, this moving book offers a picture of Cave’s life, as the creative visionary offers inspiration and hope.
The Novelistby Jordan Castro In his witty and wise debut, Jordan Castro explores ideas of language and the Internet via a writer trying (and failing) to pen an autobiographical novel. Drawn into procrastination, the unnamed protagonist offers funny inner commentary prompted by a variety of quotidian tasks, in a narrative that marks Castro as a talent to watch.
Yogaby Emmanuel Carrère Emmanuel Carrère is of the greatest storytellers of our time and in his latest work, he offers a raw self-portrait of a man searching for peace. The novel-memoir starts at 10-day Vipassana retreat in France, before turning into a powerful story that reckons with the Yin and Yang of life in Carrère’s revered style — humorous and compelling.
The Last White Manby Mohsin Hamid From this New York Times bestselling author comes the story of a man who wakes to find his skin has turned darker. Soon, reports of similar occurrences see more and more people transform into new incarnations of themselves, changing the social order for good. A tale of love, loss and rediscovery, this book asks us to rethink who we are and who we might become.
On The Rooftopby Margaret Wilkerson Sexton Set against the backdrop of a gentrifying 1950s San Francisco, this stunning novel follows three sisters pushed into stardom by their mother. But, on the verge of a big break, it becomes apparent that the girls (now women) have dreams that might no longer align and are called to face challenges of their own.
The Dead Romanticsby Ashley Poston Centred around a cynical, millennial, ghostwriter of romance novels who doesn’t believe in love, The Dead Romantics is a rollicking read, in which the protagonist is forced to confront everything she thought she knew about love stories.
Madly, Deeply the Diaries of Alan Rickman Introduction by Kate Winslet A look inside the mind of Alan Rickman — beloved actor, political activist, avid traveller and thoughtful intellectual — this new book delivers Rickman’s anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy and utterly candid thoughts, drawn from the pages of his own diaries and told as though he were sitting in the room with us.
Adorning the heads of models, celebrities and star athletes alike, the mullet is one trend that we never expected to have a resurgence. But return it has, and this time, the outlook is positively cool.
There is little denying that trends are a vicious cycle, where we typically see our past looks resurface to haunt us at least once in our lifetimes. But with the current microcosm of the Internet and its inherent desire for all things new, trends are recycling faster than we imagined. And one that’s come around all too soon, is the famed mullet.
On the right: Pradafall 22.
As prevalent on luxurious couture runways, as it is on the heads of our nation’s greatest rugby players, mullets are reclaiming their universally ‘cool’ status and staging an undeniable comeback (whether we like it, or not). Far from the disastrous mullets of the 70s and 80s, the new mullet has a decidedly elevated but shaggy look — one that points proudly to an attitude of effortless nonchalance.
On the left: Gucci Fall 22.
The pull of the mullet actually has a much longer history than anyone probably realises. Beyond the 80s ravers and further back even than Tom Jones’ 1965 flirtation with the style, ancient artefacts and literature have alluded to similar hairstyles in Britain as early as the 1st Century, where researchers described it as helpful in keeping the hair out of the eyes and maintaining warmth and protection around the neck (very practical, we think).
From the left: Christophe Robin Regenerating Shampoo from Ines. malin + goetzsage styling cream from Mecca. Sachajuan Volume Powder Volumiser Spray from Sephora. Virtue Labs 6-In-1 Styling Paste from Sephora. ORIBE Rough Luxury Molding Wax from Spring Store.
Throughout the last century, the mullet has been given the pop culture treatment and has even had a moment in queer circles (as an unofficial signifier used by gay women in the mid-1980s). And while our current rendition is decidedly more about appearance than function, its presence still recalls all the various iterations we have seen throughout history, rendering it one of the most statement-making haircuts one can sport.
There is a certain irony to the modern mullet. Some have considered the resurgence a late symptom of the lockdown-prompted closure of hair salons around the world, while others still find it wildly outrageous. Still, it would appear that the mullet is here to stay — may as well embrace it, we say.
With Father’s Day fast approaching, it’s time we all started thinking about how best to celebrate the dads and father figures who have had such a crucial hand in raising us. And this year, in a bid to encourage a move away from the traditional but tired ‘socks-and-undies’ gift, we have teamed up with Schweppes 1783 to create the perfect cocktail for thanking dad with a well-deserved toast.
Meet the Green Jacket — a refreshing, not-too-sweet combination of Malfy Gin, Lillet Blanc, Green Chartreuse, lime and (of course) Schweppes 1783 Quenching Cucumber Tonic Water. Putting a more citrusy twist on the classic G&T, this cocktail is delicious and super easy to make but just complex enough to leave anyone who takes a sip thoroughly impressed (even if you really have no mixology skills to speak of). Here’s how to create the Green Jacket for Dad this Father’s Day.
Ingredients(makes one cocktail): 20ml Malfy Original Gin 15ml Green Chartreuse 20ml lime juice 20ml Lillet Blanc Schweppes 1783 Quenching Cucumber Tonic Water Dehydrated lime wheel to garnish
Method: 1. Start by pouring the Malfy Gin into a cocktail shaker. 2. Add the Green Chartreuse, followed by the Lillet Blanc. 3. Finish with lime juice before filling the cocktail shaker with ice. 4. Give the whole thing a good shake. 5. Prepare a glass with ice before pouring the mixture over. 6. Top off with Schweppes 1783 Quenching Cucumber Tonic Water. 7. Garnish with a wheel of dehydrated lime before serving.
Since the news broke that iconic Melbourne institution, MoVida would be opening an outpost in Auckland, we have waited in anticipation for our chance to sample the delicious food that has made this restaurant so globally acclaimed. So it is with great pleasure that we mark MoVida’s official opening — its arrival in the space that once was Ostro (on Level 2 of the Seafarers Building) not only a boon for the industry, but symbolic of the ways in which Auckland’s hospitality is maturing into something more indicative of our international appetites. Having been treated to an early preview of its Spanish-influenced cuisine, we can tell you with confidence that this is a new opening that everyone should be excited about, and with bookings open now, is one that we expect will be popular from the get-go.
Left: Anchoa – Hand-filleted ortiz cantabrian artisan anchovy on crouton with smoked tomato sorbet. Right: Restaurant Founder and Executive Chef Frank Camorra.
MoVida’s Head Chef and Founder, Frank Camorra first brought his popular, Bourke Street restaurant to our shores nearly a decade ago with a pop-up at the restaurant whose place it has now taken. From there, a collaborative relationship blossomed between Camorra and hospitality pioneer (and one of the minds behind Savor Group) Lucien Law. So naturally, when looking for an international destination to set up MoVida’s next global outpost, the site where the restaurant had its first taste of New Zealand was an obvious choice. Reimagined by lauded local design studio Izzard Design, the Britomart space is unrecognisable, finished with gorgeous booth seating and a warm and welcoming vibe that feels distinct while still being inherently connected to the MoVida aesthetic we all know and love.
Left: MoVida interiors by Izzard Design. Right: Salmon – lightly cured Big Glory Bay salmon, beetroot & tamarillo gazpacho
Food-wise, the MoVida menu is filled with joy, passion and creativity, where the cuisine is treated like a conversation, and diners are served flavoursome fare that plays into MoVida’s signature made-to-share, tapas style. Alongside a line-up of iconic MoVida dishes like Anchovy with Smoked Tomato Sorbet and Carrillera De Buey (very soft beef cheek braised in spiced red wine and sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry and served with cauliflower puree), sits a selection of wood-fired seafood dishes like paella, designed to capitalise on New Zealand’s abundant kai moana. The wood-fired oven is a MoVida first, but is something that Camorra tells me he is excited to utilise as a new vehicle for his culinary vision (as well as a way to show off the talent he has in his Auckland kitchen). As such, it has informed most of the dishes on the menu.
Paella de Marisco – Wood fired, seafood paella, scampi, banana prawns, ling, calamari cooked in bomba rice.
While nowadays, most dining establishments ground their menus in plates designed to share (it is almost impossible to find a place that doesn’t), when MoVida opened two decades ago, this idea was a novel concept. True to Camorra’s vision for the space, the original restaurant quickly became a pioneer in tapas-style dining, where guests were more than happy to sit at its bar and share food — while still enjoying a refined and polished experience.
Left: Tartar – Wagyu rump, beef tartare & pickled kohlrabi, cured egg, on an almond & horseradish cracker. Right: MoVida bar by Izzard Design.
“I think that was the most surreal moment in my career: realising that it worked and that by sticking at it, the MoVida bar became the place people wanted to sit,” Camorra reflects. “I think Auckland’s restaurant is very much of its own style and is different to the other restaurants, but still offering something that hasn’t been done very often outside of Spain.”
Left: MoVida interior by Izzard Design. Right: Alcachofa – Jerusalem artichoke with lardo & Ōra king caviar.
At its core, MoVida is a restaurant that offers vibrancy in every sense of the word. Drawing on nearly 20 years of success in Melbourne, the new Auckland destination offers a take that pays homage to its origins while feeling grounded in its own, individual context. When considering the MoVida legacy, two decades down the track, it feels like this is the beginning of something great.
According to Korean culture, the most auspicious sign of the zodiac is the rabbit, which is a symbol that, for local Korean chef (and rising hospitality star) Jason Kim, has become something of a recurring motif. Now, Kim is harnessing the lucky symbol for his new culinary venture, Tokki (Korean for ‘rabbit’), a delicious restaurant and wine bar serving the kind of Korean food you’re unlikely to have ever tried before.
Born in Korea but raised in New Zealand, Kim’s cuisine is beloved for the way that it straddles the two cultures in which he was raised — where authentic bites are delivered in a contemporary way, and fresh New Zealand produce is harnessed to create truly unique dishes.
You may be familiar with Kim’s Commercial Bay outpost, Gochu, famous for its milk buns that regularly sell out. Otherwise, you might know him from his tenure in the kitchens of some of Auckland’s best restaurants, including Sidart, Cassia, The Grove and Clooney. Tokki offers something different. Its menu heroes pared-back but delightfully inspired cuisine that puts an unexpected twist on authentic flavours, while its inviting space is set in the heart of Milford’s bustling main street (a northern suburb not previously known for its culinary offering). In a way, Tokki marks a return to Kim’s roots, and the result is pretty special.
Left: Jason Kim serving Flat Noodles with Chilli Pork. Right: Tokki Toasties with Mortadella & Oiji.
Kim describes the Tokki menu as authentic fare, with none of the fried chicken, bubbling clay pots or lashings of chilli and cheese one might expect from a typical Korean restaurant. While still a casual affair, the food here offers a more playful take on Korean cuisine without losing its refined edge. Ultimately, Tokki grounds itself in a menu of considered and elevated traditional dishes that reimagine classic street-food tropes and snacks that speak to the chef’s heritage.
“Korean cuisine is not just strong flavours and cheap and cheerful,” he shares. “Traditional Korean is more subtle and elegant. It’s about highlighting beautiful produce and the flavour and freshness of the ingredients and not messing around with it too much.”
Left: Crispy Chicken Wing stuffed with Prawn & Mushroom. Right: Beef Short Ribs with Black Garlic Jus & White Kimchi.
You can find this homage to traditional foods in dishes like the crispy chicken wing, carefully stuffed with prawn and mushroom, or the Tokki toasties, filled with layers of mortadella and oiji (pickled cucumbers). And, of course, the mouth-watering beef short ribs with black garlic jus and white kimchi. For dessert? Melona smores, of course — a traditional Korean ice cream, presented as little works of art.
This ode to traditional cuisine is concerned with more than just flavour alone, seen in one dish made of noodles up to a metre long, something that Kim tells me is believed to be beneficial for your health in Korean culture. This attention to detail is seen at every level of Tokki’s menu, with many of the ingredients made and fermented in-house, including the kimchi, soy sauce and soybean paste, and a strong focus placed on traditional foods, with specialist produce sourced from Korean growers in Silverdale.
Left: Melona Smores. Right: Tokki interior.
As far as drinks are concerned, Tokki’s menu comprises an impressive offering of wines curated by Hiro Kawahara, a sommelier and friend of Kim’s. Showcasing a range of exceptional New Zealand and French wines, alongside a selection of fine natural wines, exquisite Japanese whisky and authentic soju digestifs, the libations on offer run the gamut from classic drops to specialised spirits and promise to complement the food perfectly.
Despite its North Shore neighbourhood, we’re expecting news of Tokki’s delicious food to draw people from all over Auckland to sample its unique offering. Our advice? Book a table now to experience it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
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