Solo dining in Auckland

I really like 215 Bistro (215 Dominion Rd). It is a 10 minute bus trip from the central city - and is on a frequent line so you should have no problems (or a good 45 minute walk from midtown). It is consistently the best value for money for a Euro style menu in my experience. Not super expensive.

I like Prego as a fun and easy place - the pizzas are pretty good . SPQR is a great people watching place especially if you grab an early evening street side table. You will see what constitutes style in Auckland! (both are on Ponsonby Rd which is very close to the city - you could walk it in 40 minutes or catch the Link Bus).

Tom Yum Eden (also Dominion Rd) is fantastic. The ambience is not so good - cramped and hot, best tasting Thai ever.

Tanuki Cave (below the Civic) is a nice place to hang out and because it has bar eating it will feel sociable even if you are on your own.

Landreth and Co on Ponsonby Rd is great for b'fast and lunch.

Monterey Coffee Lounge for lunch (in the nice little inner city suburb of Grey Lynn. This is owned by relatives so not completely objective!).

Mondiale in Grey Lynn (a 10 minute bus trip) is good for a glass of wine and great tapas. Reasonably priced and sociable. The servings are small so you can try a variety - the tuna is pretty good.

There is also the area in Elliot Stables which is popular for tourists. Central city and has a range of places - Spanish Tapas, South african sausage, Puhoi cheese etc. Very convivial atmosphere.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Singapore and KL recommendations?

My Husband who is there right now said he tried Coriander Leaf . Here is what he says"Coriander leaf was very good. Had lentil dumpling with yoghurt/tamarind sauce for entree, then a butter-prawn with coriander rice and tomato/coriander salad. All very tasty - not particularly spicy, but plenty of flavour. Tried a muslim milk pudding with fruit which was too rich and a bit cheesy for my taste. All well made, though, and unusual combinations of flavours."
PS: I am in New Zealand and providing him with recs.. so if anyone has anything they suggest would be appreceiated.

rhema64 in China & Southeast Asia

One evening feed in Auckland

I like the two fifteen on Dominion Rd in Mt Eden. The food is excellent as is the service. The starters are fantastic (especially the tuna epenades). This is the city end so you can catch a bus from the city and it's 1 zone. It's a neighbourhood place so not super flash.
French cafe - expensive ,not French but terrific reputation. We have had a few disappointments but reliable friends gave raved.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Breakfast /Dinners in Downtown Brisbane

My husband is staying for a week at Oaks on Margaret Street. Would love some breakfast plus some cheap to mid-price dinner (Asian, Fusion or Aussie) suitable to dine on his own.
Many thanks.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Restaurant Recs in Royal Oak area?

I have tried the Indian place in the old Pizza Hut building at the round-about - which was not very good - though that's a few years ago (I think it's called Cha). There's a great pizza place in Oranga called Epolitos - you should try the super-size ones just to see how big they can make it.

One tree grill at the Greenwood's corner has a good reputation as does the Italian place (we have not tried these). The bakery at Greenwood's is very good - as is the butcher who has good sausages.

There's the fantastic KK's Malaysian further up Manukau Rd - very small, cheap and crowded but nice fresh flavours. They are open for lunch so it's a good for family dining.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Auckland and Queenstown recommendations

If you are staying in the inner-city some places we like are :
The Wine Loft (Shortland Street) - good wine bar but full of lawyers and city folk!
Merlot - is a European style bistro but actually has a good wine list
Imas - good Mid Eastern food also open for dinner and lunch.
Bens (next to Imas) - good for coffee and food. They are more a lunch place

Inner City West
- Monteray Cafe in West Lynn Shops- great little Kiwiana cafe with excellent food and prices
- Gypsy Tea Rooms, West Lynn, good pub with great atmosphere

Markets
- For meat I go to the Organic Butcher in Garnet Road (Pt Chev)
- For fruit and Vege: I go to a local Fruit World in Dominion Rd. For quality produce I buy NZ and from shops with high turnover. I actually have not had good fruit and veges from the high end places like Nosh as they don;t have high turnover. The best fruit and vege in Auckland is in Remuera Shops (Jack Lums) though it is a bit of a trek.
- I Usually buy bread from either Baker's Delight or Pandoro (depending on what I want). This is for convenience more than quality. EVeryone raves about Wild Wheat in Mt Eden - but again a trek for you. I think the bread at the end of Mt Eden Rd called Eiffel on Eden is very good.

Further a Field:
If you want a day trip try Matakana north of Auckland for a wonderful wine trail. Lunch at Heron's Flight, swim at Omaha or Leigh, and dinner at Sawmills. Drive there should be less than an hour (remember to pay your tolls).

Have a good trip!

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rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Cafes and Bakery in Eastern Beaches

Went to Trio - twice. It was very nice, the service good and the view gorgeous. Not too crowded as we were there on Monday and Tuesday. Had the platter and a glass of wine one day and eggs and toast another. Thanks so much. Also went to Bird Cow Fish (a bit dissapointing. Gnocchi over-cooked). Loved Billy Kwongs , Bill's not so good and also went to great African place (Kilimanjaro in Newtown).

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Cafes and Bakery in Eastern Beaches

Thanks teacup - did that - what a great walk. It was very hot but so beautiful. Too hot to have a cooked Breakfast at Bogeyhole so had their museli with berries - which was so great have started making my own museli since I got back to NZ.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Best Vietnamese In Sydney?

Arriving in Sydney next week from Auckland and what we don't have in Auckland is great Vietnamese food. Any suggestions on what to try in Sydney? We have a care and wiling to travel. Staying in E. BEaches. Many thanks.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Cafes and Bakery in Eastern Beaches

Thanks so much for suggestions. Possibly misleading to say "on a budget" rather am not the usual chowhounder going to Tets for dinner and aria for lunch! Just that my tight NZ$ wont stretch far!

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Seeking delicious NZ cheese plates in Auckland

There is a Kapiti Cheese place in the new "Stables" area on cnr. Elliot St and Wellesley St. I think they also serve wine . This is a sort of foodie's food court they are trying to start. I think they do cheese Boards - but probably only Kapiti. The other place is the wine loft in Shortland St, city that also does a cheese board and has a pretty good selection of wine. OConnell St Bistro has a cheese Board for dessert and great wine list - though I think you would have to ask if you could just have that.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Cafes and Bakery in Eastern Beaches

Am arriving from Auckland for 3 days - am designing my eating program (on a budget ). Staying at Cogee and would like a light lunch/ bakery for the day we arrive with good coffee and pastries.

Any suggestions? Have been to Cafe Bazura a number of times so something else would be good. Unfortunately Iggys on Bronte is not open (we arrive Tuesday). So far we plan to go to Billy Kwong, Bird Cow Fish, Spice I am - perhaps Bill's - over the 3 days.

Many thanks.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

where to find Persian food in Auckland..??

I haven't actually eaten there, but there is a place on Dominion Rd (on the left going away from the City, in the block after Videon on the same side). It seems to be catering for Persians.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Lunch place near Westin

I am staying at the Westin Harbour Street and was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for lunch? Something light, close by and of course, good chow!

rhema64 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best Boulangerie in Boston/Cambridge?

Many thanks. Just went to clear flour, the baguette was excellent, the brioche also looked very good, which we will try for breakfast.

rhema64 in Greater Boston Area

Best Boulangerie in Boston/Cambridge?

Thanks so much for your recommendations. Just tried LA Burdick this morning and was very happy to have found it. The croissant was great, not too doughy, and the coffee was also excellent. I have passed it before but thought they just had chocolates. They also had good looking cakes and will try the linzertorte soon as it is a favourite of mine. Plan to try Sel De La Terre tomorrow.

rhema64 in Greater Boston Area

Best Boulangerie in Boston/Cambridge?

Can anyone recommend a French style Boulangerie around Cambridge or Inner Boston that takes pastries seriously ? (as opposed to light heartedly ?!) I am constrained to public transport and live in Cambridge. Thanks.

rhema64 in Greater Boston Area

NZ Pie Recipe

My favourite recipe (from a 1980s Australia New Zealand Woman's Weekly) is to saute chopped steak lightly (keep the fat on the steak, as it gives flavor and gives the gravy a better consistency -- lean meat will be dry) , remove from pan. Saute equal carrots, onions and celery in butter. Add back the steak, beef stock, salt and pepper and simmer for about an hour. Then add a small dollop of tomato paste and a small knob of butter/flour kneaded together as thickening. Then simmer for another 20 mins or so until thick. Cool it all (remove some gravy if there is too much). Then line pie tins with BUTTER flakey pastry ( I usually make a bit of effort to get 100% butter pastry - which you can do from gourmet shops). Put the filling in and cover with more pastry. Bake according to pastry instructions. If you want a real authentic NZ version, then you can't go past the Edmonds Cook Book recipe (for a whole range of authentic recipes. Their Steak and Kidney Pie is very good). Mine is a bit fancier than that. Hope it works.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand

Montreal trip report

Thanks for the great report! Am visiting Montreal next month for the 1st time - so this was a great report to stumble upon.

rhema64 in Quebec (including Montreal)

New Zealand in August (their winter/spring)?

I can't speak for Sth Island, but I think you will be fine in the cities and North Is. you just need to check the opening times for wineries -- they might only be open in the w/ends. Would recommend cuisine.co.nz and also "New Zealand Wine country". Unfortunately Herzog (my all time favourite in NZ - in Blenheim) is closed over winter.

rhema64 in Australia/New Zealand