Auckland Scene

Out and about in Auckland

Eating & Drinking

Why this cosy new neighbourhood wine bar is worth a trip to Devonport

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There’s something about Devonport that just has our heart, from the stunning sundowner outlook it offers of the city to its cute, quaint cottages to the restaurants that inhabit the main street.

For many city-slickers, a trip here feels like a holiday, when it’s really only a short (and beautiful) ferry ride across the harbour.

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2022 Denizen Hospo Heroes: Auckland’s Best Date Night, as voted by you

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From low-lit ambience to conversation-starting food, the impressive entries in our Best Date Night category are known for inspiring romance.

That said, it was intimate Karangahape Road restaurant Bar Céleste, that was voted as this year’s winner, thanks to its cosy feel, considered wine list and exceptionally tasty, made-to-share menu.

Not far behind were honourable mentions, including fine-dining institution Cassia, Britomart’s delicious Andalusian eatery Alma, innovative, inner-city foodie haven Culprit and another K’Road go-to for wine-lovers, Apéro.

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Queen's Birthday High Tea at the Park Hyatt

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You might not be in the thick of the UK’s jubilee celebrations, but here in Auckland you can mark 70 since the Coronation in a right Royal fashion, with the Park Hyatt‘s special Queen’s Birthday and Jubilee high tea.

The hotel’s pastry chef Callum Liddicoat has created a five-course feast inspired by his own time in London, with a mix of sweet and savoury morsels.

Of course, classic club sandwiches are on the lineup, including a ham hock and green pea on sour dough and cucumber, as well as an English crumpet topped with salmon, roe and crème fraiche.

For the sweet tooths, you’ll want to save room for a strawberry and cream roulade, a seven-layer opera cake glazed with chocolate and candied hazelnuts, and a petit tart filled with salted caramel and banana compote.

And of course, there will be scones, served with a house made strawberry champagne jam, whipped mascarpone and butter.

Running from Thursday, June 2 until Sunday, June 12, the afternoon of English delights will set you back $65 per person.

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The post Queen’s Birthday High Tea at the Park Hyatt appeared first on Concrete Playground.

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Discover Mount Eden’s newest cafe, slinging epic toasties, burgers and waffles

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The next cab off the rank in exciting hospitality venues to open in Mount Eden Village is Superfly — a new cafe putting a vivid spin on the classic coffee spot.

Here, the menu doesn’t shy away from anything indulgent, offering a combination of toasties, bagels, burgers and waffles — an ode to American dining — accompanied by some of the best milkshakes you’ll find in the area.

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Eight of the Best Ramen Spots Around Auckland for When You Need to Warm Your Bones

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It’s that time of year again, when the temperature suddenly plummets, the barbeque is packed away, and all you want is to be warmed from the inside out with a giant bowl of hot, noodle-filled broth. Luckily Auckland is home to many fantastic ramen restaurants ready to get you through the colder months. No, we’re not talking about the dirt-cheap, two-minute microwavable version that you smashed during your uni days.

Proper ramen is a soul-warming dish that combines Japanese noodles in a slowly simmered broth that originates from China. Almost every prefecture in Japan has its own variation of ramen, using different broth styles and served with an assortment of toppings — from chashu pork to wood ear fungus, bamboo shoots and molten boiled egg.

Whatever your preference, it’s mostly about the experience of slurping and the warm feeling that resonates inside after every mouthful. Here you’ll find some of the best places to slurp up a bowl of ramen across the city as we head into the winter months.

The post Eight of the Best Ramen Spots Around Auckland for When You Need to Warm Your Bones appeared first on Concrete Playground.

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Serving an elevated take on classic Kiwi favourites, meet Grey Lynn’s new fish and chippery

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Few classics come as close to authentic New Zealand cuisine as our beloved fish and chips.

An iconic summertime or Friday-night staple, fish and chips are about as ‘Kiwiana’ as rugby or Tip Top or jandals. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a New Zealander for whom this dish doesn’t serve up some serious childhood nostalgia.

And while we do like to indulge in a newspaper-wrapped classic from time to time, our tastebuds have refined somewhat since childhood, and now, we seek a version of fish and chips that feels more elevated.

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