Dec 1, 2023 Metro Eats
Kia ora koutou —
Here at Metro, we’re in our most scrappy, ramshackle time of the quarter — the last few days before we send the next issue to the printers. The upside is that there’s a new issue coming soon. The downside is that, during these ramshackle times, food tends to get relegated to fuel. When it gets like this, the takeaway lunches that come back to the office to be eaten over a laptop tend to revert to the easy and the familiar. St Pierre’s. Subway. Two samosas for $4 — sustaining, to be sure, but not inspiring.
But food doesn’t always have to be inspirational. A while ago, in this very newsletter, Jean Teng wrote about the “default lunch” — a short rotation of things to eat during the work day to get reliable sustenance. At the moment, in the middle of both a deadline and moving house, I feel like I have a full default diet: a fried egg for breakfast; one of three favourite lunch options in the three-minute-walk radius of the Metro office (which now includes new hotspot Desa Corner — see below); and my current go-to dinner, a rotating protein with a chopped salad of the same four ingredients — cos lettuce, varying varieties of small tomatoes, red onion and cucumber. Simple. Delicious. Satisfying.
Still, for all its convenience, I don’t know how long I can keep this up. I’ll need variety back in my life at some point. Maybe after the deadline, and after the move. Then life will be different. I’ll eat more healthily and more interestingly. I’ll cut down my screen time. I’ll read books. I’ll exercise. I will.
Henry
Metro x Dom Pérignon and The Grove :
Champagne and Caviar
The Finest Tuesday Possible
Just in time for the festive season, Dom Pérignon and The Grove have joined forces on a five-course tasting menu, with select courses topped with world-class caviar from Caviar Mafia.
‘Tasting Tuesday’ launches on 28 November and runs every Tuesday until 18 December, and the menu — designed by chef Cory Campbell — reflects The Grove’s approach to seasonal modern New Zealand cuisine (think Moreton Bay crayfish, buttered clams and kingfish). All of this is paired with Dom Pérignon champagne, of course, which enhances the complexity of caviar, so you’re really getting the best experience of both.
Along with the fine food, caviar and two glasses of Dom Pérignon, the other courses will be matched with Cloudy Bay wine and Hennessy.
$560pp for the tasting menu with wine pairing. Bookings can be made online with The Grove here
What’s Happening
If you missed our activity recently: there are two very good lunch offerings at Cassia , and Tiffany went to the toana‘i at Metita and thought it was amazing — Henry interviewed Michael Meredith about it here.
Colin and Carolyn Haines have retired from Ollies.
We’re hearing Cotto is closed? Also hearing that stablemates Anthology and Leigh Sawmill are cancelling gigs, so that’s all a bit dark. A lot of people will miss these places if it’s all as bad as it seems.
Kōkako has a Christmas market at their roller door — 9 Charles St, Mt Eden — till 4pm today!
Fort Greene is getting into the swing of things with a fruit mince croissoli, and a Christmas box of pastries, featuring said croissoli.
With the return of summer comes the return of Cazador ’s venison burger — this Sunday, 12–4pm. You’ll need a ticket.
Apéro Superette is back for December!
There’s an Italian Christmas Market next Saturday at the Freemans Bay Community Hall, 10am–3pm.
Gloria and Open Late are coming together for First Thursdays next week in the form of the Kristine-Crabb-designed Gloria Cocktail — get it next Thursday at Open Late.
What’s Good
Metro’s helpful guide to the best in late-night dining from issue N°440 is online now, with thanks to Stella Artois!
Desa Corner, the new Malaysian place on the corner of K Rd and Mercury Lane is fantastic. Great food, great drinks, great people, great roti, great room and very cool light fittings.
What’s new
After years of lobbying, pleading, waiting and eyeing Glenfield’s one with deep envy, Birkenhead finally has its own McDonald’s — congratulations to all involved and affected.
A lot of new spots going in on Dominion Rd lately! Just saw another one, called Nice BBQ Buffet, going in beside Liquorland.
An Italian-Japanese cafe and bistro, Itameshi, is opening shortly in Ponsonby.
Another David Lee joint in Commercial Bay called Gemmi, “a neighbourhood trattoria”, opens today.
Ace Coffee is back open under the Capitol. New Instagram, new owner, we’re guessing.
Quite a flash-looking place called Aryeh Restaurant and Sundeck going into the old Piha cafe. Opens Saturday.
