Mar 11, 2022 Metro Eats
Hey,
Long time no see! Like many of my fellow Aucklanders, I’ve just emerged from a period of self-isolation and am venturing out into the world again – though of course I’m questioning every decision I make. Like, more so than usual. (Siri, how well does Covid-19 spread in cinemas?) On the bright side, I managed to make it out just in time for the day we go to print with our new issue.
I like the permanence of print a lot, and amongst that is the relief of doneness; that, for better or for worse, the product is the product and it can’t be tinkered with. It’s something that is a much-welcome balm to my anxious indecisiveness and also what I think pushes us to do better work (mostly). All of which is to say, our new issue comes out next week, Thursday 17 March, so you should get one! Or better yet, get one, and then subscribe so you can get all our other ones!
In this issue, I write about my favourite dish in the world; we remind you (and ourselves) why we love our city, and also maybe what could be better about it; and we talk to a lot of talented people that live here. In some ways, it seems like an awkward time to be putting out an issue like this, when it feels like our Auckland is shrinking every day. But I think it’s actually kinda perfect.
— Jean
**Metro is conducting a Top 50 Wine tasting that will be presented in the next issue, out early June.**
If you’d like to enter, please send two bottles of each entered wine (with RRP) to us at:
Metro Magazine
Rm 104
Level 1, La Gonda Building, 203 Karangahape Rd
Auckland 1010
Any questions, please email me here
What’s Happening
Passa Passa Pasta is popping up at Young George tonight, offering pici with pesto, pizza fritta and lamb on plancha from 5pm till sold out.
Umai!, a pop up by Lima.Cinque is popping up at Achos on 27 March from 6pm onwards, serving “playful izakaya-style dishes”.
I’m always on the lookout for tacos, so I spotted this food truck Tacos El Carnal on Instagram. Haven’t tried it yet, but it parks up at the Pakuranga Night Markets on Saturday, so someone go try it and report back.
Also keep an eye for the next pop up by Broke Boy Taco . We attempted to get some when it did its pop up at Ralph’s Eatery a couple weeks ago, but it sold out lightning fast.
Creamed paua was a hot topic in the office the other day, and Lana brought up this food truck Captain Kai Moana that serves up bbq scallops, creamed paua on crayfish (!?), seafood chowders and more. It also just announced it’s opening a permanent location in Papakura on Great South Rd in the next two or three weeks. Apparently they will be launching a new pie venture with flavours like snapper and cheese (!!).
If you’re out Henderson way, The Grounds is doing a $20 handmade pasta special every Sunday – kids’ pasta for $12. I haven’t been in a while, but it is a very good spot for outdoor dining if you’re that way inclined – lots of space, plus a nearby playground for the kids.
What’s Good
Someone (Vinci Gin-Nen and team) is attempting to reinvigorate the Victoria Park Market precinct, which is a tall order. We used to work near there and saw places come in and out of it all the time – notably, that cursed caviar place, the much-missed Indonesian lunch spot, the list goes on. Of its announced openings, Milenta intrigues me the most, a “South American bistro” serving food prepared over fire in an open, outdoor kitchen by head chef Elie Assaf (ex- Williams Eatery ). So much room for error, so much potential for delicious things!
Since we last spoke, Cheddar, a new burger place in Avondale, has opened; as has Kinship, a new cafe in Takapuna, the second branch of the spot inside Junk ‘N’ Disorderly.
There is a new bakery in Northcote called Rollers Bakery. I haven’t managed to make it out there yet but the pies look pretty delightful – see: chicken and mushroom.
Inca 2.0 has opened in the new Ponsonby Central expansion (which is intended to include 20 other eateries in the near future, crazy), a Nic Watt Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) restaurant. While many of the dishes are the same as the first site at the Rooftop on Broadway in Westfield Newmarket, there will be Ponsonby-specific offerings too.
If you want a bit of a treat, Park Hyatt have launched some new high tea offerings, with an Autumn Afternoon Tea and Vegan version too.
Grey Lynn’s It’s Java has moved to Karangahape Rd – not open yet, but had a wee peek and it looks almost there.
