Apr 14, 2023 Metro Eats
Hello,
The other day I got a text from a friend that said, “Hey, you know those kind of vintage heart-shaped piped icing cakes that were having a moment either last year or in 2021… Who was making them?”
She was, of course, referring to Zi Sweet – the sweetly piped birthday cakes that had a childish ornate quality to them. They celebrated excess; whimsy; nostalgia. I got one for my birthday last year, a mini version that I loved for its sort of revelry in tweeness. But times have somewhat moved on, as trends tend to do, and when it came time to buy a cake this year, I went for a simple layered matcha crepe cake from Tsujiri, which I’ve eaten by the slice plenty of times and like a lot.
Then, I had a birthday dinner with friends later in the week, where someone very kindly offered to make a cake for me. This particular friend is very up to date with what is occurring in the food world, and her reference photos (like here, and here) betrayed that, as a society, we have truly moved on from those cutesy cakes of 2022 to what Epicurious has called “the age of carefree foraged floral cakes.” I mean. The Caker is doing it too!
P.S. Missing the ‘What’s Good’ section in this week’s newsletter? Have a look at our Instagram post rounding up some of the things we’ve been eating recently. With pictures!
What’s happening
Just a note here to let you know that tickets for the Stella Artois Metro Dining School sessions with the great Sam Low on April 27th are sold out — but keep an eye on Metro social channels for an upcoming giveaway. Also given the strong response, we’ll be looking at doing it again so keep an eye out for that! To those with tickets, see you on the 27th!
Burger pop-up HunterBurger is popping up one last time at Bar Martin on Sunday 16 April from 12pm-8pm. Four different types of burgers, plus vege/vegan etc. avail.
There’s going to be a Five Boroughs pop-up on 20 April – keep an eye on Instagram for more deets on where.
I’ve been seeing a lot of this Biscoff Soft Serve that’s served up in a croissant, at the Newmarket branch of Luna’s Bakehouse, and it’s only available till this Sunday 16 April. The rise of Biscoff as a desirable flavour continues.
Winemaker Amy Hopkinson Styles (Halcyon Days) and chef Katie Riley are teaming up for two nights on 21st and 22nd April, with Katie coming up with the food, and Amy pouring the wine, at Roses Dining Room. Find out more about both of them, and book, here.
Ruby Harris (rubylovestocook) is hosting a two-day pop-up at No. 7 on the 20 and 21st of April – three courses + drink on arrival is $75pp.
Forest ’s last days at its Eden Terrace restaurant space is fast approaching – the last dinner service is on April 22. If you can’t make it in before then, say a final farewell on Sunday 23 April, where they will be opening its doors for fried feojias, ice cream and filter coffee – then closing them for the last time.
Sydney restaurant Sixpenny is coming to New Zealand to collaborate with Paris Butter on the 9 and 10 May. Find out more, and book on the website here. Snacks + 2 courses from each restaurant is $250pp.
What’s new
The Metro team went for lunch at the Pizza Inn in Mt Wellington, which is apparently the first of 10 stores due to open from the American franchise. I had a small snack size pizza served on a comically large-sized wooden board. The dough is pillowy and bready, just how I like it.
I did see on TikTok the other day that there is now a place to get Ethiopian food in the WestCity mall in Henderson called Ethopia Restaurant and Cafe. It looks yum!
Tuffo Espresso is now serving Millers Coffee out of the 605 bar on New North Rd from 7.30am-12.30am Monday-Friday.
A new permanent food truck serving Italian food has opened in Takapuna – Lil Ragu. It serves things like gnocco fritto, and plenty of pasta options, parked up at 3/9 Northcroft Street, Takapuna.
