Jan 13, 2025 Metro Eats
Kia ora,
Over the course of the last week, I’ve been completely enthralled by two things. First, a box of Thai sweets I bought from the Thai Festival by the Bay last weekend: multicoloured jewel-like jellies with crisp shells, fragrant white and green shortbreads, an egg-yolk tart dusted in edible glitter and a snappy sunflower-shaped specimen – some of the most beautiful edible things I’ve ever encountered. Even more than the sweets themselves though, I was enchanted by the explanation of how they were each made. And more specifically, the use of tian op, a Thai culinary candle which is lit and then placed in a jar with the sweets for various lengths of time to impart a complex but delicate floral smokiness to the confections before they’re served. It made me think a lot about how much more delicious cake is when it’s had birthday candles in it – perhaps it’s something to do with the slight smokiness of it all? My second preoccupation has been the saga of Luigi Mangione – which I just can’t read enough about. Okay, sure, you could argue the whole situation is not specifically food related, but I would counter that he was recognised at a McDonalds eating breakfast (including a hash brown) and it has inspired some quite good food-related memes – THESE, for example – which reveal something of our complicated relation with the corporate food world (anger at price increases, profiteering, poorly paid workers and discontinued menu items). Anyway, I’ll get back to my scrolling.
Hei konā mai,
Charlotte
Comings and goings.
There’s now a Thai restaurant called BUA THAI in the old Sunday Painters spot on Ponsonby Rd. Their offering is standard of Thai restaurants in Auckland, and looks good: whole fish smothered in various tangy sauces, wok fried noodles and vegetables, spicy soups, deep fried entrees. But also a couple of dishes that I’ve noticed becoming more ubiquitous in the last couple of years: crab fried rice and a som tum which they serve in the khrok (mortar) it’s made in – a nice touch! This reminds me, does anyone know what’s going on with PUEN on the corner of Symonds St and Mt Eden Rd? Its status has been “opening soon” since April?
There’s a fresh branch of DAILY BREAD in New Lynn. It actually opened about a month ago now, but I have twice forgotten to mention it here (sorry!). I live very close to their Pt Chevalier flagship so there’s rarely a reason for me to venture beyond but from the looks of the pictures online they’ve got all the pastries and breads you know and love from their 10 (including the four tucked into various King’s Plant Barns around the city) other locations.
SUNDAY BURRITO, who make California-style burritos (which essentially means they’re packed with fillings, but traditionally these would include, steak, fries, cheese, sour cream and guacamole), have a pop up in St Kevins Arcade on Karangahape Rd. Their social media says they’re open “starting December”.
Seasonal Piha restaurant ARYEH has returned to regular extended lunch and dinner service hours, after its more limited seasonal winter offering/ hours. They’ve also introduced a summer menu, including the especially yum-sounding Fish & Chips to takeaway ( “It includes line-caught fish, agria fries, homemade tartare sauce, and lemon wedges, wrapped up in paper and perfect for enjoying on Piha’s iconic beach”) available Thursday to Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday lunch.
And also, just in time for summer, there’s a bunch of new chilled dessert spots around the city:
- GIAPO has collaborated with Park Hyatt Auckland’s cafe The Pantry (on Halsey St). You’ll be able to grab a scoop (or more) of five of their flavours to enjoy while strolling around the Viaduct.
- BEAR GELATO opened a bricks and mortar shop on Dominion Rd yesterday. Fingers crossed their horchata gelato makes it into the regular lineup.
- SNOWMAN is a new bingsu (Korean-style shaved ice) and honey bread shop on Ormiston Road in Flat Bush. The bingsu look especially impressive and piled with toppings – perfect hot weather desserts.
- BOBO SWEETS in Queens Court is a just-opened Chinese desserts shop serving things like red bean, peach gum, snow fungus, and lotus root powder soups.Plus, bubble teas, fruit teas, and fried snacks.
- And while it’s not technically new – Smiley Dairy, right by the Newmarket Train Station has a really good (and competitively priced) range of slushies.
Where we’re going.
ROSES on Karangahape Rd will be donating 100% of profits to Palestine (through @palshield) for their final trading week of the year (next week). They’re also taking part in the @dineaid hospitality initiative giving 100% of funds raised to the City Mission. In the post announcing the initiatives Roses wrote, “Everything is connected and everything is political. Life is too short to be quiet about the things you care about.” BEAUTIFUL.
BASEMENT is hosting a market day this Saturday (14 December) at Basement Theatre from 12pm-4pm. There will be lots of good gifty things – plus, from the looks of it, pizza.
The ITALIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET MERCATINO DI NATALE, hosted by Dante Alighieri Italian Society Auckland, is taking place this Saturday (14 December) at Freemans Bay Community Centre from 10am-2pm. Entry is free!
Go to TAPPO this evening (13 December) from 4.30pm onwards for the launch party of PODERI CELLARIO ITALIAN NATURAL WINE alongside Pici ’s cacio e pepe served from a Parmesan wheel.
