Catalina

I've been attending the Ping Zero lan parties at Hobsonville Air Base for nigh on ten years now, and have watched the base change at a rate of knots.

In the early years, we would enjoy a military breakfast in the mess. Now that, along with most of the base is no more.

Having said that, a phoneix will rise from the ashes. One sign of something good is the cafe Catalina - a hip little cafe that knows how to make a coffee and eggs benedict - no gilmours hollandaise here.

Over all the times I've visited this cafe, I would rate it 9/10 - definately amongst my favourite Auckland haunts.

Wagamama - fast food I appriciate

When I want food fast because I'm travelling, I cannot go to a McDonalds or Burger King like many do. Those places make me sick, literaly.

So where do I go that is reliable and available in most australiasian cities? Wagamama of course. They offer quick asian food that is pretty consistent - as a general rule I'll go for the Cha Han.

The only annoyance is the variation in the menus. For example, my favourite entree, the sweet potato kusabi is not available at all in New Zealand, and the peach iced tea option seems to be available on a hit and miss basis too.

Overall though, pretty good and reliable. For today's effort at Sylvia Park, 8/10.

Lastly, they also give a discount if you pay by Amex, which is all good too.

Bracu

Bombay is in my mind the home of market gardens. Potatoes and onions in particular. Of course, there are other things there too. Like Bracu - an upmarket restaurant set in the middle of an olive grove.

Being upmarket, of course, portions are modest, in anticipation of your enjoyment of multiple courses and accompaniments. That is all good though - you don't want to miss out on the oportunity to have several course. In my case pork belly followed by an almond tart. There efforts where highly commendable - 10/10 even.

Circus Circus Bubble and Squeak

Circus Circus in Mt Eden is widely regarded as one of Auckland's best cafes. Upon arrival yesterday, the queue stretched out the door.

That's alright though, because within a reasonable prompt timeframe, I had a table and could await my coffee the brekky.

The coffee took ages. Having said that, I can forgive them because I saw the barista break the coffee grinder just as we walked in - so this obviously wouldn't have been a problem normally. My brunch of Bubble and Squeak arrived promptly, and was made of tasty fresh ingredients, and topped off with tasty gruyere.

Bubble and Squeak - Circus Cirus, Mt Eden, Auckland - 28 May 2011

Overall the cafe has excellent staff, coffee and food, and a neat atmosphere given the whole circus theme. Definately one I'll return to.

Circus Cirus, Mt Eden, Auckland - 28 May 2011

Wallace Arts Centre and the Pah Homestead

Just a wee way away from the Hillsborough off ramp from SH20 lies Monte Cecilia Park. Within Monte Cecilia Park lies the old Pah Homestead which has been recently restored, and within that is exhibited part of James Wallace's art collection (that is, the Wallace Arts Trust).

Pah Homestead, Monte Cecilia Park, Auckland - April 2011

The collection contains over 5000 items, so obviously only a sample of them are on display, but that which is, is very good, and contains a neat cross section of New Zealand art from the last fifty years or so. As photography is not permitted inside, I have no pictures to share, but can certainly vouch for this place.

Perhaps my favourite display was a modern plastic robot sculpture sitting in a niche in the stairwell where one would generally expect to see a greco-roman stutue - a very neat juxtoposition indeed.

Not only is the place worth visiting for the art, but also the architecture. This was at one point the largest residence in Auckland, and it's opulence has been tastefully restored. Moreover, Cafe Pah on site has excellent coffee and baked goods (I'll give them 8/10 for morning tea), and appears to be a favourite among Auckland's ladies who lunch.

Pah Homestead, Monte Cecilia Park, Auckland - April 2011

Pah Homestead, Monte Cecilia Park, Auckland - April 2011

Pah Homestead, Monte Cecilia Park, Auckland - April 2011

Good coffee and good food?

So I went up to Auckland today. As I often do, I wound up at Roasted Addiqtion in Kingsland for lunch.

Of course, they served a good coffee, but not only that, a rather tasty Bubble and Squeak. Technically, this dish should come with Bacon or Choritzo or Avocado, but logically, I ordered it with Bacon AND Choritzo AND Avocado, a great improvement.

All up, a tasty meal. I'd quite like it again tommorrow, but it's probably not worth driving up to Auckland for it. All up, 8/10.

Non Solo Pizza

Spent the day in Auckland, and revisited an old-favourite restuarant of mine, Non Solo Pizza in Parnell.

Their courtyard has grown nicely since last time I was there, and the shade provided by the overhead venetians a welcome source of shelter from a hot day like today, without killing the sun completely. Ambience: 9/10.

Cacciatori con Provola (Pizza: Tomato, Italican spicy sausage with Italian smoked Mozzarella and Basil): a variation on the traditional Margherita. It was a very good example of what it was, but I think I might stick to the Margherita next time. Got to love that fresh basil though.
Arancini di riso (Saffron risotto balls with Mozzarella and peas): how can you go wrong with Arancini balls? By ordering them on a hot day! They were perfect, but just the wrong thing for a hot saturday lunch.

In either case, a great lunch...