Apr 2, 2015 etc
Above left: Megan May of Little Bird Unbakery. Photos by Ken Downie.
What’s new in Auckland dining.
Megan May’s new Britomart Unbakery is a bite-sized sister her other Little Bird Unbakeries in Kingsland and Ponsonby. There’s no space for tables in this tiny site – heck, there’s not a lot of room for anything – so it’s takeout-only, serving full meals, counter food, desserts and juices. Open 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday. 14 Customs St East. littlebirdorganics.co.nz
Burger Burger is also on the move. Metro’s Best Burger Joint 2014 has just opened a second outlet next to Best Ugly Bagels in Newmarket’s Osborne Lane development. This one is a little more spacious than the Ponsonby Central original, with room for large groups and kids’ birthday parties (don’t worry, they get their own room to go crazy in). While you’re there, check out the in-house ice cream bar: sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, banana splits, oh my! 3B York St, Osborne Lane, Newmarket. burgerburger.co.nz
The old Bouchon/Le Garde-Manger site in Kingsland is now home to Phil’s Kitchen, a casual bistro serving a simple and, at this stage, extremely short menu. Chef-owner Phil Clark has worked at Sidart and Merediths, and at British celebrity chef Tom Aiken’s Michelin starred restaurants. 479 New North Rd, Kingsland. philskitchen.co.nz
Ponsonby’s Tin Soldier is no more. After having some fun with that “Taco Bell is coming to Ponsonby” prank, owner Luke Dallow (of Chapel Bar fame) has divided the site in two and renamed the upstairs section Bar 151. Downstairs is United Kitchen, a semi-private dining club accessible via Anglesea St. The exposed kitchen means you can chat with chef Tom Williamson (ex Ebisu, The Oyster Inn ) as he works. It’s still a little hush hush at present: bookings are by phone or email. Cnr Anglesea St & Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby.
Also New & Notable
Bird on a Wire has just opened the doors of their new northern outpost at 40 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, the first stage in a planned dining precinct opposite Hurstmere Green. Jess Granada and Andrew Soriano have traded their Filipino market food stall into a full-scale casual restaurant named Nanam . Find it on the old Coco site in Royal Oak, and don’t miss their signature porkbelly-and-peanut taco pao buns. Check out the Asian fusion at Lucky Buddha on Fort St, where chefs with The Grove , Vinnies and Ortolana on their CVs prepare dishes like twice-cooked pork hock with kimchi, and Laotian nhem — a crispy rice salad. For Asian food served in a more traditional style, try the stylish Hansik on the Drake St side of Victoria Park Market. The menu is authentic Korean and it’s open from lunchtime daily. Pajeon, a spring- onion pancake with meat or seafood, makes for an excellent lunch. Around the corner from his Le Rendezvous cafe on Victoria St West, Edouard Legoff’s Le Chef is a wine bar and bistro, with a short and sweet menu of French classics, and wines from specialist importer Maison Vauron . Auckland cafe culture continues its expansion into coffee-deprived surburbia: the latest is handsome new cafe Good Day , run by two ex- Dizengoff staffers, recently opened on Coates Rd, Orakei. As its name suggests, the menu at new North Wharf bar and eatery Levant is full of the flavours of the Middle East. Try their lamb manti (Turkish-style lamb ravioli) or spicy Levantine fried chicken.
