Eating our way through Auckland
Mama has always been an advocate for "tough love". So on my second day back in New Zealand, I didn't get to mooch about at home in my PJs all day (as had been my full intention), but instead I was essentially forced to head back into the city for some shopping! Oh and eating...Actually we just used the day of shopping as an excuse so we would be able to try a minimum of three new eateries (morning tea, lunch, afternoon and/or dinner) that had popped up during the year.
After an hour long drive, we were more than ready for morning tea and our first culinary pit-stop - 'Good One'. It was indeed more than good, it was great!
The sweets are presented in a drawer, much like the finest jewelry.
We didn't wait in this spot exactly, because there was sunshine to be soaked up outside, but good things came anyway. The most delicious aubergine, potato and pine nut fritatta with a rich tomato relish. Aaand...
...a gin and lemon almond cake!
Though just little treats, they were big on flavour. In fact, it is their "littleness" which makes them so tasty. Because as we discovered, the food at Good One is made by one of our other favourite cafes - 'Little & Friday'.
Next we headed to the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby, to check out 'Ponsonby Central'.
This had been established when I left the country, however I believe not all components of the collection of food outlets/shops/market had been opened yet. In any case I never made it before I left, but was positively surprised by not only its design, but also what it had to offer.
This section was apparently the place to do business. Heck, I wouldn't mind doing business here! Best of all I could put the daily food bill on my list of expenses.
But for now, my business is tasting food, so we missioned on to the next point on our agenda: 'Little Bird's - The unBakery'.
As the name might suggest, Little Bird's unBakery is a raw, organic food cafe, although the menu includes some cooked elements:
I love how the raw space filled with botanicals reflects this.
We went for the 'Banana leaf wrap w/coconut rice & sambal' - A banana leaf parcel of kelp noodles, thai vegetables & herbs served with a side of coconut cauli & mango rice & chilli sambal.
Visually a stunner, unfortunately flavourwise, it didn't manage to knock my socks off. The components of the dish just didn't all tie together. The mix of raw and steamed (?) didn't work for me. But it was interesting to try nonetheless! However not as interesting as the burger:
Burger & Kale Chips
Well, there's no denying it wasn't tasty! But I've decided that while I am a firm believer in healthy nutrition, and avoiding processed foods as much as possible. I do believe you can take things too far, and I am not a believer in trying to turn foods classed by our society as "bad" foods (i.e. cakes and burgers), into foods that are good for you. I believe that as with anything in life, moderation is key. I'd rather have a burger with a cooked patty and bready bun (still made with regional and seasonal ingredients if possible), every now and then which may not be as healthy, but is just a proper burger! With proper chips!!
But in any case, Mama and I enjoyed the culinary adventure.
Our final food pit-stop was an entirely different culinary style again, Vietnamese street food at 'Cafe Viet'.
Now by this time I was almost dreading more food, because I was still stuffed from lunch. But according to Mama, I just had to suck it up. Like I said - tough love! And so we ordered some small dishes to share.
The 'Bang Bang Prawns' - perfectly juicy, the batter also contains crushed prawn crackers, which does in fact make for little "bangs" with every bite. I feel a tangy or sweet/sour sauce to cut through the slight fattiness of the prawns would improve the dish, as the 'coconut lemongrass dressing' was a bit too rich and mayo-like.
'Fish & Prawn Net Spring Rolls' - Rather underwhelming. Weren't hot anymore, so were no longer perfectly crispy, and the predominant flavour I got was of old frying oil. Made me think we should've gone for the fresh rice paper rolls instead.
Thankfully there was a redeeming finish...
We asked the to hold the pork on the salad, and were very pleased we decided on this dish, as it was fresh and the flavours perfectly balanced. As you would expect of Vietnamese cuisine.
Now it was a good thing we had explored all these eateries, because the shopping had been somewhat unsuccessful. While I had hoped to hit the jackpot in snapping up everything the "end of Summer" sales had to offer, it seems I was already too late for that. Thankfully we had been successful in the lingerie department, with a bag stuffed with the latest range by the fabulous Ms. Macpherson - The Body.
But of course I can't march around in my fancy lingerie all Summer, so we arrived home with the knowledge that another eating- oh I mean shopping trip to the city was on the cards!
Yours truly,
Fräulein SoulFood x
After an hour long drive, we were more than ready for morning tea and our first culinary pit-stop - 'Good One'. It was indeed more than good, it was great!
The sweets are presented in a drawer, much like the finest jewelry.
 |
| I wouldn't mind a drawer filled with these sorts of jewels. |
We didn't wait in this spot exactly, because there was sunshine to be soaked up outside, but good things came anyway. The most delicious aubergine, potato and pine nut fritatta with a rich tomato relish. Aaand...
...a gin and lemon almond cake!
Though just little treats, they were big on flavour. In fact, it is their "littleness" which makes them so tasty. Because as we discovered, the food at Good One is made by one of our other favourite cafes - 'Little & Friday'.
Next we headed to the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby, to check out 'Ponsonby Central'.
 |
| Typical Ponsonby street facades. (View across from Ponsonby Central) |
 |
| Remember that! |
This section was apparently the place to do business. Heck, I wouldn't mind doing business here! Best of all I could put the daily food bill on my list of expenses.
But for now, my business is tasting food, so we missioned on to the next point on our agenda: 'Little Bird's - The unBakery'.
As the name might suggest, Little Bird's unBakery is a raw, organic food cafe, although the menu includes some cooked elements:
We think food should be predominantly raw, organic and totally delicious. All our food is free of dairy, gluten or cane sugar because that’s the food we love. Our menu is a combination of raw and some cooked dishes, to give you a choice of beautiful health-food to suit your day.
We went for the 'Banana leaf wrap w/coconut rice & sambal' - A banana leaf parcel of kelp noodles, thai vegetables & herbs served with a side of coconut cauli & mango rice & chilli sambal.
Visually a stunner, unfortunately flavourwise, it didn't manage to knock my socks off. The components of the dish just didn't all tie together. The mix of raw and steamed (?) didn't work for me. But it was interesting to try nonetheless! However not as interesting as the burger:
Burger & Kale Chips
This burger has been a long time in the making but we hope you’ll agree its been worth it. We wanted to make a truly healthful version of a traditional burger but still keeping it raw & totally good for you. Our secret veggie pattie with aioli, tomato ketchup, sliced onion, smoked cheddar nut cheese & pickles on top of a lettuce bun.
Served with a side of salt & pepper kale chips.
 |
| "This is the burger???" |
But in any case, Mama and I enjoyed the culinary adventure.
Our final food pit-stop was an entirely different culinary style again, Vietnamese street food at 'Cafe Viet'.
Now by this time I was almost dreading more food, because I was still stuffed from lunch. But according to Mama, I just had to suck it up. Like I said - tough love! And so we ordered some small dishes to share.
 |
| 'Bang Bang Prawns' |
 |
| 'Fish & Prawn Net Spring Rolls' |
Thankfully there was a redeeming finish...
 |
| 'Prawn & Pork Lotus Salad' |
Now it was a good thing we had explored all these eateries, because the shopping had been somewhat unsuccessful. While I had hoped to hit the jackpot in snapping up everything the "end of Summer" sales had to offer, it seems I was already too late for that. Thankfully we had been successful in the lingerie department, with a bag stuffed with the latest range by the fabulous Ms. Macpherson - The Body.
But of course I can't march around in my fancy lingerie all Summer, so we arrived home with the knowledge that another eating- oh I mean shopping trip to the city was on the cards!
Yours truly,
Fräulein SoulFood x
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