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Category Archives: Local

THE REFRESHMENT ROOM

Friday, August 31, 2012

[Photographs: David Straight] Driving down Scenic Drive in full spring sunshine is reminiscent of being in California’s Big Sur, cruising down Highway 1 through the redwoods. The sun flickers through the trees, and it feels good. Halfway down this picturesque stretch is The Refreshment Room. Set in the old Montana Estate headquarters, just past Titirangi, [...]

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THE GOLDEN DAWN

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

[Photographs: David Straight] We go to the Golden Dawn quite often: in fact, it’s probably our favourite bar in Auckland. Sometimes, in the early evening – gosh, late at night too – we visit to eat, rather than drink. The menu, seasonal and simple, runs from bread and butter ($5) to a sticky lamb neck [...]

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EMPRESS GARDEN

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

[Photographs: David Straight] This is the kind of place you might not know about until you’ve lived in Auckland for a few years. It’s in a pretty old villa and it looks like the kind of “Chinese” restaurant that you went to in the 16980s, and which just happens to serve the best Peking duck [...]

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YUMMY KOREAN

Thursday, June 28, 2012

[Photographs: David Straight] There are times when a city surprises you: just when you thought you knew it well, you find something wondrous. Yummy Korean does this. It’s a tiny little shop in Birkenhead, which, by the way, is becoming one of our favourite areas to eat. There is textured wallpaper and pictures of dishes [...]

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BIRD ON A WIRE

Thursday, March 29, 2012

[Pictures: David Straight] Naming your takeaway joint after a Leonard Cohen song? You had us from hello. Located in Ponsonby’s “Chicken District”, Bird On A Wire has taken over greasy institution Nina’s and given it a jolt into modernity. Sandwiched in between KFC and Nando’s, this is the healthy, gourmet option for a slap-up dinner. [...]

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