5th Street

CHRISTCHURCH. Already seduced during a few visits to the bar at 5th Street for drinks before dinner elsewhere, I was…

1154 Pastaria

WELLINGTON. While everybody has heard of pizzerias, the concept of a dedicated pastaria is fairly novel, to…

Francesca’s Italian Kitchen

CHRISTCHURCH. Warmth and generosity of spirit, Nonna-inspired cooking and cosiness are always my hope for Italian fare…

Bastardo

WELLINGTON. After Bastardo opened in Tory Street in June last year, its first few menus took inspiration from the…

Hunger Monger

NAPIER. There’s an eclectic mix of wooden, laminate and plastic furniture; some tables are covered with plastic…

Giraffe

AUCKLAND. The viaduct on a sultry Friday evening is booming with baby boomers. Most restaurants and bars are packed.…

Rothko

AUCKLAND. Three gorgeous but completely unexpected golden chandeliers hang in the vestibule of Rothko’s kitchen. Diners…

Hayes Common Neighbourhood Eatery

HAMILTON. There is scrupulous attention to detail at Hayes Common. It shows in the big things, like food, drinks and…

The Hunting Lodge

AUCKLAND. It’s good to have The Hunting Lodge open again. Those of us living in the north west of Auckland have been…

Cotto

AUCKLAND. K Road has been home to many a pop-up venture and one of the more recent ones, Cotto, which started up as a…

The Grey Robin

CHRISTCHURCH. Dinky New Regent St shops tend to do the Dr Who Tardis thing, seeming much larger than they should be…

Pomelo Kitchen & Bar

WELLINGTON. A few days before I dine at Pomelo Kitchen & Bar, I bump into a Singaporean friend who lives near Oriental…

Terrôir

HAWKE'S BAY. To understand why Craggy Range winery is so named, you only need to sit out on its restaurant terrace and…

Nanam

AUCKLAND. Filipino food has never been a regular on my eating pathway but as it happens, I have visited Nanam before.…