Tanpopo Ramen (Highland Park)
Unit H, 491 Pakuranga Road, Highland Park, Auckland, New Zealand
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Finally had the long awaited catchup with my Uni mates.
We used to always eat out every week and try new places.
So for this stop we'd heard news of this place.
You can't eat Japanese food without getting Takoyaki.
So that's what we did.
We got Takoyaki.
The dried bonito flakes literally makes this dish come alive!
You'll see what I mean if you get one.
Finally had the chance to get a snap and to review this tasty dish.
The new Cheese Ramen!
For those who be skeptical, do not.
The warm soup melts this cheese into the Ramen and fuses new taste into the soup.
It makes for great eating.
It adds so much flavor, it's as if I were eating a cheesy ramen pizza only with Tonkatsu infused taste.
Thinking about it makes me want to go back a 3rd time.
It is set at a relatively good price.
For Ramen it's the soup that makes the Ramen and so with multiple choices of soup base types to choose from, the beauty is that you can never go wrong with your Ramen choice!.
Price: $
Rating: 3.9/5
Highly recommend Takoyaki and Cheese Ramen!
The Sugar Club
Level 53, Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand
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A relation of Lilo's has come overseas to visit us.
Deciding on a place that has multiple contrasts and uniqueness in tastes.
The Sugar Club was on the top of the list.
We chose to sample many from the menu.
Dishes start from $90 minimum for 3 of your choice.
What better way to sample food than with Lemon Lime & Bitters.
Not sure what this brand is, but it really punched me in the face with taste.
Everyone started off with a small portion of fresh salmon and goat cheese.
The flowers can be eaten.
Here we have the Seared Pacific Tuna.
Dashi broth, apple, 'sponge', cucumber, nam jim dressing, coriander and quinoa.
The mild crunchiness of the apple goes well with the seared tuna.
Gives it freshness in taste.
Wild Paua.
Butter braised on smoked mash, creamed paua brioche, capers.
Usually Paua is not something I try, because its too chewy. But the still warmly cooked Paua made it tender.
Surprisingly tasty with the warm mash.
Mushrooms... As this is called.
Parfait, trompette des morts, sesame enoki, shiitake, black garlic, crumbs, ketchup.
Didn't get a chance to try, but the smell was quite strong.
In the good way.
This colorful one is the Beetroot marinated day boat fish.
Grilled Atlantic scallop, tapioca crisp, kale coconut sauce, carrot puree.
What made this dish a winner was the melt in your mouth beetroot marinated fish.
Spanner Crab.
Waikanae crab and yuzu remoulade, kina panna cannota and grilled sweetcorn.
Again another dish I sadly didn't get try.
Hawkes Bay Lamb Loin.
Puffed rice, almonds, chickpea potato curry and lamb rib.
A bit spicy for my taste, but not the burn in your mouth spicy. It had a different taste to it like a refreshing burn if you will.
Lamb loin, good.
Couldn't resist once I saw the name Pork Belly on the menu.
Solomon's gold pepita mole, tamarillo, tamarind caramel and kimchi.
The pork belly in my opinion was a bit chewy.
I could get past that once I mixed everything on the plate to the fork and let the distinction of the taste sink in.
Pekin Duck
Chilli jam, squid dumpling, cashews, mango, bok choy and lemongrass coconut dressing.
This was good as you can never go wrong with anything thats peking duck related in my opinion.
The crispiness of the skin was just right and the meat met on par.
Lemongrass and mango added to the taste.
To top it all off a blueberry cheesecake.
Only because its pretty.
Pretty tasty that is, because of the chilled blueberry and the biscuit that compliments the cheesecake with the sauce.
Friendly staff and the assortment of weird and wonderful tastes that somehow just don't fit when you read it on the menu, but say "Ah i see" when you actually eat it is the very reason why we always bring overseas guests to this place when they visit Auckland.
Price: $$$$
Rating: 4.5/5
Although price is high, its actually worth it! Seared Tuna or nothing!
Dogmatic
Britomart, 2 Queen Street, Auckland, New Zealand
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Had Lilo's family come from overseas.
Traveled around CBD showing them the finer things in life.
Dogmatic's hotdogs and cheesy chips was one of them.
Got hungry, needed meat.
B.B.B was on my to eat menu. Sicilian beef, bacon wrapped, caramelized onion & BBQ sauce.
Always got to have onions on my dog.
The sausage and bacon makes for an excellent combo.
Nothing beats an aroma that smells good and is able to carry that with taste.
Lilo's cousin chose the Chilli. Beef Sausage, chilli, purple onions & jalapenos.
He said was spicy, but not too spicy.
The winner for everyone was called the Cheesy.
Chips with house made cheese.
This was passed around the table, Lilo following in tow with where the Cheesy went.
The chips brought out the flavor.
Had a specific taste that went well with the melt.
Also comes with in wedges.
That view.
That food.
A place situated right next to Britomart train station makes for an interesting place to eat.
On a nice day sitting outside on the stools and table while eating hot dogs makes for bliss.
Especially spending it with Lilo and her family.
Price: $
Rating: 3.8/5
Must get the Cheesy. Other hot dogs on the menu just as good. Not a first time virgin to this place.
Pumped Cafe
145 West Coast Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
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Decided to take Lilo a bit out the way for eats.
Had found a special deal for breakfast.
Place had an interesting look, good day for a drive.
40 minutes into the drive landed us here.
No platform 9¾ to run into but a rustic looking location.
Car park. Anywhere.
Like I always said, have always been a fan of big breakfast. Will always jump at the opportunity to eat.
Most big breakies would easily amass a charge of no less than JUST under $20 or more.
This lovely thing cost $16.50 on a regular.
With the coupon it was even better!
Scrambled eggs, wasn't as scrambly as how I would usually have it, but it tasted good.
Bacon was just right, usually have had more saltier on occasion.
Only objection was the random green vege in it.
Eggs benny with salmon.
Lilo had no complaints, but that sauce though, yummy mixture.
Decor was unique, nice and simple. Few chairs inside and small surroundings.
Food tasted good and its near train station.
But still don't like that spinach looking thing in my big breakfast.
Price: $
Rating: 2.9/5
Prices are good. Big breakfast price among the cheapest Ive seen.
Chop Chop Noodle House
140 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand
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Its about time I put this place in the blog.
Ramen being the only noodle dish I like.
This place had plenty of taste to live up to. It did.
Had decided to take my rents here for Dads birthday, bro included.
This amazing noodle dish here is the Crispy Fried Jerk Chicken. Tomato and green chilli salsa on rye noodles.
Still astounds me, that even swimming in the soup the chicken still attains some crunchy and its flavor.
Well done.
That egg though. So good.
Neat little teapot.
Tried both Blooming Oriental Pearl Tea and Iron Goodness of Mercy Tea.
The names I like.
Very solid in flavor.
Opens the eyes.
Of course for Father I got the Cobra Kai Super Mega Ramen. Crispy fried chicken, pork belly, bbq pork, kimchi, mushrooms with rye noodles.
Mixture of massive flavor into a massive bowl.
For Mother I got her the Barley Miso Ramen. Chilli tofu, mushrooms, courgette kimchi, smoked miso butter on rye noodles.
I had a try of them both, Super Mega Ramen wins.
I like meat.
This here magical drink is the House-Made White Coke.
I HIGHLY recommend you sink your tongue into the zest that is this drink.
Unique this one is.
More pot.
I like the see through look, might get me one for the home.
If lucky enough, you get to sit at the bar to see the composition of food art before you.
Place was that good I came back here again during a time where it was not as dark. (I confess this was my 4th time.)
This here is the Egg Net Of...
Yep that is the name.
Minced prawn, Vietnamese mint, peanuts, chilli, shallots and ginger.
It really is a Vietnamese inspired dish.
Goes well with sauce provided.
Crispy Fried Jerk Chicken.
Round 2.
Excuse the lighting on the first few sets of photos as there is low light ambience at night, but that somehow bring out the flavor.
The decor, the chatter of people, the smell of food everywhere as Chop Chop is situated in Ponsonby Central a food hub makes for a dining experience.
Price: $$
Rating: 4.1/5
White Coke + Super Mega Ramen = good times. Scratch that... GREAT times.
J’aime Les Macarons
The Colombo, 363 Colombo Street, Sydenham Christchurch, New Zealand
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Some things always deserve a special mention.
Being born with massive sour/sweet tooth, I had to write it.
Cake, sweet, cake, sweet, big macaron. Win.
Have tried this place a long time ago.
Ordered it as a special gift when macaron's were in their hay day.
Have a gander at the website.
Jaimelesmacarons
Yeah, those are big macarons.
Who don't love them some salted caramel on everything.
Other pretty things in the cabinet also.
Had to bring the big salted caramel macaron back up to Auckland. Treating my special macaron cargo as to the max fragile.
HAWT damn that thing bigger than Lilo's hand.
Bear was keen to get in on it too.
Again.
Apart from size, taste be good.
Not too salty, not too sweet.
Had the softness yet in tact crunch, macarons be a strange thing.
You think a thing of that size would have a lot of cream, but ratio was a 8/10 in my opinion.
We both enjoyed it very well.
If you don't get a chance to visit Christchurch, no worries visit their website.
If you think you a macaron connoisseur visit the J’aime Les Macarons macaron page.
Plenty of intriguing flavors to be had.
Oh did I mention their flavors seasonal!
Hello Sunday Cafe
6 Elgin Street, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Always love a good breakfast, just as much as a good burger.
Before heading off to the airport back to Auckland the tean stop by this little cafe.
Sadly no favorite of mine was in there. The Big Breakfast.
2 type of eggs benny here.
one with Salmon up front and at the back with bacon. Both equally delicious.
What makes a good eggs benny is the hollaindaise and how not overpowering it is.
Overall dish was Kellogs, "just right."
This pretty fruit patch is the Granola.
"Fresh fruit served over toasted oats and nuts, topped with berry yoghurt."
This be the brioche, with stewed apples and mascarpone.
"Eggs your way" as its called.
Scrambled eggs on hard bread.
I was lucky enough to try the concoction.
"Cornbeef hash."
"Refried cornbeef potato, rocket and goats curd. Served with poached free range eggs."
Left an excellent savory/salty after taste.
chopped hash with the cornbeef went well togethor.
Neat little sign.
Neat little cottage.
We were all up in there.
Nice decor also has cabinet food. I had both the salmon eggs benny and the cornbeef hash.
Both very well seasoned. All goes well with cranberry juice.
The team had coffee which they mentioned was quite nice also.
Price: $
Rating: 3.9/5
Delectable.. Recommend the Cornbeef Hash for sure.
Costas Taverna
478 Cranford Street, Shop 3, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Last night on the Job in Christchurch with the team.
Still keen for a good big meal.
Tonight we dine in Greece.
Some Greek beer, do not know how traditional it was as it was suggested.
Not a big fan of garlic bread, but this was different.
Had perfect mixture of soft and crunchy.
Garlicy, cheesy, warmy?
And toasty.
Me, I ordered the "Legendary Lamb Shanks."
Let me write you the description.
"Slide-off the bone lamb shanks braised in fresh garlic, tomato and red wine sauce, served over fragrant jasmine rice and a medley of fire roasted Mediterranean vegetables."
Yup.
1 shank $24.9, 2 shank $29.9.
There were many other meaty choices to choose from the menu.
All big proportioned and flavorsome.
See for yourself http://www.costastaverna.co.nz/images/stories/menu-main.pdf
Price: $$
Rating: 3.7/5
Trip advisor 2014 winner of the certificate of excellence.
Burgers and Beer
355 - 357 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand
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3rd Afternoon into Christchurch another lucky taste.
Always a fan of a good burger, price never matters for that.
Burgers and beer is definitely in my top 5.
Despite the look.
The taste is amazing.
Able to customize the "Super Bugger Betta Burger Bargain" combo I swapped the Supper Bugger Burger with Lock Stock & One Smoking Burger.
It consisted of 320grams of beef patties, double belly bacon, triple cheese, iceberg lettuce and smokey BBQ sauce and aioli.
Just reading that description you can taste how good it will be.
Eating it is even better.
Combo comes with your choice of house beer or soft drink + chips with gravy dip.
Yes GRAVY dip.
That sauce, just as tasty as the burger.
Menu for pricing and other burger deal.
Do not let the price deter you. For me, if there is good food to be had ill pay whatever price necessary. The team were all stuffed graciously yet still we wanted to dip that chip in that gravy. Im a bit bias coz I like a good big fat juicy burger.
Price: $$
Rating: 3.8/5
Did not leave that sickening feel after. That is a plus for me.
Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn
292 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Second night in for field work deployment.
After 12 hour shift night before, the team and I get to eat something hearty.
What better way than an Inn.
Ye Olde menu be the news.
When in an Inn nothing beats a pie, a juicy pie.
Lamb and Ale Pie with spring vegetables and mash.
That mango is the mash.
Lamb was well shredded, pastry was delicate yet moist.
Happy indeed that veges were not from packet.
Although the Lamb shreds were rather salty.
Emerson's Pilsner 4.9%.
Beer to the rescue?
Not quite, the added saltiness of the lamb plus beer did not mix well.
But the Pilsner on its own before the dinner met with nice aroma and sweetness. Drink first, eat later.
With Christchurch still in the growing after the earthquake this Inn is top spot especially if it can cater 10 folk.
The menu had many hearty choices of meat, Rib eye and Venison were amongst the favorite on my team.
A previously established brewery turned bar/history spot, nice.
Price: $$
Rating: 3/5
Hearty meal fan? Come here.
Goode Brothers Gastrobar
Shop 36, Botany Town Centre, Botany, Auckland, New Zealand
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Long time coming since Lilo and I caught up with Amez and Troy.
Always were accustomed to Asian/Japanese cuisine.
Tonight we mix it up a little.
Excuse the red lighting, as its just ambiance.
Amez orders the Chicken Risotto.
Risotto is devoured first leaving the chicken behind.
Chicken did look a bit dry.
Chicken fettuccine good staple choice also.
Troy mentioned it was good flavoring overall.
If Italian I always go for the lasagne.
Surprisingly did not leave me groggy afterwards as Lasagne usually does.
Although filled with lots of cheese it did not sit heavily in my stomach.
Vegetables from a packet sits on top.
Lilo uniquely chose Zuchini Beef Bolognase.
Sounds weird, tastes good.
Something about the mixture, something.
Good.
Not an outstanding place but still edible.
If you want something filling but does not weigh heavily get the lasagne.
For a unique taste get the Zuchini Beef Bolognase.
Price: $$
Rating: 2.5/5
Not bad, but not good.
