Chop Chop Noodle House

Chop Chop Noodle House

140 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand

---

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

J’aime Les Macarons

The Colombo, 363 Colombo Street, Sydenham Christchurch, New Zealand

---

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

Hello Sunday Cafe

6 Elgin Street, Christchurch, New Zealand

---

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

Costas Taverna

478 Cranford Street, Shop 3, Christchurch, New Zealand

---

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

Burgers and Beer

355 - 357 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand

---

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

Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn

292 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand

---

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

Goode Brothers Gastrobar

Shop 36, Botany Town Centre, Botany, Auckland, New Zealand

---

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.

Gogo Music Cafe

Gogo Music Cafe

239A Burswood Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand

---

Have heard words of this place.
Now have reason to go as friend of Ally from Japan came over to visit.
If you want your meat fix, you have come to the right place.
Welcome back M san.

One Skewer.

Times plenty.

A selection from beef, chicken, pork.

Like exotic parts such as intestines, ears, tongues, kidneys, liver etc then go forth order more as there is an abundance.

They could also come in skewer form.

Oh and there is also sweet stuff.
Some fried buns with a side of condensed milk dipping sauce.

Big plate of chicken, potato and some large hand made noodles in spicy sauce.

M san and Ally cat with Lilo bear.
Size of plate for comparison.


No photoshop just a big ass plate.







If you are hungry and need meat, then Gogo is your stop.
The prepared meat on skewers have many a flavor. I recommend getting that big ass plate of chicken, potato, big noodles in spicy sauce.

Price: $$
Rating: 4/5

Get that big ass plate of chicken, the spicy potatoes go well with it. Also many flavors of milk tea all up in there too.

 

Crazy Noodle Bar

Crazy Noodle Bar

110 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand

---

Long awaited catchup with bear Poiz, Gordo and baby G, joined in by another couple.

On arrival only us 3 couples were present. Ghost town restaurant.

Food judging time begins.

 

Strawberry milkshake vs Hong Kong style milk tea.

Milk tea massacres the medicinal tasting strawberry milkshake.

 The food gave this place points up.

Abundant amount of flavors covered the food to follow.

Couple 2  orders the below 2 black peppered meats.

Steak with black pepper sauce on rice.

No need to blink again you are not seeing double. Its the return of the similar style flavored black pepper on rice, but with pork.


The smells are strong with these 2.
Lingering by as the waiter brings these 2 in.

Hunger juices begin and nostrils open twice as large to pull in the smells.

Couple 3 orders the below 2.
  
Beef with tomato on rice.

Baked pork chop spaghetti with creamy cheese sauce.

Constantly swapping back and forth between the 2 can only mean both are very tasty.

Can not go wrong with cheese like that.

Lilo and I order the following.

Baked chicken fillet with pepper sauce.

I was lucky enough to have one bite of this amazingly flavored meal.
Held back urges to grab the spoon again.

Did I mention the pepper sauce is amazing?

Have been craving sweet and sour for many a moon this year.

Finally got my fix.

Above average taste, fix was somewhat satisfied with this dish.







The sauces on these dishes make this restaurant.
If you are smart enough to order dishes with sauce on top, you win.
If you like tasting medicine get the strawberry milkshake, most likely wont try milkshakes here.

Price: $
Rating: 3/5

Hong Kong style milk tea and anything with sauce on top of rice wins.
Highly recommend the baked chicken fillet with pepper sauce.