Tanpopo Ramen (Highland Park)
Unit H, 491 Pakuranga Road, Highland Park, Auckland, New Zealand
---
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
---
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
---
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
---
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.
