SIDE DISHES
People, ideas, and inspiration
Where the dish team is eating out, the Kiwi baker who’s wowing America, a Queenstown sake bar and more...
Where we’re eating and drinking
There’s no rest for the food-obsessed... when the dish team isn’t bringing you delicious recipes, we’re out theretrawling far and wide in search of tasty fare. We share our latest favourite haunts
Sarah Tuck, editor. Hotel Ponsonby: I was delighted when the uber-talented Hugo Baird (of Lilian and Honey Bones fame) took on the challenge of breathing life into the old Ponsonby Post Office. The chic interiors elevate it from pub level, and yet it remains super-casual – for sports fans there is a slightly more ‘bar vibe’ in the first area, the restaurant hosts gaggles of pretty young things for lunch and dinner, while the courtyard sees everyone from families to oldies like me kicking back in the sunshine. On a Sunday afternoon I often tootle up the road for a catch-up with mates over an enzoni (gin, Campari, lemon and fresh grape), or an off-menu negroni. I’m always up for the rosemary fries, but I also love the smoked fish rillette with pickle, cucumber with stracciatella and dill or chicken schnitz with cornichon and sage. hotelponsonby.co.nz @hotelponsonby
Claire Aldous, food editor. Barulho: A couple of tapas and a pisco sour – late afternoon sun, tucked away in Parnell. barulhoparnell.com @barulho.parnell. Alma: Sitting outside under the pōhutukawa with an Olasagasti anchovy and tomato toast and a glass of chilled rosé. alma.nz @eat.at.alma. And Apéro, for a slice of Les’s terrine and a glass of anything that Mo recommends. apero.co.nz @aperokrd
Karrin Macleod, business manager. Pici Pasta: It’s hard not to order everything on the menu – well actually Claire Aldous and I did order all but one of the antipasti list...so GOOD. picipasta.co.nz @pici.krd
Alexandra Blackwood, digital editor. High Tide brew bar at Our Place Tauranga: A ridiculously well-stocked spot that had my friends and I acting like kids in a candy store, but with beer and cider rather than lollies. My pick was the Blackbeard Coffee Stout, which hit the spot when I couldn’t decide whether I needed a cold beer or a boozy espresso martini… ourplacetauranga.co.nz @hightidetauranga. Huhu Café, Waitomo: The menu is interesting and delicious, with duck leg, pork hock and lamb cutlets among pasta, burgers and corn fritters. The chocolate souffle is a work of art and I could eat two of the peanut butter parfaits. huhucafe.co.nz @huhucafe
Maria Hoyle, sub-editor. Clay: From the vibrant, Middle Earth tile floor to the one long table that fosters a convivial, at-home vibe, this is a delightful recent discovery. An extensive list of delicious natural wines is on offer, and the food – simple dishes done excellently – is as pleasing as the tile jigsaw underfoot. Along with the lipsmackingly good Millton ‘orange’ wine from Gisborne, I’ll never tire of their Ortiz anchovies with home-made sourdough and buffalo butter. If you get the cheese platter, be sure to ask for their chef-made glutenfree crackers – big slabs of rich, seed-laden goodness. 366krd.co.nz @clay_366krd
Síana Clifford, sub-editor. Mr Morris: It’s hard to beat a dining experience that excites your taste buds while also supporting the local community, so my favourite dinner over the last while was at one of Mr Morris’ monthly charity nights, in aid of Starship Foundation. It’s a trust-the-chef model with a three-course set menu but when that chef is Michael Meredith you know you’re in safe hands. The pork belly with an irresistible side of charred cauliflower, raisins and hazelnuts was worthy of a generous donation alone. mrmorris.nz @mrmorrisnz.
Yvonne Lorkin, drinks editor. The Common Room, Hastings: With its comfy old couches, supergroovy stereo and clutter of eclectic art and ornaments adorning every nook, The Common Room in Hastings is an ear-and-eye-quake every time I visit. Plus with its incredible roster of live music, standup comedy and slam poetry, luscious local wines and drool-inducing menu, it’s the best spot any day of the week. commonroombar.co.nz.
Conor Fox, art director. Ambler: This is my go-to. My parents are obsessed with this Pt Chevalier, Auckland bistro and we go almost every weekend. They drive all the way down from Matakana! My fave is the eggs bene. amblerptchev.co.nz @amblerptchev
Olivia Galletly, food writer. Casita Miro: There’s little I’d prefer to be doing on a hot summers day than sitting beneath the olive trees with a glass of Miro wine and looking out over the vineyard and ocean. My husband and I love it so much that we decided to get married here three years ago. The food is just as wonderful and the atmosphere; their goat’s cheese croquettes with honey and roasted almonds should not be missed!