City Works Depot

Yesterday for lunch Simon and I headed into town to try out some of the offerings at Auckland’s newest hot spot, the City Works Depot. 

It was a grey rainy day (so the photos on this post aren’t the best – that, and I was using my phone) but that didn’t put people off coming here; when we turned up people were queuing outside the Food Truck Garage waiting for it to open its doors. 

The City Works Depot is located on the corner of Wellesley and Nelson Streets in Auckland city.  Here you will find Best Ugly Bagels by Al Brown, the Food Truck Garage by Michael Van De Elzen, and a motorbike shop and cafe called Shed Five.  The vicinity is also home to Dry & Tea, a gorgeous salon that also serves a large range of delicious teas, and Brothers Brewery, who have set up their brewery, retail store and tasting lounge here.  The place looks set for further development and I am excited to see what else will join the already awesome places on offer. 

Simon and I grabbed a tasty bagel and coffee to share from Best Ugly Bagels.  Their bagels are delicious; we had their ‘Yodi’ bagel which was a sesame bagel toasted and topped with pastrami, swiss cheese and pickle.  Best Ugly pairs their bagels up with other artisan products to create something really special.  It was great to see the bagels being made fresh, right in front of you.  Also, once you’ve tried one and become addicted you can also buy packs of bagels to takeaway. 

After our bagel we headed over to the Food Truck Garage where we tried out a pork and apple dog and a chicken and leek dog.  Both were really tasty but I think we need to head back and try out a burger; they looked amazing coming out of the kitchen!  Despite the large numbers of people they had to cater for, the food was quick and the service was friendly.  I loved the enamel plates the food was served on and the big pictures of their food hanging on the walls – it made me want to select my fave pictures off the blog and do something similar at home, but we don’t really have the kitchen for it.  Anyways, if you are looking for a quick bite to eat I recommend you head along to the City Works Depot and check it out!

City Works Depot
Corner of Wellesley and Nelson Street
Auckland City

Plume Cafe Matakana

Last weekend Shane, Max and I headed to up north to check out the Matakana market and do a touch of sight seeing. After leaving the market we decided to find somewhere to have lunch, there are quite a few options in a smallish area but Plume Cafe caught my eye, the building had always been there but I don’t remember it looking as good on my last visit. Turns out Plume opened a little less than a month ago, just in time for the busy summer season. We were lucky enough to get there about 10 minutes before the lunch rush, not that a rush would be an issue as the staff were friendly and attentive and there is plenty of seating indoors as well as outside amongst the beautifully manicured lawn and garden (the outdoor area is coved by sails which provides the perfect amount of shade).

Both Shane and I had left home without breakfast and were tempted by the breakfast/brunch menu. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals, they were fresh and summery and were delivered to our table promptly.

If the name sounds familiar it might be, Plume restaurant is also located in Matakana and has been a Cuisine recommended New Zealand restaurant in 2011 and 2012, the cafe is owned and run by the same group. I can highly recommend stopping by Plume if you are in the area, I think it would be a great choice if you have kids, the lawn area is perfect for a run around while you wait for food and the staff were very kind to Max. We didn’t get a chance to purchase any of the beautiful looking breads or pastries that are all made on sight, as we were all pleasantly full but they looked delectable!.

Plume Cafe
Open 8am – 3pm, 7 days
1335 Leigh Road, Matakana
Phone 09 423 0390
www.plumerestaurant.co.nz

Cosset Café

Yesterday afternoon (yay for holidays – suck that it’s back to work on Monday!) Simon and I went and checked out Cosset, a café on New North Road in Mount Albert, Auckland.  I think we went at the perfect time as there were only a few groups of people there, unlike the masses of people I usually see spilling out of this popular café when I’ve driven past on the weekends!

Cosset serves fair trade, organic, vegan and vegetarian food.  I tried out a spinach filo parcel a lemon cupcake (which came on a china plate with the sweetest looking hand painted bluebirds) and a berry smoothie.  Simon had a coffee (they serve kokako), bagel and then got a sweet potato tart.  The food was scrumptious.  I want to go back and try out more of the delicious baking they had on display.

The café interior was a mix of different second hand furniture and there is outdoor seating as well.  It is also child friendly too; there’s an area with toys and games to entertain the littlies.  Anyways, I’m going to stop typing and let the pictures do the work!  For more info, checkout their website or find them on facebook.

Cosset
1087 New North Road, Mt Albert, Auckland
Ph: 09 846 0655
E: cossetnz@yahoo.co.nz
www.cosset.co.nz

Rabbit Hole Café

Man it feels good to have time to blog again!  I’ve been so busy making our school yearbook that I have turned into an anti-social recluse at home and have only been on my computer for work.  Boring!  Simon treated me to brunch on Saturday morning to give me a bit of a break and I chose to go to the Rabbit Hole café as I have had it on my list of ‘must try’ places for quite a while.   I like being able to tick things off my lists :)

Located in Herne Bay, this little café takes its decor inspiration from ‘Alice in Wonderland’.  There’s lots of mismatched chairs and the place makers are playing cards.  Simon and I popped ourselves down in these velvet throne-like chairs near the window seated around a cute chess board table.  On a sunny day (it was stink weather in Auckland on Saturday) I reckon it would be pretty blissful to sit out on their deck and if you have little kids with you they have quite a selection of toys out there to keep them entertained.

I built my own breakfast and had scrambled eggs with a side of kumara rosti and haloumi.  It was delicious and my accompanying hot chocolate was rich and flavourful.  Simon had the Salmon eggs benedict which I avoided as I don’t like salmon :P 
Our food came out quickly and with a touch of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ whimsy in the form of mismatched vintage plates.

There looked to be a good selection of little sweet treats up at the counter too.  I didn’t go investigate though as my meal was more than enough and the place was pretty chocka.

I really enjoyed my visit to The Rabbit Hole and would stop by again.  If you want even more of a treat for yourself you could stop for a bite here, then head up the road to Icing on the Cake and get a cupcake for dessert :)

Rabbit Hole Café
203 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland
Ph: 09 360 0755

Auckland’s Newest Dining District: Wynyard Quarter

 Part of North Wharf – Wynyard Quarter

Today Shane, Max and I took a family trip to Wynyard Quarter – an area of the waterfront in inner city Auckland, which has been redeveloped just in time for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.  The area opened to the public last weekend and there are plenty of places to dine along North Wharf and Jellicoe Street, whether you felt like picking up a gelato and exploring the area or sitting down at a cafe for a bite, or perhaps something more substantial from one of the bistro’s, gastro-pubs, ethnic restaurants, or the Auckland Fish Market where you can pick up the kiwi classic fish n chips if that is more your thing.  Whatever your tastes, I’m sure you will find it (if you would like to check what is on offer in advance of your trip you can find out here or here) .

Rushworth cafe (pictured centre) is where I will be heading on my next trip to sample their selection of home baking

Urban Turban had very funky decor

 Sanford and Auckland Fish Market offer an array of delights for seafood lovers 

Unfortunately, we were so busy looking around the area and checking everything out that by the time it came to walking back past the eateries it was bang on lunch time and everything absolutely packed so we decided it was best to pack Max (who was also due for lunch) in the car and head off.  However, we will definitely be going back and I think it is a must see/do for visitors to Auckland and Aucklander’s  alike.

Besides the food some of the other neat things Wynyard Quarter offers are tram rides that allow you to explore the sights and save your feet, a playground for the kids, a viewing bridge that offers great views of the marina, harbour and silo park (which will host markets, outdoor cinema and live entertainment over the summer months).  You can even make your way from Wynyard Quarter to the Viaduct via a new bridge that links the two.

Viewing bridge – Silo Park

Playground – Silo Park

 Functional sculpture – Silo Park

Tram

 Walk to the Viaduct

So if you feel like a day out and don’t know what to do, I would recommend heading to Wynyard Quarter.  If you do let us know what you thought and where you ate – it may help me to be more decisive next time.