Monday, November 27, 2006

auckland city hospital



If you're to have a heart attack in a cafe, this is where you want to be.

On the 3rd floor of Auckland City Hospital, you'll find Planet Espresso. There are three things about this cafe:

1. It's located in the largest public building in New Zealand. Yes, you don't have to be sick to get in here, it's actually regarded as a public space.

2. It's right next to the Coronary Care Unit. You're in safe hands even after that triple shot long black.

3. They do wonderful coffee.

The picture was taken at 3am in the morning, hence yup, it's closed.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Bellota



Peter Gordon said Bellota will be the most authentic Spanish food based Tapas bar in Auckland. I'm not sure whether that includes:

1. Bar stools with no foot rest

2. Puffing away with a cigarette in your hand, sitting across the loading dock of the beautifully decorated Sky City Grand Hotel.


Now let's not be mean and picky.
The menu is simply impressive, certainly can't see anything quite like it elsewhere in Auckland.

The interior is quite unique, putting a photo here won't do it justice.


Comparing it to Dine won't be fair either, yet while Dine certainly meets one's expectation,
Bellota exceeded mine.

It's always nice to get more then what you expected.

Photo from www.bellota.co.nz

Saturday, November 18, 2006

manual of love



Just why do people across the ditch get to watch this movie one year earlier then us in NZ?

Everyone has their own perspective on love and marriage. In (Hong Kong) TVB's "Be my guest" program, HKSAR's CE Donlad Tsang reckon if one decided to get married, there's little point in picking and choosing. He sees marriage as a process.

Aren't we all bothered by the paradox of choice?

Friday, November 17, 2006

imperial view



Imperial is just next door down from Umi. The view is typically viaduct. The interior lighting in the bar area is arguably one of the prettiest in Auckalnd in terms of colour. It changes colour every few seconds, a bit too fast for my taste.

The menu is simple, just what you need on a Friday night. Reasonable wine list. The blue cheese brulee was interesting but don't think I'll order it again.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Umi - two weeks old



Don't be mistaken. We were indeed the first table on a Thursday night but well before sunset, the place was already half full.

You'll find the usual suspects on the menu, plus quite a few other surprises. You can tell the ingredients are fresh off the market. This always helps. Presentation was excellent, the relatively small table actually makes fitting all the bits and pieces difficult.

I look forward to Umi's first birthday.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The best in November



Spring must have something to do with it. Clooney, Jervois Steakhouse, Gala, Kabuki at Stamford, Umi at the viaduct... When was the last time Auckland has seen so many restaurant/cafe openings all in one month?

Clooney has the best interiors and ambient, including the toilets. The Steakhouse has the best steak knife, I was quite amused. Gala? The food arrives slowly but it was worth the wait, just don't go there if you're in a rush. Kabuki is a real disappointment, no one bothered to guide us to a table hence we simply left. The revamped Stamford can't be taken seriously when a "lobby restaurant" is the best they can manage. What Stamford needs is a restaurant like the Partingtons, where almost every aspect of the restaurant deserves a star ratings similar to the hotel itself.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Sophie Scholl



You'll truly be moved by Julia Jentsch's portray of Sophie Scholl. Not that, in my ignorance, know anything about Sophie Scholl before this movie. I did after all picked accounting over history in high school.

What did you do when you were 21 years old?

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Best souvenirs shop


The title doesn't do Pauanesia justice for it is much more then a place to shop for souvenirs. It is a real find.

You won't find the bread and butter kauri woodcraft or kiwi keyring inside this little store in High Street. Instead, I bought a very cute little Kiwi piggy bank from there last Sunday, you just have to see it for yourself.

No discerning souvenir shopper would walk away empty-handed.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

trading house restaurant



Just what exactly is a "trading house restaurant"? I don't know. All I can remember from an article on Monsoon Poon in the paper earlier this year was that the current owner has another restaurant in Wellington, he somehow manages to run both restaurants and remains quite hands-on to the extent that, he fixes leaks in the toilets.

The interior is Asian influenced. The food, to the credit of a bunch of ethnic diverse chief, is not fusion and largely very well in the traditional way. We went early on a Monday, it was full house by the time we left. The atmosphere? you wouldn't want to prattle on about how rough a day you had in the office, the red decor somehow makes you wanna just indulge into whatever is on your plate.

The highlight has to be the "chocolate and caramelised ginger brulee". Don't leave without trying it.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Borat - a mockumentary



A quick look at the UC Berkeley mockumentary collection explains why Borat is not really my cup of tea. It's the first time I've come across this genre and boy, I hope there are better examples out there.

I just wish Rialto or Lido show Sophie Scholl at a later time.. that might have saved me from going to the preview at the Academy last night..

All this, from a romantic comedy fan.