Review: Abstract

Abstract (157 Greville Street, Prahran) One of the added benefits of staying with friends when travelling means that you get to go to new restaurants that they already know are good. We were staying quite near Prahan for the first part of our trip, so a walk to Chapel Street was no big deal. Nichola had…

XuXu Dumpling Bar

XuXu Dumpling Bar (Corner of Galway and Commerce Streets) Talk about a secret little hideaway. This place is in such a central location, yet it is such an easy place to miss. Right across the road from the Britomart Train Station, it makes for not just a delicious stop, but a convenient stop – especially…

Recipe: Banoffee Pie

Growing up, banoffee pie was always a favourite dessert of mine. Lonestar, a massive chain restaurant serving southern U.S. style food used to have it on its menu (and probably still does); in my eyes it was always the stand-out dessert. Banoffee nails the mixture of some of my favourite foods and textures: fresh banana,…

Akarua Wines & Kitchen

Akarua Wines & Kitchen (265 Arrowtown – Lake Hayes Road, Arrowtown)   Previously known as Walnut Cottage, Akarua is a cutesy little cottage located just out of Arrowtown, not much further than Millbrook. After pulling into the gravel carpark, we made our way to the entrance across the sun-streamed patio and outdoor tables. We were welcomed…

Recipe: Poached Pears in Chocolate Brownie

What a delectable dessert. It’s a rich, fudgey brownie, but the freshly poached pears lighten it somewhat, making it not so sweet and extremely more-ish. Poaching the pears is definitely what takes the longest, but that is really a matter of chucking everything into a pot and leaving it to simmer for almost an hour….

Poppies

Poppies (91 Puruatanga Road, Martinborough) Ever since I moved to Wellington Poppies had been on my bucket list. All the people at work talked about it, my friends talked about, even people I didn’t know talked about it. I knew I had to get there and I just had to find an opportunity. An overseas…

Recipe: Lemon and Coconut Cups

These delicious little gems are the best ‘cleaneats’ treat I’ve made to date. The lemon cream is just so tangy and refreshing, and the tarts as a whole are surprisingly filling. They are also pretty easy to make, especially as no oven is required. Also, the turmeric gives them a bright yellow colour, which could…

Recipe: Creme Brulee

Time to get fancy! I have always loved creme brulee, and have always thought of it as a highly complex dish. Once I decided that I wanted to make it though, I realised that perhaps it wasn’t that difficult – rather the gas torch just makes it look extremely flash. The risk in its success…

Recipe: Chocolate Mud Cake

This cake is absolutely to die for. It is so dense and gooey and rich and moist – everything a cake should be. I think if I were to make it again I would go easy on the extras – all the occasions I have made it for so far have been for various friends…

Recipe: Saucy Chocolate Pudding

It’s hearty, warm and delicious. I can’t claim full credit for this recipe, it’s one that I have stolen from Chelsea Winter – and like almost all of her recipes, it is simple yet still a massive crowd-pleaser. At a recent dinner party, everybody kept asking me whether they could have my ‘secret’ recipe; nobody…