Charlotte R.'s
Where to shop for kids
- 17Witchery PonsonbyGrey LynnWitchery takes design cues from the best trends in adults ready to wear and condenses it into some of the most on trend kids wear around. Well made in quality fabrics, it’s stand out gear.
- 21Peppin BoutiqueHerne BayPeppin has super cute clothing for newborns to 4 year olds. Choose from hoodies and sweatshirts in soft cottons, drop crotch pants, t-shirts with their signature prints - all in natural, organic fabrics. There are also unique toys and organic bath products always beautifully displayed in this playful and light shop.
- 326Nature Baby LimitedGrey LynnI don’t have kids but whenever I need a gift for a baby shower or newborn Nature Baby is a one stop shop. They have super cute stripey onesies and printed organic t shirts as well as a wide variety of wooden toys and the most adorable Bambi lamps.
- 44Kid Republic NewmarketNewmarketIf you are looking for kids wear with an edge head to Kid Republic. They cater for newborns right up to age 14. They carry the uber cool Minti , Alphabet Soup and Little Horn labels among others and also a good range of Converse sneakers, which are a perfect fit with the clothing.
- 514Country Road NewmarketNewmarketThe Newmarket branch of Country Road has great kids clothing. From textural knits, crisp printed cotton shirts and dresses, cute chinos and perfect leather shoes. The ranges change often and are reflective of international trends.
Charlotte R.'s
Cheap & cheerful dining
- 13Dumpling DelightAuckland CentralI've been keeping this place a secret as I haven't wanted to queue for a table here like you have to in the other popular dumpling houses. It is a little more down in the mouth appearance wise than the Balmoral eateries but it really is authentic, right down to the one woman operation in the kitchen. The egg and chive dumplings are sensational, especially if you order them in the chilli broth. The scallion pancakes are fluffy, thick and crispy and perfect for mopping up sauces. The cucumber salad is garlicky and flecked with white pepper and perfect for cutting through the heavier dishes such as the eggplant, potato and capsicum in brown sauce. The staff of one usually don't speak much english but there are pretty good pictures and descriptions on the menus or sometimes the people at the next table are kind enough to translate!
- 213Satya South Indian Restaurant Karangahape RoadAuckland CentralSatya has a unique spin on Indian curries. They are of South Indian origin and many are spiked with ginger and tamarind. There is a large vegetarian menu and many unusual entrees to choose from such as the masala dosas and uthappam. A must have dish is the dahi puri which I like to call ‘Indian nachos’ - they are small papadams with a potato topping, a tangy tamarind sauce and yoghurt. The palakura cheese curry is also a crowd pleaser and the dal makhani will have you going back for seconds.
- 35Lim Chhour SupermarketAuckland CentralIn the Lim Chhour food court is a surprising stall in Salam. Serving authentic middle eastern cuisine my favourites are the tagines. Meltingly tender slow cooked meat and fish served with the most delicious plate of spiced rice.
- 411Moto Sushi BarParnellMoto is something of a surprise and a bonus if you are out west and looking for something good to eat. Try the Crispy Prawn Don - panko coated prawn skewers with mayonnaise, a Japanese salad and rice on the side. The vegetarian box is also particularly good.
- 511Mamata BakehouseGrey LynnIf I need a quick bite Mamata is the place I head to for a lentil roll or cheesy vege pie. Both delicious and sustaining, I follow it with an organic coffee which they always make to perfection. For the sweet tooth the huge ginger and walnut cookies are out of this world!
Charlotte R.'s
Best gift stores
- 110Flotsam & JetsamGrey LynnFlotsam & Jetsam have a covetable range of curios and oddities for your home from Agee jars, large glass battery cases and Crown Lynn to large wooden trestle tables and old shop signs. The book selection is also fantastic.
- 22Weekend TraderPonsonbyWeekend Trader is one of the new kids in the Ponsonby Central and further enhances the homewares side of the complex. It has an industrial flavour and they specialise in vintage style lighting, stocking a wide variety of pendant lights and metal lampshades. They also have the ever popular terrarium in attractive geometric cases, reindeer hides, framed vintage motorcycle prints, large glass fronted cabinets, rustic sideboards and much more.
- 37Father Rabbit LimitedGrey LynnIf beautifully simple homewares are your style then look no further than Father Rabbit. They have items that have a Scandinavian sensibility in a clean white background to showcase the pared back forms. Materials favored are - wood for chopping boards, handles on spatulas, rolling pins - stainless steel for egg beaters, flan tins, measuring spoons - linen for bedsheets and tea towels - enamelware for pie tins, ladles and roasting tins - white ceramic for cups and saucers, plates and mixing bowls and simple french glassware for tumblers and carafes. They also stock plant based cleaning products with alluring names such as Effortless Floor Splash and Premium Glass Polish which sounds like they do all the work for you.
- 438Unity Books LimitedAuckland CentralThe best bookstore in the city, Unity is small and filled wall to wall with amazing titles. There is a superb selection of cookbooks, fashion books, design books, fiction and non fiction. Even when closed the window display can captivate with its alluring covers.
- 54the OBJECT ROOMPonsonbyThe Object Room has a huge wall of aromatics from Panpuri and Karmakamut which are worth browsing but I was drawn in by the beautiful glassware from Danish brand Muuto. Particularly the fine Corky glasses and the stacking muted grey Same Same But Different glasses.
Charlotte R.'s
Where to take your sweet tooth
- 133Alleluya Bar & CafeNewtonAlleluya is the heart of St Kevin's Arcade and quite rightly so. The kitchen is at the back but all of the seating is in the atrium which overlooks the mouth of the arcade so you are guaranteed some great people watching. Coffee is Millers and there is a blackboard menu all week and counter food, mostly under $8, on weekdays. The cake counter is a thing of beauty which has flavors such as Jewish Ginger, Orange Almond(gluten free), Italian Rice Cake and the Alleluya Chocolate cake which is a rich, moist morsel. It's a brilliant spot to have a late afternoon wine and marvel at the character of St Kevin's Arcade and watch all the activity in the shops around you.
- 27Scratch Bakers HQAuckland CentralHave you ever wondered where Toru and Teed Street Larder get their superb baking from? Scratch Bakers are the source and now you too can go straight to it. They have opened a small but perfectly formed cafe in the City Works Depot and you can sit down to mouth watering fish korma or braised goat, harissa and yoghurt pies and follow up with a ginger creme brulee tart or twisted cinnamon dusted churro among many other sweet and savoury delights. They serve malty Three Beans Espresso and the decor is raw industrial in keeping with the rest of CWD but warmed up by a red painted wall.
- 371Little & Friday NewmarketNewmarketIt doesn't take much to lure me into Little & Friday - the cream donuts are a real weakness as are the caramelised onion and feta tarts, savoury brioche and pot of tea alongside is a heavenly accompaniment . But one of the most divine things I have eaten there is a chocolate eclair and boy are these things are elusive! If anyone sees them in the cabinet please alert me a.s.a.p.
- 46The CakerAuckland CentralJordan Rondel, aka The Caker, makes sublime cakes. She has such a large repertoire of unusual recipes that you can keep going back for more over and over. The ingredients she uses are organic and natural and there is a homemade quality to her cakes that is unique to her. Nothing is too much of a challenge for her - vegan, gluten free, cane sugar free - and her flavours are always intense. Her specialties include Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake, Coconut, Lime and Plum with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Icing, Orange, Almond and Polenta Cake and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake.
- 529Kohu Road LtdNew LynnI am a huge fan of Kohu Road's Cookies and Cream and Dark Chocolate icecreams but now also have discovered the spacious cafe out in New Lynn. Supreme Coffee made with organic milk(of course) and a bagel with smoked salmon is my perfect breakfast. The pastries and donuts in the cabinet look delicious and the cafe has a kooky area with a retro caravan and seating area which is endearing.
Charlotte R.'s
Top coffee spots
- 114Eighthirty Coffee RoastersNewtonEight Thirty is dedicated to doing coffee well. Great coffee and a concise offering of goods from Cool Food as well as the divine cakes from The Caker. All in a sparse but warm brick interior in a sunny spot on K’Rd.
- 28Three Beans Coffee RoastersAuckland CentralThree Beans is the new kid on the block, a fine addition to the Sheds at City Works Depot. Sit at the big communal table indoors, positioned to catch the morning sun, and enjoy a coffee and one of the delicious scones.
- 330Espresso WorkshopAuckland CentralEspresso Workshop prides itself on it’s baristas making the perfect coffee. My takeaway lived up to the hype, perfectly thick, creamy milk and a more ish coffee flavour with no hint of bitterness.
- 40The Grassy KnollAuckland CentralThe Grassy Knoll is a small yet perfectly formed cafe on Shortland Street and has been providing locals with excellent Supreme coffee Monday through Friday. My first visit coincided with their first birthday celebrations so along with my coffee came some delicious, freshly made Russian fudge. There are plentiful sandwiches on offer, smoothies, healthy salads and some great looking hot dishes such as Jungle Chicken Soup. I will definitely be popping in again when I am next in that neck of the woods.
- 53MacGregor Brothers KitchenAuckland CentralI have been stopping in to this tiny cafe for takeaway coffee regularly when I am in the city. The brew is Allpress and MacGregor Brothers make a fine flat white. The counter is packed with divine looking baking of the sweet and savoury variety which disappears quickly so you need to be in early to sample the delights.
Charlotte R.'s
Where to buy gourmet goods
- 129Farro Fresh - Grey LynnGrey LynnIf you can’t find inspiration in Farro Fresh then you might as well give up. First up are the fantastic fruit and vegetables with a notably great herb selection and some fine cherry tomatoes - I picked up an Italian selection which had a dark red, orange and classic red cherry. The fish is fresh and the friendly fishmonger is eager to help you with your choice. There are cheeses to satisfy the most fussy tastes, shelves full of chocolate, a great dairy section, fresh cuts of meat as well as cured, spreads, dips, olives, pickles, biscuits and crackers, wine and even cooking utensils, equipment and cookbooks. If you were desperately lacking inspiration you could make a beeline for the cookbooks then work your way back around Farro and you would have a successful meal in a jiffy.
- 211Kapiti StoreAuckland CentralThe Kapiti Store in Shortland Street is a dairy lovers paradise with a large selection of delicious Kapiti cheeses packed into the front counter, including my favorite Kikorangi blue, and the shelves on the wall have complimentary items such as gourmet pastes and the wickedly tasty 360 crackers. For the sweet tooth there is Kapiti's gourmet ice-cream in flavors such as fig and honey, black forest or mint chocolate. Also the toasted sandwich is finger licking good! A must have on a cold winter day.
- 329Bread & Butter Bakery PonsonbyPonsonbyLittle Bread and Butter in Ponsonby are dishing out the finest organic breads in the neighbourhood. They use all natural unbleached flours, nuts and seeds and do a wide range of loaves including more-ish Walnut Loaf, Pumpkin Rye, wheat free Swiss Loaf and some unique breads such as a Fitness Bread containing wholemeal flour, carrots and seeds and a gluten free buckwheat loaf which is good news to the coeliacs and gluten intolerant bread lovers out there. Traditional white bread lovers are well catered for with the crunchy Tuscan Country, Parisian and Batard loaves. For the sweet tooth there are buttery pastries, cinnamon rolls and madeleines and Five Elements coffee to wash it down.
- 41PomegranateNewmarketPomegranate is a Middle Eastern deli behind the BP in Newmarket and has a plethora of Middle Eastern spices, pickles, dried fruit, nuts, canned goods and a brand of rose water that I use in recipes but does double duty as a spritz on my face as a toner. They also have a selection of food in the counter to takeaway .
- 523Bhana BrosPonsonbyBhana Brothers are a Ponsonby Road institution for fresh cut flowers, breads from Wild Wheat Bakery, a huge array of fresh fruit and vegetables and grocery items including artisan Italian dried pastas, organic cereals, Matakana chocolates and so much more. The frozen goods fridges reveal organic frozen berries, Kapiti and Kohu Road icecreams and there is a great selection of dairy products.