Isabeau B.'s
Where to soak in the spring sun
- 15Oriental BayWellington CentralWhen the weather is nice, or even when the weather is not so nice, nothing beats a walk along the waterfront. With the sea air filling your lungs and the blood pumping in your veins, its bound to help clear that head. For those hot sunny hungover days, a quick dip in the ocean has been known to speed up the recovery time!
- 216Mount VictoriaWellington CentralThe Mount Vic lookout is a beautiful place to admire Wellington’s beauty. There are two ways to the top; stairs, stairs and more stairs or through the ‘wildness’ that looks like the set of Lord of the Rings itself, and some of it actually is. After today’s early morning adventure, I decided it would be great to learn some yoga poses for the next time I decide to pop up there.
- 320Wellington Botanic GardensKelburnWhether or not you are a fan of flowers, nothing beats a sunny afternoon stroll through the botanical gardens. It’s the perfect place to take the kids for a picnic, or even treat that special someone for a romantic date.
- 415Wellington WaterfrontWellington CentralThe Wellington Waterfront is at its best when drenched in warming sunshine. On a sunny day its the perfect place to go for a stroll and a an ice cream, or take a seat on one of the benches and soak up some of that Vitamin D.
Isabeau B.'s
Best bars with food
- 12Public Bar and EateryTe AroPublic is the perfect place to go watch the game if you aren't one for hanging out in a rowdy pub full of drunken youngsters. With its atmosphere that of a modern bar, where one might go just to eat and not drink, it's much classier than your average beer stained and ever so slightly grimy pub. The projector is large enough for all the patrons to be able to watch the game, and the outside/smokers area is complete with smaller screens. If you are feeling peckish while having a drink, or prefer not to drink, I recommend a bowl of curly fries. You can't beat a bowl of fries but in this case being double fried, crisp and delicious, you can't get much better.
- 240Southern Cross provides a relaxed dining experience. Famous for it's 241 stone grills on both a Monday and a Tuesday, you have to get in quick to avoid missing out. Stone grill is a clever way to make the customer cook their own meal while dining out. However, watching your meat (or vegetarian option) of choice cook away provides satisfaction when it reaches the mouth.
- 320MatterhornTe AroMatterhorn is famous for its impeccable, mouthwatering food and cocktails to make your taste buds tingle. Whether you prefer the Cuba Street or Courtney Place scene, this hidden away restaurant-turn-bar is a great place to stop for a drink of the fancy sort.
- 417Bangalore Polo ClubTe AroIt’s a night out and what better than some nice drinks, a boogie to old school music and apparently peanuts. Bangalore, has a classy yet relaxed feel and the perfect option if you have either younger or older party people in tow. There is both a dance floor where you can enjoy songs from ABBA and Michael Jackson, and plenty of chairs and tables around to rest your tired dancing feet. Peanuts are everywhere to nibble on and the best thing is you can drop the shells where ever you please
- 57The Crafty TavernTe AroThe Crafty Tavern, originally known as The Craftsman, is one of those places on Courtney Place that always appears to be open. Not only do they provide endless daily specials and drink deals, but tasty cheap food. A great place to go for a burger and beer, the seasoned fries are just delicious.
Isabeau B.'s
Where to find Cronuts
- 15Mount Cook CafeMount CookThis house-turned-cafe steams up on a cold day with the Massey faculty and students. With its old-school fireplace and brick floor, it's the perfect place to get lost in during a hard day's lunch break. The cabinet cake selection is as decadent as it looks. Nothing beats procrastinating with a warm piece of chocolate brownie and a cup of well-earned coffee.
- 233Just as everyone has their preferred choice of alcoholic beverage, every hangover sufferer has their own remedy. A remedy for that pounding headache and nausea filled, twisted knot of a stomach. I myself have fallen victim to the next-day-wrath of a night drinking many times. My current remedy is for those mornings where eating food 'aint gonna happen'. For these tragic days I walk, crawl or send someone else down to Moore Wilson's fresh food section, and grab a bottle of fresh icy orange juice. Moore Wilson's OJ is not just your average orange juice. Made 100% just from oranges it's pulpy , tangy and full of Vitamin C. On a hungover day, to me, a glass of this thirst-quenching goodness is liquid gold.
- 321Famous for strong roasts and some of the best coffee Wellington has to offer, this coffee house is a great spot for avid caffeine drinkers. On the edge of Te Aro park it’s a great takeaway option if you want to soak up some sun on the grass.
Isabeau B.'s
Where to shop for a dinner party
- 133Just as everyone has their preferred choice of alcoholic beverage, every hangover sufferer has their own remedy. A remedy for that pounding headache and nausea filled, twisted knot of a stomach. I myself have fallen victim to the next-day-wrath of a night drinking many times. My current remedy is for those mornings where eating food 'aint gonna happen'. For these tragic days I walk, crawl or send someone else down to Moore Wilson's fresh food section, and grab a bottle of fresh icy orange juice. Moore Wilson's OJ is not just your average orange juice. Made 100% just from oranges it's pulpy , tangy and full of Vitamin C. On a hungover day, to me, a glass of this thirst-quenching goodness is liquid gold.
- 23Preston's Master Butchers WellingtonMount CookAs meat seems to be going up in price, it is harder to get that protein into the diet. That’s where Preston’s come in, with cheap meat deals they are a sure-fire way to ensure that you keep on top of that iron intake and keep yourself in good health!
- 32Nothing tops off a good night better than a glass of your choice of poison. Whether it be a lazy Sunday night eating takeaway and watching movies, with a glass of wine to compliment the occasion. Or perhaps a Friday night where you decide to treat yourself to a few glasses of well deserved gin and tonic. Glengarry stores have a great range in whatever tickles those tastebuds fancy.
- 44If it has been one of those weeks where you feel like fresh fruit and veg has not been apparent in your diet, then why not get up bright and early Saturday and head down to Newtown. Open from the early morning hours till the early afternoon, this is the best place to go to get more ‘bang for your buck’. Each stall competing with each other for the lowest price, results in produce much cheaper than that of the supermarket.
- 50Nood PetonePetoneNood offers a range of furniture and neat little gadgets for the home. With a quirky spin on every home item in the store, you can spend hours getting lost among these beautiful forms of artwork. The slogan for this furniture chain is “Objects of desire” and they couldn't be more right. When spending time in this store I find myself wishing I could work here, just so that I could surround myself with such beauty for a third of the price. The workmanship of each perfectly crafted item is seen in the price tag, though the quality is above and beyond that of most other furniture stores. Nood is definitely no IKEA.
Isabeau B.'s
Late night eateries
- 114OmbraTe AroOmbra, like the new kid at school, has been sparking everyone's interest. This new bustling Italian restaurant serves beautiful melt-in-your-mouth morsels. Each mouthful is full of flavour, and with only one to three small portions per meal it leaves you always wanting more. Even the name Ombra, which is Italian for shadow, rolls deliciously across your mouth. The lamb and rosemary meatballs were some of the best I've tasted. Served in a rich buttery sauce it is not a dish you will be willing to share. If you like your chips, roast potatoes or anything produced by the potato try the croquettes. The crispy crumbed outside wraps around the smooth creamy potato, providing the diner with great potato-y satisfaction.
- 232Chow ToryTe AroChow provides an abundance of mouth watering tapas-style dishes with an Asian fusion twist. Two for one Mondays is an easy option on the wallet and with a modern romantic feel it's perfect for almost any occasion. Chow caters for most dietary requirements and offers a generous amount of drink options, regardless of what your poison is.
- 328Tommy MillionsWellington CentralNothing beats the wind down of a great night out, more than a slice of hot tasty pizza. I have never been sure why pizza tastes that much better after a boozy night out. Whether it is your body getting confused because it has been awake nearly 24 hours, or the fact that you're still not sober enough to handle the cold walk home. A serving of one of these deliciously topped thin-crust pizzas will fill that belly, soak up the alcohol and warm you up; inside and out. For those extra cold nights I like to munch down on a slice of the Pepperoni. With its generous sprinkle of chili flakes it certainly gets the blood pumping.
- 436Midnight EspressoWellington CentralAs the name says so itself, this little Wellington hot-spot is open until past midnight, till 3am seven days a week. Famous for its great range of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options it’s a great place for all to stop by for a late night snack. A huge favourite of mine is the caramel slice. Thick thumb sized layers of chocolate biscuit, caramel and chocolate icing its both delightful and decadent as anything.
- 518Enigma CafeTe AroThis quirky cafe is located amongst the hustle and bustle of Courtney Place. Open all sorts of ridiculous hours, every night of the week. They provide a great range of cabinet food and their menu is one of the cheapest in town. Enigma are prepared for anything with liquor licsence and ice cream counter.
Isabeau B.'s
Best places for curry
- 16Phu Thai LannaTe AroThai food always has, and always will, make an appearance in my top five choices of dining experiences. This in mind, I have searched far and wide throughout the Wellington region for tasty Thai! Phu Thai Lanna not only fills this spot in my belly, but appeals further with affordable prices and B.Y.O. I would have to recommend the Chicken Pad Thai, a peanut noodle dish that is a great option for someone who fears spicy food. What makes this Pad Thai better than any other I have tasted is it's rich peanut flavour. The atmosphere during most week nights is peaceful, if dining out on the weekend be prepared to get amongst the party goers.
- 211KK Malaysian RestaurantTe AroThis little Malaysian restaurant tucked away down Ghuznee street serves mouthwatering dishes appropriate for any time, any day. Nicknamed 'KK' by my friends and I, it is a regular visit. The value for money is astounding with all dishes $15 or less, portions often share-able. My all time favourite is the Chicken Roti Chanai, and by far the best one in Wellington. The chicken falls apart beautifully in the deliciously contrasted creamy and spicy broth. If you love your veges ask for a dollar worth to be added, pumping up the dish even more!
- 332Chow ToryTe AroChow provides an abundance of mouth watering tapas-style dishes with an Asian fusion twist. Two for one Mondays is an easy option on the wallet and with a modern romantic feel it's perfect for almost any occasion. Chow caters for most dietary requirements and offers a generous amount of drink options, regardless of what your poison is.
- 420MatterhornTe AroMatterhorn is famous for its impeccable, mouthwatering food and cocktails to make your taste buds tingle. Whether you prefer the Cuba Street or Courtney Place scene, this hidden away restaurant-turn-bar is a great place to stop for a drink of the fancy sort.