Johnny P.'s
Must-Eat Cafes and Restaurants
- 14LorettaWellington CentralThe establishments on this list are placed in no particular order - apart from Loretta. They deserve to be in first place for as many reasons as they have menu items. Waffles with blueberry syrup and coconut yoghurt is one of those vaild reasons; as is the beef brisket and cavolo nero pie with lemon; and the roast cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and sunflower seed salad is a more than worthy reason why Loretta trumps this list. Actually, you can view all of these unique reasons on their special World of Wearable Arts menu, here: http://www.loretta.net.nz/assets/menus/menu-25.09.14W.pdf
- 224Nikau CafeWellington CentralWhen you visit a city you always want to know where the locals go - and that’s Nikau. In the quest to reveal Wellington’s most well-known dish (amongst my very passionate local friends anyway), it was Nikau’s kedegree with house smoked fish that had the majority of them salivating. But if you’re not a seafood fan (don’t fret!) they’re great at everything here and they really do care about what’s delivered to your table - which sits in a sun-drenched room next to the Wellington Art Gallery.
- 333Talk about Wellington institutions - I’ve lost count of the times people have said to me “oh yeah, we were going to try that new place…but we ended up at Dukes again” when I’ve asked how the new restaurant was. That’s just reaffirming how consistent and reliable Dukes is and it all comes down to the words from Duke Carvell himself - “triumph through virtue.” And take note: Do try (but more likely share) the 600g angus grass fed rib-eye fillet, cooked medium rare, with pickled walnuts, watercress and bone broth. Nice one Dukes.
- 445Sweet Mother's KitchenTe AroSweet Mother's Kitchen is on this list out of pure respect. This is one of the establishments that makes Wellington so unique, and just another reason why the Capital is such a desirable dining destination. Head there for home-style cooking inspired by New Orleans, Cajun and Creole cuisine with a tasty hint of Mexican snack food on the side. It feels so good being in the hands of a team with so much experience and love for what they do, you’ll feel it once you get there. Important: Breakfast is served ‘til 5pm on the weekends (many a hungover patron has reaped the rewards) but if you’re not feeling the effects of the night before - or you want to keep the ball rolling/get back on the horse - then ask for their brilliant beverage list (particularly the beers!)
- 515Ortega Fish Shack and BarMount VictoriaNo list is complete without the presence of a top notch seafood shack, especially in a seaside city like the Capital. I choose Ortega! For the balanced atmosphere it achieves through its quirky decor, buzzing energy, and its effortlessly supreme seafood menu items. I can personally vouch for the chargrilled pork belly, with scallops, mango, pawpaw, radish and ginger wine dressing; or the roasted tarakihi with Malaysian coconut gravy, and a prawn, lime and coriander salad; and of course the fresh Pacific oysters. Take note too - it’s whitebait season!
Johnny P.'s
Holiday Hideaways
- 15Riverside MatakanaMatakanaThe Riverside have done such a great job with their cabins, they have thought of everything. As a Matakana local I know how many top notch accommodation options there are in the area, but I feel this one is so great because they have the best range of cabins (a list of the best Bed and Breakfasts around Matakana is a whole different endeavour!). So whether you’re on a getaway with the family or not, the Riverside is truly heavenly if you don’t mind something just a little higher on the price scale. Just a few minutes from Matakana town you are seriously spoilt for choice for food, wine, entertainment and the best beaches in the greater Auckland area - yeah, I said it!
- 26Pakiri Beach Holiday Park is at the top of my holiday hideaways list for good reason - it ticks all the boxes. Firstly, it is one of the most beautiful road trips to take out of Auckland, the drive itself is worth the getaway. The choice of accommodation here is super impressive, they can cater to your getaway whether it’s with your better half, the kids or your mates. Choose from luxury cabins to basic cabins, and caravans to camping spots, with plenty of the cabins located right on the beach front. A well priced and well maintained holiday park.
- 32Martins Bay Holiday ParkWarkworthHands down Martins Bay is the best and safest place to swim out of the beaches on this list. I’m not sure why but Martins Bay always seems to be so sheltered, so if you’re with family it’s perfect. There’s a pontoon for the kids to swim out to, equipment available for hire and two playgrounds on site. The accommodation choices are also fantastic as there are flats, cabins, caravan and camping sites available. A little friendly advice - a small section of the beach (the end by the ‘other’ boat ramp) is privately owned!
- 44Orongo Point BachWellsfordIf you’re after real peace and quiet (as in one of those places where it feels like there’s nothing around for miles) then Orongo Point Bach is the spot. Walk down to the private beach - read, swim and relax with your friends and family. It’s all too dreamy here. And this really is an amazing find, with the bach sleeping up to six people for just $150 (through December and January) - need I say get in quick folks? They’re pretty free still for summer bookings.
- 54Castaways ResortKarioitahiIf you really want to escape the rat race for the weekend and check out one of the most untapped locations in the Auckland region, a couple of nights glam camping on the Awhitu Peninsula is money well spent. Situated on the clifftops above the black sand beauty of Karioitahi Beach is a hidden gem called Castaways Resort and it's one of the most romantic places on earth. Glam camping only takes 48 guests so it pays to book in advance but the resort's accommodation is equally as beautiful.
Johnny P.'s
5 Best Ramen
- 17Tanpopo Ramen (Auckland Central)Auckland CentralFirstly, just a bit of background on why these ramen hot spots are put in their designated places. For me, the standard by which I judge a ramen restaurant is the quality of their broth and their noodles. The toppings are great and all, but they can’t make up for a weak broth or poorly made noodles. Tonkotsu is the style I usually judge by, it’s the Kyushu style of ramen, made with a deep pork bone broth. It should be unctuous, fatty, porky, silky and pretty much just incredible, almost with the consistency of milk due to the dissolved fats. I will back Tanpopo as the best in the city right now. Anybody with anything bad to say about Tanpopo usually only complains about the higher end of the price scale (from $10-$17), the decor (but you don’t go for that, right?), or that they give fewer toppings. Most places with an average broth will make up for it by giving you lots of sliced pork on top, whereas Tanpopo just gives you a few slices and you can pay for extra. Therefore keeping all this in mind each is graded by broth quality first, then noodle freshness second - so Tanpopo takes top spot in my books.
- 217Ramen DoEden TerraceRamen Do are a close second. They spend two days making their broth in-house, as well as hand-making their noodles, with the majority of ingredients coming from Hokkaido (so they say). Still, their broth quality is not the standard of Tanpopo, but they are generous with their toppings, so I guess it depends on what flips your lid in a ramen, you feel me? The staff are unstoppably charming, and I have to say I get a well-meaning giggle out of the grammar on their menus and website. #superauthentic
- 313Mentatz Japanese Ramen RestaurantAuckland CentralChef Kudo takes great pride in his tonkotsu ramen, having served up countless bowls in his career. You know you’re at an authentic spot when you’re literally surrounded by local Japanese ramen enthusiasts, and it’s a very exciting experience to join the feast. When you enter Mentatz you play by Chef Kudo’s rules, meaning you do not wait to begin eating if your meal arrives before anyone elses at your table, as the noodles will get too soggy. It’s hard to place Mentatz in at third as it really is good, but still I stand by my rating system of broth first, noodles second. You just have to try it yourself.
- 410Ramen TakaraBrowns BayRamen Takara probably have the best noodles in the list, but their broth puts them in at fourth behind Mentatz. Their noodles, “Japanese Ramen Noodle from Mount Fuji," are made with "the finest flour and mineral water" and it certainly shows - they are a revelation. Again, the broth quality is a wee way off the Tanpopo liquid gold I have become accustomed to, but the toppings are spot on, the noodles are fresh, soft, and slide down too deliciously easily.
- 51Kiraku Japanese RestaurantAuckland CentralTalk about bang for your buck here. They get a well deserved spot on the list for their broth, noodles and toppings, combined with how well priced it is, just $10.50 for their tonkotsu ramen. This isn’t one of those ‘take someone to impress’ type spots (a bit of a decor dilemma), but if he or she is a raving ramen fan too then that’s just all irrelevant. Side note: their gyoza are spectacular!
Johnny P.'s
Gifts For Men
- 161Stardome Observatory & PlanetariumRoyal Oak"So, so you think you can tell, heaven from hell? Blue skies from pain? Can you tell a green field, from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell?" Is this song, or anything by Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin the sound track to your Dad's youth? Well then he’s going to go bananas at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium’s special upcoming presentation. Over three nights in October the Stardome will host its newest full-dome sensory experience with ultra-high resolution projections, laser beams, lighting effects and seat motion. This will all be accompanied by music from the legendary Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin in full surround sound. This is an evening for adults only (sorry young rock fans!), with the ticket price including two glasses of wine from Giesen vineyard. Identification is required. Access to the Stardome’s courtyard telescope is also offered depending on the Auckland weather (of course!) Show times: Tue 14 Oct 2014, 8:00pm–10:30pm Tue 21 Oct 2014, 8:00pm–10:30pm Tue 28 Oct 2014, 8:00pm–10:30pm Head to website for ticketing information, and do get in quick! http://www.stardome.org.nz/events/pink-floyd-led-zep-music-double-feature/
- 226Brothers BeerAuckland CentralMost Dads are suckers for the suds, so an excursion to Brothers Beer in the City Works Depot may just make his Fathers Day the best one yet. This team really did go all out on the tap offerings, with 18 regularly changing, delicious and different beers ready and waiting for your number one Dad to taste. Savour the flavour of one brew, or tuck into a tasting rack of five beers for $25. When the hunger pains prevail (or the tasting rack gets the better of him), choose from their list of tasty wood fired pizzas, too. And if you’re thinking a ‘Dad & Associates Day Out’ (i.e. bringing the family and friends together) could be nice, then ask Brothers Beer about their group bookings and tastings - he’d love nothing more than a belly full of laughs to go with that belly full of brews.
- 34ASB Theatre Aotea CentreAuckland CentralSave the date Dad! Because the incredibly sharped witted and outlandish Bill Bailey is back for two shows at the ASB Theatre. The gap between how we imagine our lives to be and how they really are is the subject of Bill’s new show, ‘Limboland’. With his trademark intelligence and sharp wit, he tells tales of finding himself in this halfway place. From his countless global travels, he recounts the hilarious saga of a disastrous family trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights. He rails against a world that doesn’t match up to our expectations and contemplates the true nature of happiness. And no Bill Bailey show would be complete without music, so Bill gives us his version of the protest song, a heart-rending country and western ballad played on a bible, as well as a fabulously downbeat version of Happy Birthday. We urge you not to miss your chance to see one of comedy’s true original minds in action, returning to New Zealand after his sold out tour in 2012. Tickets range from $79 - $89 from Ticketmaster, the first night has sold out so get in quick for night number two! http://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/Bill-Bailey-tickets/artist/1021758
- 410The Whisky ShopAuckland CentralSo your Papa likes a nip of whisky when the mood strikes, does he? Well, The Whisky Shop is where it’s at for his Fathers Day prezzie then. It can be a little overwhelming as your eyes glaze over at the layers upon layers of product in store, especially if you know next-to-nothing about Dads preferred spirit. But don’t fret, the Whisky Shop staff got their jobs because they’re incredibly passionate about their trade, and have had a night or three ‘getting to know’ their product for your benefit. And it’s not just a specialist whisky store, they also have other spirits, vouchers for their regular tastings, gift sets, a range of perfect whisky sipping glasses and accessories, and are offering special Fathers Day discounts too. A hot tip: if it’s accessible, take a cheeky photo of your Dads liquor cabinet contents to show them his preferences - they’ll choose you a bottle that’ll have him saying “oh, you totally nailed it!”
- 514I Love UglyGraftonForget about I Love Ugly’s five panel caps for a moment, these local lads have got racks of ritzy threads for Dads too. As we willingly wander into spring I can seriously guarantee Dad hasn’t thought once about freshening up his shirt or slack selection (it’s no fault of his, he’s just too busy!) Enter: your Fathers Day prezzy with help from I Love Ugly. Their shirt and pant designs in particular have become a whole lot more wearable for Dad’s now, more so than when the brand started out. Clean and simple design, beautifully made, super suitable for dressing up or down, with abundant accessories to match. Sure, I could have put Crane Brothers in this list instead, but really, I Love Ugly is around half the price (or less) with as much swag and credibility. Jump online and check their store locations, the perfect wardrobe item for Dad may be just around the corner.
Johnny P.'s
5 Best Burger Joints
- 117Ekim BurgersWellington CentralDuring my quest to solve the mystery ‘who crafts the premier burgers in the capital’ I unearthed many clues, the majority of which pinned Ekim burgers as the culprit of this delicious crime. A bit of a fuss has been kicked up about this place hence it showing up on my radar, and on that radar it will stay, with it’s 20+ burger choices. It’s not often you hear it, but ALL of these creations are better than good, made with love by hand in the tiny Ekim caravan on Cuba St.
- 228MontereyNewtownMonterey - they’re like that kid at school that’s good at everything who you get uber jealous of, but once you get chatting they’re actually really cool and super lovely so you want to hang out with them all the time and learn from them. Monterey’s burgers are an easy choice for second, their popularity and flavour is only just out-done by Ekim. It’s creations like the house smoked snapper, red pepper and tartare sauce burger that had them oh so close to first place, it’s even tempting to put them in at first equal. Monterey’s got the goods on the burger front, and they do it all with just enough swag to top it off.
- 35Joe's Garage WellingtonWellington CentralYou know that bbq you have every summer with family and friends where you cook up quality burgers and laugh about the good old days? Yes or no? Either way, sitting down for a burger from Joe’s Garage is just like that, except a wee bit fancier and you’re in a garage. Their burgers earn them a well deserved third placing, with choices like roast lamb and haloumi, sirloin steak and caramelised onion, chicken and streaky bacon, and of course beef and swiss cheese. Yes, the price point is noticably higher than your average takeout, but to have a garcon on hand with advice and smiles-a-plenty to attend to your needs sweetens the deal considerably.
- 42Food for the PeopleWellington CentralSome have said that experiencing a Food for the People burger is like witnessing an Aurora light show - it’s quite rare and truly a privilege. Their elusive nature is owing to their tendency to pop up at farmers markets and festivals rather than having a ‘nine-to-five’ style base, but once you stumble across or hunt them down you’ll see why it’s a privilege. Their fare is as fresh as it gets, and depending on your luck, you might even get to try their Kapiti Island caught tuna steak, or Kapiti Island caught lemon fish and tarragon coleslaw burgers. If you’re salivating while reading, check their Facebook page for their next pop up spot.
- 518Ti Kouka CafeWellington CentralForget about burger choice, think about burger quality when you walk through Ti Kouka’s doors. We’re talking a ‘sticky’ beef burger in the form of braised beef brisket, red cabbage, bbq sauce and beetroot puree, or the haloumi burger with rocket pesto, mayo, bbq sauce, gherkin and beetroot puree. These two items of gourmet grub are just a couple of reasons why they win awards for crafting the humble burger.
Johnny P.'s
Best Burgers
- 124Late Night DinerPonsonbyIn sixth place it’s Late Night Diner, beating my seventh seeded burger joint for one reason, which I will explain to you in due course. Let me say first that I was ecstatic when this joint opened. I recall too many nights finishing work around midnight in Ponsonby with little-to-no choice for a quality late night bite. Now, thanks to this team, those days are no more. On the burger front, it is not the place to come if you’re looking for choice, but it is the place to come for a delicate and lovingly made beef, bacon and cheese burger. It’s brilliant to watch it all happen in front of you as the team fastidiously prepare your order. The meat paddie sizzles to your desired finish, the cheese placed precisely on top liquifies, the bacon grilled under strict supervision to perfection, the pickles sliced lengthways so they stick out just a touch to make their presence known. The team are meticulous, they care, they look cool while they do it, and the result is a damn fine burger.
- 217Burger QueenMt AlbertThe hardest part about a trip to Burger Queen is choosing from the menu. There’s three columns of options on the blackboard to tempt you, with around 10 to 12 in each. I left there kicking myself because I didn’t ask what the record is for the longest time spent choosing a burger. All that aside we come to the easiest part about a trip to Burger Queen: the masticating. My choice was the Beast Burger, named after NZ Warrior Manu Vatuvei, and it was as hard to tackle as the man himself, but only much, much more enjoyable. The thing towered over my can of Sprite, a steaming stack of awesome wrapped in tinfoil. Beef, steak (yes, both), bacon, chicken, egg, caramelised onion, lettuce, mayo and special sauce. I thought of words of comfort from the Mitre 10 Mega guy, “BIG IS GOOD”, as I powered through it, then fell into a beautiful food coma. This place is legendary, you must try it.
- 320Velvet BurgerAuckland Central(Eighth place) A Dunedin institution that’s inevitably made it’s way north due to popular demand, many an Auckland confidant have now nestled against the Velvet Burger bosom. It’s all about Kiwiana here, with a loud and proud attitude towards sourcing local ingredients and beer to wash them down with (they even have Double Brown). But the real star comes in the form of ‘The Stag’ burger, a beautiful amalgamation of venison, portobello mushroom, blue cheese, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red onion, aioli and plum chutney. Those Otago locals know a good burger, and I’m glad they were willing to share them with us.
- 422Burger Fuel PonsonbyPonsonbyI really did want to try leave the more ‘chain store’ style burger joints out of this list, but a special mention and a ninth placing must go to Burger Fuel for their vegetarian options. As I delved deeper into research among my vegetarian friends (and their friends) as to where they go for their vege-tastic treat, it seemed Burger Fuel was the most consistent name that surfaced. Ka pai Burger Fuel.
- 58The White LadyAuckland Central(Tenth place) Due to the scheduling of my visits to Auckland’s oldest foodtruck, The White Lady and I don’t always have the clearest picture of our relationship, but I know for sure that I’m a happy customer. The burgers are large and delicious and the staff are always friendly, even after more than 60 years serving the nightlife on the city’s streets. The menu has maybe too many options for the functionally drunk to safely navigate, but no matter what you pick you’ll be greedily spilling burger fillings onto the moonlit street with a grin on your face, that much I can guarantee.