Pippa B.'s
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup games
- 12Turks Sports Bar and TABHavelock NorthTurk’s is Havelock North’s only bar with a TAB so this makes it an easy pick. They’re expecting to be open for all games, except the first Argentina red eye special in the early hours of the morning. There are lots of big screens, pokies – to keep you occupied should the game not go your way – food, and of course the bar will be open to celebrate.
- 25Shed 2 Bar and RestaurantAhuririPopular and refined Shed 2 on West Quay is expecting to be open for all of the All Black games and the finals, so keep your fingers crossed the black jersey will feature in the finals. Of course food and drinks will be on the go as well.
- 32The RiversGisborne CentralGood ‘ole Irish hospitality here. The Rivers will open for any big group breakfast bookings and from 11am onwards all the games will be rerunning on the big screen. If the Irish get to any finals this place will rock.
- 43The Duke of GloucesterTaradaleFancy a RWC breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast for $10 this mad rugby supporter has a full TAB service and will be open for most games scheduled from 7am onwards, with the final rounds to be advised closer to the day. Replays will be shown throughout the day.
- 53Another choice for the RWC games on the popular West Quay precinct. This nautically-themed bar/restaurant will be open for most of the games and has just had a make-over and now boasts the biggest ‘big screen’ in Hawke’s Bay, plus five other smaller ones. They’re expecting to put on a special breakfast.
Pippa B.'s
Good for gardening
- 12Barron ImportsAhuririBarron imports unique garden art and furniture fresh from India and Asia. Think giant Buddha, wall-framed mermaids, Italian statues, pots galore each reflecting the culture of the country of origin. It’s an eclectic and inspiring mix and the Ahuriri store has a lot of stock and space in which to shop.
- 21Native Garden NurseryMakarakaThe place to shop if you want to redesign your garden to wake to the dawn chorus and native bird song. By planting natives and creating an environment best suited to our landscape and local conditions you also provide an ideal habitat for our birds. The nursery has experienced staff on hand and a vast selection of plants spread over more than one hectare of land.
- 31Palmers Gardenworld NapierTaradaleAfter a vibrant makeover a year ago this garden centre is a relaxed place to browse and along with a new layout there are lots of garden accessories and plant variety. The café opens out to a grassed play area and petanque court – a fantastic space for families to catch up.
- 42Oderings NurseriesPakowhaiPakowhai is the latest addition to the 10 nation-wide Oderings stores and along with the Havelock North site is the second in Hawke’s Bay. The company who have been in business for more than 80 years grow and sell their own plants nurtured and grown at the Pakowhai site.
- 52Environment Centre Hawkes BayHastings CentralThere’s everything you need to know about a sustainable lifestyle at the centre. They sell worms and worm farms and boast an environmentally-friendly demonstration urban backyard with chooks, bees, native plants, veges, fruit trees and composting systems. The shop have a library of information and regularly hold workshops. A good place to start before embracing a natural lifestyle.
Pippa B.'s
Good for gardening
- 11This unique garden centre is a key member of the Box Park Markets, set among the colourful renovated shopping containers housing small traders at the rear of the New Zealand Farm Shop and Kitchen on Domain Road. Stock up at the market, grab a coffee and something to eat and enjoy the distinctive ambience the garden centre provides. Raewyn specialises in plants for the local area, with small section holders and farm life style in mind. She’s naturally-focused stocking organic compost, potting mix and seedlings. It really is a hidden oasis.
- 22Palmers TaurangaBethlehemAward-winning Palmers Bethlehem have a wide variety of plants, palms and pots. It’s a popular garden centre and the gift shop stocks everything garden-orientated – even Weber barbecues. Of special interest is the animal menagerie. Ditch your garden gnomes. If you have ever wanted wild African animals or a petting zoo in your backyard this is the place to come.
- 31Decor GardenworldBethlehemI love this place because it reminds me of an old-style garden full of flowering plants back dropped by mature trees and an ivy-covered shed. It’s a joy to wander around or sit on the large deck at Café Eden with a coffee and gaze upon. The gift shop stocks some interesting items, including Morris & James pottery and kiwiana.
- 43It’s a pleasure to wander amongst the roses, fruit trees and plants at this semi-rural garden centre on the edge of town. The café is a great place to meet up with friends and family with plenty of outside seating.
- 56Pacifica Home & Garden StorePapamoa BeachTo get to the garden centre or café you must walk through a wonderful gift shop stocked full of must-haves for the home and garden. The garden is beautifully laid out and an inspiring place to wander around until you spot just the plant for that special spot. Have something to eat and sit at an outside table while you survey the colour.
Pippa B.'s
Best European Restaurants
- 122Comida TaurangaTaurangaHot, hot, hot on The Strand eating strip is Comida, a passionate welcome true to the Spanish spirit, which pumps out live music and is known for its authentic tapas, juicy oysters, tasty paella and nice warm sunny courtyard.
- 25Volare TaurangaTaurangaFantastic restaurant on The Strand and all things Italiano – menu, staff and atmosphere. Beautiful bruschetta to start, pasta galore and a range of meat main dishes. Buon appetite!
- 34Cafe VersaillesTaurangaA slice of Paris in the heart of Tauranga with a great atmosphere and true French cuisine – escargot, goat cheese profiteroles to die for.
- 42Osteria da GinoMount MaunganuiI had a great meal here, a warming fire on a cool night made for a cosy evening. It’s a big restaurant but has loads of character.
- 55DelissiMount MaunganuiThey have an interesting small plate menu, which I like, so I can mix flavours and options. Delissi’s menu gets my taste buds going before even sampling. How does confit duck, potato, pinot onion, baby spinach and cherry jus sound?
Pippa B.'s
Best European Restaurants
- 11Trattoria alla ToscanaNapier CentralA true fine-dining Tuscan experience and the food is great. Fresh ingredients and home-made pastas are representative of this established family-owned restaurant, smack bang in the pedestrian precinct of Art Deco Napier. A great meal, enhanced by friendly staff and excellent service.
- 21The Marina RestaurantGisborne CentralWhether you want to bring the love back into your relationship, pop the question, or for a truly special occasion in a fine dining restaurant never underestimate the power of a romantic backdrop. The Marina Restaurant is set in a beautiful historic building, with crisp white table clothes, sparkling glassware, top-notch food and the right amount of French influence and should never fail to impress.
- 31Ten Twenty FourHastings CentralThis Mediterranean-styled restaurant is highly rated for tasty and imaginative cuisine combinations, each plate is beautifully presented and crafted with locally sourced seasonal food led by chef Kent Baddeley, perfectly matched with a superb wine list coupled with knowledgeable staff to advise.
- 41Three Doors UpAhuririSitting amongst the Art Deco buildings you could believe you are in a quaint town in the middle of Europe. A Mediterranean styled restaurant with a great reputation and fabulous courtyard well recommended.
- 52Deliciosa Tapas and Wine BarHavelock NorthA local favourite and great meeting place, where a delicious Spanish tapas menu head butts an eclectic wine list head on. Especially good is the Lebanese 7-spice wagyu rump with kumara crush, tahini dressing and candied walnuts.
Pippa B.'s
Best bars
- 12Monica LovesNapier CentralThe bar affiliated to Mister D and alluring the cool crowd is the fun place to hang out between Thursday and Sunday for sophisticated snacks, worldly wines, craft beers and perfectly executed cocktails performed with loads of personality. Discreetly housed down a laneway off in the historic precinct.
- 24Emporium Eatery & BarNapier CentralI love this place for its reliability, location, old-world charm and cool interior and it’s a buzzy place to hang out on Friday night. It’s been judged a “world’s best bar”, so that says it all about the beverage side of things. There’s enough on the menu to satisfy a bite on the run, the seasoned traveller or fine diner, but I always fill up on several small plates – the tasty fried polenta, cauliflower puree, smoked tomato salsa, parmesan cheese or the pork, fennel and lemon meatballs, hummus and tzatziki and sample the latest from Emporium’s guest wine showcase.
- 32ProvedoreAhuririYou can't beat this location at any time of the day or night. It hums with sophistication and mingles with the local flavour. The perfect background for good food and wine.
- 42Deliciosa Tapas and Wine BarHavelock NorthA local favourite and great meeting place, where a delicious Spanish tapas menu head butts an eclectic wine list head on. Especially good is the Lebanese 7-spice wagyu rump with kumara crush, tahini dressing and candied walnuts.
- 51Hugo ChangHavelock NorthHavelock North was hungry for a Hugo Chang and what an impact its made – a little taste of Shanghai meets Soho with small plates of European-Chinese options, but the food and wine is secondary to the exotic atmosphere and cultural styling created under red lanterns and comfy couches.