Auckland Diner's Diary: June 2015

Coffee Hit

• Ceremony Cafe - Grafton cafe from a well-connected duo, with amazing-looking "sandwiches"
• Elsie - cafe under some stairs by Myers Park, run by an experienced team
• Geeks on Sainsbury - cafe in St Lukes, offering not just great coffee but also tempting food
• Little John's - coffee stop in Parnell from Eightthirty
• [Added 10 November 2015: Little Local - "organic cafe, deli, bakery & catering" in Parnell]
• [Added 10 November 2015: Up Cafe - hotel cafe in town at Quay West]

Central City Eats & Treats

• The Jefferson - whiskey bar at the bottom of Imperial Lane that also offers such American comfort food as ribs, crumbed mac 'n' cheese and apple cinammon pie
• Pepitos - the second branch of this Spanish tapas bar is now open in the Sugartree complex on Union Street
• Lalele Organic - market vendor of gelatos, sorbets and cocolatos has opened a more permanent home in a hole in the wall on Queen Street

Party in Ponsonby

• Miss Moonshines - previously found at various markets, this "low 'n' slow BBQ joint" now has a home in Lot 3 in Ponsonby, so it's easier to sample the Southern cooking from their smoker imported from Kansas
• The Street Food Collective - brainchild of the husband and wife team behind Miss Moonshines, the space opposite their new restaurant makes it easy for market vendors to pop up. There have already been rotating appearances from The Bearded Clam, Coreano, Judge Bao, The Lucky Taco, The Roaming Dive, Brooklyn Dogs, Mahurangi Oysters, and for those with a sweet tooth, Sweet Val's Ice Cream, The Pie Piper and Waffle Supreme. This Saturday, there will be a special American Bootleggers Party to celebrate the 4th of July.

Fast Food and Smoothies

• [Added 4 July 2015: Texas Chicken (known as Church's Chicken in the US) has opened in Westfield Manukau City.]
• [Added 4 July 2015: Pie Hole - pies, sandwiches and coffees in Glen Innes]
• [Added 3 November 2015: Johnny Mango - cold-press juices, dairy-free smoothies, sandwiches, and salads, in Westfield St Lukes (and from July in Albany) ]

Coming Soon

• Ralph's - bar and eatery just off Dominion Road (where Serafin used to be), from the people behind Vinyl Coffee Shop
• The Glass Goose - rooftop bar near the Sky Tower
• Pepitos - third branch of this tapas bar is opening in Parnell
• Menino Meneiro - Brazilian food truck currently being done up
• Graze and Feast is an exciting new Friday night food market in the CBD (Shed 10), with its opening night this Friday! [Added 14 July 2015: Unfortunately, it was canned after just two weeks.]

Events (Street Food Galore)

• Graze and Feast opening night (mentioned above) on Friday 3 July
• American Bootleggers Party (mentioned above) on Saturday 4 July
• The Food Show is in Auckland from 30 July to 2 August
• Heart of the City is making August Auckland's Restaurant Month, with special menus and events, including Street Eats on Saturday 29 August.