Auckland Diner's Diary: September 2015

Central City Street Food

• Fat J's - you might have seen them at various night markets, but since the end of August their sliders have a spot opposite the Central City Library, and they facilitate random acts of kindness with their #PayChipsForward idea
• Viet Sandwich - originally just a market stall, this banh mi vendor has opened up a second home on Elliott Street
• Bing&Go - this container store, on Elliott Street as well as opposite the Central City Library, reinvents the Chinese jianbing as an Asian burrito

Downtown Delights

• Beirut - polished Middle Eastern restaurant, which is also a cafe by day, at the end of Fort Street, from the co-owner behind Mexico and Orleans
• Fokker Bros - GE free burgers, dogs and chicken in the Viaduct
• Al's Deli - Montreal tomato pie, grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, and their new Deli Dog are now available at this Montrealer's second shop on O'Connell Street, along with old favourites such as pastrami and donuts
• Le Chef - second branch of this French cafe and bistro has opened on Vulcan Lane, where Cépage used to be
• Ima - this Israeli restaurant has relocated a couple of doors up Fort Street to where Ima Deli was, to make room for Brian Campbell's dessert bar and patisserie
• Goodlife Juice Company - smoothies, juices and mason jar salads (you can buy the jar for $3)  on Fort Street

More City Eats

• PappaRich - months after this Malaysian franchise announced its imminent arrival, it has finally opened in the IMAX building
• Weirdough & Tuck - now that Scratch Bakers HQ is open, the Scratch at City Work Depot has turned into a "tuck shop style sandwich bar" offering a full cafe menu, with the same team on board
• Ät - little eatery serving European food on Victoria Street (prevously site of My Mother's Cafe, and before that a vegan restaurant), though its name and several dishes suggest Swedish inclinations
• Daebak BBQ - Korean BBQ buffet restaurant off Albert Street, opposite the Sky Tower
• Beijing Lu Bar (北京擼吧) - Chinese BBQ (halal) on K'Rd, where 155 Restaurant used to be
• [Added 13 February 2016: Michelin Canteen - casual Chinese food on Mount Street, available for delivery]

Life on the Fringe - Mount Eden, Kingsland, Eden Terrace

• Sen Kitchen & Bar - with its name meaning "lotus" in Vietnamese, this contemporary Vietnamese eatery staffed by the team from Parkside Cafe has opened in Mount Eden, where CAC used to be
• Brothers Juke Joint BBQ - lovers of craft beer and American style BBQ will rejoice to hear that Brothers Beer has opened a second brewery and eatery in a former leather factory near the Mount Eden train station
• Mash Inn - burgers and duck poutine are on the menu at this boutique bar in Kingsland
• Bluebell's Cakery - the second branch and new flagship of this popular cafe is in Eden Terrace, with savoury items as well as cakes

Life on the Fringe - Newmarket

• Cali All Day Eatery - light and airy eatery in Newmarket, with such items as a bulgogi reuben
• [Added 16 October 2015: The Bean - previously on Upper Symonds Street, this cafe has re-opened in Newmarket, offering breakfast dishes, burgers, and smoothies]
• [Added 16 October 2015: Love Organics has opened near the train station in Newmarket]
• [Added 19 December 2015: Smile Kitchen 蘭桂坊 - Asian fusion food in Newmarket]

Life on the Fringe - Ponsonby, Parnell

• George - Ponsonby bar from the people behind its older brother Harry next door, where the Ponsonby Working Mens Club used to be
• [Added 5 October 2015: Fuse Cafe & Urban Thai Eatery - cafe breakfast items or Thai meals in Ponsonby, where Sunday Painters used to be]
• [Added 5 October 2015: Pepitos Parnell - third branch of this Spanish tapas bar, after Milford and the CBD]
• [Added 10 November 2015: Hog heaven 2, or "Hoggie's Cajun Saloon", is now serving their Louisiana smoked meats in a pub atmosphere at the top of Parnell]

Other

• Beard papa's - Japanese cream puffs from this international franchise are now available from Westfield St Lukes
• [Added 3 November 2015: Cafe Puff - cake and coffee in Orewa]
• [Added 30 November 2015: Musashi has added a sister restaurant Kojiro Japanese Kitchen in Penrose]
• [Added 11 January 2016: Browns Eatery and Store - cafe with a "general store" feel in Remuera]
• [Added 6 March 2016: The Deli Llama - $10 gourmet sandwiches for delivery in the CBD]

Coming Soon

• Pasta & Cuore - Italian restaurant in Mount Eden by Stefania Ugolini, a professional pasta maker from Bologna
• Barilla Dumpling House is opening another branch in Mount Eden, where Sukumen used to be
• Andy's - burgers and craft beer at SkyCity
• Brian and Roselle Campbell are opening their first dessert bar and patisserie in Fort St, where Ima Restaurant used to be
• The Foodstore at the Viaduct is being renovated and turned into an oyster bar
• Handi Indian Restaurant is opening a new branch on Federal Street, where Miami Grill used to be
• Farro Fresh is opening a branch in Epsom

Events

• October is NZ Cheese month - today there's baby goats and milking at Sabato, as well as a free mozzarella making demo at Farro Fresh

Free October cheese classes at Farro Fresh.

• Otahuhu Food Festival - ethnic food festival on Saturday 10 October
• Auckland Diwali Festival - Indian food and performances around Aotea Square on the weekend of 17-18 October
• Scandinavian Christmas Market - food stalls and live music at Danish House in Penrose on Sunday 1 November
• Taste of Auckland (5-8 November) is being held at Western Springs instead of Victoria Park for the second time
• Auckland Coffee Festival is further away in March