Auckland Diner's Diary: January 2016

Coffee Cravings

• Sai's Espresso Freehouse - Britomart coffee spot open for 6 weeks only, while the space next door is fitted out
• Bestie - coffee cart is open while the cafe is done up, where Alleluya used to be in St Kevins Arcade
• Roost - coffee and bagels in Vinegar Lane in Ponsonby
• Fresh - cafe on High Street with coffee, burgers and Korean shaved ice
• [Added 20 February 2016: The Delicious Food Store - cafe opened on Te Atatu Peninsula; the catering company behind it also has various outlets in town]
• [Added 6 March 2016: Cafe Eight - cafe in Commerce Street with a bacon jam beef burger, nutella doughnut milkshake, as well as healthy options]

International Flavours

• Spacca - pizza and Neapolitan food in Remuera, with Gaetano (former owner and chef of O'Sarracino) in the kitchen
• Madame George - bar and restaurant on K'Road with an interesting menu, with a young hospitality graduate as chef
• Charminar - Indian restaurant with Chettinad Cuisine in Ponsonby, where Navas used to be
• Kuzhikkadan's Kitchen - Indian food from Kerala, from a takeaway in Mount Albert
• Sea Dragon - Chinese restaurant in Panmure serving traditional Cantonese dishes
• Durello - Brazilian chicken bites from a tiny corner shop opposite Aotea Square
• [Added 2 March 2016: Master Bowl 川贵 - Sichuan food in Cross Street, part of a Sydney chain]
• [Added 14 April 2016: Dominion Hot & Spicy Pot 一麻一辣 - popular Chinese hotpot place in Balmoral]
• [Added 30 April 2016: Aroha Restaurant & Bar - Cantonese style eatery and gaming lounge in Kelston with BBQ meats, wonton noodle soup, dim sum and the like.
• [Added 2 July 2016: 新湘匯酒家 - Hunanese food in Balmoral, where San Bao 三寶飯店 used to be]

A Taste of the Sea

• [Added 4 February 2016: Fish Fish - fishmonger, takeaway and dine-in restaurant in Ponsonby Central where Jimmy the Fish used to be, from the restaurateur behind Mexico and Burger Burger]
• [Added 1 October 2016: Cove Eatery - modern eatery with a coastal feel and a seafood focus at Stanmore Bay, run by an experienced team]

Musical Chairs

• Bird on a Wire - the flagship store of this chicken shop has moved into Ponsonby Central, where Toru used to be, and now has proper plates and full table service
• Little and Friday - the Newmarket branch of the bakery has moved around the corner to McColl Street, to a larger space with a full day menu
• BBQ Duck Cafe has moved from its spot by the St James Theatre on Queen Street, around the corner to Rutland Street

Other

Eat My Lunch are trialling a new online volunteering system if you want to help out at their new headquarters

Coming

• Gemmayze Street - Lebanese restaurant in St Kevins Arcade (February)
• Kiss Kiss - Thai restaurant in Balmoral, from the people behind L'oeuf and Chinoiserie
• Paleo Cafe - New Zealand branch of this Australian franchise is opening at Westgate
• MomoTea - Taiwanese bubble tea business opening a new branch in Newmarket
• Bake and Beans - Indian bakery is opening a new store on Hobson Street
• [Added 4 February 2016: new branches of Burger Burger and Fish Fish will open in Takapuna in a few months]

Closed

• Peasant's young owners are heading to San Fran and Copenhagen
• Zap4's building is about to be demolished
• After announcing the closure of Moustache's little Queen Street shop and crowdfunding for a cookie bus early last year, the end has finally come
• [Added 8 February 2016: The Middle East Cafe is gone, even though it was still open for a little bit after announcing the plans to close.]

Events

• Greek Day Out (Saturday 13 February) - Greek food, discounted products, music and dance at Greek Mammas restaurant
• [Added 6 February 2016: Auckland Lantern Festival 2016 (Thursday18 - Sunday 21 February) - annual festival with plenty of street food in addition to lanterns and performances, held in the Auckland Domain for the first time this year]
• [Added 15 February 2016: Mairangi Bay Festival of Food and Wine (Saturday 20 February) - Beach Road will be closed to cars to make room for market stalls for an afternoon in Mairangi Bay Village]
• [Added 15 February 2016: Rice and Beans Festival 2016 (Saturday 27 February) - Latin American and Caribbean music, dance, culture and street food at Silo Park]
• Auckland Coffee Festival (Saturday 5 March) - celebration of coffee at Shed 10
• Vegan Food Fair (Sunday 10 April) - vegan food, music and entertainment at the ASB Showgrounds
• Russian Days in Auckland (Saturday 11 June) - Russian dishes, dances and songs at Western Springs