Auckland Diner's Diary: March 2017

Central Cafes

• Pollen - seventh cafe from Johnny McKessar of Scratch Bakers and 3 Beans Coffee, offering Instagram-worthy food in Shortland Street 
• Eighthirty Anzac - the fifth eighthirty cafe in Auckland has opened as its new flagship in a minimalist space on Anzac Ave

Central Eats

• Kai Eatery - Taiwanese fried chicken stall which started at the night markets now has a permanent location in a container opposite the Auckland Central library, where Bing & Go used to be
• Fujikin Curry - container stall selling Japanese curry next to Kai Eatery, from the people behind Kintaro on Fuji
• The Yakitori House - yakitori on Shortland Street, where Mr Yakitori used to be
• Turo Turo - this Philippine cafe has opened a new branch on K'Road, so you don't have to head all the way to Glen Innes
• Uncle Man's on K'Rd seems to be expanding
• [Added 16 September 2017: Yo Si Noodle Bar 有食 - Chinese breakfast, rice and noodle dishes at Khartoum Place]

Central Treats

• Shakedown Milk Bar - sandwiches, guilty pleasures and coffee gifting at the Britomart Train Station
• Giapo - after closing their Queen Street store, this infamous experimental ice creamery has opened its new store and innovation hub on Gore Street
• Shanghai Lil's - this piano and cocktail lounge has re-opened on K'Rd

Breaking Bread

• Brotzeit Ponsonby - this authentic German bakery has branched out from its original Albany store to a cafe and bakery at Three Lamps in Ponsonby

Suburban Tipple

• Master and Apprentice - Takapuna beer house with sharing plates and comfort food, as well as Beer Yoga, from two well-known North Shore publicans, Kevin Schwass and Paul Lomax
• Bedford Soda & Liquor - second branch of the cocktail and meatball specialists has opened in Takapuna (actually opened 2 April)
• Uptown Freehouse - "local brews and hearty American style food" in Eden Terrace, in the former Symonds Street Post Office, where Squid Row and The Spotted Pig used to be
• The Good Home Onehunga - gastropub in the historic Carnegie Free Library building in Onehunga
• [Added 4 November 2017: Jack - "third brother" at the back of George and Harry bars in Ponsonby]

Wild Out West

• Bun Mee Kiwi - Vietnamese bánh mì with a Kiwi twist in Henderson, in the news because of a poor choice of words on its menu
• The Hungting Lodge in Waimauku has been given a reboot, with a a Mediterranean-inspired sharing menu from Des Harris
• [Added 2 June 2017: Jemima's Kitchen - burger joint in Oratia (officially opened 6 April after a soft opening in March)]

Eats Elsewhere

• [Added 30 July 2017: Kara Coffee & Store - Milford cafe with Best Ugly bagels, burger and waffle fries, latte art and Fine & Dandy tea]
• [Added 1 January 2018: Mr. Big Pan 玉玲珑 - Shanghai cuisine and charcoal BBQ in Flat Bush]
• [Added 2 February 2018: The Loaded Dog - hot dogs, corn dogs, loaded fries, donuts and apple pie sundaes at Windsor Park]

Coming

• The Barnacle - oyster bar and bistro which is an add-in of sorts to the recently opened Brothers Beer Orakei (officially opening 11 April)
• Poké Poké - Hawaiian marinated raw fish salad on the way to Takapuna, near Fish Fish
• Better Burger - looks like a third branch is opening near the others at Britomart Station
• 縁 En Izakaya & Teppanyaki - Japanese tapas and teppanyaki in the IMAX complex
• Kaya 가야 - presumably a new branch of the Rosedale Korean restaurant, opening next to Khartoum Place on Lorne Street, where Tony's used to be
• Pedro's House of Lamb - Ponsonby branch of the Christchurch Spanish institution serving lamb takeaways
• Dumpling Box - Asian fusion dumplings, bao and crepe will be available at Commerce Street, after rebranding from Bing & Go while in Elliott Street
• Feriza's - "kitchen, bar & gozleme" from the Nazar Group, presumably named after Feriza Isik, sister of founder Alex Isik (opening May 2017)
• I-Press - "100% cold pressed juice" in Mount Eden Village, where Jones the Grocer used to be

Closed

• Waffle Supreme has closed its container shop in Elliott Street (the Auckland Uni one closed last November)
• [Added 25 April 2017: Ika is transforming into a "very special new restaurant"]

Other Food News

• Fale Kofi - six month trial of a food and beverage social enterprise at Ōtāhuhu Station
• Misters is equity crowdfunding on PledgeMe.equity
• UberEATS and competing takeaway delivery service Delivereasy have launched in Auckland
• Blogger Carli the Enthusiastic Chef has launched Pasta Wednesday, where you can get her fresh pasta delivered each week
• Kombucha on tap is taking off, from Organic Mechanic's nitrogen infused brew at La Cigale and Farro Fresh to Batchwell Kombucha's pineapple and ginger flavoured one at various eateries
• Kako Chocolate has started offering a subscription service called My Chocolate Box
• Safka Continental Goodies has moved from K'Rd to Pitt Street
• Victoria Park Market has rebranded itself as Victoria Park Village
• Nestlé has opened a dedicated gluten-free facility in its South Auckland factory

Events

• Better Food Fair (1 - 2 April) - street eats/food market event selling food and beverages which are organic, paleo, vegan, gluten free, raw & similar
• International Cultural Festival (Sunday 2 April) - global food such as Turkish gözleme or Chilean completos at the annual festival in Mount Roskill
• Vegan Food Fair (Sunday 23 April) - showcase of 110 vendors serving plant-based food and beverages at Alexandra Park
• Urban Street Fest Orakei (Thursday 27 April) - indoor street food night market, this time at Orakei
• Swiss Market Day (Saturday 6 May) - annual celebration of Swiss food and culture in Penrose
• NZ Hot Sauce Festival (Saturday 20 May) - hot sauce tastings and a chilli eating competition at Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen