Auckland Diner's Diary: December 2015

Happy New Year everyone! There are so many posts I haven't got around to writing, but at least I have my monthly restaurant update ready for you. As usual, please let me know of any other interesting openings/closings/news that I may have missed.

Trucking Along

• Food Space has lined up plenty of food truck vendors throughout summer, from Wednesday evenings at Silo Park, to Summer in the Square (Dec to Feb in Aotea Square)
• Here are some new vendors that have popped up in the past month:
• Bruschetta - Italian street food of bruschetta as the name suggests
• Temaki - Japanese sushi hand rolls with a dash of Brazilian
• Hangry Hapa - Asian fusion sandwiches such as Japanese korokke
• Caribbean Spice - Caribbean/Jamaican inspired food such as jalapeño poppers
• BomBom - creative and beautiful cupcakes
• [Added 27 February 2016: Chelo - Persian grill stall serving chelo kebab (چلوکباب), the national dish of Iran]
• [Added 2 April 2016: KohKoz - Lebanese food such as falafel and dips]
• [Added 1 October 2016: Puha & Pakeha - modern Maori fusion such as pulled pork and slaw]

Central City Openings

• Sky Cafe - Kapiti cheese and ice cream 182m up on level 50 of the Sky Tower, with the main attraction being the cold stone ice cream bar
• Andy's Burgers and Bar - Americana burger bar in Sky City with burgers made from scratch and six milkshake flavours... and it's open 24 hours a day!
• Old Fort - Indian fusion food and music in Chancery Square
• Barista Cats Cafe - Auckland's second cat cafe is off Queen Street in the middle of town, but you need to book online before turning up
• Snack Boutique 简单味道 - Chinese packaged dry snacks from a little shop to the side of the Civic theatre

City Fringe Feeds

• [Added 10 January 2016: Namo - Japanese restaurant in Ponsonby]
• Ben & Jerry's - this famous American ice cream maker's first store in New Zealand has opened on Ponsonby Road
• Viet Kitchen - Vietnamese eats in Mount Eden on Dominion Road
• La Tapavino - "contemporary European cuisine" (pizzas and tapas as well as meaty mains and breakfasts) in Ponsonby
• Jones the Grocer - this Australian gourmet food store has opened another branch in Mount Eden village
• Vinyl Coffeeshop is moving into sister restaurant Ralph's around the corner in Mount Eden

Other

• KS Chicken - newly opened Korean style fried chicken takeaway in Albany
• [Added 11 January 2016: Venky's: South Indian food in Sandringham]
• [Added 2 February 2016: The Lab Eatery - science themed cafe in Takapuna]
• [Added 2 February 2016: New Canton Kitchen 新粤小厨 - Cantonese restaurant in Epsom]
• [Added 6 March 2016: Monterey Lunchbox - takeout food and coffee in Avondale]
• [Added 21 Janurary 2017: Papagaio Health Cafe - "Clean eating, healthy living" in Morningside]

Coming Soon

• Organic Mechanic - this market stall for organic superfood smoothies is going permanent in late January
• Standing Room Espresso - cafe crossed with Cambodian/Vietnamese food was already operating in Victoria Park Market after taking over Espresso Corner in January 2015, but will be rebranded as a second branch of Standing Room Espresso from January 2016
• Smile Dessert 酒窝甜品 - a second branch of this international Hong Kong style dessert franchise will be opening in Mount Eden on Dominion Road, offering molecular desserts, puddings and more

Closed

• The White Rabbit will be sorely missed
• Dick Miller's City Diner was closed for good on Christmas Eve
• [Added 3 February 2016: Alleluya cafe in St Kevins Arcade is no more after 20 years]
• [Added 3 February 2016: Quay Street Cafe has also called it quits just before Christmas]

[Added 21 January 2016:

Events

• Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day (Saturday 23 January) - Chinese food and entertainment at the ASB Showgrounds
• ASB Auckland Seafood Feastival (Friday 29 January - Monday 1 February) - annual celebration of seafood over the long weekend, with evening sessions for the first time
• Brazilian Day Festival (Saturday 30 January) - showcase of Brazilian food, music and dance at Rocket Park
• Greek Day Out (Saturday 13 February) - Greek food, discounted products, music and dance at Greek Mammas restaurant

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