If an oft-repeated refrain in your friend or family circle is “So, where shall we eat?” join the club. With all the culinary choice our brilliant city has to offer, sometimes you need someone to throw some suggestions your way to make a decision. From the ideal spot to sip a Friday night tipple to Sunday morning breakfast and beyond, here are some gastronomic options you could work into your weekend plans.
Friday night drinks and snacks
Park up in Viaduct Harbour bar Brolly‘s cosy space and see out the week with some moreish drinks and tasty bites. Located just downstairs from Parasol & Swing, the 20-seat venue looks right out over the water and is the perfect place to watch the sun go down. We like the look of kumara skins with truffle goats feta and honeycomb, and the house-made charcuterie plate, to be joined by one of Brolly’s delicious cocktails. A House Martini, perhaps?
Cosy beachside lunch with the family
Even though the weather’s not meant to be flash, Bucks Bistro‘s ocean-front location is spectacular. Rain or shine, it’s a great place to bowl up to with the whānau and let the team take care of you — we’d be making a beeline for the booth by the fireplace. As seafood is one of their key offerings, we highly recommend the signature seafood platter, plus the whole flounder. Bucks Bistro also has a children’s menu comprising tasty flatbreads, fish and chips and pasta, so the whole clan can leave happily well-fed.
A warming Saturday night dinner
We’ve started gravitating enthusiastically towards comfort food, and the duck risotto from Andiamo hits all the spots as far as this category is concerned. Admittedly quite a rich dish, this might not be one to consume if you plan on hitting the dance floor later, as both confit and parfait duck joins a hearty dose of truffle, woodland mushrooms and pecorino to warm both the belly and the soul.
Sunday morning shopping pick-me-up
Sometimes the best part of indulging in a little retail therapy is planning what food or beverage outlets you’re going to visit simultaneously to keep your energy up. The superior selection of local and international boutiques at Commercial Bay is matched only by its culinary offering — grab an excellent cup of Joe at specialty coffee brewer Kōkako‘s Level 1 coffee bar, or sit down for a smoothie and some organic brioche French Toast with mascarpone, rhubarb curd, pomegranate maple and winter fruit at Lieutenant.
A sumptuous Sunday lunch
At this time of year, we can practically hear Ostro‘s Beef Wellington calling our name… or maybe we’re the ones doing the calling. Regardless, parking up at a Waitematā-facing table in one of our favourite restaurants and digging into a dish that never disappoints sounds like a pretty great way to beat any seasonal blues. The Wellington is available as part of Ostro’s Sunday Roast offering — booking 48 hours in advance is essential.
