PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFÉ’S + RESTAURANTS GUIDE GENJI JAPANESE RESTAURANT – 26 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 5050 At Genji, they serve the freshest sashimi and all varieties of Japanese foods in authentic Japanese surroundings and specialise in a la carte and Teppenyaki. They have three private function rooms and cater for up to 35 in the Karaoke room. Off street parking is available in the rear for up to 20 cars. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm and 5pm-10pm. GOOD ONE-COFFEE SUPREME – 42 Douglas Street T: 09 360 5040 You can buy everything you need to make delicious coffee at home at Good One – Coffee Supreme and you get a free coffee when you buy your beans. They also serve various filter coffees, milkshakes, toasted sandwiches and a variety of cabinet food to eat in or take away. There’s outdoor seating and they do coffee tasting on Thursday morning from 8am-9.30am. Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm and Sat 8am-3pm. GPK – 260 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1113 www.gpk.co.nz A Ponsonby institution, GPK has been serving gourmet wood fired pizza to locals for more than 10 years. The pizza menu takes flavours from a variety of world cuisines with tastes from Mexico, Greece, India, Italy, Morocco and New Zealand. Aside from pizza GPK has an extensive a la carte menu with a range of entrees, salads and mains. A Take-away menu and children’s menu are also available. Open 7 days Midday-Midnight and for Brunch on the weekend from 9am. GROUCHO CAFÉ – 1/143 Wellesley Street West T: 09 309 3939 Facebook A retro café providing 80% gluten free options with a strong focus on nutrition and health.
A wide range of gluten free wraps salads and pancakes using free range, organic and fair trade products when available. Open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm. GUSTO ITALIANO – 263 Ponsonby Road T: 09 361 1556 www.gustoitaliano.co.nz At Gusto they keep things traditional; you will find the very best Gnocchi, Tortellini, Linguine, Ravioli and Spaghetti. Italian born owners, Luigi Mattioli and Armando Koci, were trained by the best. Luigi’s mother taught him to cook followed by five years at chef school in Italy and Armando trained in Italy, running his own restaurant in Greece before coming to New Zealand. A private room is available. Open 7 nights 5.30pm-Late. GYOZA KING – 107 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 8638 An eatery devoted to one style of food: gyoza dumplings. In Japan, the classic filling is minced pork, garlic, and cabbage, and they’re fried. You’re served a plateful of six and you dip them in a combined sauce of shoyu (soy sauce), vinegar, and a dash of chilli oil. Gyoza King serves up 15 different styles of gyoza, some filled with cheese, some dressed with miso and some come served in a broth. Open Wed-Mon 5pm-Late. HEADQUARTERS RESTAURANT & BAR – 132 Beaumont Street T: 09 309 7408 Well known as a venue for parties, Headquarters also offers delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try our delicious hash browns with your breakfast or our famous wood-fired pizza to eat in or take-away. A full a la carte menu is available with pasta, pizza, salads and fish and happy hour is 5-7pm Mon – Fri. Open Mon-Fri 7am-Late, Sat and Sun 8am-3pm. Venue hire available every night.
HERNE BAY LOCAL – 170 Jervois Road T: 09 376 5367 www.hernebaylocal.co.nz Facebook and Twitter Herne Bay Local, the place where locals enjoy a range of drinks and meals throughout the day. Choose from a selection of Asian influenced tapas and platters and a fantastic bistro style lunch and dinner menu. Using the best organic meats and fresh produce, they aim to provide a warm and relaxed environment for you, your friends and family. BYO Wine Monday night, Curry night Wednesday, Sunday Brunch from 9am and Sunday night Roast. Open 7 days 11.30am-Late. HUBCAP MINI GARAGE – 130 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 2568 Facebook A delicious range of cabinet food and a full menu are available at Hubcap. Breakfast might include Vanilla risotto with poached plums & pistachios or Haloumi on toast with oven roasted tomatoes. The manager, Zoe Cole, was fourth placed in the Auckland Regional Barista Championship, order a coffee from her and enjoy it in the retro antique lounge. Open Mon-Fri 7.30-3.30pm, Sat and Sun 8-3.30pm. IL BUCO – 113 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 4414 www.ilbuco.co.nz Il buco serves the best Roman Pizza by the slice. You can buy one slice for a snack or 100 slices for a party. Owner and barista Jonny Rudduck serves Supreme Coffee and other popular menu items are beef lasagne, tiramisu and the little shots of hot chocolate are to die for. IL FORNO – 55 Mackelvie Street T: 09 378 0264 www.ilforno.co.nz A bakery and café specialising in traditional Italian fare and bakery items, including the freshest croissants,
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82 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2011
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)