stools. The food is on display at all times and they prepare it right in front of you because they want you to see the freshness and high quality of their ingredients. Eat in or take-away and open 7 days 11.30am-9pm.
experience. The food is described as innovative Chinese Cuisine with presentation, health and taste being of the utmost importance. Reservations are essential and there are 10 car parks at the back on Abbey Street. Open 7 nights.
OCCAM CAFÉ & BAR – 135 Williamson Avenue T: 09 378 0604 Occam is a popular spot with locals for breakfast, lunch, coffee, snacks or a relaxed weekend brunch. There are tables inside and out and a mezzanine bar creates a buzzy atmosphere. A dinner menu is available WedFri from 6pm, they are fully licensed and you can phone in your coffee order for quick and easy pick up. Occam is also a great venue for functions. Open Mon and Tues 7am-5pm, WedFri 7am-Late, Sat and Sun 8am-6pm.
Sarah Conway’s menu provides a global feast – and the char-grilled scotch with hand cut chips has become a firm favourite. The friendly staff and cosy dining room offer a warm welcome. An express lunch menu runs weekdays from 12 noon. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-Late and Sat 4pm-Late. PREGO – 226 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 3095 www.prego.co.nz Established over 24 years ago, Prego is the ultimate in Italian al fresco dining with the intimacy of an enclosed courtyard, late suppers at the bar in front of a wood fire or Bistro style dining with the buzz of a busy restaurant. Just some of the favourite dishes include: Pane di Grano Duro – fresh home baked bread, Wood-fired Margherita Pizza with crispy base, tomato mozzarella and fresh basil or the Calamari Fritti on rocket with homemade garlic aioli. Take-away available, open 7 days 12pm-Late.
OH! SO CAFÉ – 29 Crummer Road T: 09 360 0700 Facebook For fantastic cafe food and great coffee, oh! SO cafe has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere making it the perfect place for a casual business meeting or a catch up with friends. As one local put it, she looks forward to eventually trying everything on the menu. Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat and Sun 8.30am-2pm.
PROHIBITION RESTAURANT – 108 Ponsonby Road T: 09 361 5858 www.prohibition.co.nz Facebook Prohibition is a 1920’s style restaurant taking you back in history to the time when stiletto heels, furs and hats were all the rage for women and men wore bow ties and braces with Vaseline in their hair and moustache. They are offering a 5-course dinner on 19 May and 30 June. At Prohibition the experience is holistic with live jazz every night. Prohibition features three separate historically designed rooms: The Brick Room, The Red Room and The Library Room. Open Tue-Sat 6pm-Late and for Low Tea and Lunch Fri and Sat 12noon-4pm.
ONE 2 ONE CAFÉ – 121 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 4954 www.one2onecafe.co.nz One 2 One café has been around for over 18 years and uses coffee supplied by the local boutique roaster Miller Coffee. Family friendly with a charming Parisian style covered courtyard complete with children’s sandpit and blackboard. Chef’s speciality is roast vegetable salad with haloumi. Tuesday open mic night, Thursday local musician jam and Friday musical concerts featuring Linn Lorkin monthly. Open Mon-Fri 6am-5pm, Sat and Sun 7am-5pm and until late on Tues, Thurs and Sat.
PURE RESTAURANT – 186 Jervois Road T: 09 360 0714 www.purerestaurant.co.nz Swiss born, award winning chef, Stefan Loetscher, owns and runs Pure together with his partner Nadine. They make all their breads, pastas and ice cream on the premises and create food with simplicity and clarity.
OTTO WOO – 47 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1989 www.otto-woo.com Otto Woo provides western style modern Asian cuisine with Japanese and Thai influences. Each meal contains loads of fresh vegetables infused with high quality sauces and herbs. Gluten free and vegetarian meals are also available. Open Mon-Fri 11.45am-2.30pm and Mon-Sun 4.30pm-9pm. PANE & VINO – 20 Williamson Avenue T: 09 360 0263 www.paneevino.co.nz When you visit Pane e Vino, you’re in for a treat. Owner Tito is passionate about the food they serve which is regional Italian style cuisine, classic antipasti, pasta and mains all exceptionally flavourful using fresh ingredients plus popular Italian desserts. They were a Top 10 finalist in the Global Pizza competition and are very proud of their Thin Crust Pizza. Delivery in Ponsonby and catering is also available. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-Late, Sat and Sun 5pm-Late. PARADISE INDIAN – 236 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 8826 www.paradisetakeaway.co.nz Hot and spicy, mild and medium, Paradise specialise in Biryani and their food is 100% Halal guaranteed they tell us. Eat in or take away, delivery and catering available. Open 7 days 11am-9pm. PARADISH - 582 Karangahape Road T: 09 361 6789 This Chinese restaurant focuses on providing a peaceful dining environment and a totally different Chinese food The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
THE PONSONBY BELGIAN BEER CAFE PHILIPPE’S CHOCOLATE – 293 Great North Road T: 09 376 1754 www.philippechocolate.co.nz Not just fabulous flavoured chocolates and hand rolled truffles; Philippe’s also make French pastries, cakes and baguettes. Open Mon 8am-4pm, Tues-Sun 7.30am5.30pm. PONSONBY INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT – 106 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 0800 www.ponsonbyfoodcourt.co.nz Walk right in and taste our mouth watering recipes, from India, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan and Europe. Situated right in the heart of Ponsonby, this is the perfect place for that leisurely lunch or quick business break. Open daily 10am-10pm. PONSONBY ROAD BISTRO – 165 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1611 www.ponsonbyroadbistro.co.nz Ponsonby Road Bistro offers a well-priced menu and interesting wine list in a stylish and relaxed environment.
The bistro style menu offers new dishes every week changing according to whatever fresh ingredients are available. The fantastic food is to die for. Open Wed-Sat 12noon-2.30pm and Tues-Sat 5pm-Late.
QUEENIE’S LUNCHROOM – 24a Spring Street, T: 09 378 8977 www.queenieslunchroom.co.nz Tucked away from the bustle of Ponsonby on the corner of Spring Street and Cascade Road is award winning Queenie’s Lunchroom, offering Supreme coffee, a unique sweet selection and tantalising menu with hard to resist daily specials. Open Mon-Fri 7am-3.30pm, Sat and Sun 8am-2pm. RABBIT HOLE CAFÉ – 203 Jervois Road T: 09 360 0755 Facebook Rabbit hole Café is an interesting eclectic cafe based on Alice in Wonderland with mismatched crockery, bone china and unusual furniture. They use Velvet fair trade organic coffee and people love their homemade cupcakes. Enjoy green chilli scrambled eggs sitting on the deck overlooking the water served by the very friendly wait staff. Open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat and Sun 8am-3pm.
DEADLINE – 20TH OF THE MONTH May 2011 PONSONBY NEWS+
85