PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFÉ’S + RESTAURANTS GUIDE Since we published our cafes and restaurants list last year, there have been a staggering 12 newcomers who have opened places in the Western Bays area. There are also some ommisions, where some businesses have declined to be listed for what ever reasons. Rebecca Jones gives readers some compelling reasons to try some of them out...all that remains to be said is ENJOY! 5 LOAVES AND 2 FISH, 208 Jervois Road T: 09 361 5820 5 Loaves and 2 Fish have an interesting brunch menu and a variety of cabinet food to eat in or take out. A wide range of healthy heat and eat convenience meals such as lasagne, smoked fish pies, chicken cacciatore and coq au vin are available. Open 7 days. AGNES CURRAN, Corner Franklin and Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1551 facebook Agnes Curran is the place to go for morning and afternoon tea and cakes. Always gracious, the staff are ready to offer expert advice on the small but carefully selected menu. The regular friendly locals engage in light hearted debates taking place over the coffee machine and on the central table and it’s still the home of Ponsonby’s most decadent chocolate lamingtons! ALLPRESS COFFEE, 266 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 4726 www.allpressespresso.com Passionate about coffee, this is a must-visit store to experience exceptional tasting coffee. Enjoy a perfect cup of espresso or discover single origin coffees and blends as a filter brew. A selection of fresh roasted beans is available for brewing at home. Handcrafted European ALLPRESS COFFEE style biscotti are baked on site. ANDIAMO, 194 Jervois Road T: 09 378 7811 www.andiamo.co.nz Andiamo Head Chef Scott Smith says the most popular dishes are the fresh buffalo mozzarella with vine tomato and basil and the hearty braised oxtail and caramelized onion rigatoni. In winter you can enjoy a glass of wine from their award winning list by the open fire. Open 7 days and nights and brunch on the weekend from 9am. ARCH HILL ESPRESSO, 333 Great North Road T: 09 376 1401 Delicious pies, sandwiches and cakes made fresh everyday on site. Open Mon-Fri 6am-3pm and Sat 7am-1pm. ATICO COCINA, 19 Drake Street T: 09 419 5939 www.atico.co.nz facebook and twitter Atico Cocina is the newest restaurant in the historic and recently refurbished Victoria Park Market. Caribbean and South American flavours influenced by Spanish, French, African and local traditions make Atico a unique dining and drinking experience. They boast to have the longest tropical cocktail list in Auckland and serve Jerk Chicken and Goat Curry. $15 express lunch menu Tuesday to Friday. Open Mon 4pm-late and Tue-Sat 11.45am-late. BAMBINA, 268 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 4000 Bambina is a casual, relaxed breakfast and lunch café where simple food, using only the freshest ingredients has been served for over 15 years. Licensed for beer and wine, Bambina is an all time favourite that consistently delivers and is a fabulous place to meet friends for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Mon – Fri 6.30-4pm, Sat and Sun 7-4pm. A Metro Top 50 cafe in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. BEDLAM CAFÉ, 2/104 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 0015 facebook With Mediterranean influenced classic café food, this funky café is located in the heart of Ponsonby under the food court. Open 7 days 7.30am-4.00pm. BILL FISH CAFÉ, Z Pier 3/31 Westhaven Drive T: 09 379 9875 www.billfishcafe.co.nz Alfresco dining with stunning views of Westhaven Marina and Auckland Harbour, this is one of Auckland’s best kept secrets and an ideal location for a special function. Open Tues-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat and Sun 8.30am-8pm. BIRD ON A WIRE, 234 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 6369 facebook Bird On A Wire is a fresh and simple free range rotisserie chicken store. They offer chicken sandwiches and quarter, half or whole free range rotisserie roasted chickens with a choice of bastes from Jamaican jerk, Korean BBQ, salsa verde and truffle butter (the ‘Ponsy Coq’). Vegetarians are catered for with a grilled cheese sandwich, beer battered chips, roast vegetables and salads. Open 7 days 10.30am-10.30pm.
78 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2012
BISTRO 222, 222 Ponsonby Road T: 09 361 3222 www.bistro222.co.nz facebook Bistro 222 offers a relaxed atmosphere for tapas, coffee, dining or enjoying a drink. The menu includes Roast Duck, Lamb Shanks and Whitebait fritters. They also offer a kids menu and brunch on the weekends and are available for functions. Open Tues-Thurs 3pm-late, Fri-Sun 11am-late. BLAKE STREET CAFÉ, Corner Blake Street & Prosford Street, Apex Building T: 09 360 6261 www.blakestcafe.co.nz facebook Relax, unwind and enjoy the ambience, wine and delicious food. The menu includes all day breakfast, brunch and lunch. Try the Euro breakfast plate or the Big Kiwi breakfast. Open Wed – Sun 8am-4pm all year except Christmas day. No surcharge on Public holidays. BOLLIWOOD, 110 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 6477 www.bolliwood.co.nz facebook Bolliwood restaurant offers quality food achieved by employing five star chefs from India. Check out their special set menus that include Vegetarian Banquet, the Maharaja Banquet and the Bolliwood Special Banquet. $10 mains on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights and $10 lunch special 7 days. Delivery and take away are also available. Open 7 days 11.30 -2.30pm and 5pm-late. BONA PIZZA, 286a Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 8866 facebook With 13 years experience, owner Pedro Komai offers a taste of fine Italian pizza and pasta. Bona Pizza is fully licensed and BYO with a happy hour from 4.30 every day – $5 beer and glass wine. You can eat in or take advantage of their delivery service and they cater for private functions. Open 7 days 11am-late. BONITA, 242 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 5670 www.bonita.co.nz Bonita is a wine and tapas bar with an excellent wine list and cocktail credentials. Bonita’s relaxed atmosphere is the perfect place for a casual drink or tapas indulgence. Happy hour runs from 4-6 daily. Open 7 days 4pm-late. BUENOS AIRES RESTAURANT AND BAR, 234 Jervois Road T: 09 360 0678 www.buenosairesrestaurant.co.nz facebook This lively steak house uses Manuka on an open fire grill to cook all kinds of meat. Enjoy live entertainment every Sunday with Latin music from 7pm. Great for groups. Open Tues-Sun 5.30-late. BURGER FUEL, 114 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 6466 www.burgerfuel.com facebook and twitter The flagship Ponsonby Burger Fuel was the first store ever built and for over a decade has been engineering the ultimate burger including Vegan, Vegetarian and gluten free options. Open Sun-Thurs 11am-late, Fri and Sat 11am-3am. BURGER WISCONSIN, 168 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1894 www.burgerwisconsin.co.nz Burger Wisconsin has been on Ponsonby Road for 22 years. The menu is regularly updated on their website and you can phone in your order for pick-up from 11.30amlate 7 days a week. BYZANTIUM CAFÉ, 80 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 3695 www.cafebyzantium.co.nz Byzantium is a friendly fully licensed cafe and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. A private function room is also available. Open 7 days for breakfast and lunch and Tues-Sun for dinner. CAFÉ 7, 576 Great North Road Situated in the heart of the Grey Lynn shops, this is a small cafe now owned by Brent Matches who is well known for his best ever Blueberry pancakes with mint syrup. Vegetarians and meat lovers are well catered for as are coffee aficionados. Open Tues-Sat 7am-4pm and Sun 8am-4pm.
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)