PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFÉS + RESTAURANTS GUIDE LITTLE EASY, 198 Ponsonby Road T: 021 478 265 This newly opened self proclaimed pub serves up good food that is much more than the average pub fare. They have an American inspired menu with an interesting take on burgers - encasing delicious fillings within brioche buns. Open Monday - Sunday, 11.30am - 4am. LONGROOM, 114 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 8803 www.longroom.co.nz With a covered courtyard and north facing sun deck, Longroom offers a fresh, unique alfresco environment for brunch (weekends and public holidays), lunch and dinner; and of course those special drinking occasions. Their menu encourages sharing (any time of the day) from a selection of small plates, salads and platters, main courses and desserts. Must tries are - chilli salt squid, miso pork belly, Longroom platter and 60-day aged rib eye. DJs play during the evening Thursday to Saturday. Open Monday - Friday, 11am - late, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 10am - late. MAD MEX, 108 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 1846 www.madmex.co.nz New to Ponsonby Road, they serve gourmet burritos and tacos that are made to order using only the freshest produce, flavourful salsas and authentic slow roasted and grilled meats. Open Monday - Wednesday, 11am - 10pm, Thursday 11am - 11pm, Friday 11am - 3.30am, Saturday 10.30am - 3.30am and Sunday 10:30am - 11pm. MALT BAR & RESTAURANT, 442 Richmond Road T: 09 360 9537 www.maltbar.co.nz A friendly, neighbourhood bar and restaurant in the heart of West Lynn, Malt serves a variety of delicious lunches, mains, woodfire pizzas and tapas all week plus brunch on the weekend. Check out their website for daily specials like ‘Buy One Get One Free’ mains on Mondays, free quiz night on Tuesday, thirst quenching happy hours and beer o’clock starting at 4pm with $4 beers on Sunday. Open Monday - Friday, 11am - late, Saturday and Sunday, 10am - late. MALDITO MENDEZ, Ponsonby Central, 4 Brown Street T: 09 378 9107 www.mendez.co.nz Maldito Mendez located on the Brown Street side of the Ponsonby Central precinct, serves South American and Latin street food - a delicious range of snacks,
empanadas, tacos, ceviches and mains. There are also tapas/streetfood plus some Mexican dishes. Open 7 days, 12pm - 3.30pm and 5.30pm - late. MAMATA BAKEHOUSE, 401 Richmond Road T: 09 376 3191 This bakery-café-hangout out is a Grey Lynn favourite. Whether your tummy growls for a sandwich, roll, pie, slice or muffin you’ll be able to get it here. Mamata is renowned for their made to order bagels, Ponsonby News’ favourite is the avocado and tomato toasted sesame seed bagel! Open Monday - Saturday 7am - 5.30pm. MARCELLO’S, 28 College Hill T: 09 361 2600 Marcello’s are now open for dinner, as well as breakfast, brunch, and lunch and they are fully licensed. What better way to start your day than with a gorgeous omelette? They serve great coffee and awesome food home-made fresh everyday which always comes with a friendly smile. Free wireless is available and they offer catering for functions. Open Monday 6am - 4pm; Tuesday - Friday, 6am - 10pm; Saturday 7.30am - 10pm; Sunday 7.30am to 9pm. MAVI CAFÉ, 22 Drake Street, T: 09 213 9528 Nestled between Sale Street and Victoria Park Market, this is a nice spot for meeting up with friends or colleagues for breakfast or lunch. You can choose from their mediterranean inspired menu or try their daily roast vegetable salad or feta and spinach filo from the cabinet. Open Monday - Friday, 7am - 4pm. MCCANN’S CAFÉ & RESTAURANT, 450 Karangahape Road T: 09 379 4625 McCann Café & Restaurant specialises in Thai and some European cuisines. They offer a free mixed entree with every Thai lunch and dinner order. Eat in or take away. Open Tuesday - Friday 7am - 10pm; Saturday 9am - 10pm and Sunday 11am - 10pm. MEKONG BABY, 262 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1113 www.mekongbaby.com A modern Southeast Asian fusion restaurant previously home to GPK. Designed with unique roughened floors, crudely painted walls with simple, yet elegant with nostalgic prints of life in Vietnam covering the walls. They have seating for as many as 80 guests in the bar, 60 in the restaurant and 30 in the Mekong function room. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 12pm - late. MEOLA KITCHEN, 184 Garnet Road T: 09 360 6184 Meola Kitchen keeps things simple with breakfast and lunch menu options that are spins on old favourites. There’s also counter food available including fresh pastries and delicious home-made muffins. Open 7 days, 7.30am - 5pm. MEXICO, 164 Ponsonby Road T: 09 280 3919 www.mexico.net.nz A new, lively eatery on the strip offering great Mexican dishes. Try one of their quesadillas or soft shell tacos, and look out for their weekly specials. They take bookings for groups over 10. Open Monday - Sunday, 12pm - 11.45pm. MOLLIES, 6 Tweed Street T: 09 376 3489 www.mollies.co.nz Mollies restaurant is a great venue for gourmet breakfasts, but it is not open for lunches or dinners. Mollies offer many private spaces, ideal for small groups. Open for breakfast, 7 days, 7am - 10.30am. MONDIAL, 549 Great North Road T: 09 376 6682 www.mondialbar.co.nz Mondial is a very relaxed and lively tapas bar with friendly, efficient service. You can order as many or as few dishes as you want, ranging from prawns, calamari, meatballs, lamb skewers and vegetable platters. They have a great wine list with a mix of international and New Zealand wines plus some great dessert wines. Open Tuesday - Thursday 4pm - late, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3pm - late. MONTEREY COFFEE LOUNGE, 432 Richmond Road T: 09 360 0488 Monterey is a warm and friendly neighbourhood coffee lounge in the heart of West Lynn. Try their zucchini fritters or a schnitzel sandwich made on home-made bread. Everything is made on the premises including delicious butterfly cakes. Eat in or take away. Open Monday - Friday, 7am - 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am - 4pm. MOOCHOWCHOW, 23 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 6262 www.moochowchow.co.nz Like a stroll through the fragrant night markets and food stalls of Bangkok, MooChowChow is a boost to the senses, capturing that vibrant zang of sweet, sour, salty and hot that makes Thai food a party-in-your-mouth. Cocktails of fresh fruits,
56 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2014
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)