PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFÉS + RESTAURANTS GUIDE a career immersed in the cuisine from his time abroad. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 5.30pm - late and Friday lunch from 12pm - 2pm. SUSHI EDGE, 280 Richmond Road, T: 09 376 6218 Sushi Edge is a takeaway or eat-in establishment serving a wide range of delicious sushi and sashimi options. Their servings are generous, everything is really tasty and well-seasoned, hot and freshly made. Their sashimi bento box, vegetarian tempura don and their lunch sushi boxes are all worth trying and are good value for money. SUSHI WASABI, Shop 14, 1 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 8388 Situated next to Dorothy Butler’s Children’s Book Shop, Sushi Wasabi specialises in traditional sushi and nigiri. Their sushi is made with brown rice. This is a daytime restaurant and you can dine in or takeaway. They have a loyalty card too. Open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. TAISHO YAKITORI BAR, 190 Jervois Road T: 09 378 0746 Taisho Yakitori Bar serves both traditional and modern Japanese food. There are over 60 dishes to choose from, including sushi and sashimi, 15 different kinds of sake, as well as Japanese and local beer and wine. Owner, Taka Tsuji, is from Hiroshima where his parents have run a restaurant for over 34 years so he has grown up with traditional Japanese food and hospitality. Eat in or takeaway. Open Tuesday - Thursday, 6pm - 10.30pm, Friday - Sunday, 5pm -11pm (9.30pm Sun).
THAI HOUSE RESTAURANT, 25 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 5912 www.thaihouse.co.nz Since 1993 Thai House Restaurant has been serving the finest quality Thai cuisine and taking pride in serving only quality and authentic ingredients, freshly prepared along with warm and personal service. Thai House has an intimate ambience, warmly decorated with traditional Thai décor. Fully licensed, BYO wine and takeaway. Open 7 nights, 5.30pm - 10pm. THAI ME UP, 244 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 9909 www.thaimeup.co.nz An excellent selection of curry, seafood, salads and vegetarian dishes, served in a lively atmosphere with friendly service. An extensive wine list complements the authentic Thai dishes and the outdoor area has room for up to 20 people and includes a private balcony with great views of the city. Open Wednesday - Saturday, 11.30am - 2pm and dinner 7 nights, 5pm - late. THAI SILVER, 186 Jervois Road T: 09 360 0714 This is a small warm and welcoming restaurant with simple decor and deliciously cooked Thai food from an excellent chef. Their fans say it’s the excellent quality of the dishes that gives this new establishment its point of difference. Open Monday Sunday, 5pm - late.
TAQUERIA, 166 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 0076 Taqueria, pronounced Ta-ka-re-a is a Spanish/American word that means a place where burritos and tacos are made. They offer tacos and burritos using freshly made ingredients prepared daily onsite. Eat in or takeaway. Open 7 days, 11.30am - 11pm.
THE BLUE BREEZE INN, Ponsonby Central, 146 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 0303 www.thebluebreezeinn.co.nz Chef Che Barrington takes Auckland Asian dining to new levels, serving up the sensational flavours of regional China in the lush surrounds of a Pacific island paradise. In-house dumpling chefs fold and flip before your eyes, and every Sunday offers diners the mouth-watering Peking Duck special. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner, 12pm - late.
THAI CLASSIC RESTAURANT, 282 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 3389 www.thaiclassic.co.nz Thai Classic Restaurant has been running strong since 1994, specialising in authentic Thai cuisine. Flaming chicken and flaming beef are recommended dishes. Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, a relaxed and friendly ambience and wonderful views of the Waitakeres. Takeaways and delivery are available to Ponsonby locals. Open 7 nights, 5.30pm - 10.30pm.
THE CAKE STALL, 267 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0593 www.thecakestall.co.nz This is a boutique bakery, specialising in old fashioned cakes and treats just like Grandma used to make. Goods are baked at their Royal Oak location and delivered daily to the Ponsonby store. Whilst you shop for that special cake, you can sit and enjoy a coffee or tea with one of their cabinet items such as a savoury tart or breakfast brioche. Open Monday - Friday, 7am - 5pm and Saturday, 7.30am - 4.30pm. THE CAVALIER TAVERN, 68 College Hill T: 09 376 4230 www.thecavalier.co.nz Under new management now, The Cavalier Tavern will be closed from 30 April to undergo refurbishment and transformation. They welcome all Cavalier faithful to enjoy the new look Cavalier which is reopening on Thursday 5 June. THE COFFEE BAR AT GLENGARRY VICTORIA PARK, 118 Wellesley Street T: 09 308 8319 www.glengarrywines.co.nz This is a funky fusion of great coffee, a takeaway lunch selection and a scrumptious selection of cakes, tarts and pastries. Grab a coffee and wander through the wine store, sit and catch up on breakfast TV or the days newspaper, or grab everything to go. Alongside the Coffee Bar at Glengarry Victoria Park is a function and events space which is available for hire, with food catered by Didas. Open 7 days.
photography: Michael McClintock
THE FAIRY SHOP CAFÉ, 79 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1560 www.fairyshop.co.nz The Fairy Shop has a café serving home-made old-fashioned food like Devonshire scones and lemon drizzle cakes. Pre-book a café session class where littlies play with fairies and adults can relax in the café. Children’s parties, high tea and school holiday programmes also available with parking behind. Open 7 days, 9.30am - 4.30pm. THE FOOD ROOM, 250 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 2425 www.thefoodroom.co.nz Gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps, homemade cakes and slices, organic coffee and “The best pies in Auckland” award. The Food Room can cater for all kinds of parties and celebrations and is definitely worth a visit. Open Monday - Friday, 7.30am 4.30pm, Saturday 8am - 5pm and Sunday 9am - 5pm. THE GARNET ROAD FOOD STORE, 162 Garnet Road T: 09 376 8227 Known for their cinnamon brioche, The Garnet Road Food Store also makes their own salads, pies, cakes and sweet treats. Dine in or takeaway. Open Tuesday - Friday, 7.30am - 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am - 4pm.
TOKYO CLUB
60 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2014
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)