Ariake Japanese Restaurant

Established in 1980 but tasted in 2009. Just before the end this decade, I've dined at Ariake Japanese restaurant. It's a true gem for Japanese food located in the busy downtown area of the Auckland CDB. Ariake is certainly well acclaimed and continue to be rated as one of Auckland's best restaurant. I walked pass this restaurant often enough to warrant a try but most times I already had mine meals.

I took the opportunity before Christmas to try Ariake for lunch. Doors opened at 12 pm and a few tables were filled when we were seated. The lunch menu was uncomplicated with a good selections of gozens. There are also a lunch of the day and weekday donburi fair. I decided to try the Shoka-do consisted of small entree, sashimi, braised vegetables, grilled fish, mixed tempura, steamed egg custard, miso, rice, pickles and fruits.

While waited for the food to be served, more tables were filled and I noticed Japanese clienteles. This confirmed Ariake is good. I'm certainly going back again and shall try their dinner service.

Ariake Japanese Restaurant

Corner of Albert and Quay Street

Downtown, Auckland CDB

Tel: 09 379 2377

Christmas in Auckland

Christmas deco in Auckland CBD

Kiwis are currently enjoying the Christmas and New Year break. Auckland was blessed with two glorious days of summer weather. After all the mad rush for presents and groceries, I settled down to bake a cherry and hazelnut tart on Christmas eve.

Cherry & Hazelnut Tart

Started Christmas morning with a nice panettone. Warmed in the oven and serve with butter. So yummy and heavenly. I made some grilled chicken panini for lunch. The beverage of choice was Mumm champagne. Dinner was roast prime rib, sirloin with mushroom gravy and cauliflower gratin.

Panettone

Grilled Chicken Panini

Mumm Champagne

While the roast were in the oven, I had mine first cigar of the day. I reserved the H. Upmann Magnum 50 for the after dinner cigar with some Moet. More on Upmann 50 next time but it was truly a fine smoke.

Romeo & Julieta Short Churchill

Gold Medals

One doesn't need a special golden moment to try this Bolivar cigar. From the packaging to the cigar presentation these Gold Medals are classy. The appearance and aroma immediately convinced me to pick one up and fire it up.

The wrapper is a darker shade of colorado with soft veins along the length of the cigar. The Bolivar GM is a lonsdale with a 42 ring gauge and 165 mm. I chose a semi-firm sample with just the right resistance when I gently pressed my fingers along the cigar. This cigar should give me a just nice balanced draw.

In general most of the Bolivar range can be considered as medium to fuller body cigars. This box was aged for slightly over 2 years. I just couldn't wait for 5 years. I must try one.

Aroma at cold - soft tobacco with a hint of leather. A little bit more effort required for the draw but I was happy with it. The first 1/3 was medium bodied with combination of toasted spice and some cocoa. To truly appreciate this lonsdale don't rush this cigar.

The second and last third of the cigar were just above full bodied with spicy and sweeter paprika note. I believed there is still a huge potential for the GM to develop further and smooth out the last third. A mental note to myself, try another in the next 12 months.

Summer Is Here

Famous "Farmer's Building" Santa on Queen Street

1st of December means it's officially summer here in New Zealand. So far the weather is far from an ideal summer. The whole day was cloudy with some showers. The clouds cleared by late afternoon and warm evening took over.

The beginning of summer means Christmas is upon us and time to take a break over the festive holiday period. For me December means fresh berries, Christmas trees and decorations, food, champagne and enjoying cigars outdoor.

Fresh strawberries @ La Cigale French Market

Fresh Central Otago Dawson Cherries

Asia-Pacific Edition Por Larranaga Robusto

Christmas Decorations

Blanc de Blancs

Cuvee No.1 is a non vintage blanc de blancs from No.1 Family Estate. Established by Daniel Le Brun back in 1996, this methode traditionelle specialist is based in the famous wine region of Marlborough.

I was very impressed with the taste, elegance and balance of the Cuvee No.1 . One got to love the sparkling golden hay colour from the 100% chardonnay grapes. For the afternoon enjoyment, I decided to pair it with a Punch Petite Punch. The Punch's light to medium bodied profile complemented the elegant yet crispy nature of blanc de blanc.


No. 1 Family Estate Ltd,
Rapaura Rd, RD3,
Blenheim
Marlborough
http://www.no1familyestate.co.nz/

Punch Cigar
http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/

Casual Japanese @ Renkon

Yakiniku pork

Looking for a great Japanese meal without damaging the wallet? Well look no further. Renkon serves a reasonable selection of donburi or don. The menu consists of everyday favorites like katsu, teriyaki, yakiniku and curry with either rice or udon noodles. The menu is also complimented with salads and japanese sides.

Renkon's Kitchen

Inside Renkon

The dining area is simple. I don't mind it at all since the food is the main star here. The all Japanese kitchen staff consistently produce fresh and good quality food without too much fuss. One of mine all time favorite at Renkon is the pork katsu curry. Japanese curry has a rich texture, hint of sweetness without the overpowering spices.

 

Karaage Chicken

I had the yakiniku pork for my main and karaage chicken as my side. To balance the all meat dishes, I ordered a bowl of meiiji mushroom salad. The pork was thinly sliced, well marinated and bbq to perfection. Who needs KFC when there's karaage chicken. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The taste is greatly enhanced with a squeeze of lemon and finally dipped in the mayonnaise.

I rate Renkon the best casual Japanese restaurant in Auckland. Renkon is located in Parnell and next to Paper Plus.



Renkon
211 Parnell Road, Auckland

Whitebait

Whitebait omelet

Whitebait is the most sought after seasonal delicacy. A typical season here runs between mid August to end of November. The transparent slimy fish are actually developed juvenile varieties of small freshwater fish. These little gems can go for $100/Kg or more and there are strict regulations around whitebait fishing.

A friend just returned from touring the South Island and raved about the whitebait from the West Coast. I just have to get some before the end of the season. If you can't be closest to the source, the weekend markets are the best option to hunt for some fresh whitebait. I got about 200 gms from the Port Waikato region.

The best way to enjoy whitebait is definitely making some fritters or omelets. I used 2 eggs, add some finely julienned red chillies, black pepper and salt for taste. Finally fry the omelet with some butter.

Cigars @ Invito

One of mine favourite place in the CBD for cigar is Invito at the Chancery. This cafe, bar & restaurant is only a short walk away from High Street, the fashion street of Auckland. I usually avoid the lunch time crowd and enjoy a cigar with nice cup of coffee. For the ladies, I know Invito prepares a killer hot chocolate and mochaccino.

Cigars are always welcome here. I've even been approached by a patron one day enquiring about the cigar I was enjoying.

I was enjoying a Por Larranaga Petite Corona while a friend was enjoying a fantastic Cohiba Siglo 2 from a beautiful tubos. We had a glass of Peroni with our cigars. Wonderful aromatic beer.

Invito Cafe-Bar-Restaurant

7 Bacons Lane, Chancery, Auckland

Movenpick of Switzerland

There's no doubt every time after meal I look forward to dessert. What a better way to complete a meal with a sweet finale to the palate. New Zealand have the best ice creams in the world. When one look at what goes into making good quality ice creams, NZ ice cream producers have the advantage of the best dairy produce.

Movenpick is Swiss but these ice creams are made here under license. This Movenpick themed outlet located in Parnell is one of the two in Auckland.

The choice of indulgence was the hot apple crepe from the dessert menu. I chose to have the crepe with a scoop of macadamia ice cream.

Apple crepe with macadamia ice cream

Movenpick Parnell

155 Parnell Rise, Parnell, Auckland

Sunday mohito

The Two M

What's your favourite drink with cigars? For a fine sunny afternoon I prefer a refreshing and cool Cuban mohito. The mohito helps to refresh the palate after a few puffs.

So how do you like your mohito? Kudos to the bartender. The mint leaves and lemon were well muddled and just right balance of Havana Club rum. However I prefer a mohito made with lime rather than lemon.

Cargo's outdoor balcony

View of the Viaduct Harbour

This is my first time having a drink at Cargo Bar and Lounge. The bar is located at the restaurant precint of the viaduct harbour and next to Degree Gastrobar. The viaduct harbour is Auckland's most happening waterfront and just a stone throw away from the central business district.

It has been a while since I had a Montecristo Petite Edmundo. I punched the cap rather than cutting it. Perfect draw and rich tobacco taste when it's cold. This PE is richer in flavours and depth than the Edmundo.

Montecristo Petite Edmundo

Cargo Bar / Restaurant / Lounge

204 Quay Street, Viaduct Basin, Auckland

China Restaurant & Bar

There's one thing I enjoy doing on Sunday is going for nice hearty brunch. In cosmopolitan Auckland one is not short of brunch options. Most will go for a nice cooked breakfast or fry-ups. I chose yum-cha. Since mine first time dining at China Restaurant and Bar, I've been planning for another visit to try their extensive selection of tim-sum.

The odd thing with yum-cha is everyone has their own favourite tim-sum. This always leads to picking the same tim-sum from the steaming carts or order the typical congee and steamed rice rolls. I've decided to try other types of tim-sum and was only about 50% successful.

I was quite excited with the tim-sum variety and creativity of China Restaurant's kitchen. Baked oysters and sweet and sour pork may not be the traditional yum-cha offering. But then why do we have to be served with the usual boring tim-sums.



The steamed dumplings were tasty with generous fillings and equally light translucent pastry skins. The bbq pork buns were reasonably moist inside and the deep fried savoury dumplings were light and crispy.

Overall the food were above average and service was moderate. However a yum-cha experience can be a bit of hit and miss. Food arrived fairly quickly. Depending on where one is seated sometimes a particular favourite tim-sum will fly across the restaurant and back to the kitchen. That's the fun of yum-cha. Expect the unexpected and no one ever promise a quiet and fine dining experience. Cast a sharp eye for your tim-sum and get ready to flick the chopsticks.

China Restaurant & Bar
Ground Floor 2, Beach Road, Auckland CDB
Tel: 09 309 4808

Molten

Molten is a jewel of the suburban dining in Auckland. Located at the foot of the iconic Mt. Eden, this casual yet elegant restaurant was recently named 2009 Best Neighbourhood Restaurant by Cuisine Magazine.

The restaurant's exterior resembling the rows of specialty shops along Mt. Eden road. It can be a little challenging to spot Molten if one is cruising along. So look out for the colourful City Cake Company and the restaurant is just two doors away.

Entering the restaurant, Belinda the co-owner and Maitre d' greeted us with warm smiles. The interior is simple and welcoming. It fits the description of a typical suburban diner but with an edge. The menu has just enough selection to tempt the taste bud.

We started with the in-house baked bread with Te Arai Estate olive oil and avocado aioli. The warm and soft roll filled with caramelised onions was our favourite. What a great start to the meal. I went for Molten's famous sesame salt and pepper squid. It was absolutely divine. Soft, juicy squid with delicate crispy and light outside. The nuttiness of the peanut relish and sesame batter are well balanced by the chilli honey.

Sesame salt and pepper squid w cucumber, peanut relish and chilli honey

Confit duck, pumpkin and orzo pasta w rimu smoked bacon and shredded rocket

The other meal was the confit duck and pumpkin orzo pasta. A rich and creamy pasta with the sweetness from the pumpkin and smokiness of the rimu-smoked bacon. We finished the meal with feijoa and vodka sorbet.

Feijoa and vodka sorbet w toasted coconut and pineapple brittle

Molten
422 Mt. Eden Road, Mt. Eden

In house baked bread selection

Last Summer's Habanos

Daylight saving is here and it was officially spring since September. Unfortunately with the cold snap in the last few days, one wonders when we can have some nice spring weather. For now I can only reminise on the last summer.......................

Partagas Serie D No. 4

Bolivar Royal Corona

Montecristo No. 2


Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill & Partagas Shorts

Cohiba Siglo VI