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

Sono Japanese Restaurant

I'm still reminiscing about the delightful and gorgeous Japanese cuisine at Sono. Conveniently located at Tattersalls Building amongst the busy Queen Street mall in Brisbane. Very grateful to some friends that recommended Sono during my time in the sunshine state.

What started out as a nice dinner venue, we returned again to try their lunch menu. The dinner menu and selection were spectacular. As a simple rule of the thumb, I always cast a keen eye on an establishment's menu. This time round, I was looking for a place serving authentic Japanese cuisine. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera but with hindsight I was glad as we enjoyed a relaxed meal with meticulous service from all Japanese wait staff.

In addition to the impressive menu, Sono also serves seasonal and monthly specials created by their team of chefs. We fell in love with Sono and promised to return again.

SONO Japanese Restaurant
Level 1, Tattersalls Building
Cnr Queen St and Edward St
Brisbane City
Queensland