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

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

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