What We're Eating and Drinking: Issue 122

There’s no rest for the food-obsessed... when the dish team isn’t bringing you delicious recipes, we’re out there trawling far and wide in search of tasty fare. Below, we share our favourite go-tos.

Recently I enjoyed one of the best meals I’ve had in years at Auckland’s fabulously authentic Italian restaurant Bossi. While the food is deliciously traditional, its presentation is next level thanks to executive chef Shaun Dowling keeping an eagle eye on every dish leaving the pass. It is almost impossible to choose from the menu — so I suspect I will be back again soon to try more options — but on the night we dined we enjoyed spectacular Carpaccio di Manzo, tender, thin slices of beef served with rocket, pecorino, mustard emulsion and fried capers. Next up Pork Cotoletta Piccata, crunchy-fried and bathed in a lush lemon, caper and butter sauce. We couldn’t turn down the Bossi Pork Cotoletta Piccata special of boat-shaped pasta filled with scampi in a scampi emulsion and watched our Fettucini alla Ruota being tossed in a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel before devouring every last, cheesy morsel. I could have easily skipped dessert, but at Shaun’s recommendation squeezed in a shared portion of Torre di Pisa — warm fig pudding with bourbon caramel sauce, ricotta and gelato. The meal, service and décor were simply faultless. bossi.co.nz@bossi.co.nz

Bessie’s is the new sister to one of mine and my (Sydney-based) son Alex’s favourite spots, Bar Copains, and, according to Alex after a couple of dinners there, it more than lives up to the hype. It’s all about the fire —beautiful Mediterranean-style food cooked over open flames, and the flavours are big, bold and smoky in all the best ways. The whole Turbot with Pil Pil Sauce and the Deviled Eggs with Housemade Mortadella and Pickles were two of the many dishes enjoyed from a standout menu. Housed in the original Chefs’ Warehouse site, it’s a big space with exposed brick and Scandi wood furniture. It’s the kind of place you want to go with friends, settle in and eat everything. I’ll be there on my next visit to Sydney! bessiesrestaurant.com@bessies.restaurant

Tucked away in Arrowtown’s lanes, The Blue Door Bar — a cold storage room in the late 1800s — is a cosy spot. With its stone floors, roaring fireplace, and intimate atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to wind down. We visited after dinner and enjoyed a few local Canyon Brewing beers before moving on to cocktails. The bartenders here can craft just about anything you’re in the mood for — it’s that kind of small, personal place. The Old Fashioneds were a standout! You can also order wood-fired pizzas from its sister restaurant, Little Aosta, which only adds to the temptation to stay a while. Hard not to settle in for the night. bluedoorbar.co.nz

I recently spent a weekend in Melbourne packed with amazing food and wine. One standout was Embla (embla.com.au), a wine bar in the CBD with a relaxed, moody vibe and a well curated wine list. The small plates were excellent, especially the Charred Frigatello Peppers with Sesame, Macadamia, and Mint, the Sour Cucumbers with Dill, and the Tuna Carpaccio. On our final night, we sat at the bar at City Wine Shop (citywineshop.net.au), where we sipped a few glasses of wine, and enjoyed the chicken schnitzel with Italian slaw — a perfect way to wrap up the trip. Other highlights included Hector’s Deli (hectorsdeli.com.au) for a hearty sandwich and a donut and Lune Croissantarie (lunecroissanterie.com) — if you’re willing to brave the lines for their famous croissants.

My partner’s parents mentioned a new local spot, Pie and Pinot, and asked if we’d like to join. Did I already have dinner plans with friends? Yes. Was I about to turn down a pre-dinner pie? Absolutely not. Expecting a humble pie shop, I was shocked to find one of the most stylish upmarket pubs I’ve seen in Auckland. We were perched in the corner with rain pouring outside and a menu asking me to pick between a pie or sausages and my preferred style of mash. Assuming I’d be a problem child with my dairy intolerance, I was surprised to find ‘The Victorian’, a mushroom pie with shiitake, field and portobello mushrooms, spring onion, oat milk and a side of vegan mash. It was a tear-worthy moment. The later reservation was cancelled. pieandpinot.co.nz@pieandpinot

It had been far too long since my last local brunch and I’m so glad my friend Jess suggested we go to St Heliers Bay Bistro because it was so delicious that I’ve thought about that brunch every day since. We both ordered the Crispy Flatbread with Green Onion, Labneh, Fried Eggs and Chilli Crunch (with a side of haloumi cos #yolo) and I’m very much not a morning person but I decree that this is a dish worth getting out of bed for! stheliersbaybistro.co.nz

This delightful purple hole-in-the-wall bakery opened a couple of months ago in Newmarket. The tiny spot is tucked into what used to be a parking garage ticket office, so keep your eyes peeled or you might miss it. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves unique, Asian-inspired treats. The Biscoff Mochi-filled Burnt Basque Cheesecake and Custard Golden Buns are next level. Prices are a bit steep, but the quality and flavours make it totally worth the splurge. fankery.com@fankery_