Where we’re eating and drinking: 125

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.

I love having a ‘man on the ground’ in Melbourne because whenever I visit I can be assured of a new gem of an eatery to discover, thanks to my eldest son! This time it was a tiny, low-key establishment in an arcade alley off Bourke Street in Chinatown. Break out the map, because this is somewhere you’ll need to seek out. Truly authentic dishes are created by owners Ying Hou and her mother Meiyan Wang and the recipes hail from the fishing town of Yantai on the Chinese Shandong Peninsula. At Henry’s urging we ordered ShanDong’s signature mackerel dumplings, and they were outrageously good. The wrappers are handmade and filled with mackerel, coriander, ginger, chives, and spring onion. I was a little enthusiastic with the hotter-than-normal (it seemed to me) chilli oil and devoured them alongside Wagyu Beef Potstickers and Sweet and Spicy Stir-Fry Yu Xiang Eggplant. Serving sizes are generous and we had plenty left over for a delectable doggy bag to take away.

A long-standing favourite, the Trattoria at Mediterranean Foods in Newtown, Wellington is just down the road from my son’s house — how lucky are they?! I love their bruschetta menu — the Mozzarella, and Pecorino with Hot Honey is superb — and James always has his favourite Linguine with Grilled Prawns, Cherry Tomatoes and ’Nduja. Wood-fired pizzas, salads and sharing dishes such as Fritto Misto and Antipasto Platters are always popular. Desserts, including tiramisu, cannoli and panna cotta, are classic and generous, but one definitely not to be missed is the Castagnole, which are puffed, golden, sweet doughnuts rolled in cinnamon and sugar and served with dark chocolate sauce. The room is casual and energetic, filled with regulars and visitors and the service is super friendly.

Saint Leonards Brewery in Auckland is such a great spot to kick back at. The atmosphere is super relaxed, the staff are friendly, and the beers are always on point. Every time I’ve been, there’s been something new to try. And if you’re not into beer, they’ve got wine and a few cocktails as well. The pub-style food is awesome too — especially the Brat Dog (pork bratwurst hot dog with grilled onions, mustard, mayo, and sauerkraut), which is an absolute winner with a cold beer. It’s a beer garden-style bar, and once you walk through the gates, you’d never guess it’s right on a busy road in Kingsland. Sitting outside is perfect for summer afternoons that easily turn into long, laid-back evenings.

In December, I was lucky to visit Kurētā, a new teppanyaki restaurant in the Auckland CBD. In a sophisticated, design-led setting, their charismatic chefs take you on a journey through 11 courses, cooked right in front of you. The premium Wagyu course is the hero, but the entire menu is delicious, and perfectly complemented by an excellent drinks list. Kurētā marries the best local ingredients with Japanese mastery, while delivering a delightful dining experience.

Poderi Crisci sits just over the hill from my family home on Waiheke, which probably explains why most of us have ended up working there at some point! Nostalgia aside, the food is amazing. When I was a dishy I used to sneak spoonfuls of tiramisu from the kitchen team and it still is the best I’ve ever had. The Italian long lunch is essential. On a sunny day with friends or family, nothing beats it and it truly does feel like stepping into the Italian countryside.

I recently had a fantastic meal at Olle, an intimate Korean fusion restaurant tucked away in Milford. The food was incredible, the Crispy Eggplant with Sichuan caramel and the Wagyu Beef with bulgogi emulsion and wasabi chimichurri were both standout dishes for me. A special mention must go to the Nori Buttered Rice — I could have eaten just the rice and been happy with my night! Excellent cocktails, including an elderflower Negroni.

Cazador legends Rebecca Smidt and Dariush Lolaiy opened their second restaurant in Ponsonby 18 months ago now. Obviously, they’ve nailed the food — the menu comprises Cali-Mexi bistro classics cooked over coals and woodfire, plus extras such as a divine Venison Tartare and crazy-good Conchiglie Alla Vodka — and drinks — I can vouch for the mean margaritas — and I’ve already celebrated a Christmas lunch, NYE, and a birthday dinner there. But what’s really cool is that with San Ray’s laid-back vibe, am-to-pm hours, and fun and friendly staff led by manager Camilo Diehler, it’s also a place you feel welcome to pop into any time, any day, for, yes, a special-occasion meal, but also just a coffee or drink or a lil snack, making it one of those vital third places where we can gather with our communities.