Homestead Cafe at the Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Homestead Cafe at the Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images
Whisk your Valentine to one of these spots, where brunch comes with extras, and stretch your morning romance into the afternoon, writes Anna King Shahab.
THE ART OF BRUNCHING
Brunch at Homestead comes with a side of seriously impressive private art collection and flamboyant heritage architecture. Pah Homestead, built in 1970s as a "gentleman's residence", this elaborate property occupies a stunning vantage point atop Monte Cecilia Park and its lofty rooms make up the TSB Wallace Arts Centre, the spaces filled with work by renowned and upcoming New Zealand artists.
Currently on display upstairs, Frances Rood's Biostructure is a big, blood-red exercise in paper-cutting prowess, and as the light enters the room it creates shadow play through the fragile-yet-strong structure. You could opt to sit inside for brunch, the cafe's indoor room is a peaceful, art-lined place to while away some time, but unless the weather is inclement you'll probably prefer staking a claim on the grand veranda that looks out over the exotic-tree-filled park and across the rooftops to Maungakiekie.
The bruschetta with fish rillettes is perfect when you want something not too heavy yet deliciously savoury. For something richer, the homemade crumpets are excellent and toppings include smoked fish or peanut butter and chocolate.
Maybe you can't slip away without the kids but you'd still like to celebrate Valentine's and bring them along for the ride? The Grounds, at Woah! Studios, is the best place for it. The kids can burn off energy on the playground, complete with a showpiece rainbow-hued crocheted climbing net, with dangling swingy bits; it's very Instagrammable.
Australasia's first crochet play net, crafted by Japanese artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam.
Or they may like to head indoors to see one of the Studio's live puppet shows - currently showing is Custard of the Caribbean. You may like to join them, or leave them to it and relax with brunch (the kids can catch up later).
It's cooked by a team led by top chefs Ben Bayly and Mike Shatura; their sophisticated menu is far from kids' play, there's barely any eggs or bacon in sight. Highlights include delectable plump dumplings doused in a vinegary sauce with nashi pear and chilli, and slippery glass noodles with crisp beef and a hoisin dressing. Save room for the fancy ice creams on sticks.
For some of us, a few leisurely hours spent shopping (whether it be window or otherwise) is a perfectly romantic exercise ... but not so much in the mega malls. Take us to Ponsonby Rd instead, home of the city's best boutiques, and bountiful bars to duck into for rehydration.
Restaurant review. Saan on Ponsonby Rd, Auckland. Photo / Getty Images.
The strip features plenty of top local fashion - Ingrid Starnes, Juliette Hogan, Kate Sylvester, Karen Walker, Lonely, Ruby and more. The Women's Bookshop offers a calming, charming space to delve into the latest literature or Mag Nation will get you up to date with fashion, design and food trends. But first, fuel up at Saan, which opens for brunch only at the weekends and offers fabulously different fare to the bacon and Bene' that saturates most cafe menus.
Let chef Witchian Trinittibvan (you can call him Lek) ignite your tastebuds with his learned interpretations of Lanna and Isaan Thai favourites. I can't think of much better a start to the day than Lek's gai tod somtum - marinated grilled chicken thigh served with green papaya salad in its signature peppy lime juice, chilli and fish sauce dressing. There are eggs, should you need them - they come atop smoky flash-fried pad see ew rice noodles, or wok-fried, the crisp outside giving away to flowing yolks, served with chilli-spiked Lanna pork sausage and pork crackling. And try the house-spiced bloody mary, each one packs a hefty amount of fresh ginger - surely medicinal.
HUNTING FOR ROMANCE
West is certainly best for dramatic beachscapes. Magical Muriwai offers romance aplenty: walks along the windswept beach and up on the rocky cliffs to watch those determined gannets dive for fish in those fierce, crashing waves. En route, there is now the perfect place to stop for weekend brunch.
The Hunting Lodge for Brunch with Benefits.
The Hunting Lodge, a 33ha Waimauku landmark with a winegrowing history stretching back to 1968, has recently been resurrected in stunning style, with lauded chef Des Harris at the helm of the restaurant and cafe. Be seated in the restaurant, where the brunch menu includes wicked twists on classics (potato rosti and egg comes with a duck blood sauce), or order from the cafe and pick a table in the courtyard or on the lawn. From 1pm (still an acceptable time to brunch, lovebirds), Des and his team also whip up insanely good pizzas in the custom woodfired oven - we loved the pork rib with spring onion and spicy barbecue sauce.
You're free to wander the grounds - find a secluded nook among the vines or play a game of petanque. Whatever you do, finish things off with something sweet. The Lodge's pastry chef Vicky makes magic - like her icecream sandwich: stracciatella (that's Italian for choc chip) icecream sandwiched between layers of perfect shortbread, covered in chocolate studded with wee salted caramel flourishes.
