Food News: Al Brown's fish dish, a champagne party and buttery gnocchi

Eat and drink your way through a rainy weekend. Photos / Supplied

Heading out or staying in, here are all our favourite food bites for the weekend.

We're in for a rainy weekend, the perfect excuse to indulge in culinary delights. If you're planning on staying in, we recommend frying up Al Brown's delicious fish mishmash, or should you wish to brave the weather, don't miss the champagne party in downtown Auckland, or head north to sample the delights of an impressive Paihia eatery.

DINING OUT

• Brunch review: Kohi Cafe, Kohimarama

If, like Canvas writer Greg Bruce, you're "a sucker for gnocchi in butter" you'll want to check out this cafe's version, which is served with "a good ricotta, a thorough spread of peas and plenty of sprouts."

Bruce gives this local favourite 4 out of 5 stars.

See Read his full review here.

• Restaurant review: Charlotte's Kitchen, Paihia

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The more the merrier! Nothing like a meal out with a group of your closest friends. Tag your amigos that you would demolish these dishes with 🥘🍲🥗

A post shared by Charlotte's Kitchen (@charskitchen) on Jul 2, 2017 at 8:23pm PDT

Kim Knight visits local favourite Charlotte's Kitchen on Paihia's drenched waterfront.

If a 1kg ham hock, tempura battered fish with fire dragon mayo or oysters with a view sound right up your ally, you'd do well to take a drive up north to enjoy this gem on the water.

See Kim Knights full review here.

DINING IN

• Al Brown's smoked Kahawai mishmash

Now you can recreate this favourite from The Fed's menu. Photo / Josh Griggs

While fans of Auckland restaurant The Fed will have sampled a similar version, now you can put it on your menu at home.

From Al Brown's latest cook book, Eat Up New Zealand, this one's perfect for a slow stormy morning at home or at the bach.

Find out how to make it here

• Annabel Langbein's breakfast salad

A healthy weekend brunch option. Photo / Annabel Langbein media

Anyone in the process of clawing back their healthy habits this month will appreciate a recipe that features lots of fresh ingredients – and makes the most of tomatoes while they're at their best.

Get the full recipe here

FOODIE EVENTS

• Takapuna Food Wine and Music Festival

This boutique festival is set to provide a unique experience as Highlife bring together a collaboration of some of the best international and local acts, New Zealand wineries and craft breweries, popular eateries and food vendors, creative artists, spectacular performers and more.

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Chef Mike Shand, Private Tour Chef to Beyonce! has just landed in NZ and will be working his magic at the Ha! Poke pop up 👌✨#pokebowls #seeyaSat @ha_poke

A post shared by Sunsetter Festival (@sunsetterfestival) on Feb 7, 2018 at 3:04pm PST

Get tickets and more information here.

• Ain't no party like a champagne party

When it's a stormy weekend, why wouldn't you stay inside and drink champagne? Photo / Supplied

Looking for a fancy gig to liven up your weekend? Champagne Mumm is hosting a Grand Cordon Launch Party at 1885 in Auckland's Britomart. The ticketed event features an impressive DJ line up and celebrates the launch of the brand's new bottle design.

Saturday, February 10. Tickets available here.