In part two of her tour of Auckland's gourmet retailers, Jennie Milsom finds the treats aren't limited to the city.
Jones The Grocer
Where: 143 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket.
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Jones arrived in Newmarket from Australia last year, boasting a bright, spacious deli and cafe laden with pickles, preserves and pastas. The walk-in cheese room - a Jones' signature feature - has its own cheese expert and is crammed with local and international cheeses. Food and wine gift hampers can be designed to order and fresh goods - from colourful salads to slabs of Rocky Road by the kilo - are prepared on site. Doors open at 7am for weekday early birds in search of a decent coffee and fresh bite.
Website: www.jonesthegrocer.com
Kemp Rare Wine Merchants
Where: 143 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket.
This boutique wine warehouse - a temperature-controlled Aladdin's cave directly above Jones - boasts the best vintages and the country's rarest wine collection. Forget the usual supermarket suspects; if you fancy a change from your favourite chardonnay, there's helpful advice on matching your taste with your budget (bottles start at $20). Have a nosy in the panelled room with its splendid leather chairs and shelves showcasing their very finest bottles. Look out too for cheese and wine pairings in conjunction with Jones downstairs.
Website: www.kemprarewines.com
Didas Food Store
Where: 54 Jervois Road, Herne Bay.
European style oozes from this food emporium, owned by a Croatian family, behind Glengarry wines. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are crammed with interesting goodies from imported mustards and relishes to couscous, chocolate and rows of giant tins of tomatoes and artichokes.
The map on the back wall shows which part of Italy your cheese comes from and there's a cafe, too, with sorbets and gelati served at the back of the shop. Apple pie or tiramisu by the scoop is very appealing with spring in the air.
Sabato
Where: 57 Normanby Road, Mt Eden.
Opened 14 years ago, Sabato has become the gourmet destination for keen cooks and top chefs on the hunt for artisan food from Europe. It's nice to see plenty of home-grown produce, too - nuts, honey and syrups. Sabato's own-label pastas and sauces are big sellers, as are the imported cured meats. For breakfast treats, check out the freezers for flaky croissants and pains au chocolat filled with rich French Valrhona chocolate.
Check out the cookery demonstrations and tastings on Saturdays - and taste test chocolate chip cookies still warm from the oven.
Website: www.sabato.co.nz
Nosh
Where: 133-135 Apirana Avenue, Glen Innes.
Auckland's largest gourmet food market - or so they claim - has plenty of helpful staff on hand to advise. Stuck for what to feed the vegan in-laws at the weekend? Consult the store manager for a menu. There's lots of European imports - Dutch, British and German - and the butchery and seafood section is a whole separate shop. Fish is fresh from the market and meat is bought in as whole carcasses and processed on site. Ready-meals are the kind of stuff you'd make yourself if you had time after a day at the office; we're talking navarin of lamb and fragrant chicken curry, which you could pass off as your own.
Website: www.noshgourmet.com
Farro Fresh Food
Where: 80 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington.
Just minutes from Nosh, Farro is crammed with seasonal delights. Think the season's first strawberries and fresh buds of asparagus. Farro does quality staples in the meat, fish and cheese range, and if you can't find a specialist item you're after, staff will track it down. There's lots to browse including cookbooks and kitchen utensils, and popular chef Ray McVinnie whips up treats at 1pm every Thursday.
Website: www.farrofresh.co.nz
La Cigale French Style market
Where: 69 St George's Bay Road, Parnell.
On Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons, a clique of producers collect outside Parnell's French goldmine, La Cigale. Fruit and veg rub shoulders with olives, honey, smoked salmon and Spanish-style paella while their producers are there to offer advice. Two cafes provide a tempting excuse to refuel with coffee and a croissant. Beat the crowds and arrive early: by mid-morning, the industrial-sized car park is bursting at the seams.
Website: www.lacigale.co.nz
- Detours, HoS
