KEY POINTS:
Rocket Kitchen is planning to open a Takapuna branch next month. With high-rise apartments sprouting by the beach, bringing more shoppers Shoreward, the somewhat tired Takapuna shops are showing signs of perking up. A Takapuna Beach Cafe, run by the Richmond Rd crowd, is being built down by the boat ramp. The Dish also likes the tiny Mrs Bean cafe on Lake Rd which sells good coffee and a nice line in cakes and slices made on the premises.
GPK, which suffered a fireball through its kitchen, is likely to be closed for around a month. But our top picks for Taka Beach at this time of year are icecreams by day and fish'n'chips on a balmy evening.
Chow down
Wellington institution Chow opened an Auckland outlet. With three branches in the capital, this eatery has a winning format of modern Asian food and quick, casual service, with dishes designed to be shared. Free-range chicken and eggs are used and MSG isn't. Opening promotions include buy one dish and get one free on Mondays and buy one cocktail and get one free on Wednesdays. Chow is open seven days from noon until midnight at 1 Pakenham St East, (near Market Place). Takeaways available. Ph (09) 365 2585. www.chow.co.nz
Icy treats
Gelato, the Italian version of icecream, often fruit-flavoured, is just the thing for summer and less fatty than normal icecream. Two new gelateria have tickled our tastebuds: Casa del Gelato, newly opened at the top of Ponsonby Rd; and Charlie's Gelato Garden, in Sharp Rd, Matakana. The latter makes fresh gelato and sorbettos daily in small batches using fruit grown on the property or nearby. Buon appetito.
Gordon's new girl
He may be a foul-mouthed tyrant in the kitchen, but Gordon Ramsayis an equal opportunity employer. In the male-dominated world of top restaurants, he has again surprised the establishment by picking a woman to lead one of his establishments. Clare Smyth will run his Gordon Ramsay restaurant in London's Chelsea, becoming the first woman to run a three-star restaurant. She is only 29, but has worked with Ramsay on-and-off since 2002 and had turns in other top kitchens.
Ramsay, who once claimed women couldn't "cook to save their lives" has also championed Angela Hartnett, who in 2004 won the Ramsay group a Michelin star for her restaurant in the Connaught hotel, which closed this year.
Wine trail
New Zealand's newest touring route is the Classic NZ Wine Trail between Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa. Watch out for the signs bearing a stylised bunch of grapes. The route crosses Cook Strait to the wine trail of Marlborough, combining the three regions responsible for producing just over 80 per cent of New Zealand's wine. The trail through the lower North Island was the idea of Mike Laven, owner of Peppers Martinborough Hotel, the Petit Hotel and Martinborough Wine Centre, who is determined to lure tourists off the main drag. "With the increase in interest in food and wine tourism, I realised that there was a unique opportunity for the three wine regions to work together with Wellington and Tararua to create one of the world's great wine touring routes.
"Seven years on, you can imagine how delighted I am to see the road signs being erected along the route"
For more information on the trail visit www.classicwinetrail.co.nz.
No bushing about
Flax seed oil is a rich source of omega-3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids, which the body needs but can't make. The dietary boost it provides is especially good for vegetarians and children. Waihi Bush organic farm makes a range of palatable flax seed oil products. Find out more at health stores or on www.waihibush.co.nz.
All about avocados
Avocados make another healthy oil, and the best-selling Grove brand is locally made. It also comes in smaller 250ml bottles infused with lime and horopito pepper. It handles high heat cooking, and can be used in dips and marinades. If you really like avocados, try a double hit with this recipe.
Avocado Dressing
1 firm ripe avocado halved, deseeded and the flesh removed
2 Tbs lemon juice
Grove Avocado Oil (enough to make a thick paste)
1 spring onion chopped
1 clove garlic grated
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tbs chopped mint
For those times when you can't find fresh avocados, Watties has a frozen solution, a range of guacamole that can be defrosted for dipping.
Made from Hass avocados, the products are available in supermarkets for around $4 a 170g tub.
Dine and dash
The Crowne Plaza Auckland has a pre-theatre menu aimed at making early eating out easier.
Its Aria restaurant is near the entertainment precinct and pre-theatre dining begins at 6pm and runs until 8pm. Entree, main and a drink cost $52; this price also includes free validated parking at the adjacent Atrium carpark after 6pm. Return for an after-show dessert and coffee and pay another $13 each.
