The Dish: A taste of France

Croissants. Photo / Supplied

Nothing beats the smell of coffee and freshly baked croissants first thing in the morning. Well, thanks to Jess Brewer and Mattieu Gosset there is now a fabulous new place to get your French fix in Herne Bay. This passionate couple have opened La Boulange - or the French Grocer - at 214 Jervois Rd, and for seven days a week you can call in for delicious pastries (all baked on site using authentic French butter) with Atomic coffee. You will also, no doubt, be tempted by the selection of cheese, olives and terrines on offer. Tres bon. laboulange.co.nz

Bags that

It seems everybody is getting in on the Fashion Week action, including Jones the Grocer in Newmarket. The baker there has been inspired to create a range of fashionista cakes - including a handbag cake. They come in a variety of flavours and styles. To find out more go to Jones The Grocer, 1/143 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket, ph (09) 522 9161.

Sweet temptation

Also in Newmarket you'll find the gorgeous new Petal Cupcakes. Already well known for its delivery service of cakes with delicious flavours such as passionfruit, manuka honey and Hawkes Bay peach, the store now allows you to go in and choose for yourself from a tempting selection. Petal Cupcakes has been working with the likes of Ruby and Angela Lewis in the build up for Fashion Week, so we can expect to look forward to a sweet injection when we're suffering from runway overload. Find them for yourself at 8 Teed St, Newmarket, ph (09) 440 9428.

Designer water

Taking the trend for designer water one step further is Sanpellegrino's launch of limited edition bottles under the umbrella "Italian talents". The aim is to celebrate companies that reflect Italian culture and style . First off the rank, just in time for Fashion Week, is the Missoni bottle - wrapped in the signature Missoni patterned fabric. Find them in only the finest restaurants around New Zealand. Meanwhile at Fashion Week itself, there will be Sanpellegrino waiters serving chilled water and fruit beverages to the front rows at selected shows. Nice touch.

Top rate

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