Ditch the detox

You're back at work, resolutions in place, holiday decadence over ... time for that new year detox right? Wrong.

After the year of the juice fast, we are detoxing on detox diets. We're sick of being cautious, tired of worrying about the consequences. To hell with super-foods, raw cooking and greens smoothies.

Let's just enjoy delicious food all year long - healthy whenever possible - with a little fried goodness once in a while. No need to lower your standards, and indulge your addiction in some back-alley though, some of our favourite restaurants have gourmet fried and baked concoctions on their menu.

Try one of our top five "bad" foods and continue that holiday decadence:

1. Deep fried Oreos from Late Night Diner
152 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. Ph (09) 361 2320.

Yes, that's right. Deep. Fried. Oreos. Served with a shot of vanilla milkshake. This is serious, sugar-filled dream-food that makes cookies and icecream seem tame.

2. Metre long pizza from Toto Pizza
53 Nelson St, City.

It's a metre of perfectly made Italian pizza - what's not to love?

3. Fried chicken from Mexico
Britomart, Ponsonby, Takapuna, Hamilton - take your pick.

You cannot eat at Mexico without sharing a plate of fried chicken (or two) with the table. It's free-range so technically you're being good.

4. Sausage rolls from Little and Friday
43c Eversleigh Rd, Belmont and 12 Melrose St, Newmarket.

At $7 a pop, these aren't your average sausage roll, these are gourmet, flaky indulgences. If you don't like sausage rolls, try the doughnuts, brioches or pies - anything they bake is perfect.

5. Sweet pie from Federal Delicatessen
86 Federal St, City.

Banana and toffee, lemon meringue, apple, choc cherry - you really can't go wrong with The Fed's pies, they're just the right amount of sweet and even have delicious bases - a rare treat in the pie world.

- VIVA