• The team who owned Shortland St's The Grassy Knoll cafe (now Giles Luncheonette) have opened tasty-sounding Willow in Albany, weekdays only. Stand by for the start of their Saturday service.
• Good One in Douglas St has appointed the talented Maggie Thomas (ex Little Cake Kitchen) as their new manager.
• Landreth & Co on Ponsonby Rd has been revamped as Clear Water Peak, with a delicious-sounding menu - gingerbread pancakes and paddle crab omelette, anyone?
• Chef Nick Honeyman has moved from The Commons and Everybody's Izakaya to Lava Dining at the Sofitel, and launched a new menu this week. He replaces chef Scott Brown, who has opened fish and chippie FishSmith on Jervois Rd, where Herne Bay Fish Mart ran for 27 years.
• Ponsonby Central's Toru cafe has extended its hours into the evening, offering a substantial new bar menu; we love the braised short rib with spicy sambal, the crab croquettes with manchego and serrano ham, and the banana, coconut and rum rice pudding.
