Parnell gastrognome

The diminutive GLYNN CHRISTIAN sniffs out Parnell's newest, tastiest and best.

Start opposite St Mary's Cathedral with iconic Pandoro the bakers: fresh dough investment promises new products, but have you tried their amazing brioche loaves and cinnamon twists?

Parnell Butchers dry-cure their bacon, age beef at least two weeks, usually stock poussins, sell organic meat and poultry and will get any game, from possum to alligator.

Astounding things can be found at Ashton Grove, 395 Parnell Rd. It stocks glorious French Provincial dining tables which are hand-planed and hand-polished and pegged rather than nailed, and made in Southland of local oak. They are the closest thing ever to sex on legs. Mine went weak.

Fraser Kerr is the bright new talent at EatParnell. The brilliant idea of the former sous chef of Cibo's is to pack a chiller with antipasto choices (watch for it soon) and to expand the shop's fresh pasta and sauce range to include such freezer dinners as lamb shanks and Provencal stews.

Explore Cranfields slowly for beautiful things, including super dining tables, Chinese antiques and Italian pewter. Leap possessively on their French-style, iron-bound, elm chopping boards ($240), each a thick wood slice so you cut into the grain instead of against. It's like a small butcher's block really, and tops of my "must-have" list.

Shopping at Murdoch McLennan Antiques at No 377 is like being let loose in Granny's treasure chest. The shop stocks specialist dining room gifts and treats, including grape scissors, old foodie prints, teapots, gorgeous plates, even dining tables and chairs, all with the grace and style of well, Granny, and probably her Granny, too.

Tony of Cohen's of Parnell learned his amazing expertise at Bloom's Kosher Restaurant in London, with the great British liners and stores. His window display is often drab, but inside you'll taste dazzling pates, excellent fruit pastes and proper (no pastry base) steak and kidney or chicken and mushroom pies made daily for collection after 4.30pm. He also does irresistible hot salt (corned) beef sandwiches Monday to Saturday.

Miguel Frascione's Accent on Wine is a treasure trove. More than 60 per cent of wines are from agencies or imported direct. Luscious, top-flight French clarets and outstanding Italian, Spanish and Australian selections run from celestial to a $12 vin de pays. Oenophiles respect Miguel's integrity so much he sells more Alan McCorkindale's Pinot 2000 at $137 than Sam Neill's well-made Two Paddocks at $39.95

Now breathe deeply before you turn into Ambiance at 347 and feast your eyes on La Cornue Chateau 147, the ultimate $50,000-plus gas/electric cooker. Breathe out also to enjoy Frances Gien china, appreciating why older patterns are the most lovely.

The Chocolate Boutique's local hand-made chocolates are its top-sellers, but you can also choose from Brazilian, French, Belgian or Swiss, along with diabetic choices as well. Among its 100 lolly jars are acid drops, English liquorice allsorts, milk bottles and dolly mixture. Hot chocolates - made with the real thing - include chocolate and raspberry and its secret-recipe Il Denso.

The Yum-Yum Tree at 295 specialises in table-top elegance, with tablemats, napkins, tablecloths, runners, candles and more. Excellent faux-koru stainless cutlery by the piece.

From the outside, Galtons might seem to sell only Euro-Scandinavian glass and china. Not so. Ask to see the fantastic Stuart Crystal flutes and goblets by Jasper Conran. They are bold, original statements that rethink crystal. Then find the WMF display, first for their great citrus zester, and ultimately for their striking technowhisk, the balloon whisk update you'll swear is jewellery or sculpture. It's second on my "must-have" list.

Tony Gumby runs Saints Of Parnell, providing hundreds of filled rolls in the mornings, four sizes of quiches for lunch and plenty of cakes and slices later "including ginger crunch and lamingtons for the older folk". Everything is baked and made on the premises. Another treasure.

Style Italia imports stainless steel units wonderfully planned as work spaces for small kitchens and brings in beautiful master, thinly cut granite which is epoxy-bonded, giving the look for less. Super-yachties swear by it.

Last, be quick visiting the old Askew site: for just a few weeks it is selling restored Chinese antiques.

Handsome buffets, amazing armoires and wood or woven containers and trays, all worth a kitchen or dining room-planner's serious look.