Inexplicably slow service gets the evening off to a bad start.

Want change out of $30 this weekend? Look no further.

Easy fare ticks all the boxes.

Korean street snacks as never before in Auckland.

Japanese eatery a welcome addition to Takapuna's Main Beach strip.

Make beautiful music with delicious dinner matches.

Proof that size is not everything but that flavour makes a winner.

Little Jimmy brings delicious food and an urbane edge to Epsom dining.

Mourning a bygone era? Fret not, big fat chardonnays are out there ...

A peninsula eatery has potential once glitches are sorted out.

Balmoral newcomer perfects the art of Northern Thai street food.

These three will warm your cockles without overheating your wallet ...

A night at the pub, Ponsonby style.

A favourite capital roastery and cafe makes its mark in Newmarket.

Scandiblond destination in Quay St offers sumptuous Spanish fare.

Inject some awesome into June's chilly, long-shadowed, late afternoons by sipping one of these luscious lovelies...

Soul food haven delivers - as long as you don't ask too many questions of the wait staff.

In an unassuming block of shops, it's a good-sized cafe, and that's even before you find the back room with three massive sharing tables.

A trip down memory lane finds the burgers still flipping - though with more choices.

In the space that was Alleluya's for 20 years, a bit of the old spirit remains, in the form of Bestie.

A new Italian in Remuera is worth crossing town for.

Booking in is welcome at this newcomer serving a fine range of Mediterranean and middle Eastern fare.

Before you launch into any good wine, make sure you grab a decent glass and not those awful goblets you nicked from Cobb & Co in the 80s.

You probably already knew "farang" is Thai for foreigner. You might not have known it's also Thai for guava.

Every new food fad possible is included on the menu.

Convincing main courses and desserts to dive into tick all the boxes at The Federal Deli.

A brunch or weekend lunch? Try the shakshuka - this popular breakfast dish - originally from North Africa - works just as well for lunch.

Rotorua bistro offers a blend of excellent food and homely charm.

People think wine writing is glamorous. My diary today has "worm the cat", "get dog's anal glands drained", "buy school shoes for Jake", "sort Southern Cross receipts" and "buy new tweezers" written in it. So, yeah. Jealous?