Review: Blue Breeze Inn, Ponsonby Central

If you have been a fan of Moochowchow, you will love the new Blue Breeze Inn that has recently opened in Ponsonby Central. I found out about the latest brainchild from the geniuses who brought Moochowchow via The Denizen and was excited to try it out. Moochowchow is one of my favourite place to eat in Auckland (strangely enough I have never posted anything about them) and I am eager to let them take my taste buds on another culinary adventure.

We got off to a late start on a very disgusting Saturday with non-stop tropical like rain. I was adamant not to let the weather to dampen my Saturday mood so I decided on a little perk me up and go to Blue Breeze Inn. Actually, it's more like I thought there will be better chance of getting a table on a day like this. So we traipse in and found a table for two immediately. We were greeted by the friendly owner of Moochowchow and he remembered my hubby and then took us to a nice table for two at the end of the restaurant. Since we arrive in between lunch and dinner service, only a limited selection from the menu is available. Fine by me because the waitress has warned me when I rang but decided not to book a table because I was told we could easily have a seat at the bar. I like being unorganised on weekends. We ordered Dandan Noodles, Bang Bang Chicken and some steamed asian greens. The food here is a fusion of Chinese cooking with Pacifican ingredients  but I find it leans more more towards Chinese flavours.

Dandan noodles($26) came with a braised beef shin brothe with generous amount of mushrooms and tender beef shin. It's not the typical Dandan noodles that is lrepared with sichuan peppers to numb your tongue. It was rather mild with a sweet undernote of black glutinous rice vinegar and a hint of star anise and other spices. The broth is honest,luscious and truly nousirshing on a cold and wet day. I do find it a tad too sweet, just a tad. The noodles were delicious.

Bang Bang Chicken- how could you not order a dish with a name like that? I think half of the people ordered it just because it sounds fun. The flavours are really nicely balanced with a good hint of soy sauce, chilli oil, sesame oil and coriander but I find the price of $18 for a small snack of the size a little steep. It looks like a lot on the photo but it really wasn't that much. It's a lovely dish but not a must order.

The service and decor are fantastic although I felt a little claustrophobic being squished in a tiny corner but you get used to it after 10 minutes. Not an ideal place for large group because the space is tiny. Do check out the bathroom. The door swings open, just missing the sink by a fraction of a centimetre,impressive! There is bar seating where you can watch chef Che Barrington and his team of young and energetic staff working away in the kitchen. It's awesome. 

I will be back for sure to try out their full menu before deciding if I like this place as much as Moochowchow. The atmosphere is great with some lovely Hawaiian tunes and you forget that you are in the middle of winter for a while. The next time I will make sure I get a seat at the bar and marvel at all the ingredients and cooking that goes on. 

Blue Breeze Inn

146 Ponsonby Road

09-3600303

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My week in NYC- Eating pork buns at Momofuku

One of the most important tasks that I had on my recent trip was to have a meal at David Chang's Momofuku for its uber famous Pork Bao which has generated a cult following. I was dreaming day and night and told all my friends that I must eat at a Pork Bao at Momofuku. And so I did. It was a rainy Monday afternoon in NYC as we headed into East Village for the much anticipated meal. Maybe it's the rain, we got in just before 12pm and got 2 seats right away in a cozy corner. You can imagine how excited I was being there. Kids get excited in Disneyland, I get excited in a noodle bar! My parents will be so proud of me.

We ordered 2 sets of pork buns with hoisin sauce, scallions and cucumber, a noodle and salad to share with hopes of squeezing in some dessert later. When the buns arrived at the table, I held them tight as if they were my first born. The buns were so light and fluffy; it's like no other buns I have ever eaten before and the chunky pieces of  pork are thick and juicy with the gelatinous pork fat melting in your mouth with each bite. The meat was tender and flavourful but I could really do with a little more hoi sin sauce.

As you can see the buns are not very big but after 2 pieces I was half full. Disappointing. I would have liked to eat some desserts .

Before going to NYC, I have read some negative reviews about the noodle at Momofuku. I thought I should give it a try and have my own opinion about it. I have to agree that the Spicy Miso Ramen is nothing to write home about. There is no spicyness in the soup which was bordering on bland but I did like the textures of all the elements particularly the noodles which was al dente.

Fava bean -freekeh salad with feta cheese was refreshing and pleasant but not something that I would reorder.

The decor is very simplistic but cosy and you don't feel cramped in. Probably not a child-friendly place but that's a noodle bar for you. It's meant to be a quick bite for lunch or a quick catch up after work.

After our meals, I was too full to stomach the dessert although I really really wanted to give it a try.
Was it worth the effort to track this place down? Yes. The pork buns are phenomenal and if you have a company of four or more, you can try to go to try out the famous fried chicken and peking duck from Momofuku Ssam Bar which requires at least 4 people with healthy appetites.
Anyway if you are into the new craze of Asian fusion food, you may want to give this place a try. The prices are very reasonable for its status, service and quality.

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 first ave
btwn 10 and 11th street
New York 10003

If you are in the US, it helps to have the Yelp app. It takes the guesswork out of finding the next meal and most of the time you will know what you are getting yourself into. We have had some incredible meals with the help of Yelp.

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Why I wasn't blogging ?

I had a tremendous surprise coming back from my holiday when I found out that I had a surge of visits to my blog! It's a bit of a relief because I have been writing this blog for a couple of years now and I do enjoy sharing my own experience and learning from others and it would be a shame if no one wants to read it any more!

So, why I wasn't blogging for more than a month? I have been travelling to Asia, Europe and North America and I had the best intention to do so but I only had my ipad with me during this trip and the blogger app is a real pain to blog and to top it off, I was getting very flaky wifi. I will remember to update my twitter instead next time. If you are on twitter, please say hi.

Just a quick update , here are some photos of my food adventure in Kuala Lumpur. I have tons of photos that needs uploading but please be patient with me until I post more about my recent trip.

Claypot Loh Shee Fun in Petaling Street 

 Frog legs 

 Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng

 Roasted Pork Braised Egg Noodles aka Siu Yok Mee in Petaling Street - best dish I have eaten in Kuala Lumpur

Live turtle and eels. I didn't eat the turtles.

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Review: Ortolana Restaurant Britomart

I had a really lovely weekend eating wonderful meals with friends and family. A friend suggested Ortolana and I can't resist. We got there for Sunday brunch and was surprised that it wasn't heaving. There were a few tables around that are available and we found ourselves in a cosy nook. Ortolana is the latest instalment from the Hip Group that runs The Store, Cafe on Kohi, Takapuna Beach Cafe and St Heliers Bay Cafe.

As with all the other cafes by the Hip Group, Ortolana is well-staffed and you don't have to try hard to get any service. Everything on their menu sounds interesting and after scanning through their menu for a good five minutes I ordered a crayfish, apple, cucumber, lemoncream salad ($22). I didn't expect much crayfish for $22 but wasn't disappointed when it arrived at the table. In fact I was pleasantly surprised how generous they were. I love the abundance of fresh herbs and romaine lettuce in my salad and the lemoncream is divine. I can imagine Manu saying "The sauce..it ties the dish together...but I would like more sauce". The lettuce were so crunchy and sweet. Maybe it's because they claim that they grow their own vegetables. Anyhow, I enjoyed my light and healthy choice.

S ordered beetroot, feta, cumin, hazelnut lasagnotte ($19) and I had food envy when I saw it. I actually like his dish more than mine. All the components went well and the lasagnotte was so smooth and al dente. I love all the different textures in the dish and the toasted hazelnuts adds a nice sweet crunchiness to the dish. S was in love with his choice of dish and wasn't very happy that I keep nibbling on his food. I would definitely come back soon for this dish.

I didn't order an appetiser because I wanted to save some room for dessert without feeling sick afterwards. When I saw our neighbour eating a mini bombe alaska I couldn't resist. It was lovely. I  really liked the luscious italian meringue. 

When we finished our meals, I asked the waitress about Milse, which is a small dessert kitchen right behind Ortolana. Currently it supplies the desserts to Ortolana but they will be available for 'fine dining desserts'. Oh my! My heart skipped a beat when I heard that. Three courses of desserts would be insane. Good sugary insanity. 

After our brunch, we hopped over to The Store to get some ice-cream because they are just too good. We will definitely be back soon to try out their breakfast and to check out Milse when it open its doors. Happy days.

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Pop-up dining Bao at DOC Bar K'road

 The eating scene in Auckland is getting merrier as the weeks passed. Coupled with the most amazing summer that we just had it was a real treat. I was meant to post this a couple of weeks ago but it forgotten. I know I have to post this because this new cool concept has taken NYC, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Chicago and many other cities by storm. Many restaurateurs in Australia has jumped onto the bandwagon; diluting the true experience of the concept. However in Auckland it's still relatively new although the Pop-up dining guys has been around for a bit over a year now. The best place to find them is on a Wednesday at D.O.C Bar in K'road. They are not always there but if they are cooking up something good, chances are they will be there. I have been there a couple of times and these guys can cook up some wicked dishes for $10 and you can't even find similar food in a restaurant. How cool is that? But don't expect to be seated and presented with a wine list. DOC Bar is a student bar and it's not flash but bring along a few mates and you are in for a cheap and cheerful meal and come cheap beers.

Pork Belly Bao with Sriracha sauce

I came here after yoga and I was starving. The options were easy- vegetarian or pork. Both are divine. For the vegetarian option, it was mushrooms braised with a lot of yummy flavours and you will not miss meat after eating it. It's succulent, creamy and packed with loads of flavours. The pork belly option was pretty damn good as well. The meat was so tender and cooked with the right amount of hoisin sauce so it's not sickly sweet and sticky. I am not sure if the buns are handmade or store bought but they are pretty good. They are mostly uneven in size and shape so I would guess that it's handmade by the talented duo of Andreas and Ben.

The dish is a popular dish from David Chang of Momofuku NYC which later generated a cult like following and copycats has been appearing everywhere since. It has even become one of the most popular food in NYC in 2012. Yes, food can be trendy too and one day in the near future you might find a Food Runway. Don't laugh.

For $10 I got two baos with gorgeous fillings and a small side salad. Pretty good deal for $10 I would say. Beats the boring subway sandwich anytime.

Pop-up dining will appear at DOC at 6p.m 27 March. My advice is to get in early to get a seat. Come late and there won't be anything left. They will be serving up Korean Tacos. Check out their website for other upcoming food events.

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Hot Saturday lunch at Maldito Mendez, Ponsonby Central

The Auckland food scene has been pumping  in the last 6 months with numerous new food joints popping out every other week and I can't be happier. I have to say I am getting really spoilt by the choices, so diverse  and exciting. There is also a new wave of casual dining eateries / bistros with some young talents behind it. One of the promising new joint to look out for is Maldito Mendez in Ponsonby Central serving central South American food. The first time I came across their food was  at  Grey Lynn Festival 2011when they were operating from a food truck.They must have done really well and now have a permanent  place for their followers to find them 7 days a week.

The place is not very big therefore it feels rather cosy and welcoming.There's an open kitchen where you can see all the food being prepared. The kitchen looks basic and I love watching people preparing the food that I am going to eat. You have to order and pay for your food at the counter. The staff are really easy-going and approachable even though it was a very busy Saturday afternoon. Service is basic but it doesn't leave you feeling unappreciated.  I kinda like that because it freaks me out when the staff keep coming back to ask how my meal is going but they actually don't really care.

The prices are very affordable, between $10 to $15 for most meals and around $28 for bigger shared plates. Since I didn't know how big the portions are here and there's only 2 of us, I ordered conservatively because the tables are small and I didn't want to look I was a participant on Survivors. I ordered a Grilled Fish Taco with capsicum, limes and chillies. It was delicious. The portion is not big but leaves you satisfied with the fresh ingredients. You definitely need more than one taco to fill your hunger if you are not eating anything else.

Next up was the dainty Watermelon Salad with feta,coriander and green tomatoes. I have never eaten watermelon with anything else other than itself. It is refreshing and not weird at all with the feta cheese. It fact it highlights the sweetness of the watermelon.

Our favourite dish was the Fish Ceviche with blood orange, watercress and mango. The whole dish just comes together so well without any of the garnishing taking too much attention away from the tender fish. Just like how Manu from MKR would say 'magnifique'.

I would happily come back with a couple of friends any time. The atmosphere is casual, the food is fantastic and prices are very reasonable for the fantastic food that is being served. Ponsonby Central is becoming a melting pot of great food and I am not complaining. Just wish that parking around here would be easier but it's never too much hassle for some great food with friends.

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The Depot

I have been meaning to come to the popular Al Brown's 'The Depot' since it opened its doors more than a year ago but it's always packed and they don't take booking plus I am not a fan of waiting around watching others gobble delicious food. I have heard really good reviews too, so it made it more painful. After several attempts, we finally got ourselves in for a late lunch last week. 

First impression is good, I personally like the rustic decor and friendly service from the staff. I feel very welcomed here and that my experience is going to be great and I wasn't wrong. 

We ordered 5 dishes and the first to arrive is their signature pulled pork sliders with coleslaw. It was delicious and the flavours of the meat was intense. I savoured every bite of my bite size slider. When the first dish is great, it truly lifts your mood and expectation and we were not disappointed.

Next up was the lamb ribs with skordalia with paprika oil. The serving was generous for 3 people to share. The lamb was so tender that it comes off the bone as you sink your teeth into it. Every mouthful was a delight. The flavours were beautiful balanced.

We did not order any freshly shucked oysters although it's very popular here because neither one of us is a big fan of oysters. We ordered mussels instead but the photo is not doing justice to the beautiful grilled mussel dish we have ordered. The mussels were accompanied by small chunks of prosciutto and croutons that made this dish so enjoyable but not heavy.

 We were fairly full at this point when our pork hock with salsa verde, black beans and grilled sweet corn arrived at our table. I have to say this was my least favourite dish although it is still a very good dish. I think I was getting a bit full and I didn't think all the components went well together. They were all very good, but just didn't create spark together on a plate. 
Our last dish was potato skins with gouda and porcini salt. I love the strong gouda on the potato skins but it they were too generous with the gouda here and made me feel a bit too bogged down but that could also be because I ate too much.

The Depot lives up to its hype unlike Tin Soldier. I think it's fair to compare the two because the have very similar concept, decor and menu. In my opinion, The Depot beats Tin Soldier hands down. I would definitely come back  here with friends soon.

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Trail Running from Bethells to Te Henga

Another fantastic trail run for me when some friends took me to the Waitakeres for a so-called 'gentle run'. I shall never believe his version of gentle ever again. But he did promise me that there's going to the gorgeous views. I got that. He did not exaggerate at all. I took all these photos with my iphone and they have not been photo-shopped. It was stunning and I had to stop so many times during the course just to take in the views. 

This track is part of the Hillary Trail (named after the great Sir Edmund Hillary) and my friend Josh is training to do a 75km  ultra marathon this autumn on this legendary trail. It is a very rugged and at times challenging route to run. There were some narrow paths that could be a little hazardous if you are not careful and lots of flax that you can trip on and fall on your face. I have tripped a couple of times because there were patches of hollow grounds covered with grass. Thankfully I got away with only a few scrapes. I was wearing my calf guards and when I fell it prevented me from getting a luxurious scrape on my lower leg.

We started our journey at 8amThe total distance we ran/ walk was 16km and took me about 3 hours 15. My friend Josh ran a little further and it took him only 3 hours.

The view of Bethells beach from the track is simply stunning. It beggars believe that nature can be so beautiful in its purest form, harsh and untamed and the same time vulnerable to human actions. I am so darn grateful to live in such a beautiful country that has become my home for the last 12 years. New Zealand Tourism Board might consider me to be a spokesperson to promote the country soon??

Trail running on such a rugged terrain is very new to me, I have only ran on suburban roads.Trail running takes a lot of energy and attention so not to twist my ankles and roll over because I am suck a klutz.

 We finished around 11 a.m and it was scorching because the trails is rather bare with very little shade to hide from the sun. We hopped into the car and drove for a few minutes to Bethells beach and jumped into the cold water. It was an absolute bliss! I am looking forward to a few more trips like this. I feel so energised being out in nature and suck in all the beauty nature has to offer.

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Summer Eats :Mexico Britomart

If you have been eating out a bit in Auckland, you'd notice the trend of Mexican food sweeping in everywhere. Pretty good times for me because I love diversity in the eating scene. The more the merrier. One spot that I have been wanting to check since it has opened its door is Mexico in Britomart. It has been opened for almost a year now and I haven't had a chance to check it out because it is always packed and I have tried twice to get a seat after yoga on Wednesday but I gave up. I decided to give it a go again this time since it's holiday period and most people are away. Hopefully it'll be easier this time around. The day was scorching and I am just craving for cold margaritas and The Depot was closed so we somehow ended up in Britomart area. Got in and there was a table available in 10 minutes. Score!

The three of us ordered fish and pork tacos, beetroot salads, fried chicken and a carafe of margarita.

 I was starving and food a little while to arrive but it all arrived at the same time. Our favorites were the prawn quesadillas and beetroot salads. Both the pork and fish tacos were rather bland. I prefer the tacos from Jalapeno Grill but would definitely come back for the quesadillas.

 The fried chicken was pretty good but not phenomenal and I could give it a miss and save the calories for another drink or snack.

Food prices are quite affordable but would definitely become expensive for big eaters because you will need at least 3 tacos to fill a raging appetite. The service was not as patchy as I'd expected after reading about the complaints online. The hostesses are a bit pointless but the waiting staff are pretty helpful.

The drinks are reasonable priced for this part of town so it'd be a good place to come to on a hot summer's day to have some drinks and small bites.

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My first trail run - Okura Bush to Stillwater Beach

Happy New Year everyone. This is going to be my very first post for the new year. I have been doing lots of cool new things over the holidays hence the blog is a little neglected. Sorry for the MIA. 

I went for my first ever trail run on Sunday and it was terrific. A little scary for me because I really didn't know what to expect. Maybe it was blessing in disguise anyway because I wasn't anticipating such a long run, most of the time alone. I went with 3 other friends but we were running at our own pace. We started out together and they lose me somewhere in the track. It allowed me plenty of personal time to ogle at the beautiful track and listen to the sounds of nature. We ran from the carpark and back, a total of 14km in 2 hour 15 minutes. Most part of the track is covered in gravel and clearly marked so it is very pedestrian friendly.

This track takes you through Okura River estuary and edge of the Long Bay – Okura Marine Reserve to Karepiro Bay and on to Stillwater Beach. It's a really beautiful track to run with plenty to see and I was lucky to be running on perfect weather day. Runs like this truly allows me to just lose myself and let my mind wander, not having to watch for traffic and pedestrians. All I do is just running and spending time in nature and listening to my own breath and sounds of the streams. It is  worth the effort and pain. 

It's so easy to lose track of time when you run in such a beautiful environment. It totally beats the mundaneness of running through the suburbs but you can't run an even pace because of the uneven terrain. This track is fairly easy if you are wearing trail shoes. I was wearing my good-old road running shoes and it got quite wet when I slipped into a swamp. I have to start wearing my new trail shoes although it is quite a bit heavier.

The bridge was one of the highlight of the run, plus my legs were fatigue after the run so it was such a joy to see it. I can't remember if this was before or after the 100 step super steep stairs. Unless you are superfit, it's surreal to run up all the way.

DOC (Dept of Conservation) has done an excellent job with the track,making it very inviting for leisure walkers and young children. I am looking forward to running a few more trail runs this summer before the bad kicks in. If I keep running lots of hills on these weekly trail runs, I hope to sport a pair of strong gluteus to power up all the hills on my road running sessions.

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