Menu Picks: Our Favourite Dishes Right Now

Viva
The chilli labneh eggs at Honeybones. Picture / Supplied

• I'm a fan of Honeybones (480 Richmond Rd) both for their lovely design and also for their chilli labneh eggs (pictured), with smoked peppers, cherry tomatoes and fresh sourdough. With all this weird weather, we may as well start on the comfort food, right?
India Essuah, writer

The pork belly salad at Twisted Tomato. Picture / Supplied
The pork belly salad at Twisted Tomato. Picture / Supplied

• When I have a craving for a bit of porky decadence, I make a beeline to Twisted Tomato (149 Point Chevalier Rd). Their pork belly salad thankfully is on the all-day menu so it doesn't matter when that craving hits! Juicy chunks of pork belly are slow-cooked in a sweet Asian glaze to tender perfection. It comes with a fresh slaw dressed in a zesty lime-sesame vinaigrette. The sprinkling of sesame seeds and crispy noodles add an extra crunch factor.
Shoba Pillai, digital editor

• The best dumplings I've ever had are the cabbage and mushroom ones from Tianze Dumpling House (695 Sandringham Rd). They're made with a light and non-stodgy dumpling dough that doesn't make you feel like you've swallowed a brick after eating a few. Get them steamed, and wash down with a drink that you help yourself to from the fridge.
Rosie Herdman, writer and fashion assistant

The iced coffee at L'affare Melrose. Picture / Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
The iced coffee at L'affare Melrose. Picture / Rebecca Zephyr Thomas

• In this muggy Auckland summer, I need a caffeine hit more than ever but definitely would prefer a cold drink, so the iced coffee with almond milk at L'affare (22 Melrose St, Newmarket) is perfect. L'affare has an on-site roastery and the interior is really airy with plenty of space to chill out and read a magazine.
Rebecca Zephyr Thomas, photographer

The popcorn shrimp at Seven. Picture / Seven
The popcorn shrimp at Seven. Picture / Seven

• I'm a big fan of 'popcorn' chicken, but never imagined the popcorn craze going any further until I dined out at Seven (52 Tyler St, Britomart) and ordered the popcorn shrimp. These bite-sized delicacies are served with sriracha mayo, fried basil and chives. No surprises how good the food is seeing as Ebisu's head chef Fred Wong is behind it.
Lucy Casley, designer

• Flee the office and head to Azabu for a post-work nibble. Order the tuna tostada: a flat, fried tortilla topped with sashimi, pickled daikon and wasabi cream. Be rude not to accompany it with a yuzu sake cocktail.
Sarah Downs, writer

Cold brew from Ark coffee. Picture / Janetta Mackay
Cold brew from Ark coffee. Picture / Janetta Mackay

• Coffee lovers wanting to get an easy summer fix of cold brew at home, will be well served by ordering a DIY dose from Ark (Shop 6, 467 Lake Rd). Takapuna's specialist roastery and cafe is selling tea-bag style six packs that you steep for a flavoursome but mellow jug full. Buy for $18, online or in store, where cold brew comes by the cup or you can try an espresso soft serve icecream. 
 Janetta Mackay, beauty editor

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If you have information about a new opening, an event, a new menu or something interesting in the world of food, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at viva@nzherald.co.nz 

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