the hungry pear

• @fishfishnz • something to celebrate last night had me craving fish tacos, and no other place does them like Fish Fish. Trying out their new Takapuna location, this feast was mighty and tasty. Fresh @sawmillbrewing battered fish with a crunchy slaw with a zingy mayo and speckles of baby chilli, enough to warm the tongue. Kumara fries, of course, and the best we have ever had, paired with a lemon aioli. Cheers to that feed, it was the perfect way to celebrate. M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #fishfish #sawmill #takapuna #auckland #thehungrypear

• @baduzzi • it sure is a treat when a supplier takes the team out for lunch. The other day, us group of designers devoured a range of the chefs recommendations (there was 10 girls...we couldn't figure out what we wanted). Perfectly cooked beetroot pasta, lobstered meat balls, beef meatballs...there was a grande range of savoury dishes which were incredible. And the dessert, see for yourself. Here we have the @valrhonaaustralia chocolate torta caprese with raspberry sorbet and coconut espuma. Rich. Crazy rich. But the depth of flavour and combo of textures kept the palette alive. And up the top, the tiramisu. With a baileys and amaretto ladyfinger and the most velvet chocolate cream (read: mousse really). Will be taking K here to tuck into a pasta. Delish! M 🍐🍐🍐🍐 (at Baduzzi)

• @petitbocal • Having driven past this petit space a few times, it was time to try. Safe to say we have found a new favourite here at @petitbocal. Not on the main road of Kingsland, its certainly more of a gem in the area. French food, wine, waiters; the real deal. One serving of salmon and crème cheese bagel, stacked with fresh rocket and juicy capers. Fresh, filling and certainly satisfying. Breakfast bruschetta for myself; softly poached eggs with a lemony hollandaise – not rich but fresh and clean. Topped with a generous serving of fresh tomatos, ripe avo, red onion, and the most succulent ribbons of fresh salmon gravlax. To share (yes, yes we did) THE MOST INCREDIBLE CREPES. I am a total fusspot when it comes to those slivers of battery goodness, my expectations are always high and very rarely satisfied. But not here, just pure perfection with soft brown sugar and fresh lemon. Devine. Mouth-watering. Noise worthy – think Harry met Sally. Back to try the dinner menu and array of French red drops. M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 + 🍐 #petitbocal #thehungrypear #auckland

• @scratchbakers • bucketing down with rain, of course we decided to head out for brunch! Crumpets to share, with an avo mash and tomato salsa; homemade flavours and fluffiness in the crums. A freshly made brioche, more like an open sandwich. But full of flavour, with cheese and slivered ham. The winner though was the churros; accompanied with a pair of poached eggs, slivered ham and fresh sprouts. Delish! M 🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #scratchbaker #auckland

• @majorsprout • Just before Christmas, we made ourselves venture out for one last food hoorah for the year. We took to the top 10 cafes from @denizenmagazine , and picked @majorsprout . Not only is the interior beautiful, contemporary industrial with plenty of planting, and friendly, knowledgable staff, but the food...glorious. An acai bowl full of fresh berries, coconut yoghurt and toasted buckwheat, a super refreshing start to the day! But the best dish, the Crunchy Gentlemen. Ham and provolone toasty with three-cheese béchamel, date and chilli chutney. But that bread was something else, the best brioche loaf in town. Beautiful all round, cant wait to get back and try another dish or two! K + M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #majorsprout #auckland

• @ostroakl • Every year, my work doo is a surprise but it never fails to treat the team to incredible food. This year, we dined in a private floor within the Seafares building in Britomart, with the impeccable Ostro catering for a lunch time soirée. A divine feast of nibbles, mains and desserts. Pictured we have one of the sweet treats, and a unanimous favourite. Frozen cheesecake with a raspberry sorbet layer on top. Brulee’d marshmallow domes with speckled mini meringue and freeze dried raspberries clustered around the edge. I may have licked the plate (thanks to the pink champagne’s influence). The mains were a selection of chicken, king fish (my favourite, with a Mexican influence with pickled red onion, fresh baby tomatoes and the smoothest avocado in town), salads and, of course, hand cut rustic fries. What an absolute treat, spoilt team with very satisfied taste buds. Cheers to that! M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐+🍐 #thehungrypear #ostro #auckland

• @stheliersbaybistro • Xmas eve dinner with the parentals at one of my favs. Fabulous as always. Dad and I had the Confit Duck with pea and fregola, which was melt in your mouth gorgeous! Mum the battered fish and chips which looked and tasted pretty damn good! Lovely evening. Merry Christmas everyone 🤗🎄🍾. K 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #stheliersbaybistro #thehungrypear #nofilter #auckland

• @saanponsonby • I had the pleasure of joining @roombyroom yesterday afternoon for a celebratory Christmas Lunch. Neither of us had been before, but boy is it a new favourite of ours. By the same owners of our dear Café Haoni and XuXu, we were not disappointed in the slightest, and could be looked at as the older sister to the two. Menu placed from mild to spicy, it was hard to choose. We went with Theu Kha Kho; fried taro cakes and delicious tofu with a chilli sauce to dip away. Along with this, we also devoured the Muang Jin Nuea; a semi cured beef on perilla leaves with the most wonderful crunch of peanuts and coconut flakes. Our favourite of the dishes! Lon Phu Nim; the soft shell crab was rich and flaky with a smooth coconut sauce and hints of more chilli. How could we not have dessert? We went with the Kluay Tod, a battered banana with coconut and seasame sauce. The hot and cold combination along with the slight crunch of the batter, absolutely the most tastiest way to finish such a beautiful meal. Attentive and informative service, with a design which can only make you relax and almost feel like you are in a spa amongst the soft tone of linen and light timber. A total gift for all senses. Will be bring K here very soon, and venture into the hotter dishes perhaps! Thanks @roombyroom for a wonderful afternoon. M #thehungrypear #saan #ponsonby #auckland #rbr (at Saan)

• @flourandwatereatery_ • Weekend trip to the Mt over the weekend, and was recommended quite a few spots to try. One being Flour + Water Eatery for a casual dinner. Casual, yes, but probably the BEST pizza I have ever had. Lamb, roasted pumpkin, olive and feta to the left; full of flavour and fresh and punchy tom sauce base. But the total winner to the right; yellow courgette and prosciutto with a white cheese sauce base. Incredible crunchy base, topped with a subtle chilli oil. Fantastic service and funky interior to boot! M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #flourandwatereatery #mountmaunguani #thehungrypearontour (at Flour+Water Eatery)

• @dearjervois • Its hard to choose what to eat at this place, so many choices! Admittedly, I went for the waffles but I must of missed the memo as they are no longer on the menu. Nevertheless, green eggs and ham it was for my friend, and the bacon and egg @bestuglybagels for moi. Of course we split each plate to have a bit of both. Amazing crunch to the hash with the most vibrant and flavoursome dill sauce sandwiched a pair of perfectly poached eggs. The bagel, fresh as always, with the creamiest scrambled egg and crunchy bacon combo with a punchy chutney smothering each inner rim. Coffees are very strong here so we opted for the blueberry and peanut butter smoothie. Unusual combo but still think and tasty! Always busy but still great service. M 🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #dearjervois #hernebay #bestugly #auckland (at Dear Jervois)

• @cocoscantina • My friend and I had a gloriously comforting meal at Coco's a few nights ago. We left feeling delightfully full and satisfied after devouring the exceptional classic 'spaghetti and meatballs' and a side of chargrilled asparagus with a delish creamy almond sauce. With a nice glass of Tempranillo and friendly service to go with, I can't wait to go back! K 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #cococantina #auckland #italianfoodrocks

• @aperokrd • what a crazy couple of weeks it has been for us both, we are still yet to dine together. It’s been too long. But last Friday, the place I work was out to celebrate several birthdays and decided to do it locally. @aperokrd is a mere wander up the road for us, and has been on my list to try for so long. A little taste of France right on our door step! The Bordeaux ’09 was chosen by me (and impressed the Boss) along with a board of goodies. Of course we got the bag of bread, fresh and warm and perfectly prepped to soak up all the flavours. You simply cannot go wrong with the charcuterie platter, which was accompanied with the terrine of the day (duck and prune) and the Something Fish which was snapper ceviche with mint and pomegranate. To say we ordered this spread twice should let you know what we thought of it! Knowledgeable service in the cutest brick lined room, hello you beautiful local. We will be seeing you again! M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #apero #krd #auckland #bordeaux #frenchfood (at Apero Food & Wine)

• @odettes_eatery • after a champion game this morning, it was time to celebrate. Or, just have a girls brunch. Odettes it was, to try out their spring menu. Didn't actually have the new items, because the favourite wild mushroom dish won over for K, and the complete for me. Mushrooms were up to their usual tricks; full of flavour, texture and spice. And that whipped feta, you know what we think of that whipped feta! The Odettes Complete breakfast was certainly a delicious surprise; totally fresh and not an ounce of deep fry. Fresh tomatoes, whipped feta, crunchy bacon, perfectly poached eggs with a dash of coriander on top. Absolutely stunning and not over the top. Of course we delved into the hand cut chips (can't say know) and the coffees were both on point. Served with a smile too, of course. M & K 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #odettes #cityworksdepot #auckland

• @bluebellscakery • a week back, K and I had a girls catch up at the newly opened Bluebells Cakery in Eden Terrace. @coffee_supreme was hot and good strength but of course its about the treats. Perfectly dense but moist lemon cake with a smoothy tangy lemon icing. Each sliver as tasty as the last, always a favourite of ours. We also decided to try the chocolate cherry slice. Hesitant it may have been too sweet, but not in the slightest. Paired with coconut and a chocolaty base, this slice is fresh, vibrant and full of real fruit flavour. Yes, adding this to our favourites list. Happy and friendly service as usual, complimenting the bright and feminine interior. Absolutely gorgeous! M & K 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #bluebellscakery #auckland (at Bluebells Cakery)

• @ostroakl • For my mothers birthday, we ladies do high tea. This year we decided to try what Ostro has to offer with their interpretation. What an incredible spread! Three sandwiches flavours with my favourite being the cucumber and sour cream; cant beat fresh and fluffy white bread with the thinnest but crunchiest slivers of the cu, with an almost whipped sour cream inside. We has seconds. The scones were fresh and fluffy, both savoury and sweet. However, the top marks goes to the cheese and bacon which was befriended by maple whipped butter. Need I say more? The top layer had a right ol’ mixture of sweet treats; orange macaron, lychee marshmallow, opera cake (YUM!), vanilla cheesecake…so many sweeties. All washed down with a glass of @ veuveclicquot and a good pot of tea; Paris Earl Grey for me, Crème Caramel for mother dearest. Wonderful service, incredible view (thanks for moving us up to the window) and an interior I certainly lust after. Happy Birthday, Mama. M 🍐🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #ostro #hightea #verve #auckland (at Ostro Brasserie & Bar)

• @beirut.nz • Our first dinner date together after two months, we decided to try a new comer! A welcome addition, with exciting new flavours, interesting cocktails and an international wine list (we had a delicious Portugese red). The interior is simple, sophisticated middle eastern. A stunning menu, we tried the smoked yoghurt Labne. So many different elements, smokey, creamy and incredibly moorish. Served with a warm, soft and light flat bread wrapped around in the bowl. We also had the Bubba, a smokey, burnt eggplant, rolled in toasted seasame seeds. Totally delicious! The staff knew the menu inside out and provided fantastic service. M + K 🍐🍐🍐 #beirut #auckland #thehungrypear

• @honeytrap_krd • a little local for me, being right opposite work in St Kevin's Arcade. Offering salads and sandwiches, cookies and the best whoopie pies in town, this place never disappoints. Branching out from my usual beef brisket bowl I tried the pulled pork burrito bowl, with spiced black beans, pink pickled onions, slaw and lime sour cream dolloped on top. Fresh, vibrant and tasty with a generous meat portion. No scrooges here! M 🍐🍐🍐🍐 #thehungrypear #honeytrap #krd #auckland (at Honeytrap)