Bruching Adventures: Caffiend, Petone

Caffiend, Petone has been on my ‘eat at’ list since I moved to Petone, so when asked one Sunday morning where I wanted to eat I knew my answer. 

Walking in, it felt a lot calmer then some of the other places in Petone. This could be due to the larger sized room then the others. With ample seating available, we had the room at our finger tips. If it were a bit warmer, we could have sat outside.

Browsing the menu, we quickly made our decision and ordered at the counter before finding a table. Sitting down we settled in for what we thought would be a long wait.  Our coffee came out quick and they tasted good.

It was a surprisingly short time till the food made an appearance.

Eggs Benedict for him. Bacon cooked perfectly, crisp, fresh bread and eggs that had just the right amount of run.

For me it was french toast with grilled banana and maple syrup. Dipped look enoughthat the bread was soaked right through they were delicious. I think one of the things that impressed me the most is that as soon as I asked for no bacon they asked me if I’d like something else instead.

Caffiend, Petone  is somewhere I’m definitely going to be having brunch again.

Find this restaurant on Zomato | Caffiend, Petone http://zoma.to/r/7100761

Brunching Adventures: Sweet Vanilla KItchen

When looking for a place to live, distance to the nearest coffee/ brunch place is a key factor for me.

Imagine my delight then, while exploring the streets of Lower Hutt, I stumbled upon Sweet Vanilla Kitchen. So one Saturday morning we decided to venture there to try it out.

After ordering food and coffee, we decided to take one of the tables in the back room. Little did we know this was where the kids toys were located and although good for keeping children occupied bad for those wanting a calm and quiet meal.

The drinks came quick and we were left to talk about the art on the walls and what room in the converted house we thought this use to be (I still think the lounge). The food finally arrived and boy did it look good. Ad had ordered the daily special of pancakes with banana and a salted caramel sauce. The pancakes were amazingly fluffy and the sauce very rich (maybe too rich for that time of the morning).

I had ordered off the menu board and went for sweet as well. Banana bread with fruit compote and greek yogurt. It was something a little different from what I normally get but I was not disappointed at all. The only slight change I would have made is serving the fruit warm rather then cold.

The food selection was large and varied (mince on toast everyone) and in my perspective seemed to have something for everyone.

Sadly we didn’t end up finding a place in Lower Hutt, but we did finally manage to find one in Petone, which offers even more choice for brunch!

Brunching Adventures: The Most Amazing Waffles

This July, #Brunchclub headed to the heart of Wellington city, to the understated Ti Kouka Cafe.

Having walked down Willis Street countless times, I must have passed by Ti Kouka more times then I can imagine. However, I never thought of heading up those stairs at all. But that’s the good thing about #brunchclub, you dine places you otherwise wouldn’t, (or at least I find).

Having checked out the menu before going, I found that a lot of the dishes seemed..well… on the healthy side, or at least as close to as you could get. Ti Kouka cater for a variety dietary needs and foods like polenta feature. One dish in particular caught my attention.. Waffles!

Avocado on toast

This #brunchclub I was craving something sweet, so imagine my dismay when I arrive and read the menu, to find NO WAFFLES!  As we waited for others to arrive, our drinks order were taken and quickly brought to the table. There was no rush to order food which turned out to be a good thing since after 45 minutes only 6 of us had shown up! That’s not a bad thing as it meant everyone was able to join in conversations and the staff were more then helpful when we asked to move away chairs.

Potato Rosti with eggs

When it came time to order, our waitress informed us there were two specials,a potato Rosti (which I had last #Brunchclub) and… WAFFLES. Not just any waffles but the most delicious waffles ever. With Vanilla Mascarpone, Hazelnut Meringue and Maple syrup, It was gone much to quick for my liking.

But hopefully the next #Brunchclub will bring waffles just as delicious

A Trip to Mexico

Have you ever walked past a place and wondered why anyone would want to go inside? That was how my friend described her reaction to Mexico, as we turned up one cold wet day.

Inside was a completely different story. Warm, vibrant and inviting, with art to admire on every wall. It was hard trying to settle down and read the menu. Though I’m glad I did, since the food all sounded amazing. I found that Mexico was more then your normal bog standard Mexican food. Yes it had soft shell tacos and quesadillas (which tasted fantastic) but it also had a range of snacks and specialties including chickpea patatas, which I highly recommend. Each time I return (the count is three times so far), I’ve tried to have something new, whether it’s food or a drink. My favourites by far are the cold pressed coffee and the chickpea patatas. I would recommend if going for dinner to make a booking as both times I’ve been at night the place has been packed and for good reason! If you need any more excuse to check it out, try here.

Dining out at Chow

A lot of things for me seem to start with a tweet and dinner at chow was no different.

If you’re in Wellington, on twitter and like eating then you’ve got to enter #datenight. I didn’t win #datenight but I did win dinner and a show.

Unfortunately for me, traffic meant I didn’t get there on time to take full advantage of the all you could eat offer and bar tab they put on for me and Ad but we tried to make the most of it.

Since I was driving , I got to indulge in the nonalcoholic drinks menu which I found great. The amount of choices you had (that wasn’t just the usual coke, lemonade, juice) meant that even though I was drinking I could have something special made just for me. 

The food list was just as good and I found lots of different options that I could have. I needs up choosing 5 small plates from the menu which I shared with Ad while he got a curry just for himself (he wanted something meaty). Each dish was delicious on its own but I found the spiced tofu to be the highlight for me.

Sadly we didn’t get time to have dessert so I’ll guess I’ll have to go back to sample some. Not that I needed a reason anyway since their cocktail list is calling my name (on a night I don’t drive of course)

I’d like to thank Chow for an amazing meal. Despite being busy, we found the service to be great and very attentive. After dinner we were also treated to a show that was part of the Wellington Fringe Fest. It wasn’t something I would have picked to go and see but I’m glad I got the chance to go.

Chow can be found at 45 Tory St, Te Aro, Wellington 6141

Jenna and the Chocolate Factory

You may not have a golden tickets but here’s an easy way to get into the chocolate factory.

Up the velvet red stairs. Under the giant bar of dripping melted chocolate (sadly plastic)

Pay for the tickets (€7 but trust me it’s worth it)

Eat all the dark and milk chocolates and biscuits sitting on the counter, and why not put some of the wrapped candy in your bag for later (there’s chocolate wafer bars in there!)

As the woman dressed in a tutu shows you into the first room, pause for a moment to enjoy that smell. What is that delicious aroma you ask? Melted chocolate and you’re about to get a cup full, dark or milk? This is when it’s good to be a couple. Why? Get one of each and share. We were offered another cup but (I’d never thought I’d say this) but it was so rich, one was enough!

Explore the rest of the room finding out how chocolate is produced at Laima factory while deciding how to personalise your free bar of chocolate. Will it be in English or Latvian?

Onto the next room where you get to learn about the history of chocolate and how it’s involved. Where you can get your photo taken and projected onto a clock, a miniature of the Laima clock near Freedom Square. Or where you can record your own video clip.

It may not be the biggest of chocolate factories but walking out those doors to collect our personalised chocolate bars, I felt it was worth the money and the trip. It’s about a 20minute (slow) walk from the old town but if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to burn off that chocolate you could catch a tram even closer.

5 things to do in an airport

1. Skip the lines

So long suckers!

It makes you feel way more important then it should when you’re walking past all those people waiting in line and you get through pretty much straight away.

2. Pretend you’re driving the train

That should be my spot!

If you can’t fly the plane, might as well drive the train.

3. Eat like royalty

Mmmm overpriced pizza and chip. My favourite!

Or at least get the cheapest most filling meal you can. You maybe here awhile (unless you’re the people sitting beside me who have classed up their pizza with knifes, forks and red wine)

4. Try all the free things

Still trying to find my colour

Why choose one smell when you can spray them all!!

If you’re lucky there might be alcohol involved

5. Find a good seat and watch all the other planes take off

And I got to do it from a lazy boy as well

Hours delay? Please that’s nothing I’ve spent the night before.

Whats your tactics for keeping entertained in an airport?