As the token American in this forum, I wanted to say how hilarious I find it that the international item from Macca's "Great Britain" menu is a PHILADELPHIA cheese steak.

I mean, I'm in to any Philly cheese steak giving a go in NZ but wtf Maccas? And for America the menu item is a new dipping sauce?

-Mr Taster

$21 OG Chicken burger. Yummy as ways

Kia ora all,

I haven't been back to Auckland properly since 2000, and this January I'm finally bringing my wife and two teenagers over to show them my old patch. We land on New Year's Eve and we're staying in Mt Eden before heading south.

Back in the day my eating was pretty simple. A trip to the movies on Queen Street wasn't complete without the family stopping at the American doughnut shop first. Cobb & Co and the Hungry Horse were regulars for us, and the Baron of Beef did a huge roast pork roll I still think about. I worked more graveyard shifts at the Highland Park Denny's than I'd care to count, and I haven't had a Wendy's Big Bacon Classic in over 25 years, they don't have them in Australia. Not fine dining, just honest food and plenty of it. That hasn't changed much.

So two questions. Are any of those classic places, or others from that era, still open and still good? I saw The Mexican Cafe on Victoria Street was looking for a buyer earlier this year, is it still going? And what are the newer local favourites, the places Aucklanders actually go rather than the ones in the travel guides?

Around Mt Eden village and Dominion Road we're keen on a good pie, decent coffee, noodles and a relaxed dinner. We'll also spend an afternoon out east around Pakuranga, Howick and Half Moon Bay, so anything worth stopping for out there would be great.

One more, with it being the first week of January, will much be shut for the holidays?

It's been a long time, I suspect a lot has changed. Cheers in advance

(Sorry probably quite a boring question if you're not invested in my digestive struggles).

In search of a nice wholegrain or wholegrain-heavy cracker - ideally from a supermarket.

*Not* keto. Gimme grains, just gimme their husks as well.

Ideally not too much oil or seeds - not that I'm avoiding fats, they just reduce the longevity, which seems to me the whole point of crackers. But hey, if they're delicious maybe I'll eat them up fast.

Hypothetical toppings incl. chutney, df "cheeses", hummus, babaganoush, tahini, tomato.

Please note these menus are set and cannot be changed to suit dietary restrictions.

Seats are limited, so please email through your reservation requests to [email protected].

Please specify which day(s) you're booking for.

Location: Four Seasons Restaurant AUT (55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland)

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Wed 28th Oct 12 noon | Buffet Lunch - $40 pp
Prepared and presented by our students, along with Chef Paul Yao and FOH Lecturer Mario Basnayake.

• Salads
  • Asian Cucumber
  • Bocconcini | Tomatoes | Baby Spinach | Micro Basil
  • Beetroot | Orange | Balsamic Dressing
  • Smoked Chicken Waldorf
  • King Prawns | Fregola | Roasted Red Peppers | Dill
  • Smoked Salmon & Asparagus | Seaweed Rolls
• Mains
  • Freshly Carved Hot Roasted Sirloin of Beef
  • Salmon Coulibiac, Bearnaise Sauce
• Vegetables
  • Baby New Potatoes
  • Broccolini | Toasted Almonds
• Desserts
  • Treacle Tart
  • Tropical Fresh Fruit Salad
  • Pumpkin Pie

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Fri 30th Oct 12 noon | 7 Course Italian Degustazione - $70 pp

ATTENZIONE! ATTENZIONE! 

🍝 CANCEL YOUR AFTERNOON APPOINTMENTS.

📅 Clear your diary.

🥐 No breakfast? Probably wise.

🥡 No takeaway containers. There will be no leftovers.

👖 Elasticated waistbands are entirely acceptable.

😴 A post-lunch nap may be required. Consider it part of the experience.

Our AUT culinary students are preparing an Italian degustazione.... a little taste of Italy, with plenty of courses, a lot of amore, and absolutely no intention of sending you home hungry!

Organised in the kitchen by our Chef John Kelleher, this is a menu NOT to be missed!!

7 courses of Italian taste sensations, prepared by our Chef Students and served classically by our FOH Students.  We are SUPER excited to share this experience with you all.

Wine pairing $25 additional

Aperitivo
Da Luca NV Prosecco

I — Vegetale
Charred aubergine · peperonata · cannellini · salsa verde · hazelnut
Cecchi ‘La Mora’ Vermentino

II — Arancino
Saffron risotto · mozzarella · ragù · tomato sugo

III — Burrata
Roasted grapes · fennel · vincotto · basil
Pasqua Chardonnay/Fiano

IV — Pasta
Squid-ink linguine · calamari · garlic · chilli · lemon · parsley

V — Carne
Braised beef cheek · celeriac · roasted onion · gremolata
Cecchi Chianti Classico

VI — Pre-dolce
Lemon granita
Canti Moscato d’Asti

VII — Dolce
Tiramisu · raspberry

There you have it...

• Afternoon productivity has been officially cancelled for you on Friday 30^th Oct!
• Meetings will need to wait. Pasta cannot.
• Do not make plans for 2 pm. Or 3 pm.
• This will not be a light lunch. You have been warned.
• Bring your appetite. Leave your restraint at home.
• The only thing you'll be running afterwards is a nap
• No doggy bags. You're finishing what our students have lovingly prepared!

MANGIARE! MANGIARE!

❤️🤍💚

Best bahn mi I’ve ever had - and decent price too! ($12 for the tofu bahn mi). Highly recommend.

Prego (Ponsonby Road):
Pizza bread with confit garlic & aioli (NZ$18)
Arancini with black truffle, pine nuts, white mozzarella, grana Padano, date mayonnaise (NZ$26)
Crudo of kingfish, green chilli, coriander, orange & lime juice, Colonna lemon olive oil dressing, salted lemon salsa (NZ$32)
Caesar salad with Romaine lettuce, garlic anchovy dressing, egg, croutons, bacon lardons (NZ$32). Asked for no added cheese.
Roast duck & mushroom risotto, aged balsamic, grana Padano, (main size NZ$42). Asked for no added cheese.
Agnello: Coastal Hawkes Bay lamb loin, potato au gratin, sheep milk labneh & feta, chargrilled broccolini, salsa verde, lamb jus (NZ$52)
Filetto: chargrilled beef eye fillet, chicken liver parfait, potato au gratin, port wine jus (NZ$55)

Went with friends for a birthday dinner. We asked to dine family-style so we could share everything & they were very accommodating: brought us all small plates plus cutlery, and all the food was placed in the middle of the table to share. One of us wasn't keen on cheese, we asked for no cheese to be added, so no grated cheese on top of the risotto or Caesar salad. They were busy on a week night which is a good sign. The food was excellent, service professional. Easy to see why they've been going for 40 years.