What We're Eating and Drinking: Issue 104

There’s no rest for the food-obsessed... when the dish team isn’t bringing you delicious recipes, we’re out there trawling far and wide in search of tasty fare. Below, we share our latest favourite haunts.

Sarah Tuck, Editor

Muttonbird, Wānaka: During the production of this issue, I was lucky enough to head south to cook, shoot, eat and drink (tough gig, I know). With just a few hours in Wānaka I raced into Muttonbird to taste a few dishes and shoot them for our Queenstown/Wānaka round up (page 119) – and I would return to Wānaka in a heartbeat just to enjoy a leisurely dinner there. The first dish was a clean and delicate Fish Crudo with Persimmon and Ginger, a dish that sang with bright, zingy flavour. Next up, the Blooming Onion, lightly coated in batter, then fried and dusted with a generous sprinkling of Szechuan salt, was wildly appealing. Finally, the Royal Burn Lamb Neck with Fenugreek, Clove and Toum was one of the best things I have tasted in years. The lamb was meltingly tender and smothered in a punchy Indian-vibe curry topping alongside the garlickiest, most cloudlike, creamy toum imaginable. Just sensational! muttonbird.co.nz  @muttonbirdwanaka

Claire Aldous, Food Editor

Sonnet at Alpha, Auckland: My happy place is always sitting in the kitchen. When it happens to be the test kitchen for Pasture, you know the offerings are going to be innovative. Sonnet delivers big time, from the fantastic staff to the small, well-crafted menu that offers a welcome diversion from the standard breakfast options. Eggs Royale on house-made muffins with house smoked salmon along with Crudites and Taramasalata and a Nashville-style Hot Fish Sando were outstanding. The option to add a generous shaving of fresh truffles to your chosen dish is a welcome and not-too-pricey indulgence that embraces the best of seasonality. An eclectic mix of breads, pastries, sweet offerings and their house smoked salmon are all available to take out and if Kanelbullars (a Swedish cinnamon roll filled with blackcurrant, fennel flowers and cacao nibs) are on offer, don’t hesitate! alpha-akl.com  @alpha_akl

Liam Carr, Digital Editor

Monsoon Poon, Auckland and Wellington: I’m all for tradition, but as they say, variety is the spice of life. And I like it extra spicy! Monsoon Poon satisfies so many different cravings all at once, whether you’re in the mood for Thai, Indian, Vietnamese or any other South-East Asian cuisine. It pays to bring lots of friends so you can get a little taste of everything. My go-to is the Maharaj Lamb Curry with a side of Naan bread – the slow-cooked lamb and rich gravy simply melts in your mouth. Although, the Shaking Beef on a bed of Coconut Rice is a very strong contender for the number one spot. Time to make more friends! monsoonpoon.co.nz  @monsoonpoon

Maddie Ballard, Deputy Editor

Maruten Ramen, Auckland: You’d be forgiven for walking straight past this unassuming little spot, perched at the end of a quiet block on Dominion Road. But it was packed to the gills on a Tuesday evening, and, we soon discovered, for good reason. We enjoyed the Tonkatsu Ramen, the broth so deliciously umami that the whole table fell silent in appreciation, and complemented it with crisp-and-tender okonomiyaki, a plate of excellent takoyaki and plentiful cups of warm sake. There’s no shortage of places to get great ramen in the city, but I’ll definitely be returning here. facebook.com/marutenramen

Karrin MacLeod, Business Development Manager

Boom Boom Room, Brisbane: At last, after two and a half years, I got to see my beautiful daughter… the best five days of my life. She loves dining out as much as I do, so needless to say, every day was eating and drinking. Boom Boom Room is a dark, moody, sexy Japanese restaurant and bar housed in a heritage building’s original underground bank vault. The food was outrageous. Some of my faves were freshly shucked oysters with white soy and ginger dressing, grilled scallop, foie gras, hazelnut furikake and plum vinegar, pressed and crumbed duck leg katsu and so much more. We asked head chef Zac Sykes to keep the food coming... I don’t think he realised how much three people could eat! It was the best food I have eaten… maybe just on that day. theboomboomroom.com.au  @the_boomboomroom

Conor Fox, Art Director

Burnt Butter Diner, Auckland:Newly opened in my neighbourhood, Burnt Butter’s ethos is ‘simple done well’ – I’d say VERY WELL. Tucked away in a little spot on Rosebank Rd, this teeny tiny anti-café makes an incredible brekkie, hot cocoa and ‘naughty’ coffee. @burntbutter_nz