Best restaurant for dinner with friends?
Gerome, in Parnell, has a great selection of gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free options on their delicious menu of modern Greek dishes. There’s something for everyone and each of the four dining spaces only holds a maximum of 50 seated guests, so you get the sense of comfort and privacy, whatever sized group you have.
The place to take a visitor?
You can’t go past our black-sand beaches. So few people, wherever they’ve come from, have ever experienced anything the expanses of black sand we have along our West Coast, so a trip to Piha or Muruwai are definitely top of the list, but the Auckland Museum is always worth a visit, for visitors of all ages, and of course the top of One Tree Hill – Maungakiekie with its view across the city.
Best spot to finish a night out?
My husband enjoys a good whisky, so we’ve been known to enjoy a visit to The Jefferson at the end of an evening in the city.
Best coffee?
Coffee Lab, on Silverfield Rd, Wairau Valley, on the Shore. The coffee from Anna’s “lab” is amazing (according to my son and husband) and I love her hot chocolate. Oh, the gluten-free treats in her cabinet are delicious, too, though my boys can’t go past Anna’s cheesecake options.
Favourite trail for a hike?
We’re spoilt for choice with the wonderful walks around Birkenhead and the North Shore and I love the walk along the North Shore coastline at low tide. I love the walk out to Kitekite Falls, too. I used to go Geocaching with my cousin … we haven’t done it for quite some time … maybe this summer it might be time to get the clues for a treasure hunt and take the whole family! Or a game of Getting Lost!
Favourite fish and chip shop?
It’s not easy finding a fish’n’chippy that has a gluten-free menu, so when you find a good one you tend to only go there! The Chip Shop in Royal Oak is my go-to. The fish is always fresh and the GF batter is crispy and delicious. You can’t go past their chunky fries, too. There are a couple of seats inside the shop, but they’re more for perching on while you wait for your order. We tend to drive up the road to One Tree Hill and either sit in the car before going for a walk. Yumm!
Venue for a gig?
Auckland was once alive with great venues, so we’ve been delighted to see new venues popping up we’re loving Goblin’s jazz nights, (keep an eye out for the next performance of Daybus Jazz Orchestra, in particular, they are amazing and play classic jazz standards that are so slick and snazzy). But I’ve got to recommend the beautiful Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, where I’ll be bringing Suzy Cato’s Animal Antics as part of Auckland Live’s We The Young festival.
Best spot for a bargain?
I’ve yet to visit every op shop in Tamaki Makaurau, but I’m slowly working my way through them all, as I love op shopping and finding hidden treasures! I love our markets, too, though the car boot sales seem to be a thing of the past, I love scouring the tables of the many farmers and craft markets for interesting gifts and yummy treats.
Auckland Live’s We The Young returns for its second year from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 11. The festival will transform the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau into a celebration of children’s natural playfulness and imagination, while encouraging their capacity for curiosity, creativity, wisdom and adventure. Suzy Cato’s Animal Antics takes place on October 2, at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre as part of the Festival. Tickets are on sale now.