If there’s one thing that ought to be done in preparation for the one day, soon to be opened McGills… it’s imbibing at a few favourite locals.
A few places & sources you should know and take note of:
http://www.thesauce.net.nz – website of Beam Global Brand Ambassador Ben Stuart, it’s a sweet little website with history, news and a few mini-rants on the hospitality trade
http://yeastieboys.co.nz – amazing beer and these boys are nailing it in the digital world. Full credit to them. Along with Epic Beer, I am enjoying the craft beer mentality I came to love in San Diego.
I’ve been drinking lately at http://www.thecornerstore.co.nz – but well, let’s be honest, I’ve been drinking there forever. Chase, the lead bar manager, is off to Kentucky today to compete in the international Makers Mark cocktail competition, courtesy of Beam Global. It’s yet another competition win for him here in NZ in the last few months. Good effort but the number one thing to remember is that his job, and any bartender’s job is to make you feel like you want to stay forever and keep on tasting their tricks. Both Chase and Mikey Ball (uber talented offsider soon to be heading for Canada) are very, very good at their jobs.
However, also worth a note when you are in the neighbourhood and it’s late at night? Be sure to head down to the basement bar Cartel.. the sister establishment to The Corner Store. Original boy genius behind the fitout & design, Tim Sparks has returned behind the bar and is certainly worth visiting for a drink, especially anytime after 9pm or when The Corner Store closes around 2 or 3am. It should be noted that where hospo folks drink is usually going to be not only quality beverages but quality entertainment.
As far as Metro’s latest Top 50 Cafes list goes – Twentythree (23 Mt Eden Rd, Eden Terrace) and Altezano (top of Symonds St) are still my favourites but for a well-priced and tasty meal in the city I was pleasantly delighted with the Middle East Cafe on Wellesley St the other week. I went with a friend who remembers going in the early 80s and any establishment that can make it that long is worth a look!
The Food Room on Ponsonby Rd is still a favourite, as well as Crave, in McDonald St off Morningside Drive if I am in the neighbourhood.
But enough from me – where are you eating and drinking these days?
And does anyone wanna go halves in opening a http://www.rivierasupperclub.com/ style restaurant and bar in Auckland? This is still one of my favourite San Diego finds.