The Northern Explorer - Palmerston North to Wellington

Pandoro Panetteria - Willis Street, Wellington New Zealand

A rather nippy morning in June.  Rush hour going to work, when coffee is most welcome.  An old building that hosts a bakery - and there are scores of people inside.  The outside does indicate sandwiches and pastries inside but really, there is more.   It is the aroma, the buzz, the eagerness of the customers waiting or seated inside.   The sky may be grey at this time of early day but there is light inside.   What are they making, what are they presenting, what are they serving?

It looks like the attraction is the artisan baked items, with a specific display on their own.  I see the cakes, pastries and breads - and then I know I am walking on to something unique.   From biscotti to crostini and brownies, each is calling out to tease your palate. To me at that moment it seemed I was facing the best of Kiwi baked delights smothered with Italian love.   The baked bread ranges through Tremezzino, gourmet burger buns, Ciabatta, Panini and more.

So is there any difference between a Kiwi and Aussie breakfast?  Mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, bacon strips, sourdough and a crusty corn fritter.  Still there is a difference in flavour.  Perhaps the local ingredients Kiwi side.  May be the breads taste better when it is colder outside, maybe it is the artisan effect when Pandoro make their non-yeasted sourdoughs -  which is their speciality.

Coffee served here is from a in-house blend of Allures and Coffee Supreme.  It is strong, enough to shake me off my reaction to the early Wellington morning for someone not used to such temps.   I really zoomed in on to the croissants and Brioche but decided finally on a big breakfast plate.  The lunch menu is limited, only offering muffins, sandwiches and savouries - so it is always to come here for a sort of late break and early brunch.

Pandoro also operates as a wholesale supplier based from both Auckland and Wellington, apart from its retail cafes.
This Pandoro Panetteria outlet is located at Willis Street, Wellington CBD, at corner with Bomd Street.
Telephone of Willis Street cafe: 644 4734230
Opening hours are from 7am to 4pm every day.

Two other cafes in the Wellington CBD are found at Woodward and Allen Streets.

In greater Auckland, you an find Pandora cafes at Mount Wellington, Parnell (its original home), East Ridge, Mount Eden and in the CBD along Queen Street.  Christmas is a great time to consider Pandora as well - the festive tarts are lovely!  And the whole business is still family owned.




 

The Northern Explorer - National Park New Zealand

The ferns, grass and native vegetation - relatively untainted, with still the trekking spirit nurtured.

The daily train from Auckland's Brittomart Station to Wellington City terminus rolls on past coniferous as it makes progress  in the early afternoon through the centre of North Island New Zealand

Life fights on, even in cold temperatures, little flora persist amongst difficult conditions.

Farming country, plains and valleys - the classic country New Zealand.

The viewing coach lets passengers embrace the fresh air, natural smells and captivating sights more readily than within an enclosed cabin.

A wet climate adds to the allure of the Long White Cloud - and engenders the right mix of factors supporting sheep and cattle farming.

Through mist and toil, the ground is so fertile to make my life grow.

Climbing uphill, one builds character and dignity - and takes pride in the effort to persist and overcome.

"Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side"

Valley deep, mountain high.

Self explanatory, 3pm on a June Monday.

Terra Mia Italian - Wollongong CBD

Caviatielli al Ragu di'Salsiccia  - the pasta is close to be like Gnocchi but different.  Served with a pork sausage Ragu sauce but does not have potatoes.

A delightful find, a unique menu that emphasises more another than meats and seafood.   There is the aromatic stuff in the morning, especially from small sized omelettes ( frittatina) ; big sandwiches made from pizza dough ( panuozzo ); uovo (eggs) served with a wide choice of accompaniments like pork sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, pancetta and freshly wood fired breads ; and croissants like almond coated ones and Sfogliatelle.

The coffee is strong and bold as one can expect.  Pasquale Crocamo, the person behind this relatively new place has a mission to combine the best ingredients and traditions from various parts of Italy with the best ingredients that Australia can offer.

The female staff member is very patient and focused on explaining the menu to non-Italian speakers like me.  The guy who attends to the cash register is enthusiastic and engaging as well.
Every time I drive past this place during evenings, there is a buzz inside.  It has both indoor and outdoor seating.  Italian is widely spoken here - and echoing the heritage of any of the Illawarra demographics.

Touches of Italia sprinkle on the menus for Colazione (breakfast), Pranzo ( lunch) and Cena (dinner).  Yes, the menu is all written in Italian - and it is a fun opportunity to see if you had paid enough attention at school during the second language sessions!  The joy and intensity of both Italian cuisine and language is in pronouncing it, so there you go, one has an enjoyable time even before the drink and food arrives.

Pomodoro, Funghi, Proscuitto, Radicchio and Marinara have all crept easily into the Australian dining scene and sub-conscious.  The menu, whilst not extensive, is short on Dolci (dessert) and my blokey mates may find the lack of meats a bit disappointing.  The wood fired pizzas are mostly available with cheese, herbs, tomatoes, Proscuitto and spinach.  Pastas are confined to four types - Spaghetti, Ravioli, Caviatielli and Rigatoni.

The healthy benefits from the offerings at Terra Mia cannot be under estimated as there is an absence of sweet and protein temptations that can be the hall mark at its competitors.

Terra Mia is at the same time a pizzeria, cafe and deli.  It is located at the corner of Kembla and Burelli Streets in Wollongong CBD.
Shop 1, 63 Burrelli Street, Wollongong NSW2500.
Look for the Woolworths store in Wollongong city centre, walkable from the lower side of Crown Street Mall and across the road from the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and wollongong Art Gallery.
Telephone 0431 702 715
Opening Hours from 730am till late for dinner on most days.
Would I return?  Yes, I am eyeing the Pizza Bismarck, a concoction for breakfast time, with ham, cheese, tomato and egg as ingredients.
There is also this intriguing salad combination that captivated me - Grana Padano matured cheese, speck, spinach and pine nuts drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Grano Padano is one of those long European traditions, the cheese has a grainy texture and was first made 900 years ago.

What is the rare English word I find in the Italian menu of Terra Mia?  "Poached"

Watergrill, Kirribilli Club Sydney

Enough said - the Watergrill at the Kirribilli Club is upstairs and so commands a captivating panoramic view of water, bush and sky at the northern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   Add to this a perfect winter's day where the sun shines intently, the air is coolish but guests were all tucked inside behind glass windows.  This is another outlet of a chain that operates in Girraween and Cronulla as well in greater Sydney.  Here you can sample not only the food, but a portion of lower north shore residents, visitors and tourists, families and other groups, having a good day in!

Vehicle parking can be a challenge in this petite suburb of Lavender Bay with its narrow and sloping roads and almost all metered parking requirements by Council.  There are only 65 vehicle parking spaces provided by the Club with a FIFO policy and no reservations allowed - parking tickets need to be validated at the Club's reception and paid on leaving.

Strong on seafood, emphatic on the Aussieness of grilling, celebrating both the produce of the garden and paddock, the Watergrill menu is extensive, generous and pays attention to ingredient and cooking styles.   Asian choices have crept in - oh I see Penang curry chicken and Sichuan flavoured ones, plus tofu served with Enoki mushroom slices on steaming rice!   The tapas plate, at around 25 dollars, caught my eye - breaming with five spice powder flavoured pork belly cuts, crumbed fried Brie with relish of cranberry and duck meat spring rolls accompanied with Hoisin sauce.

Of course, the hot or cold seafood platters are inevitably available, reflecting the origin of Watergrill from the Shire in southern Sydney.   There is an interesting salad offering that throws in balsamic cabbage, rocket, feta cheese, pearl cous cous and pulled pork - perhaps a rather optimal lighter choice.

A room with a view.

Coffee can be pretty standard as this is part of a club but I reckon people love to come here to gather the clan, to savour special occasions and to see what can be achieved with good old produce from both the Aussie heartland and multicultural inspirations. Barramundi is grilled to be served with Kalamata olives, sundries tomatoes, Kipler potatoes and wilted spinach.    There is a gourmet salmon and prawn pasta selection heaped with capers, fresh Dill, garlic and Spanish onions.   Your mate can have the Souklavi skewers with Tzatziki, whilst you can still have your 300 grams of pork cutlets, Scotch fillets or surf and turf combos.

I noted the beef Fajita that comes with avocado Guacamole , caramelised onions, sour cream and tortillas.  Prices of mains are from mid to high 20s.   Service was not to complain of on  rather busy Sunday afternoon.  The logistics that day inside the kitchen must have been over whelming. And id fellow lunchers still have room to spare, there are the usual bright gems from the dessert menu - chocolate fondant, cream brûlée, cheese plates and sticky date pudding!

A limited menu is available away from the rush eating hours, after 230pm and before dinner time.
There are separate winter and summer menus, a couple of us visited in early winter.  Kids would love the ambiance here as there is space for them to wander.  I had no issues with my mains, delightfully garnished with thoughtful sides.



The Watergrill Restaurant is located at the Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Crescent at Lavender Bay.
There is a distinct cafe area separate from the dining area - window seats are better secured in this cafe spot on busy days and nights.
Gluten free or vegetarian selections are indicated in the menu.
Telephone: 612 9945 2245