New Zealand Remembers - National War Memorial, Wellington

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"