The Dish: Everybody needs good neighbours

Real Cafe in the Auckland City Library. Picture / Babiche Martens

Expect to see more of the neighbourhood in Vinnies. A year after taking over Herne Bay's neighbourhood restaurant, Geoff and Jane Scott are planning more innovations.

What they call "Auckland's smallest art gallery" occupies a nook in the newly added bar and the Scotts plan meet-the-artist nights, probably monthly.

There'll be a Slow Food week, with guest chefs cooking appropriate dishes, later in winter.

Because guests say they'd like to come to the restaurant more often - and maybe not always for the full, four-hour, four-course, $150-a-head Vinnies wine and food experience - Scott is planning a second, casual menu.

It will be served from 5pm to 7.30pm with a limited offering of, say, pan-fried snapper or lamb shanks, with a matching glass of wine. "They can have a bite at Vinnies and get home in time for Desperate Housewives," he says.

Brain fodder

The library is probably one of the last places you would think of when you go out for lunch. With all those "no food, no drink, no talking" rules it's hardly the basis for a great gastronomic experience.

How things have changed. Auckland's central library has opened a cafe, called Real, in its Lorne St building as part of an extensive makeover. And, in a departure from the old rules, it encourages people to take coffee into the library while they're browsing through books. We love it.

The cafe itself is a stylish spot with floor-to-ceiling windows which allow you to peoplewatch. The menu features a range of gourmet salads, flamegrilled chicken can be basted in a choice of sauces, as well as other hot dishes. Gourmet dinners-to-go are also available and a beer and wine list will be added in a few weeks.

Open for from 8am to 8pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends, it's well worth a look even if you're not a bookworm.

A good press

Bay of Islands winemaker James Grigg is taking on the Italians at their own game by making a New Zealand version of limoncello liqueur using Kerikeri lemons which are distilled with fine sugars and springwater.

Lemon Z has a more intense flavour and lower alcohol content than most limoncello and Grigg hopes it will be in bars nationwide.

You can drink it straight, poured over ice cubes, or in cocktails. It's also a good addition to iced tea or a hot toddy (add it to scotch, fresh lemon juice, hot water and a cinnamon stick.) For a treat, put some vanilla icecream in a coffee cup, pour in some Lemon Z and top it off with a shot of strong espresso.

Available at selected wine stores nationwide.

Just roll along

Bonding with your workmates shouldn't need weekends away doing role play and adventure courses.

If you're after a more cultured way to get together, Main Course's Office Daze cooking classes are worth a look.

They're tailormade for each group so you choose the date and the menu. Classes are $79 a person. Main Course has other cooking classes: Fine Dining, how to prepare and present an impressive three-course dinner for any occasion ($95 a person); Damn Quick Dinners, a one-hour express demonstration class based on simplicity, creativity and healthy eating ($49); The Modern Vegetarian, focusing on three healthy dishes ($89).

For more information visit Main Course

Running wild

Don't fret if you notice a few new unusual additions to the menu at your favourite restaurant next month.

The Monteiths Beer and Wild Food Challenge is on again, giving diners a chance to experience wild cuisine matched with a craft brew.

More than 160 eateries, including pubs, have entered.

If you're feeling brave you can try cactus salad, emu salami, pig's trotter and ear, crocodile fillet, kangaroo, a selection of snails, and huhu grubs.

The competition runs for three weeks in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and the West Coast. Restaurants compete for regional titles and the best go on to the nationals.

The beer and wild food challenge in the North Island is on July 23 and a week later in the South Island.

Comfort food

Winter is the perfect time to treat yourself to a slice of something decadent to lift your spirits in the cold.

So we went in search of some sweet treats. Here are a few you don't want to miss. Sticky lemon slice from Savour & Devour, mini passionfruit cakes at Columbus Coffee High St and Rocket Kitchen, the huge chocolate brownies at Roasted Addiqtion in Kingsland, mini lemon and coconut cakes at Sable & Bean, and lamingtons with jam and cream from Agnes Curran in Ponsonby.

Match them with a good espresso and you'll forget it's almost Arctic outside.