KEY POINTS:
Whether you've flown in from LA or just arrived from Sandringham, you instantly feel a little more glam sitting alongside international travellers in a luxurious five-star hotel bar. That's why The Lobby at the SkyCity Grand Hotel on Federal St, created by award-winning designer Tom Skyring, is the
place to be. You can sink back in elegant couches and comfy chairs under chandelier lighting and tuck into everything from tea and raspberry lamingtons through to cocktails and bar treats created next door at Peter Gordon's restaurant, Dine. Remember to keep one eye on your fellow guests - Bill Clinton, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera have all been known to stay here .
Picture This
Not only is Cloudy Bay chief winemaker Kevin Judd (right) particularly good at making wine, he is also an accomplished photographer - his work has appeared in the likes of Cuisine and Gourmet Traveller Wine magazines. Check out images from his new book The Landscape of New Zealand Wine, which are hanging at Dine this week before they move on to Wellington, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore. And if you are a keen photographer yourself you may be interested in a photographic competition Cloudy Bay is running to celebrate the release of their 2008 Sauvignon Blanc. Photographers have until the end of December to "capture the essence" of Cloudy Bay. To find out more go to www.cloudybay.co.nz
Designer Label
Here at Viva we love the label design of new wine producer Invivo's limited release 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Why? Because it was created by Zambesi. This clever collaboration brings together two worlds - wine and fashion - where taste is imperative. The design was, in part, inspired by a ship's compass-rose indicating the points of navigation or direction the wines will be emanating from. The wine itself? Elegant with intense floral and tropical aromas. So fashionable! $24.95. www.invivowines.com
Becker's Back
Fans of leading Auckland chef Peter Becker will be delighted to know he is returning for summer to The Shed at Te Motu Vineyard, on Waiheke Island. Becker, who over the years has played a significant role in the menus of restaurants such as Euro, Cin Cin and Iguacu, has spent the last year at the exclusive Boat Shed Lodge on Waiheke where only the handful of paying guests got to taste his sublime food. Now he is returning to The Shed and, to celebrate, this Saturday they are putting on a special presentation of Becker's newly designed seven-course degustation menu. Look out for his famous chicken liver parfait and Te Motu wines to match each course. Tickets are limited for Saturday so don't delay. $75/$150 with wines. To book, phone: 372 6884.
Hola Mexico!
Get in quick and see if there are any tables left at Soul tomorrow for lunch, as leading Mexican chef Enrique Olvera will be in the kitchen cooking up a storm - well, four courses which will be matched with Villa Maria wines. Olvera is considered by many to be Mexico's leading chef and has won numerous awards for his innovative and modern take on traditional food. Thursday 2 October. 12noon-2pm, Soul. $85 per person. To book, ph: 356 7249.
Local History
Eel pie, raupo bread, colonial goose, rabbit soup ... These are just some of the fascinating recipes you'll find in A Distant Feast - The Origins of New Zealand's Cuisine ($49.99: Random House). A wonderful read by Tony Simpson about how food trends have developed.
Win VIP tickets
Restaurateur and man-about-Ponsonby Luke Dallow's new venture, the highly-anticipated Sale St will be opening this October and Viva has 10 double passes to the VIP opening party on Saturday, 11 October to give away. Sale St, located at 7 Sale St in Freemans Bay, showcases an a la carte restaurant and bar, micro-brewery, Auckland's largest garden bar, yakitori skewer grill, coffee roasting, private bar, live music venue and much more. Sumptuous food and drink will be provided, invited guests will party to leading Auckland band Midnight Youth along with a line-up of other great musicians. To enter, send your name and contact details to: Sale St Competition, Viva, NZ Herald, PO Box 3290, Auckland. Entries close October 8 and winners will be contacted by phone.