The dish: Menu picks

Andiamo, 194 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. Photo / Doug Sherring

Viva's current favourite dishes about town.

Ponsonby Bistro

165 Ponsonby Rd, ph (09) 360 1611. Try their fish pie - packed full of scallops, salmon, market fish, leeks and tarragon! The very best of comfort food. 165 Ponsonby Rd, ph (09) 360 1611.

Andiamo

Feeling short on cash but still want to eat out in style? We recommend a quick mid-week dinner at Andiamo where they have a roaring fire at this time of year and still some of the best service in town. Try the ever-popular char-grilled eye fillet with lashings of sauce bearnaise, roasted kumara and brussels sprout petals, and share a few sides like the honey-roasted beetroot with braised shallots together with a glass of red each from their extensive list of great wines available by the glass. Do it this way and you'll be in and out for less than $60 per person. Not bad. 194 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay, ph (09) 378 7811.

Ken's Yakitori

While you're waiting for your skewers to be grilled to perfection, order a plate of the squid tentacles from the kitchen menu - they're unbelievably yummy. They come piled high, piping hot, fried to crispy but soft and tender in the inside having been first marinated in a soy sauce-based marinade - salty, tangy, tender and delicious. 89 K Rd, ph (09) 303 3366.

Tribeca

The Foundation Building, 8 George St, City, ph (09) 379 6359.

We love chef Hayden McMillan's inventive take on flavours like his crispy skin duck breast with purple kumara, pineapple and watercress or his mushrooms a la grecque with truffled potato, parmesan and roquette - they're great examples of his extraordinary talent and youthful exuberance.

Engine Room

In winter we reckon happiness can be summoned with a visit to the Engine Room for their twice-baked goat's cheese souffle followed by their veal schnitzel, with coleslaw and potato rosti. The veal we tried was thick, tender, perfectly crumbed and golden all over. 115 Queen St, Northcote Pt, ph (09) 480 9502.

China girl

Most of us nip out for a Chinese takeaway every now and then, but how often do you cook Chinese at home? Ching's Fast Food (Harper Collins: $54.99) really elevates Chinese cooking with the use of fresh ingredients that come together in delicious recipes. Author Ching-He Huang is the face of Chinese cooking in Britain. Here she takes traditional recipes and gives them a modern twist, while sharing stories from her childhood and anecdotes about superstition and etiquette.

New on the block

Locals in Sandringham will be delighted with the opening of the quirky new Prague Bar & Cafe. And no, despite the urban myth that has been circulating, it's not owned by same people as The Gypsy Tea Rooms. From pastries and coffee in the morning through to an after-work wine, tapas or dinner, Prague is set to become a favourite. 599 Sandringham Rd, ph (09) 815 7086. Open Sun-Wed 7.30am-10pm, Thurs-Sat 7.30am-11pm.

A taste of Paris

Meanwhile fans of Winehot in Kingsland are toasting its new look, new menu and new drinks list. "We now specialise in traditional French charcuterie: pates, terrines and rillettes all made in-house and served with a freshly baked baguette." explains owner Julien Le Quere. The winelist still holds the same funky selection but they have added a selection of boutique beers and a few delicious French cocktails. 605 New North Rd, Morningside.

Put it on the list

* Transform your Sunday roast with this Black Satin glaze from Herb & Spice Mill. A tasty mix of soy, honey, brown sugar, honey sesame oil, ginger and star anise, it works beautifully with pork, beef or chicken. $7.99 from Farro the Fresh Food Market, 80 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington and Constellation Dr, Albany.

* Nip to your nearest Wild Wheat store and pick up a limited edition (how fabulous sounding is that?) loaf of Spelt Sourdough. The bread is made by hand and apparently takes more than 36 hours to produce. An ancient grain, spelt is rich in vitamins and fibre and has 25 per cent more protein than wheat flour - perfect for those who prefer a low GI diet or just those who want a yummy, moist nutty bread. The loaf costs $6.50 and is available only until the end of July at Wild Wheat Stores in Howick, Mt Eden and Belmont.