Dunedin is for lovers

The Art Gallery and Nova, The Octagon

2012-03-04T09:04:00.008+13:00

I love a good Art Gallery Shop. I know that is far less academic than loving a good art gallery but now that I'm in my 30's, there is no need to be pretentious. This is how I roll:

I go for a short stroll around the gallery, stop at what I like, pose briefly-looking thoughtful- in front of the boring stuff (just to impress potential big name artists who are obviously there for inspiration but are distracted by my presence)and then I hit the gallery shop.

Then I buy postcards (cheaper and often cooler than real cards with envelopes). In days before spawn, I used to go to the cafe next door, Nova, and write thoughtful, meaningful letters to friends overseas. Also, I used to stalk my yoga guru here.

Now, I go directly for the coffee; followed by cake.

Alternately, Nova does kick-ass shoe strings fries and aioli which go well with a cold glass of the Astrolabe Sav.

Nova is a great meeting spot for someone new to town (easy to find), before the movies (right next door) or a Thusday night cake date with the girls (no where else in town is open).

Come for the culture, leave with the calories.

Ambrosia, Colonial Food of the Gods

2012-03-03T21:43:00.006+13:00

I was recently stranded in Mt. Aspiring National Park for 8 days with only some saveloys, apples and marshmallows to keep me company. I started dreaming about ambrosia. I was assured by a local, grown, kiwi girl scout it was a simple culinary endeavor.

As you know from my Rob Roy Dairy Review, I am an ambrosia fan. I had big expectations! Surprisingly, I haven't disappointed myself. My version isn't particularly sweet, which means you can ingest heaps before regretting it.

You, too, can bring home the joy:

1 thing of cream, whip it good
Add
1 thing of plain Greek yogurt
Mix in
Marshmallows
Most of a bag of raspberries

Put it in the fancy trifle dish you got gifted for your wedding, or steal one from your grandma. Set in the fridge for several hours so the marshmallows go soft and gooey.

Yum!

Rob Roy Dairy, George Street

2012-02-14T20:31:00.007+13:00

BIGGEST ICE CREAM CONES EVER!!!

These are the cheapie-kiddie cones which cost $1.50. Yes, that's in NZD. Yes, they are as big as my fist. Two words: Money's Worth!

Best flavour, by far, is Ambrosia. Berry yoghurt with marshmallows. Nice.

I'd totally recommend lounging in Knox Church's nearby garden while enjoying your frozen delight.

Maybe you, too, will see a top model twin.

Am I getting creepy with my celebrity sightings yet?

DIFL Buttons

2012-02-11T16:58:00.003+13:00

We are now selling buttons!

This is pretty much the same photo again.

Groovy little badge for Dunedin lovers.

This badge will style up any blazer, scarf, bag or jacket and show your love for this city. Excellent gift for scarfies, locals, potential lovers, visitors and button collectors. Easy to post to friends overseas in their packages of pineapple lumps and will last longer.

35mm. Made in Dunedin and being sold on Felt.

Rockburn, York Place

2012-01-29T18:49:00.007+13:00

All that glitter isn't gold, but who cares if it's pretty?

This boutique jewelry story is Dunedin's most poorly kept secret. Paul has been making jewelry for 35 years and imports pieces from all over the world. The shop was opened in his house about 3 years ago. In his house.

I have never felt so welcome in the retail world! My favourite pieces were the art deco lamps, the Virgin Mary pendant necklace, the bird pieces and the scarves! All very reasonably priced...unless, of course, I want to buy it all. Which I do.

Daughters take your mothers!

LOVE my new green purse! Lady J also got one. Yup, we'll be going out wearing our matching bags. At a certain age, matching stuff becomes cool again.

Angus Cafe, George Street

2012-01-27T20:13:00.004+13:00

Do you know about The God of Cake?

I, too, worship cake like a maniac. And I have found a temple. Banoffee pie, mixed berry cheesecake, white chocolate mousse (a man stopped me mid bite to tell me it was his favourite) and lemon m. pie (the lemon tart is pretty sweet but it's just the lemon m. missing the marshmallow).

Angus decor is weird. There is something for everyone, which makes it weird. I like the butterfly wall, I like the chandeliers; I don't like the burger bar or the cafeteria-esque spaciousness of it.

You have to try it. Everyone who is anyone has. What did you order?

Whitestone Cheese, Oamaru

2012-01-27T19:49:00.004+13:00

CHEESE! Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese.

CHEESE!

This is a photo from the viewing platform at the Whitestone Cheese Factory in Oamaru. There was a no photography sign but I risked breaking the law for you, my faithful readers.

The blue cheese at this place is mean! And so is the brocolli soup. Stop here on your way through (because Oamaru is nobody's destination) to Chch or Riverstone and Lavish Soap.

Salt, Forbury Road

2012-01-25T22:35:00.004+13:00

This is not a cafe. Shocking, I know. I don't often venture past coffees and sweet treats but this is an excellent lunch joint. Down by the beach, serves hard liquor and has some tasty prawn kebabs.

I like this place but their "Family Fish 'n' Chip Cheap Deal for $50" is a joke. I'd rather do f'n'c for less than 10 at home and save Salt for grown up time.

The Lavish Soap Company, Oamaru

2012-01-24T21:08:00.004+13:00

Looks so good you could eat it. Not exactly what I look for in a bathroom product but they do make delicious smelling little gifts. My colleague was very excited at the prospect of her partially blind mother having a sensory experience with the bright colors and the range of flavours.

The two women who started this business were wine-slugging buddies across a farm boundary fence. The pair went to Australia for a wee holiday, took a soap making course and voila- they got some big ideas.

This is well worth a stop on your way to or from Riverstone Kitchen or Christchuch.

Dear Colleen

2012-01-12T05:08:00.009+13:00

My newest local hero is Colleen Pugh, the business and creative mind behind Dear Colleen. Get this- she says she's "livin' the dream...living in Dunedin". I may have punctuated this to my own purposes. I may not have. You'll never know.

Generally, I know the people I profile but I have never had the pleasure of meeting Colleen. After seeing this and this, I was sure we are destined to be friends or oddly awkward acquaintances if she ever reads my blog raving about her.

This clever women knows her audience: educated women 25-50 and offers a range of groovy tea towels and bags. This one was gifted to me by a friend overseas:

World Cup Edition! For those of you not in NZ, rugby is kind of a big deal here. As is Dunedin's Otago Boys' High School old boy, Ritchie McCaw and league player turned union, vegetarian Muslim, Sonny Bill Williams. Nice to see this Brit ex-pat celebrating her adoptive country's heros! This tea towel might just be enough to interest me in the national sport.

What local designers have you found on Etsy?

An old favourite

2011-12-12T16:16:00.000+13:00

Mmmmmmm. Rhubarb friand and a latte. Good news, folks. I am finally a regular. Sam Kerr, co-owner of Rhubarb, knows how I like my friand without my requesting!

Spoils from the Market this Week

2011-12-11T19:53:00.003+13:00

What did you buy at the farmer's market this week?

The Good Oil, George Street

2011-12-11T19:29:00.000+13:00

A vision!

The Craic, Octagon

2011-12-05T09:47:00.007+13:00

Good pub for a cider or beer in the Octagon! If you don't have children, this is a great place to soak up the atmosphere of the Santa Parade. Generally, my first choice for any sunny afternoon and the live music on a Wednesday night is sing-a-long-tastic. Toilets are a little smelly, so don't bring your parents. This establishment does, however, have a $10 children's menu which includes an ice-cream sunday.

Never seen anyone order or eat this.

Sunny Dunedin!

Celebrity Sighting: One of Dunedin's Top Model Twins! Out shone by her groovy friend's fashion forward hat but I did like the leopard print umbrella to protect them from... what exactly? Stalker paparazzi like me.

Spoils from the Otago Farmers' Market

2011-12-04T10:25:00.008+13:00

First week of summer and Dunedin is hot!

No, seriously. Stop laughing.

Saturday morning at the Otago Farmers' Market is one of my favourite activities in Dunedin. Eat a bacon buttie, have a random run-in and chat with a colleague, listening to a whiny busker singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", avoid the cafe owner I had a slight falling out with.

This week I discovered The Joyful Vegan. Ah-mazing. Situated in an old school caravan with tables out the back. The lime coconut slice is to die for. Figuratively, not literally. I ate two.

Peonies. $8 a bunch or 2 for $12.

Best baguette in town. Used to be called a rustic baguette but isn't anymore. Not sure why. Makes the paper bag a little greasy on the way home but delicious sliced thinly under some Evansdale cheese.

Evansdale cheese. The Farmhouse Brie is my absolute favourite but the Smoked Tania pairs well with a glass of Wither Hills Sav.

Dunedin Dictionary

2011-12-03T14:40:00.005+13:00

1. Scarfie

A Kiwi university student. Specifically, a student at the University of Otago in Dunedin. So named because of the chilly winters during which students don scarves.

Person 1: "There were heaps of Scarfies at $1 draft night at the Captain Cook pub."
Person 2: "No shit."

The Asian, 43 Moray Place

2011-12-03T14:06:00.016+13:00

Another Dunedin Institution.

It's December which means Graduation and summer staff-dos! And as so eloquently put by my almost-doctor friend, "There's no better way to celebrate= Christmas than with Chinese food."

Fact. He's almost a doctor, so he knows a thing or two about a thing or two.

I am dining at the Asian twice in 4 days and I don't mind. It is the definition of Cheap 'n' Cheerful and boasts, literally, hundreds of menu items. Literally. And by literally, I don't mean figuratively.

The Asian is the only place in town with wood panelled walls where you might have to make a booking to avoid disappointment. You can be as loud as you want, byo alcohol and last night I ate a day's worth of food plus leftovers for $22. Yeah, I'm not proud of the gluttony but I am impressed with the value for money.

It is a proud Scarfie tradition to go to the Asian and get munted. The staff here must be incredibly tolerant. We didn't even get kicked out for discussing hotkeys for 20 minutes.

Wok Fusion, Mailer Street, Mornington Village

2011-12-03T13:52:00.002+13:00

Friday night take-away has a new option!

Food is ready-made or can be made-to-order fresh by staff with lightsabers in their heads.

They have ducks.

Orokonui Ecosanctuary, 600 Blueskin Road

2011-11-30T20:32:00.005+13:00

Orokonui Ecosanctuary has a 1000 year plan for the habitat. 1000 years!! Talk about a plan for sustainability. That vision makes me feel delightfully insignificant and awe-inspired. Their "307-hectare Cloud Forest is the largest area of native forest in mainland South Island where indigenous plants and animals can live in the wild without threat from most introduced pests."

Today I learned that tuis have two voice boxes and then I mucked in and built cages around little native flax plantlets. All-in-all a good day out on the planet for me.

This is a small section of the nearly 9km fence which protects the little indigenous birds. The only pests in the fortress are mice.

Our groovy tour guide with the green hair, Sofie.

Trees!

Little seeds in clay pot to be flung into the brush and (eventually) take out the gorse. They're like little organic grenades!

If you're interested in volunteering, Orokonui hosts work parties all the time. Just get yourself on the email list. A great activity for locals and visitors alike.

Glue Gallery, 26 Stafford Street

2011-11-30T20:02:00.004+13:00

This place makes me feel pink and middle class. It's a bit dirty and quite interesting. Ah, to dedicate my life to art instead of mortgage payments and blogging about cafe culture! Perhaps, I could create something interesting like this:

Nectar Expresso Bar and Cafe, 286 Princes St

2011-11-26T19:42:00.005+13:00

Nectar came recommended to me by a DIFL reader comment by an anonymous ex-Dunedinite. That recommendation came to me about 13 months ago...Man, do I regret my procrastination!

Nectar has an urban feel that is rarely palpable this far south. Tuesday lunch in Nectar makes Dunedin feel like an honest-to-God city but without those pesky inconveniences that ruin your day like traffic, rude strangers and queues.

The sandwich choices are revelation. Home-baked rye! Home-baked rye! Baked daily on site! Move over, Eat, Nectar also has exposed brick walls and (one up on you) timely service!!

A surprising joy at Nectar is the corridor to the toilet which passes through the offices of Van Brandenburg Architects. It's like my fantasy office if I was a TV professional (i.e. not really a professional but an actor, very well dressed and constantly engaged in witty, scripted banter with my absurdly attractive colleagues).

Urban chic outdoor area (non-smoking).

My plate. I was so hungry I forgot to take a photo before eating but the savoury swirl was D-licious.

teeny tiny coffee bar, George Street

2011-11-20T12:28:00.007+13:00

Not the actual name of this rad little-hole-in-the-wall. No idea what this place is called but it's pretty cool.

The coffee is good and it is quite a novelty sitting on the pews down the alley, totally protected from the rain Dunedin is famous for. There is no indoor to this coffee bar, except for an open door through which you can peak in to watch the good looking Frenchman tend to the whirling coffee roaster.

If one was in a position to take a lover, one should consider taking this man. Not that I'm suggesting he is in anyway available for such a liaison. You'll have to proposition him yourself.

I Survived a Zombie Holocaust, Trailer

2011-10-16T06:18:00.002+13:00

Dunedin made:

I Survived a Zombie Holocaust – Official Trailer from 38 Pictures on Vimeo.

My favourite parts are the shameless breast shot and the "Sweet As" t shirt. I am super excited about seeing the full shebang in theatres!! Local talent is talented, so I hope a few people will be supporting ticket sales!

Do you know any of the zombies? I do!

Cilantro Cafe, 480 Moray Place

2011-09-11T16:39:00.007+12:00

Yes, that is a giant slab of Russian fudge. Seeings as it isn't always school fair season, this is a perfect solution for your sugar/fat needs. And tucked in the back there is a blondie, a great alternative to a brownie for a chocolate intolerant like myself.(See what they did there with the name? V. clever.)

Ah, exposed brick. Urban chic for a town that thinks it's a city! Do you see the packed food cabinet! Choices galore with 3 (count 'em...3) cheese roll options; white bread, grain and rye.

YUM!

Oooooohhhhhh. Pretty.

New favourite!!

The Americano is a nice cup of coffee, the lattes are smooth and the staff are so friendly. I wish it was my job to hang out there all day, except I'd eat at the profits.

I think these sensible people actually take the week ends off and close at work-life-balance- time of 4pm. So plan your timings!

The Inch Bar, NEV

2011-07-27T19:22:00.003+12:00

Worth seeing the sparkly glitter sign shimmy in the sunlight alone! And it's tiny and groovy. And they serve garlic prawns and chorizo- in the same bowl!! Revolutionary bar snacks.