Besos Latinos

A couple of weeks ago, a couple of foodies and I were lucky enough to be invited by Zomato to sample the food at Besos Latinos. I had visited a couple of times previously for the usual tacos and quesadillas but, tonight, Luis the owner had something else in store for us.

Originally from Latin America, Luis opened Besos Latinos with his wife who is usually on the counter. After a successful 5 years of running the restaurant, the pair are looking to add some traditional Latin American dishes on the menu and asked some of us along to try them out. 

Horchata

We were welcomed with a cup of Horchata which is a traditional Spanish drink that is made of ground rice and oats. Luis tells us that Horchata can be found everywhere on the streets of Latin America and that is very effective in countering the hot foods we will be served tonight. It is very refreshing and flavoured with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. We all agree that Luis should start a business selling Horchata on the side.

Home made corn chips with Guacamole and Salsa

Next, we were served home made corn chips with guacamole and salsa. The guac wasn't unlike others I had tried before but the salsa was different -it was warm! Luis explained that, back home, they roast all the ingredients before mixing to bring out the sweetness and to add a smoky charred flavour. 

Ceviche

I forgot to ask what fish was used in the Ceviche but I did note that it was incredibly fresh. The sweet corn balanced out the savoury fish and the tangy lime. The crispy corn chip on top was a nice touch.

Deep Fried Empanadas and Flautas

My eyes widened as the plate of Mexican street food hit the table. The colours alone were enough to excite me. Luis explained that snacks like these were abundant in mexico, with old ladies on the street bringing out their cooking trolleys when the party goers were on their way home from the clubs.

The deep fried empanadas were filled with corn and courgette which made for quite a smooth filling. The guacamole and cheese topping was creamy and smooth, but I thought some heat would have gone well to counter this.

Flauta

My absolute favourite dish of the night had to be the Flautas. Also called a Taquito, these snacks consisted of a cheesy chicken filling wrapped up in a tortilla before being crisp-fried. It reminded me of a spring roll, but with a bigger ratio of crispy shell to filling which I loved.

Alambre with Corn Tortillas

I am reminded of a Chinese sizzling plate when our next dish arrives. I am told that Alambre is a popular Mexican dish of grilled beef, onions and bell peppers, often served with tortillas. The beef had a nice smoky, charred taste with a good kick of heat. The homemade corn tortillas were soft and were a good vessel for the beef.

Corn Tortilla with Spicy Chicken

Similar to the Alambre, the grilled chicken was served on a sizzling plate with onions and bell peppers. I found that the sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking and I would have appreciated the some heat which was so good in the previous dish.

Coffee Flan

The dainty flan was almost too pretty to eat. Served with crunchy caramel and a single blueberry, the coffee flan was very rich and smooth although a little thicker than I am used to. 

Rose con Leche

Arroz con Leche is another Latin American classic which is similar to a rice pudding. I really enjoyed the creamy texture of the pudding and found it very refreshing compared to the flan. The tangy jelly at the bottom was a lovely surprise. 

I am super excited for these new additions to the Besos Latinos menu and I can't wait to return for some of those Flautas! The dishes you've just read about, plus others, should be available from the start of June 2015. 

Besos Latinos is located in Elliot Stables, 39 Elliot Street, Auckland CBD.



Lucy dined as a guest of Zomato.

Cafe People

I don't often wander into Ponsonby for breakfast but when I do, it has to be good. 

Jason and I visited Cafe People on a cold Sunday morning because we had a Zomato voucher and were in the area for a little shopping. I first visited a few months ago for a great lunch and was quietly optimistic for this breakfast experience.

The interior is modern, with simple furniture. We admired the spray painted murals on the wall while we waited for our drinks. 

Hot Chocolate, Chai Latte

We were quite pleased with our drinks which were not sickly sweet as we've experienced at other cafes. Jason's hot chocolate had a good amount of cocoa while my chai was wonderfully spicy.

Hash Cake - $17.50

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed when my Hash Cake arrived. The plating looked a bit sloppy and the bright yellow hollandaise sauce scared me a little. 

Luckily, the flavours were spot on. The hash cake was made up both diced and mashed potato which gave it a great texture. The mushrooms were well seasoned and the egg was perfectly poached. The only let down was the slightly sour hollandaise.

Classic Breakfast - $22.00

Jason's Classic Breakfast was quite similar to my breakfast with the addition of a pork and fennel sausage, roasted tomatoes and toasted ciabatta bread. The plating was more appetising than the hash cakes and the taste was great! The sausage was delicious while the tomatoes added a nice burst of flavour to the rest of the meal. 

We left Cafe People very full and pretty satisfied. The hot drinks were great and the food, despite the plating, was great!

Cafe People is located at 38 Ponsonby Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland



Lucy and Jason dined with a voucher from Zomato.

Three Lamps Bar and Eatery

I was quite excited when Yatchi of Zomato invited Jason and me to enjoy a degustation meal with a group of other foodies. Hosted by Three Lamps Bar and Eatery, a group of us stepped out of a cold Thursday night and into a cozy bar where we were greeted by the team (Andrew, Claire, Mike and Josh) and the massive list of craft that Three Lamps is famous for.

Previously the old post office, Three Lamps renamed itself after the area and kept the architecture the same. They rebranded themselves from the Belgian Beer Cafe just over a year ago and, with over 220 craft beers from New Zealand and all around the world, it's no no wonder that beer lovers flock here!

I was actually quite overwhelmed with the beer selection but Josh and Mike were very helpful and picked an Emerson 1812 (IPA) for me when I expressed a fondness for pale ale. 

Harrington's Saddler Lager paired with Chilli and Garlic Prawns and Fish Tacos

Our first beer was a Harrington's Saddler, a malt lager, to be paired with three seafood entrées. It had a toffee flavour and a light citrusy after taste. While very refreshing, I was confused that this wasn't a recommended menu match for any of the entrées we were served.

The Chilli and Garlic Prawns arrived in a sizzling pot with some crusty French bread. They were beautifully garlicky but lacked the promised spice. Not that it stopped me from picking them out of the pot with my fingers..

I was a bit skeptical of the fish tacos when they arrived as it's not something I would normally order but I was very pleasantly surprised. The soft fish, coated in a very thin layer of crunchy batter had a great texture and was paired well with a sweet chutney. The addition of jalapeños delivered a nice kick through sweetness.

Whiskey Cured Salmon with Horseradish Cream Cheese

The highlight of the seafood entrées was the Whiskey Cured Salmon. The salmon had developed a beautiful deep red colour probably through the curing process. The whiskey flavour was faint and I would have missed it had I not tried it on its own but the dish really came together when paired with the pickled beetroot. Marinated in orange and balsamic vinegar, the beetroot provided a burst of flavour contrasting with the smooth salmon and cream cheese.

Beef Cheek Sliders paired with Emerson's London Porter and Mushroom & Blue Cheese Sliders paired with Yakima Monster

The sliders came in fluffy buns that were incredibly soft and sweet. I started with the Beef Cheek Sliders paired with the Emerson's London Porter. The beef cheeks had been cooking for 6 hours which meant the the sweet, tangy sauce had penetrated through the meat and the tendons melted as you bit into the slider. I thought the porter was a bit heavy and overpowered the flavour of the beef.

We thought the blue cheese and mushroom sliders were better suited to its beer match, which was the  Yakima Monster APA from the Liberty Brewing Company. The mushrooms were plump and smothered in a generous helping of cheese sauce which oozes out the sides as you take a bite.

Crispy Skin Salmon with Prawn and Lime Risotto and Capsicum and Wasabi Couli

Our first main was the Crispy Skin Salmon sitting on top of a Prawn and Lime Risotto which was Jason's favourite dish. Not only was it beautifully presented, but it was also well executed. The salmon was cooked to perfection - the flesh was moist and kept its shape while the crispy skin was well done. I really enjoyed the risotto and the lime really worked well to cut through the creaminess of the rest of the dish. The Capsicum and Wasabi Couli made for a great looking plate but it wasn't very noticeable unless you had heaps of it on your fork.

The "Boil Up"

When it arrived at the table, it was clear that the Boil Up had been cooking for a long time. All the pork had fallen off the bone and the veggies were soft and looked as though they were about to melt into the herby broth. The portion size was very large which was perfect for sharing around the table and came with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the soup. The small suet dough boys were a nice dainty change to the large lumpy dumplings you find in more traditional boil ups. 

This was paired with the Dogfish 60 minute IPA, named for the fact it has over 60 hop additions over a 60 minute boil. It had a buttery flavour with a hint of apricots and there is also a 90 minute and a 120 minute IPA.

Venison Pie

The Venison Pie came with a Newcastle Brown Ale and was served with a side of kumara mash and creamed broccoli and cabbage. The pot was filled to the brim with tender chunks of venison, which thankfully didn't have a strong gamey taste, and had a crunchy and light pastry top. The mash was very smooth and the sweet kumara was good contrast to the deep hearty flavours of the venison. The good ol' pie was paired with the Newcastle Brown Ale - something I can see myself having on a cold winters night.

Lamb three ways

I was nearing the food coma stage at this point but nothing could've stopped me from trying the last main. Paired with the Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout (actually has oysters in it!), the Lamb Three Ways comprised of crumbed cutlets, roasted shoulder with baby vegetables and a shepherds pie which came in a tiny copper saucepan that I'm dying to have in my kitchen! 

The cutlets were perfectly pink in the middle and the crumb provided a nice crunch. The roasted shoulder was very tender although had a few tough bits that were kind of hard to chew. The shepherd's pie was nice and thick -again, something that I would love to have on a winter's night.

Andrew the owner

It was neat to be able to dine with the team at Three Lamps as you could tell that they were really passionate about their brand. Mike and Claire, who I sat next to, were very excited about put menu which had created just over a week ago. Andrew the owner, whom I later found out used to be a marine biologist, gave us a brief history of the building and spoke of their monthly beer evenings -where a local brewery showcases a range of their beers along with matched food prepared by Paddy the chef.

Sierra Nevada Porter and Banana Bread Beer

Donuts with Chocolate Sauce

The first of the desserts was Donuts with Chocolate Sauce. I only had a little bite because I was saving room for the crime brûlée but I found that tie to be too dense. I'm not a donut person though and the rest of the table seemed to enjoy them just fine, with a few people taking them home for later! 

This was paired with the Wells Banana Bread Beer which really blew my mind. The beer had a strong banana aroma (obviously) and tasted very caramelly. 

Espresso Creme Brûlée

The creme brûlée looked amazing when it came out and I was salivating before it even hit the table. It was a real shame that the sugar top had turned into a soft toffee and denied us the pleasure of cracking it with our spoons! The toffee stuck my mouth shut when I had a go at it anyway so I set it aside and dug into the creamy centre which had a good balance of espresso flavour and sweetness. I think I would order this again as it was obvious that Paddy usually executes this dish a lot better. I thought the shortbread was quite a heavy accompaniment though, perhaps something lighter and wafer like would have gone better. The toffee taste and bitterness of the Sierra Nevada Porter complimented the brûlée wonderfully. 

Whitestone Cheddar Plate

We rounded off the night with a well presented Whitestone Cheddar with apple and pear slices. This was paired with the Good George "XXXXX" Aussie Wheat Beer and was a very nice end to the meal.

Menu with craft beer suggestions

Three Lamps has really upped the game on traditional pub fare. Each and every dish brought to the table was beautifully presented and pretty well executed. Their menu is well thought out and their extensive craft beer selection is enough to make anyone want to drop in (long Friday lunches I'm thinking..). I am looking forward to attending one of their craft beer events in the future!

Three Lamps Bar and Eatery can be found at 1-3 St Mary's Road, Ponsonby, Auckland

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Lucy and Jason dined as guests of Zomato and Three Lamps Bar and Eatery.

Zomato Giveaway Winner

Hey guys, I'm back! 

Just sorting through some holiday photos to share with you all soon. As for now, I bet you're wondering who won the Zomato giveaway!

After my post about the new restaurant review website Zomato, I hope that some of you have given it a go. 

Congratulations to So'o who has won the giveaway for a $25 Urban Turban voucher by following the instructions and being lucky enough to have his name drawn out of a green hat! The lovely people at Zomato will be in touch with your voucher and everyone who entered will also receive a thank you email.

Zomato and the First Giveaway!

Having to decide on a place to eat is a real tough choice for my co-workers and me. As a group, we would take up to 20 minutes of precious eating time deciding on which has the best food, the most reasonable prices and, most importantly, doesn't require a lot of walking. It's often quite hard to come to a consensus and the last requirement means that we often just end up going to the same few restaurants.

Jason and I often face a similar dilemma when we are in an unfamiliar suburb and are bombarded with enticing menus on numerous shop fronts. This usually involves us walking up and down the street trying to judge the restaurant quality from the footpath because once we set foot inside, it would be impolite to leave. Our decisions have mostly proved successful but, from time to time, we find ourselves regretful that we were over charged for a less than average meal.

I imagine that a similar thing happens to many other people, which is why I'm so happy to share with you a new online restaurant guide called Zomato. 

I first discovered Zomato through Easy Food Hacks and was delighted by the comprehensive list of Auckland restaurants on their database. There is also dedicated team who roam Auckland looking for new restaurants and menu changes to ensure only the most up to date information is on the website. This also ensures that the little family owned restaurants and eateries also make it onto the foodie radar!

Their simple user interface makes navigating the website a breeze and there is even a Zomato app so you can look up restaurants whenever the mood strikes -which is quite often for me. Important information such as the food hygiene rating, cost for two people and opening hours accompany the very well thought out reviews.

Since joining Zomato, I have mostly used the smartphone app as I'm usually out wandering when hunger strikes. As such, the most useful tool for me is being able to search for eateries within my direct vicinity (re: minimal walking). 

I, along with many other foodies, contribute regularly to Zomato by adding reviews and photos (see the Lucyeats profile here). They are constantly being checked for authenticity so any false reviews written by competitors can be weeded out.

And Now for the Giveaway...

I'm hoping that, by now, you are rushing off to Zomato to make an account so you too, can discover new eateries and connect with other food enthusiasts. To make this a little more enticing for you, the great team at Zomato are giving away a $25 voucher to Urban Turban, an Indian restaurant offering up Bombay style dishes on Auckland's North Wharf.


To be in the draw to win, you must do the following:

1. Create a Zomato profile and follow my profile, Lucyeats (you can do this using your email address or your existing Facebook account)

2. Email lucyeats@gmail.com with the answer to this question: "of the restaurants I have reviewed, which one has the highest rating?"


The winner will be announced here on March 10th 2014 and be contacted by a member of the Zomato team.

I hope to see you on Zomato soon!

EDIT: the method of answering (note 2) has been changed from private message to email. Don't worry if you have already tried messaging me - I have got your details already :)