Parma Grandeoso

Remember the Albion Hotel and that slight mention of ParmaRama night? Well almost a year after that post it just so happened that the whole gang had mustered enough motivation to go out for Parma Night - except it's not just for your ordinary parma, but for the Grandeoso Challenge.

The Grandeoso is a serving of double parma with chips and salad.

Doesn't sound intimidating at all, until you sit there and they serve it to you.

try this on for size

This is not for the faint-hearted, small-stomached, chicken-allergic person.

notice there are two layers about 1.5cm each.

chips are underneath.

the fork shown is your proper-sized fork (ehm, standard restaurant fork size)

To sign up for this challenge is to have the determination of a 45 year old virgin going to a nightclub to get lucky (or just succumbing to peer pressure perhaps!). Shell out $25 and a pint if you're brave (or crazy) enough!

To guys, this could appear to be not a problem at all, but statistically speaking, out of the gang, there was a 50% success rate (or at least of the known 'contestants').

Check out the Hall of Fame and other details here

Auckland in a Weekend

It was a necessary escape.

*

If arriving very late at the Auckland Airport, the required mode of transport to go downtown would be a cab. There are plenty available, so no issues there, expect to pay around NZ$60. If it had been some time between 5am to 10pm, the way to go would have be to take the Auckland Airbus Express, departing every 15 minutes at $22 (adult return). Definitely of good value, as it drops off passengers on the main bus stops within the city (a stone's throw to most accommodations).

There is a free City Circuit bus that goes around the city (did you guess that?!) but if you got your runners on then best to walk around town to see the sights. As any sane tourist would, do drop by at the Skytower, (because it is mandatory!) and if you would like to see the city from up there. If not, then just take a picture for the archives - whatever suits! Stroll up the harbour side, have lunch at any of the restaurants that entice you at the Viaduct. There is a good selection of cuisine to suit everyone's personal taste. There is also a Maritime Museum, if museums are your thing.

the SkyTower

Take the Fuller's ferry from the Ferry Terminal at Quay St Pier 1 and in 10 minutes time you'd be in Devonport, a quirky historical maritime town North of Auckland. Walk up (or drive up) Mt. Victoria and take in the magnificent views, looking back at Auckland and beyond the North Shore views. This would probably inspire further walking around to discover the shops and quaint stalls around.

looking back at downtown Auckland from the ferry
that's the Skytower jutting out of the skyline, and the Auckland Harbor Bridge

view from Mt. Victoria

If the walk proves to be a bit weary, stop for a pint or two at The Patriot, featuring British, Welsh, Scottish and Irish grub and booze. Sit by the fire and enjoy the ambience and the beer.

For a nightcap, take the ferry back downtown and head to Vulcan Lane to sample a Belgian beer or two at the Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe - Flemish food, giant mussels, or just for that sexy strong dark ale Hoegaarden Forbidden Fruit. There is an Irish Pub beside it but hope you don't get across she-who-does-not-know-how-to-pour-a-proper-pint.

On the next day, if you're tired with walking then won't be a bad idea to rent a car and drive west to the Waitekere Ranges Regional Park and make sure to stop at the Arataki ("Pathway to Learning") Visitor Center for a sneak preview of the beautiful (and windy and very cold) views from its decks including the Lower Nihotupu Dam and the Manukau Harbor.

from a viewing deck at the visitor center

In front of the building there is a carved pou (post), what appears to be a totem pole of sorts, and whakairo (carvings) inside the center are the main highlights of the center. According to the guide they were "carved out of two kauri trees taken from the great forest of Tiriwa (Waitekere Ranges) by Te Kawerau a Maki, and depict their illustrious ancestors". Better see for yourself.

the pou

There are heaps of picnic spots and walking trails, but if just venturing for the day then Karekare beach could be a good first jump off point. Then head up north to Piha Beach, Anawhata then Te Henga (Bethels) to complete a 'west coast' drive. There are several stops along the way - being on the 'scenic drive' there are plenty of options to snap for a photo or just go for a short walk like Pukematekeo or Rose Hellaby House (an English cottage style house with a view). Make sure you bring your windbreaker.

this way to Karekare beach

this way to Piha Beach

this way to Anawhata beach

There is even some time to go to Murawai, a rugged coastline home to the wide range of birds particularly the gannets (takapu). You have an option to stop over at the Matua Winery to sample their really nice Waiwauku Pinot Noir (a bit pricey but hey you're on a holiday so might as well take the best picks!).


At Murawai, there are two viewing platforms that give an up close and personal experience with these birds. However this time of the year they are off to Australia, and will come back on July and October to mate have a family.

Takapu Refuge - the scene in a spur of a gray moment - and the rocks clawed away by the birds so that their eggs can be lodged!

All being well during the day, the drive could definitely make you hungry. Dinner would be worth the wait (or book in advance to avoid the wait) at Angus Steak House. When they said they serve the biggest and best steak in town, you better believe them and go try it yourself. At NZ$31 per steak (inclusive of an eat-all-you-can side dishes of good variety), it is money worth spending. Pick your own cut and let them know how you want it cooked - and it will be cooked to perfection. Definitely scores ten out of ten.

pick your cut - option of beef, pork, lamb and veal as well.


best partner of the evening - Mac's dark beer.


rare is the way. selection for the evening was a t-bone steak. absolutely yummy.

Now if that it is not to call it a day, don't know what else would!

Claypots

A planned trip to a "pay what you feel like" lentil fest in St. Kilda was foiled by a large gathering of upwardly mobile, fake hippie wannabies barricading the entrance with a very well organised display of "spontaneous" street fair.

Plan B was required! Well actually not really, located close by was a place named Claypots...yes, guess what they serve? A pretty busy, cosy little place that promised a seafood and vegetarian feast. It delivered. Mezze (or Meze, depending on your persuasion) was served first, a lovely selection of ray, gurnard, green beans, tomatoes, aubergine, orange, fennel and dill...all very tasty, going well with a very reasonable priced bottle of the house Sauv Blanc. The mains were a large share-sized gurnard, Moroccan and Cajun claypots. All fresh, tasty and plenty to fill a hungry foursome.

Turkish coffee stood out on the menu for afters; unfortunately it was only served in the adjoining bar....oh well :)

The bar was another cosy, although slightly less busy place with dark surrounds, old chord light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and emitting the kind of soothing crooner music that brings you back to the days of Dean and Ella and, well you know. The Turkish coffee was up to scratch and it was felt only right to follow that up by availing of the, again reasonably priced, Krusovice (a Czech beer) on tap. A few of those later and a sultry songstress started up on the piano belting out the same tunes in a manner not expected in such a small back street establishment...or is it :)

If only the slightly tipsy eighty year old would have quit grabbing the mic and let her get on with it.

All in all a very pleasant way to spend an evening and perhaps one more reason not to limit yourself to lentils!!

Station Hotel

A quick turn from Chapel St is Station Hotel, a pub described in its website as a 'long standing Prahran icon'. The venue boasts of a courtyard, private rooms, a pool bar, and an al fresco area overlooking the busy Greville St. where it is situated. Never mind the noise from the periodic trains that pass by from the station right across the street (perhaps, why it is named such) - besides, the music is loud enough to drown the whistles and train road warning signals away (clang clang clang clang clang......) The menu is basic pub grub, a wine selection, beer and cocktails are available, and specific nights cater to a theme, as most places do, such as Trivia Tuesdays (something like this previous post), which could be worth a shot some time soon. The charm of the place perhaps comes from the perception of space, that can be easily flooded with a group of friends out to have drinks and a dance or two, or keen to watch the game on the wide projector screens.

Good to check out and see if you like the crowd, if you find it too noisy, either you're too old or.... it's just not for you.

Bridie O'Reilly's - Chapel Street

How exactly do you rate theme pubs? In this case an Irish one.

Authenticity?
Using the slogan "An Irish tradition" to extol parma and pizza nights and this particularly wonderful picture (inset), you be the judge ;)

Venue/Decor?
A large expanse both upstairs and down with a mix of standing and "cosy" accommodation allied to a rather large front beer garden/terrace all sporting more novelty signs of the "old country" than you can shake a stick at give more than a hint to the theme, making it a formidable proposition.

Offerings?
Food: the usual full Irish Breakfast (curiously missing white pudding?) and Beef and Guinness Pie complete the traditional fare (yes two :))...pizza, pasta, parma and fish and chips all the way after that.
Beverages: Standard Guinness and Kilkenny allied to a mix of local and a few other imported beers. Noteworthy mentions are Bulmers on tap and in pint bottles and Monteith's Golden Lager on tap (a favoured NZ brewhouse) not always seen in these parts.

Crowd?

Twentysomethings strutting their stuff with gusto and the obligatory backpacker brigade trying out their accent on the local talent.

Overall, pretty raucous on the weekends but not too bad on a weeknight for those seeking a quiet scoop or those in need of a not so authentic fix of the black stuff.

The Portland Hotel

An older building renovated for today is probably the best way to describe The Portland Hotel or James Squires as it shall be known henceforth! It's a two sided affair, on one side the Portland Lane Cafe offering the standard casual fare you come to expect in the brew/cafe hybrids around Melbourne and the other, and let's face it more important, side the James Squire Brewhouse.

The Brewhouse is more of a modern microbrewery that lacks a little of the charm of the more traditional older versions but more than makes up for with the main ingredient....James Squires on tap! All the Squire favourites streaming from the golden fountains that rise majestically from the nectar giving Pantheon....err, I mean bar taps! While many purveyors of James Squire on tap tend to disappoint by stocking one or two this is the one place that has them all, from the porter to the golden ale and all in between. A delight for fans of this particular tipple...well worth a visit.

Lion Pub at Melbourne Central

Right beside Melbourne Central's entertainment zone Kingpin, is actually another entertainment center - but in a different form!

The Lion Pub is a spacious, old style pub with a generous scattering of wide screen tv's that usually feature sports, and a small stage that offers live bands or a dj.

On a Saturday night you will find a huge crowd gathered in front of this stage, dancing or jumping up and down with Somerset , one of the pub's regular performers.

The variety on tap is as what one would expect from pubs and the wine list would definitely not let you down. However, for pub grub, better skip the pizza.

While the crowd may be very engaging and ultimately rocking, you can still sit outside if you find the 'noise' a bit overbearing. It would still count as having a 'quiet drink with friends', but then again this may be subjective - better to just try it out and see for yourself then.

More photos and some other reviews here.

Hotel Albion

Come to The Albion at any day of the week, especially around 7pm onwards, and you will always find the place bustling with activity. There are two fireplaces surrounded by comfy couches, and there would be a big group huddling about. The slightly more formal dining area would be teeming with people enjoying their dinner, and the rest of the pub observes streaks of laughter once in a while, above the murmurs and sound of quiet chats. There are many ways to enjoy this pub : You can treat yourself with a huge steak with wilted spinach and potato mash on a Half Price Mondays and Tuesdays, or confuse yourself with what Parma to eat based a wide selection during ParmaRama Night every Wednesday. Enjoy every pub grub with a cold pint of beer, and there is always variety in the tap. Cocktails and wine are available too, if you feel like it. After office drinks with colleagues appear to be quite called for in this area at Port Melbourne, perhaps its proximity to the tram stop is conducive to drinking and not driving home! The menu is not your typical pub grub though, despite the usual fish and chips there are sumptuous treats such as the giant slices of Corned Beef, and beautifully cooked fillet of salmon. Remember to come on a really empty stomach to make the most out of the meal, as the serving size is quite big. However, the curry can use more spice to make it live up to its name!
Enough said, but if you want more you can always visit their site

Sherlock Holmes Inn

Slowly creeping its way to becoming a pub favorite, Sherlock Homes Inn features a cozy, traditional style English pub down at the basement of a building in Collins St., Melbourne City proper. The beers are classic, pub grub is not bad and is ideal for after office beers (overlooking the fact that is along the trail home!)

The first visit from a while back actually revealed a surprisingly well-kept tap of Guinness. The succeeding visits though did not have that same smooth finish - probably the tap was cleaned, or the fresh batches have been kept in a different temperature, a number of possible reasons, really - it was just a bit disappointing that the maintenance was a bit inconsistent.

Might just have to keep trying until that perfect smooth pint of Irish stout is tasted again!