Yesterday's report

Yesterday's report.

We started the trip to Hawaii, with a full flight and noisy kids on board. Then again, it is school holiday and you can't be too fussy. We stayed overnight at the Novotel Airport Hotel before continuing our journey to Honolulu this morning. Here it is;

Just back from a successful trip into the Auckland CBD, drinks at the waterfront at Soul and dinner at the Eatery Depot on Federal. They know how to turn the weather on, great temperature in the mid twenties and sunny. Excellent table service at Soul, price within reason and considering the setting good value, $20 for a glass of wine and a beer. At Depot we enjoyed the retro and old fashioned decor with a twist. House beer and wine from the tap by the glass, 160ml or carafe 250 or 500ml. Besides that there is a substantial craft beer and wine by the glass selection, Drinks are served with complimentary pita bread and humus, very tasty. We had the NZ meat board of Otello's beef bresaola & pork lomo, 'Waikanae' pork salami, wild rabbit rillette with cherry relish & 'Olaf's fig & fennel crostini. A small shared plate of Hapuka sliders with preserved lemon mayo & watercress and a potato skins with 'Green Park' Gouda & porcini salt side dish. Excellent food presentation on rustic wooden boards, bowls and plates. The Cured meats were of very good quality, our favoured was the rillette with the cherry relish. The Hapuka fillets were perfect, flavoursome and moist and the potato skins crisp and with the porcini salt outstanding. All up a relaxed and very enjoyable dining experience, again very impressed with the service and yes we shared a dessert, the Sugar Pie, on the menu since the opening, a rich & sweet brown sugar and cream caramel set in a sweet pastry case. All up $90 and what you would expect to pay for dinner in Auckland.