Sunday 24 March 2013

Hearty Homestyle Fare




Fresh healthy fare, served up in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere reminiscent of a Berlin coffee house – that’s what sisters Leisha and Renae Jones want customers of their newly-opened Honeytrap cafĂ© in St Kevin’s Arcade to experience.  Having enjoyed a summer together in the former Eastern Bloc state last year, the pair felt inspired to transport a taste of the European hospitality they experienced there back to K’ Road.

Later opening hours and a casual ambience combined with good music and great food are just some of the Berlin-style characteristics Leisha and Renee plan to emulate here in their recently renovated premises. 

Free WiFi is an added extra Honeytrap provide, but the essential ingredient the pair hope to attract customers with is the fresh food prepared on site daily.  Hearty salads brimming with quinoa and farro grains, vegetables, nuts and cheeses, which vary daily and sandwiches, laden with the likes of slow-cooked beef brisket topped with spicy homemade pickles, sauces or mayonnaise, will be a mainstay.  These can be washed down with Supreme filter coffee accompanied by cakes, cookies or slices plucked straight from the oven. All are available either to go or in-house.



Sunday 10 March 2013

Retro Recreation




Secrecy and subterfuge were synonymous with the speakeasies or illegal bars which sprang up in 1920’s America during the prohibition years.  Their hidden locations, often in basements or secret rooms, gave them an air of excitement tinged with danger.   Cabaret and burlesque performer Lilly Loca and a well- known Auckland chef who asks to be referred to be only as Wylie D are aiming to recreate some of that feeling on K’ Road with the establishment of club Whisper150 this month.

In the spirit of speakeasies, we can’t disclose where Whisper 150 will be located, except to say its name holds a clue and that patrons are being promised ‘a high class good time replete with gourmet food, classic cocktails and drinks along with fabulous entertainment’ on a fortnightly basis.

“We want to bring back the exuberant lavish and ritzy times of the 1920’s to the heart of the Auckland’s CBD”, says Lilly. 

The rules relating to Whisper 150 including dress code, location, ticket and etiquette details for the evening, can only be obtained when patrons officially join the club by liking it on Facebook.  (Shssh, pass it on!)