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On occasion we will venture outside Ponsonby (VOP) and in this instance it was for a family dinner last night. I’m a bit into French things at the moment and in fact this time next week we’ll be in Paris, but more about that later.

Elizabeth & Mike have done a fine job with the whole concept of La Cigale (over in Parnell) and we chose to attend a dinner performance. Great concept where you order your mains when you book. Our night it was rotisserie chicken or La Cigale’s version of cassolet. Our table of 8 were not very adventurous and went chicken 6 v cassolet 2 but on the night one switched to the cassolet. Another great feature is they cater for large tables/parties of 8 or 10 – there has to be 7 or 8 of the large tables.

Great big tables for family occasions

It’s like sitting in a large French market and you can shop while you wait – there’s an impressive range of (French) wines on sale (to drink in or takeaway).Entrée was choice of two: Seasonal platter 6 v snails 2 (the snails were yummy)

Try them, you’ll love them

The mains choice was La Cigale’s take on the traditional cassolet with duck, pork and Toulouse sausage (good place to try it for the first time) or rotisserie chicken with stuffing served with jus and a lovely garlic aioli.

And the puddings were sticky fig & date pudding with butterscotch sauce or white chocolate & ricotta. The fig was a “crunchy” addition to the trad. sdp – I really enjoyed it.

Forgot to take the photo before tucking in – so scrummy

So the venturing outside Ponsonby was well worth the effort. I love the authentique French feel of La Cigale. Give it a go and make sure you try the snails. www.lacigale.co.nz

And by the way, Deb & I are off to London this Sunday and our travels will include a week in Paris. So I’ll be blogging from sunny Europe with a bit of luck!!

Popped into Dizengoff for a late afternoon tea! As you can see Troy, Mark & Anita were on duty – well Troy anyway haha. This is one of my favourite cafés in the whole world.

Troy (working), Mark (working!!), Anita (texting)

When I was here a couple of weeks ago I was sitting outside and took a photo that shows a great late afternoon winter sky – so blue. I thought the photo was quite good considering I took it on my iPhone.

Sitting outside – a great late afternoon winter sky – amazing blue

I am a bit of a regular at Diz, often with Oli who is 3 and a half. The fantastic staff are very accommodating and tolerant of us both. Oli keeps himself reasonably occupied but I was thinking of keeping a colouring book under the counter for when he gets a bit restless. Jackie tends to be in charge of child care.

Today however it was just me, a yummy cake and the usual excellent coffee.

Awesome rhubarb, coconut & lemon cakette, great coffee

Life is good

If you’ve been into the Z Ponsonby service station on Williamson Avenue lately you’ll notice one thing you don’t get from any other service station around here – forecourt service. I’m barely out of the car before an attendant is waiting with smile on face and nozzle in hand. It actually gives you quite a buzz. I make an effort to get my petrol there. Well done Z Ponsonby. 

I see GPK is no more. It’s been an institution on Ponsonby Road forever. We’ve been there heaps of times over the years and it was a great place for families. I remember when their chicken burger & fries was $12.95 (last price was over $20)!! Great pizzas and the kitchen stayed open late so you could get a meal after 10 o’clock – which is something of a rarity. We’ll miss GPK.

It’s been re-incarnated as Mekong Baby so we’ll be off to give it a go soon. Will keep you posted.

La Cantine du Torchon   Thurs June 13^th 2013

My daughter Rebecca and I had dinner at this wonderful French bistrot tonight. The place was full when we arrived at 8.15pm but we sat up at the bar for our meal. Being a Thursday night French Toast were playing. They are a trio made up of the renowned chanteuse Linn Lorkin with Hersh and Peter on accordion & bass respectively. They added considerable authenticity. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was fantastic. I had the snails – so yummy, my daughter the French onion soup – delicious. We both could not resist the Boeuf Bourguignon – divine. We almost didn’t have dessert until we spied “le café gourmand” – a trio of mini desserts – crème brulee, chocolate mousse and a crepe plus an espresso and two spoons! Superb and very reasonably priced at $10.50. In fact the prices overall are very reasonable. Just over $100 for the two of us. A glass of excellent Bourgogne Pinot Noir for me and a Bordeaux Merlot for Rebecca completed a fantastic meal. Authentic Paris on our doorstep. The food, wonderful staff, ambience and great music combined to provide a memorable evening. Go there. You’ll love it.

Escargots & French Onion soup at La cantine

Friday May 3rd 2013. We went to dinner at the new Late Night Diner on Ponsonby Road. Had heard good things and we’re always interested in seeing how these new “trendy” eateries handle us oldies (over 60!!). The diner was fairly full when we arrived (without a booking – not sure whether they take them!) and after a bit of initial confusion about seating we ended up quite satisfactorily placed at the counter stools to the left when you enter – with a view out the window into the entrance to Ponsonby Social Club with a parade of friday night revellers.

Menus and water arrived promptly, waiting staff were attentive and helpful. we had the bacon balls and fish pieces as entrees (yummy) and the bacon & cheese burger & fish pie for mains (both yummy). The fish pie is just that so next time we’ll have a salad side. Only very small negative – the chips with the burger were luke warm.

Overall we thought – really good for what it is – reminded us a bit of the old D72 in Dominion Rd. Reasonably priced, good service (even for us oldies) and a good dose of 70s music to go with it all. We’ll be back.