Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Social Retail

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  • Julian Melville,

    There aren't any good little wine shops anywhere near me, so I'll give big props to New World Birkenhead for having a bloody fantastic, ever-changing beer selection (La Trappe in the pottery bottles, anyone?) and Ashore in Birkenhead also keep a great selection of NZ beers in stock.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 200 posts Report

  • Simon Grigg,

    At least you lot can get drinkable wine without taking out a bank loan.....I'd murder for a decent glass of pinot gris at a civilized price.......

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report

  • barnaclebarnes,

    So maybe Princeton, NJ is a little far to go but The Corkscrew is one great wine shop. Laurent the owner is French and loves his rugby so much that after going back the shop after having left Princeton 2 years earlier the first thing he did was gloat about France beating the All Blacks in the World Cup Semi's.

    Oh, and his wine knowledge is second to none (our whites are good, reds are s#$t).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 90 posts Report

  • Andre,

    I think Glengarry still have the best range in the most places and they are competing on price with the supermarkets a bit now too. I went in and spotted a La Strada Pinot for $10.25 down from over $20 last week for example. And they've just re-launched their website last week as well. I go there for great quality wines and whisky. I quite like the fact that they don't sell cigarettes or Woodstock and their staff are knowledgable. For our company Xmas party we did a tasting in their cellar at the Jervois Rd store - great value. No charge for the space, just the product we were drinking and great nibbles delivered from Didas next door.
    I buy inexpensive but great quaffing wine by the case from Liquor Box Wines - 0800 call4wine (2255494) or greg@liquorboxwine.co.nz. Their website will be up soon. I just got a case of Waiheke red for $100. We got a case of Cable Bay last year for $140 for example (about half price) - it's re-labelled but the corks said "Cable Bay". It's $67 a bottle at a restaurant!

    New Zealand • Since May 2009 • 371 posts Report

  • Amy Gale,

    - Willis St Lunch Cafe, home of the Cheese Puff.

    Always interested in a new baked good, me, and always interested in a new vehicle for cheese. What are the points of similarity/difference between a cheese puff and a cheese drop scone?

    tha Ith • Since May 2007 • 471 posts Report

  • uroskin,

    I live a guilt-less existence on Waiheke Island (feel free to express your envy) where I can buy Waiheke wine either at the Waiheke supermarket, Waiheke wineshops or even straight from the winery at the local vineyards, where you can taste them before you buy. It supports all local business and workers.
    It's called terroir living: low food miles + high quality produce and advice = the good life.

    Waiheke Island • Since Feb 2007 • 178 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I quite like the fact that they don't sell cigarettes or Woodstock and their staff are knowledgable.

    Amen. And welcome into the light, brother. No more lurking.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Andre,

    Moore Wilson is the best. I used to live in Waikanae and would drive into Wgtn every weekend to spoil myself rotten at Moore Wilson. You could get the best of the local producers all under one roof. A coffee on arrival from Havana or L'Affare. Fresh fruit and veges, Clearview Meats. Aro St Bakery. Cook Strait Seafoods. A florist. Kapiti Cheese. And then you could go next door to Gilmours-style bulk everything, including alcohol and then pop upstairs for housewares and toys and books. And they have a cooking school and creche. It's definitely the best in NZ. If I was feeling really good I'd go for broke and have brunch at Caffe L'Affare over the road first. Divine!

    New Zealand • Since May 2009 • 371 posts Report

  • Andre,

    Hi Sacha! Rofflenui to you too..

    New Zealand • Since May 2009 • 371 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I can buy Waiheke wine either at the Waiheke supermarket,

    And you're positive the wine doesn't go to a South Auckland warehouse and back before hitting the shelves?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Jacob Powell,

    My local is the amusingly named Don Johnson's or DJs as I like to call it. Ben and the crew there are very friendly, down to earth guys and they have a pretty good range with plenty of not so usual bottles. Ben also has a penchant for opening really interesting bottles for tasting with his regular clientele - even for (un)fortunate souls like myself who have a budget well out of step with their palate.

    I generally get my deals via emailers from Caro's in Parnell or FWDC on Cook St in the CBD. I also grab the odd bottle from the local Pak'n'Save when I'm feeling the pinch and feel a little sad about it.

    Just popping into Caro's this afternoon for some 2007 vintage Te Mata Estate deals on the way to a physio appointment: $26.99 Elston chardy, $26.99 Awatea Cab/Mer, $34.99 Bullnose Syrah - will be good for the birthday party I'm heading to on the weekend!

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 23 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    What are the points of similarity/difference between a cheese puff and a cheese drop scone?

    I am sadly not yet familiar with the cheese drop scone. But I am willing to become so.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Richard C,

    And you're positive the wine doesn't go to a South Auckland warehouse and back before hitting the shelves?

    Given the shelving shambles for which Woolies is justifiably famous, I'd say that's a fair question...

    Waiheke Island • Since Oct 2007 • 27 posts Report

  • Paul Campbell,

    BTW we've been done very well by over the past few years by Corporate Direct who are now winesale.co.nz order it in the morning and it shows up on our doorstep - we tedn to buy an assortment every month or so and when we find something we like a case or half case (like Russell I have no interest in them other than as a happy customer)

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report

  • Rickai,

    Don Johnson's is brilliant - even though the actual Don passed away a couple of years ago RIP. He used to have the best (and sometimes most random) selection of champagnes and sherries. "Cornering a niche market" he used to say...

    Since Jan 2007 • 47 posts Report

  • Stuart Coats,

    I don't count Morre Wilson's as a "local" - while it has excellent stuff shopping there is not a leisurely, pleasant experience.
    If you're in Welli take a trip south and go to the Island Bay butcher. Especially if you want a terrific sausage. The supermarket across the road has a an excellent range of beer, as you'd expect given that the owner is the guy who makes Bennett's!
    And I just splashed out and bought a suit at Mandatory. Totally worth it just to have the help of their staff.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 192 posts Report

  • Rickai,

    I once had Murray Crane measure me for a suit. It was a horrible experience.

    I also like Kingsland Liquor (by the Gull). Pretty basic stuff but cheap and a good selection. They do sell subourbon RTDs too on the (very) odd occasion I feel like a sugar hit.

    Since Jan 2007 • 47 posts Report

  • dc_red,

    Regarding the status of another recreational drug that can be purchased in generally not-so-cheerful suburban locations, it looks like the ALCP candidate for Mt Albert is having a tough time of it.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart,

    What are the points of similarity/difference between a cheese puff and a cheese drop scone?

    Stephen, Amy: you haven't lived until you've had a Southland cheese roll (recipe posted on request).

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd,

    Carol: if there is one thing PA System is crying out for, it's reader recipes. Go to it, I say.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand,

    if there is one thing PA System is crying out for, it's reader recipes.

    Good suggestion. Some ideas on how to deal with the on-going feijoa glut would be welcome--but not chutney, as we still have chutney from 3 years back!

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart,

    OK Stephen, coming at ya. These are BIG in Southland.

    Cheese Rolls

    1 tin reduced cream
    1 packet onion dip
    300g cheese, grated
    1tsp mustard powder
    1 small minced onion
    White pepper
    Butter
    Thin sliced white bread

    Make dip, add cheese, mustard and pepper.
    Butter bread, spread 2/3 of the unbuttered side with cheese mixture. Roll up, from the cheese side to the uncheese side. Keep covered with a damp tea towel if not baking immediately.
    Bake 180ÂșC 12-15min.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    Moore Wilson is the best. I used to live in Waikanae and would drive into Wgtn every weekend to spoil myself rotten at Moore Wilson. You could get the best of the local producers all under one roof.

    Conveniently, they have a branch in the semi-industrial no-man's-land between Porirua and Tawa. Not quite as extensive as the main shop in town, but quite a bit closer to Waikanae. I was in there this morning. But the Fresh in town is heaps better, especially since they remodelled.

    Generally, I find the supermarkets are cheaper for wine and stuff, but still go to MW for the cashew nuts, dried apricots and whatnot, and the imported special ingredients that our burgeoning stack of cookbooks calls for.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Some ideas on how to deal with the on-going feijoa glut would be welcome--but not chutney, as we still have chutney from 3 years back!

    Send them to me. They're freakin' expensive and don't grow well down here.

    (apparently they can be frozen as pulp if you're going to be greedy and keep to self)

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Joanna,

    Good suggestion. Some ideas on how to deal with the on-going feijoa glut would be welcome--but not chutney, as we still have chutney from 3 years back!

    Put them in the blender with a couple of handfulls of icecubes, the juice of a fresh lime or two, a splash of sugar syrup depending on how sweet your palatte is, and a couple of glugs of either white rum or tequilla. Blend, drink, make some more.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 746 posts Report

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