Food Review – Extract Espresso, 1/190 Main Road, Kumeu

I have tried most coffee stops between Muriwai via West Harbour to Albany on my daily trip to work, varying stops each day depending where my mood takes me. That has changed since discovering Extract Espresso in Kumeu which has now become my only daily coffee stop.

At Extract a large flat white still means lots of flavour, not just extra milk. The Supreme Boxer coffee bean they use offers a good rich malty coffee kick while keeping it smooth. But it’s not all in the bean, great coffee has to be attributed to the Barista and the calm and caring approach that is so obvious at Extract Espresso certainly reflects in the end result with every cup.

As well as excellent coffee there are always daily fresh and often warm from the oven scones, almond croissants, muffins and my favourite cinnamon brioche scrolls. They also have a small but well selected breakfast/brunch menu which I have not yet tried but watch in envy as the plates pass me while waiting for my coffee in the morning.

The café is spacious and bright with a relaxed atmosphere, offering a wide variety of magazine to read suggesting that you would be welcome to wile away a few hours here without anyone minding. So if you haven’t yet found Extract and love your coffee do pop by, they’re next to the VTNZ building.

Opening Hours: Mon – Friday 07.00 – 15:30. Saturday’s 08:00 – 14:00

– Allison Pirrie Mawer

Thai Taste Huapai and Elvis Presley

What does Elvis have to do with Thai food I hear you say? Well for those of you who have not yet eaten at Thai Taste in Kumeu I’m about to tell you. 

After nine holes of golf on a Friday evening, four very hungry people dashed to Dante’s for pizza, unfortunately they had  had a busy evening and were out of dough and we needed an alternative plan quick. We decided on the Thai restaurant directly opposite and hoped they were still serving since it was fast approaching 9pm. 

Eating Out – Review

Porcini Café Bistro & Pizzeria

5th June 25 Commercial Road, Helensville. Ph: 420 8025

It was a wet Queen’s Birthday weekend and unusually our ‘foodie’ friends all found themselves with no major plans for the long weekend. This called for a group dinner but rather than trekking into town we decided to try Porcini in Helensville since we had heard along the grapevine that it was getting rave reviews.

It was Saturday evening, we dolled ourselves up knowing we would possibly stick out like part of a dogs anatomy in Helensville and headed up North with mixed expectations of what was to come.

We opened the restaurant door to a very welcoming smell of food being lavishly cooked in garlic. There was a cosy European style bistro atmosphere that gave off a vibe of punters really enjoying their evening.

Eating Out – Review

Lombardi Cafe & Deli 
61 Brigham Creek Rd
Whenuapai

August 2010

I have to confess, this is my ‘pit stop’ on the way to work every day, somehow I seemed to manage without coffee before Lombardi’s opened in May 2010 but now I find it difficult to drive by without popping in for the perfectly made flat white and a date scone fresh out of the oven at 7.30am!

Lombardi’s is located where Peas in The Pod used to be. Thankfully the premises has been taken over by people who believe in offering original, fresh, inspiring food rather than the regular processed variety sold not so far away. They have done a great job refitting the café giving it a light, modern look and staffing it with a welcoming team who have that barrister gift of remember everyone’s coffee preference.