Feijoa paste: The Villas recipe series
Feijoa season is here and if you know of a pair of healthy and productive feijoa trees, why not make the most of nature’s bounty? Delicious with cold meats and cheeses, it will keep for months once bottled. Makes 800g. Ingredients 10 ripe medium sized feijoas (about 1kg) 3 cooking apples 600mls water […]
Winter wonders: nine things guaranteed to get you out and loving Christchurch this winter
The temperatures have begun their downward descent and winter is on the seasonal horizon. But that’s no reason to hunker down at home. Without the evolutionary need to hibernate like our animal ancestry, there’s still plenty to do and see to make the most of the chilly season. Here are our top picks! […]
Riverside reinvention: Oxford Terrace comes alive again
Few developments signify the greater rebuild in the way the bars opening up along the Avon River in the central city do. Although the post-quake incarnation of ‘The Strip’ was conceptualised by Antony Gough, it was the building alongside on the corner of Oxford Terrace and Hereford Street purchased and developed by Richard […]
A spirited encounter: catching up with Glenmorangie/Ardbeg’s director of distilling and whisky creation
Interviewing the director of distilling and whisky creation from Glenmorangie/Ardbeg with the title of Dr was more than slightly intimidating but my fears were put to rest when the rumours of him being more like Dr Emett Brown from ‘Back to the Future’ were right on the money. In town for the biannual […]
Where everybody knows your name: making yourself comfortable at The Good Home in Ferrymead
Since Cheers first aired in 1982 we’ve been in search of that elusive break from all our worries, wanting to get away. We want go where everybody knows our name. Finally, thanks to Andy Laloli, owner and hands-on host of The Good Home Ferrymead, we’ve found the holy grail. Open for nine weeks, […]
Tea inspired truffles: this recipe for Dilmah earl grey tea truffles is divine
Tea is on the rise and not just to be consumed in the most traditional of ways, with tea ‘bars’ popping up globally, the increasing profile of tea cocktails and now it seems we have an increasing appetite for tea as an ingredient, adding a new dimension of taste, texture and flavour to […]
Taste of Tahini: inspiration for your culinary pleasure straight from the Mediterranean
Mediterranean fare has been catching global attention for the past few years and, although this cuisine has at its heart a myriad of geographical influences, one of its popular additions is standing out above the culinary crowd. A long standing staple of salad dressing and sauces made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds, […]
Sweet as sugar: cuisine Q&A with Jenny Ha of Laced With Sugar
Sweet versus savoury have been waging a delicious battle against each other for the longest time, recruiting devotees along the way. One of the most dedicated advocates of sugar, spice and all things nice, is Jenny Ha of Laced With Sugar. The sweet toothed cuisine Queen talks to Metropol about her recipe for […]
A rare city treasure: Villa 23 Cafe is the bright pink, Dutch, vegetarian cafe you didn’t know you needed but won’t want to live without (and it’s for sale!)
The secret is out about Villa 23 Café, New Zealand’s first and only Dutch vegetarian café with the ambient charm of a rare city treasure. Hedwig Dunbar-Keek and family have infused creativity into this gorgeous stand-alone villa. It’s now seeking a new owner, with new passions. “It’s a central location, with little competition, […]
Win with Metropol: Madam Sass Wine
We have two sassy bottles of Madam Sass to give away. Madam Sass pays homage to heroines from Central Otago’s gold rush era; gutsy women who held little regard for the establishment and relished taking risks. An enticing pinot noir full of attitude, style and extravagance, its aromas of decadent spice and sweet […]












