Ambrosial food in a serene setting: The Lake House

A gateway to the best of local produce, wines, and hospitality, this ambient lakeside restaurant, bar, and venue is a treat for all the senses. Nestled gracefully on the tranquil shores of Lake Hood, The Lake House Restaurant stands as a testament to nature’s harmony and to culinary excellence. Its prime location on […]

Events made easy: No. 4 Bar

Searching for a suitable space for a function can sometimes be the most time-consuming and taxing part of organising an event. What’s needed is somewhere that has both the flexibility to accommodate groups of different sizes and delivers delicious food that makes a function memorable for all the right reasons. The search can […]

Grilled Prawns with Miso Butter: United Fisheries

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 10 mins What you need: 500g Sea Cuisine Raw Prawn Cutlets (defrosted) 2 Tbsp Butter (melted) 3 tsp Miso paste 1 Tbsp Mirin 2 Tbsp Japanese sake (optional) 1 tspFresh ginger (grated) Garnish: toasted sesame seeds, spring onion, chilli flakes What to do:  In a large […]

Tasty artisan meats: Value Plus Meats

From paddock to plate, grass-fed, ethically produced and processed by on-site butchers – top quality meat does not get better than this. You would expect to pay a premium for such artisan products, however the meat from Glendhu Farm in North Canterbury comes direct to you at affordable prices as there’s no middleman […]

Country escape: Route 72 Cafe Bar & Emporium

A trip out to the country for brunch or lunch is a wonderful respite and tonic away from the daily grind of the city. When that brunch or lunch is combined with some fabulous shopping, the recuperative therapy is complete. Route 72 Cafe Bar Emporium in Cust Village does indeed combine the best […]

Delicious edibles: Naturally Delicious

Being disqualified from your first cake baking competition aged eight because the judges simply didn’t believe you could make something so good, might deter many a budding baker from ever picking up a whisk again. Not so Michael Johnson. Michael says he wasn’t very good at school, but his skills kicked in when […]

Fabulous figs

Autumn’s cooler temperatures and shorter days are a signal to fruits such as feijoas, figs, grapes, pears, and quinces, to ripen. Plump, soft, and naturally sweet, figs are believed to have several health benefits, including as a source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin K, and helping to relieve constipation. On the downside, dried […]

Rich and indulgent: Japanz Bakery

It doesn’t get much better than fresh quality-baked eats. From sweet treats to savoury snacks and everything in between, bakeries deliver the goods to get your tastebuds excited. As far as amazing bakeries go, you can’t go past Japanz Bakery at South City Shopping Centre. Operating in Christchurch for almost 20 years, they […]

Break out the bowls

Warming, nourishing, and comforting, soup might almost be the perfect meal. At home, work, and even exploring Canterbury’s great outdoors, soup is a highly versatile meal, making it great for any weather, and particularly welcoming during autumn and winter. Soup makes excellent use of leftovers, and can be cooked in large batches and […]

Something fun, something new: Riverside Kitchen

A wedding is often not simply about the marriage ceremony itself. Many events before and after the big day contribute to creating the memories couples talk about for years to come. Everything needs to be just right. The hen party is one such event. Bridesmaids can experience stress when planning and thinking of […]