Cafe review: Once Strangers, Upper Symonds St

Saturday's lunch: bulgogi beef burger and pear and walnut waffles

The story behind this cafe is a unique and personal one. Emily and Aaron, the owners, are now engaged, but previously they were once strangers who got to know each other at a cafe. Their vision for their newly established eatery, appropriately named  'Once Strangers', was to create a social place; a space to talk, eat and enjoy each other's company over affordable meals. Every element you see has a story behind in; the menus, logo, table numbers, the feature wall.

Conveniently located in front of the bus stop on Symonds Street where Mt Eden Road and Khyber Pass Road buses converge (next to Gina's Italian restaurant) the cafe greets you with a welcoming airy glass frontage. The interior is bright and fresh, bustling on a Saturday afternoon.

The menu is one of those menus that you could spend 20 minutes trying to decide. Because, ooh the waffles! But ooh soft baked eggs? Yum I love pork belly. But the bulgogi beef burger...

Breakfast waffles; bacon, grilled banana, whipped cream and maple syrup $15

I love waffles. Not many cafes serve them, usually brunch menus only extend to pancakes and french toast. But there are two sweet waffle options and a savoury one here!

Pear & walnut waffles served with poached pear, walnut crumble,
whipped cream and caramel drizzle $14

It tasted as good as it looks. The waffles were the perfect texture; not crunchy and not chewy, the right crisp and fluffiness. My friend loved the poached pear and I loved the biscuit flavor of the walnut crumble although I prefer the bacon less crispy with the savoury option.

Pork belly bao bun with pear coleslaw $18.50

Bao is a Chinese style steamed bun that is ever so slightly sweet but the combination is delectable when filled with meat, vegetables and asian style seasoning. Once Strangers did it just right; soft and not at all dry. There are two options for order: spicy, stir-fried thin sliced pork belly or honey balsamic thick pork belly. For those of you undecided you can get one of each for $18.50 or a single one for $9.50. We were one of the undecided ones.

I have to say I'm not keen on pork but my friend who ordered it is, and he says the best one is the honey balsamic because it had a hint of sweetness that complemented the savoury pork flavor.

You know the food is good when you look up and there, across the table, is your friend eating with his eyes closed.

Bulgogi marinated beef patty, housemade potato rosti,
caramelised onion in a brioche bun with fries $18

The king meal for the hungry: bulgogi beef burger. The bulgogi beef is a korean BBQ style tangy sauce. It tasted absolutely amazing. The potato rosti (hash) was tasty and paired well with the caramelised onion and bulgogi flavor. It was a massive burger that you'll regret not finishing later. The fries were crispy and came with aioli (slightly too lemony, I thought). This burger is a definite winner and I'd recommend it without hesitation if you come here.

They had an extensive drinks selection, from acai smoothie to Vietnamese iced coffee. It's worth coming here even if you're not ordering food. They have affogato and a Kohu Road ice cream cabinet which you can buy in scoop or make into a milkshake. My friend is a coffee snob so when he says the coffee is good; the coffee must be good.

Kohu Road ice cream

Once Strangers' menu is their strength. There is a lot of variety that I imagine would satisfy almost everyone. Not too much variety in their cabinet mealwise, although the sweet slices looked unique and tempting paired with a coffee.

Cabinet food selection

What makes this cafe unique is their personalised touches.

The table numbers are made up of people's names who helped made the cafe what it is.

There are packs of personally made conversation cards on every table; blue to break the ice and pink for "date conversations". Or if you're here alone, there is free wifi!




Both my friends have said they want to make a second visit. With a menu variety like this and the quality of food we've had, I'm keen to go again.

This is the place to go for your next brunch/ date.

Signed,

Elisa


Menu below taken from their Facebook page. Eat off each others' plates like I did if you can't decide what to order :p

Once Strangers
159 Symonds Street,
Eden Terrace
Auckland
HOURS | Tues - Fri 7-3pm, Sat 9-4pm

$12 Steak Nights

On Wednesdays after 6.30pm at The Spotted Pig, they have $12 steaks.
And excellent steak too.

Sirloin with bacon, mashed potatoes, mushroom and all that green stuff.

Very good portion.

My medium well steak was tender, the jus was tasty, the bacon added an extra saltiness and crisp texture to the dish.

And then there's dessert...

This is donuts with mandarin parfait and edible flowers $9

Dark chocolate tart with poached black berries and mascarpone

Pannacotta with black berries

All $9

Everything was delicious.

They also have pub quiz alongside their $12 steak nights on Wednesdays.

I've been twice and lost twice.

On Thursdays it's beef/ chicken schnitzel for $12. Lets go?

The Spotted Pig

224 Symonds St, Eden Terrace

just before the Mt Eden intersection, next to the carpark

Mon-Sun 11am- late

And to conclude,

This is the closest I'd get to eating lamb.

Because you shouldn't eat cute animals.

But cows are okay cause they're big ang there's lots of them.

And they're $12 on Wednesdays

Signed,

Elisa

Fed Deli brunch

We're just three girls who love God and that's how our paths crossed.
One day in 2013 I met one of them and realised that she lives next door to me and then over the years figured out that we both #loveleo.
I met the other girl... I can't quite remember when. The first time I remember talking to her was when I was waiting at the bus stop after dessert at Milse and she had just finished work at Cafe Hanoi. That was when she started dating my 'lil bro' and I was asking her about it and if he gave her flowers.
Because flowers, no matter the impracticality or lack of function they have, are a great gesture of affections. The most nature-al thing to show your natural feelings.

Anyway, I had been wanting to go back to the Fed for brunch ever since someone asked if I had had their griddle cakes. Last time I went for dinner, it was delicious and I loved the diner atmosphere. So I went back and took ma two gurls with me.

Their website describes it as an "old school New York Jewish deli". Pretty American, that's my take on it.

It's right on Federal Street, where the entrance to the Skytower is. We watched a number of bungee jumpers risk their lives for twenty seconds of adrenalin. Not for us, we thought.

An iced coffee for me, because they don't do espresso; they only have filter. Worth noting that it is bottomless filter! 

Iced coffee was nothing special, although I do like this style more than a frappe.

For the full menu, click here

Morning Glory; breakfast salad with portabello mushroom, haloumi, poached egg and dukkah $18

Griddle cakes; blueberry pancakes with cinnamon butter and nutty crunch $18

Turkey on rye; with cranberry, walnuts, smoked cheese and apple $15

Not bad, a little on the pricey side than most nice cafes. But we enjoyed catching up with each other.

And to conclude,

Here is my latest artwork; Tintin's first meeting with Captain Haddock. Taken from The Crab with the Golden Claws.

Signed,

Elisa

A little bit about comfort food: macaroni and cheese

This is Jamie Oliver's recipe for the classic mac and cheese in which he uses bay leaves and worchestershire sauce. I thought it sounded quite interesting so I gave it a go!

Quite simple, and you can add veges or meat to it according to your preference. I added a chopped up slice of leftover roast beef from dinner. I thought I had breadcrumbs but didn't, so I just went with a parmesan cheese topping.

Macaroni and Cheese

Pasta, doesn't have to be macaroni

20 gr butter

1 Tbsp flour

2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced

1 bay leaf

1 cup milk

Grated cheese

Thyme

Worchestershire sauce

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Breadcrumbs

Parmesan cheese

1. Boil the pasta.

2. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter.

3. Add the flour and stir until it forms a paste.

4. Add the finely sliced garlic and bay leaf.

5. Whisk in the milk a little at a time. 

6. Bring the sauce to a boil, until it thickens. You want it to be slightly on the watery side because it will thicken up more in the oven.

7. Take the pan off the heat and remove the bay leaf. Add as much grated cheese as you like and melt it in.

8. Add thyme and nutmeg, season it well and add a splash of worchestershire sauce.

9. Pour into an ovenproof dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese over top.

10. Bake at 220 C for 20 minutes.

I modified the recipe so it serves 2. Or actually 1 cause it was delicious.

Comfort food.

And to conclude,

If, in your teenage years you read all 4 books of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, the you must. must. read this final one. It is happy. And it is sad.

Signed,

Elisa

Breakfast in Town Basin

I lived in Whangarei, did you know that?
I moved to a boarding school in Auckland in year 10 and prior to that I lived in Whangarei...

We went to a cafe for breakfast in the iconic Town Basin- being tourists in our hometown.

There were vintage cars on display, cute.

We went to Riverside Cafe...

I got a key lime cake to takeaway for morning tea later that day. It was pretty average... Looked and sounded better than it tasted. The chai latte was great though.

But the bacon and egg croissant with relish was SO AMAZIIING!!
I skipped lunch because I was still full from this. It was perfectly toasted and delicious.

Papa had the french toast, and the bread was so good.

Mama had the pancake stack with bacon and fruits. It was alright, my croissant was definitely better.

This is the outdoor seating. The checkerboard used to have chess pieces on it, so you could play lifesized chess.

Sailboats...



And to conclude,

I am going to start ballet again!

I did it last year (or maybe even the year before) with MEBA, but with my class at 10am on tuesday, I am going to do a lunchtime one with City Dance!

Join me?
http://www.citydance.co.nz/timetable2.htm

Monday 12.30pm

Signed,
Elisa

A little bit about nacho crumbed chicken

I got given a huge bag of corn chips- like a school camp sized one.

After snacking on them at uni and eating 4 meals of nachos, there was still a third of the bag left!!

So I googled 'meals with corn chips' and it came up with a recipe that uses corn chips as a crumb coating for chicken!

I made it for dinner tonight and it was actually DELICIOUS!

I like the crunchy texture, the cheese sprinkled on top and the mayo sauce that keeps the chicken tasty and not dry.

Corn chips make great crumb coating.

Nacho crumbed chicken

some corn chips (maybe half a bag)

1 cup grated cheese

1 cup mayonaisse

1 tsp onion salt (or garlic salt/ chicken salt, anything that will give it a salty flavor)

1 tsp paprika powder (or peri peri, anything that will give it a nice zing)

2 tsp lime juice

500 gr skinless boneless chicken breast

1. Crush the corn chips. You can do this by putting it in the food processor for fine crumbs, but I just bashed it with a rolling pin.
2. Combine in a bowl with the grated cheese.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together mayo, onion salt, paprika and lime juice.
4. Slice chicken breast pieces to portion sizes.
5. Dunk chicken piece in mayo bowl and coat thoroughly with chips. The easiest way to do this is using tongs.
6. Place on a lined tray and bake at 180C for 25 mins, or until the chicken is cooked and not pink.

Serve immediately with salad and potatoes.

I also had garlic bread with this, it was still in the oven when I took the photo.
Oh and I had another piece of chicken beacuse it was just SO GOOD!!!


And to conclude,

I'm contemplating subscribing to GoodieBox! Not only do I enjoy baking, I also love doing makeup as a way to be creative and work with colors.
GoodieBox is a monthly box you receive with 5 'deluxe sized' beauty samples in it- it could be cosmetics, hair care, food- for $25 a month plus $5 shipping.

Do you think it's worth it? Is anyone a subscriber? Let me know!! I'm planning on subscribing next month after I move in to my new house.

Signed,
Elisa

Twenty One

I turned 21 on 9th October. And I felt very very loved and special all day Wednesday!

I woke up to birthday Snapchats, including this gorgeous one...

thanks kiki <3


Lauren took me out to dinner!

We went to Atico Cocina
A very nice, chilled, comfortable and open South American restaurant at Victoria Park.

Their website is here including their menu and info on function room

The restaurant was one big open room. Brightly decorated, with couches and even a swing seat in the corner and a large bar in the centre.

 

Our drinks yea! Can't remember what they were called but it was real delicious cocktails.
Sweet and a bit on the strong side
My first cocktail!

Jamaican chicken jerk.
Jerk chicken breast, creole okra, plantain chips with fennel and pineapple slaw.

This is what I had and I tell you, the chips were AMAZING.
Where can I get some more??

I just looked up what plantain was: it is actually a fruit! That looks almost exactly like a banana but does not taste like it at all. So good...
The chicken was spicy however, but it was very tender and oh so juicy.

Lauren's roast pork fillet; Filete de cerdo dulce, the signature dish.
With chorizo stuffing, chilli apple glaze, cassava puree, pico de gallo and watercress.
Again, delicious.

We then went to dessert night with the 2013/ 2014 committed student leaders of Auckland Studentlife.

White choc mudcake, caramel latte and Henry Yeah's strawberry sponge cake.

We each got given a book wrapped in ribbon... and ended up being wrapped in the ribbon ourselves

And I came home to this!! 21 things from my long-time friend, Hayley
It came in a massive box of parcel, gift wrapped and in a NAUTICAL box!!
Lotions, NAUTICAL napkins, chocolate, cupcake lip gloss, notepad, tissue pack, teddy bear and the first key on a bracelet!

Thank you so much

Our little neighbours popped by today and gave me a little gift too!
Purple party eyeshadow and body butter.

A delicate handkerchief all the way from Whangarei

However the first gift of the day was this.
Hand delivered by a man in a formal wear who waited for me at my bus stop
I've wanted this perfume for a while! I LOVE THE SMELL
Thank you... <3

What a beautiful card! Witha  rhyming poem inside too!
I was just looking at those notebooks yesterday!! And I was searching for a day planner yesterday too! Perfect.

Cake tester, sprinkles and cookie cutters <3
Thank you

So sweet and so thoughtful! Thank you

I made Abby write in it too and she was self conscious that her handwriting would spoil the book...
I think her handwriting looks like the printed font.

Along with the Moschino perfume, it came with samples. I thought it was funny; Taylor gave me 'Taylor' by Taylor Swift.

Most surprising: Secret Blessings.
I got told by Abby to go to the locker, and I found these!!
I was so excited when I saw the Lush packet and SO SURPRISED when she got me what I had been wanting since the start of the year! Lip scrub!
Cause after radiation, my mouth and lips go dry really quickly, but I tell you I've used the scrub twice already (tastes so good) and it makes your lips supple and soft.

Can't wait to scoff those macarons as well. I've only ever had the cappuccino ones and they are gooood.

Thank you Secret Blessings. You know who you are (I don't!)

At our group meeting, I was greeted by my engineering boys with sour skittles and Bueno.
How did you guys know Bueno is my favorite chocolate?!
Aww <3 so touched

My long time friend delivered this to my mailbox with a hilarious card that had all the stuff we bonded over during Year 12/ 13 ... dear me

I love... Kikki K!

My family gave me a printed photo album! So nice. I'll show you some time

My brother made me breakfast/ brunch!

 They were nice waffles, even if it did take him an hour to make and he had to wake me up to ask why the mixture was lumpy and if the egg whites were stiff enough :p hahahaha learning curve

And then I heard a "YAAAY" and the first waffle was served!

A couple of you have been asking about the whipped peanut butter.
Thank you Nina for recommending it to me!! It is light, not sticky, slightly denser texture than whipped cream and most importantly doesn't get stuck on the top of your mouth.
I got it from Countdown!

And then Google gave me a birthday greeting ;)


And to conclude,

I am getting an external flash for my Canon 600D courtesy of the parentals
If you have tips on what to purchase/ where to purchase an entry-level flash, let me know please!!

Signed,
Elisa