ALBATROSS RECOMMENDS: Foxtrot Parlour, Ponsonby Central

New Zealand's dining scene is always evolving and boasts a wide range of offerings, from cheap and cheerful to world class. Here in Auckland, there are countless options for eating and drinking out which keeps things exciting as there is always something new to try. A quick skip and a hop up from the CBD and waterfront, Ponsonby Road is one of our favourite haunts - Alba HQ has been based in Ponsonby for the last two years and over that time we've sampled and sipped our way along the Road (well someone's got to do it).

Opened at the end of 2012 Ponsonby Central groups together various food, drink and retail outlets, including award-winning Burger Burger, Bedford & Soda & Liquor (great meatballs and delicious cocktails!) and a produce market. Our latest discovery in Ponsonby Central is Foxtrot Parlour, which has all kinds of goodies for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

With a cabinet full of delicious sweet and savouries, Foxtrot also has a full menu which looks equally good - the menu Kedgeree was being carried out to another customer while I ordered and it looked mighty fine. It was almost too hard to pick, but in the end I settled on stuffed kumara and couldn't resist a freshly baked coconut bun too. The home made pies also looked delicious, something to try next time.

There is indoor and outdoor seating, and for those dining en solo there is also window bar seating, which is where I parked myself to enjoy the people watching and magazine selection. All in all a great spot for a brunch or coffee (with cake, natch) with friends or on your tod. An easy walk up from Wynyard or the Viaduct, superyacht crew should mark this one down as a winner for a casual brunch.