For our pal Gwen, who loves interiors. Can't say enough about Barclay Suites Auckland, with tiny balconies that open for fresh air in both the bedroom and the living area...even in this smaller apartment.
The combo washer-dryer at right is a better concept than actual product. Suffice to say I've met many helpful (or trying to be helpful--I think instead of drying our current load is washing again) housekeeping staff in our combined effort to use it.
Same-sized, nicely laid out kitchen (and you know how I feel about the kitchen).
After moving up to 18, returning to the large grocery, and having a good hike back with provisions, it was time to investigate Food Alley, just a few blocks down Albert Street.
The Food Pornographer does a good job of describing it (his pictures are worth a peek too):
It was Elle of The Big Foody Auckland Tastebud Tour who told us about Food Alley, Auckland’s largest Asian food court. Established in 1992, it features 18 kitchens over two levels, covering Malaysian, Indonesian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Japanese, Thai, Persian, Indian and Vietnamese cuisines. The decor is simple and typical food hall: tiled floors and walls, fluorescent lights; generally functional rather than decorative, apart from a couple of red Chinese lanterns as you walk in. A sign outside proudly proclaims Food Alley as “The Centre of Authentic Asian Cuisine”, winner of Auckland’s Best Food Hall 2002, 2007 and 2008 – but the crowd and activity inside are far more impressive and enticing than signs or awards.Unassuming entry.
Through the doors, though, a literal world of Asian food choices. The clay pot place was high on my list.
Decisions, decisions.
The way it is works is first you face the daunting task of deciding on a meal. Then order, pay, and carry a number to your table, where the food is soon delivered freshly made and too hot to eat.
I admit my selection relied greatly on the quality of the establishment's photographs (though I also checked out actual food people were already eating), and these pictures seemed a little pale to me.
Drinks too. Art's chocolate milk, made in a blender with ice, was so good I had to get my own. (What, are we 12?)
I'm ordering this next time just to taste the crispy eggs.
The US dollar is still strong, a buck buying $1.33 here on this day. I just learned how to use the currency converter on my Mac air (I'm probably the last one to know) and I have done the crispy eggs w green chilli chicken conversion for you: US $8.36. You are welcome!
My chicken bento box. All chicken all the time, with a crunchy cabbage shred and carrot mash at top left augmenting our breakfast of mostly cabbage and onions in the frypan before the room move.
Art's pork teriyaki. Both arrived with a sweet little styrofoam cup of miso soup and both selections were delicious.
Glancing over at a nearby table where the adults were eating yummy Asian food and their children Happy Meals, I reminded Art about our niece Austi, who came to Chi in the 80s when she was about three years old, sat on her mama's lap at our favorite Thai place downtown, and pushed handfuls of Pad Thai (with Sriracha, if I know her mother) into her mouth, eyes dancing happy.
It took me a while to fully assimilate the mural on the wall behind our table.
It's a small world after all
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