Travel Reference
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vours rather than resorting to a bland melange. And great puddings. Cavernous interior
with floorboards and refreshingly little gold/crimson/mirror festoonery.
Drawing Room
MODERN NZ, FRENCH $$$
$$$
OFFLINE MAP
( 07-575 0096;
www.thedrawingroom-nz.tumblr.com
;
107 Maunganui Rd; mains $34; 6pm-
late Mon-Sat Apr-Oct, 3pm-late daily Nov-Mar)
This outstanding new Frenchy food room fills a
niche: upmarket but totally unpretentious, with a commitment to local produce and local
art (the window mural changes monthly). Design-wise it's leather banquettes and timber
floorboards; booze-wise it's NZ craft beers, single malts and an inspired selection of Ki-
wi and French wines. Order the pan-fried scallops, and leave room for a secret dessert!
Mount Bistro
MODERN NZ $$$
$$$
( 07-575 3872;
www.mountbistro.co.nz
;
6 Adams Ave; mains $26-64; 5.30-9pm Tue-Sun)
The
buttermilk-coloured Mount Bistro, an unpretentious fine-dining experience at the foot of
Mauao, is onto a good thing: quality local meats (fish, lamb, beef, crayfish, chicken,
duck) creatively worked into classic dishes (lamb shanks, seafood chowder) and served
with élan. Makes for a classy night out.
Drinking & Entertainment
Major Tom's
BAR, LIVE MUSIC
(
www.majortomsbar.com
;
297 Maunganui Rd; 4-11pm Sun-Tue, 5-11pm Wed & Thu, 4pm-1am Fri &
Sat)
A funky little bar set back from the main drag in what looks like Major Tom's space-
ship. Inside it's all kooky antiques, vintage couches, dangling inverted desk lamps and
prints of Elvis, the
Mona Lisa
and (of course) David Bowie. Fabulous streetside terrace,
cool tunes, free wi-fi and occasional live acts. Everybody sing: 'Planet Earth is blue, and
there's nothing I can do…'
Astrolabe
PUB
( 07-574 8155;
www.astrolabe.co.nz
; 82 Maunganui Rd; 10am-1am)
Run by Mac's brewery,
Astrolabe conjures up a funky-retro 'bach' vibe, with floral carpet, bookshelves jammed
with old novels, beach umbrellas, battered suitcases and vintage placemats. If all that
