Overview
Isolating at home, or just feeling less than keen on rubbing shoulders with strangers in crowded restaurants right now? That's completely fair - and with over 140,000 COVID-19 cases currently around the country, you're probably not alone. Still, it's been a tough couple of years for the struggling hospitality industry and we need to support our restaurant owners and workers now more than ever.
While that's made harder with many of them closed or offering reduced hours due to chronic staff shortages, plenty of restaurants are again pivoting to the meal kits and takeaway options which once helped us get through lockdown. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion in your lounge or you just want something to lift day six of your ten day stint, here are some of our top picks for EFH (Eat From Home) options.
ODETTES AT HOME
Sure, dining at City Works Depot stalwart Odettes is a wonderful experience, thanks to its stunning interior and outdoor glasshouse dining area. But you can still enjoy their food at home with their delicious At Home Dinner Kits which come ready to feed two ($60) to four ($100) people, with the option of adding on as extra sides and beverages. Hot and ready to eat on collection, these kits take all the hard work out of dinner prep. Simply select your pickup time and choose from a delicious meat-based main — like this week's charcoal-grilled chipotle and turmeric chicken — or a vegetarian option, like salt-roasted beetroot with sriracha seeds and herb tahini. Let's be honest — you're probably not going to attempt that at home this week, sick or not.
SIGNAL HILL DINNER BOXES
Perfect for those across the bridge or those who just feel like getting out of the house for scenic drive, Signal Hill restaurant in Devonport has you covered. Not only does this light and modern eatery offer a takeaway menu, they also have a dinner box series — just give them 24 hours notice. For $55 this week you can get the spatchcock dinner for two — think ciabatta rolls, a whole spatchcock, triple cooked potatos as well as pudding. Or feed the whole fam with the lamb dinner box for four ($110) which comes with a 10 hour-braised Hawke's Bay lamb shoulder, pesto, potatoes roasted cauliflower and pudding. Vegetarian options are also available.
BARULHO HEAT 'N' EAT
Parnell's Spanish-inspired eatery began creating their range of heat and eat tapas, salads and main meals during the city's various lockdowns last year and never stopped. That's lucky for us who now need a tasty tapas option at home — their single portion boxes ($48) are available Tuesday - Saturday, and are perfect for those isolating on their lonesome. The menu changes weekly, with the dinner boxes available to order in advance, or for same day collection from 4pm. This week, you'll kick things off with woodfired flatbread with mozzarella, roast eggplant and capsicum, before moving on to charcoal braised lamb, gnocchi and a summer slaw, then finish with pavlova.
CAZADOR FEAST BOXES
Balmoral wild game restaurant Cazador used last year's lockdown to preview its delicatessen menu, which is still going strong now even at red level. If you're looking for a little luxury but you have a carnivore or two to satisfy, opt for one of the chef's meal kits available on Meez, like this roast duck feast ($139), perfect for a special occasion. Carefully prepared at the restaurant, it's then easy to plate and finish yourself at home. Pair it with one their safely packaged hampers which include charcuterie, cheese, bread, dips, crackers and sweets.
CULPRIT DELUXE DINING KITS
Sure, scoffing delicious eats from Culprit's chefs isn't quite the same without the Yum Cha-style trollies moving through the restaurant. But you can still enjoy the flavours of the Wyndham Street favourite with one of their three-course deluxe meal kits ($149), which come with detailed instructions on putting a delicious feast together at home. There's even a QR code to scan for plating examples.
GEMMAYZE STREET MEZZE BOXES
Hosting an iso-happy hour for your flatmates, lover or just yourself? Firstly, you're going to want to plan a killer cocktail menu — we'd recommend these bottled Batched cocktails. Then you're going to want some epic eats. Our pick? A Gemmayze Street mezze platter ($60), stuffed with comforting Lebanese cuisine. You can order online to pick up from this Karangahape Road classic, stuffed with hummus, babaganouj, muhamarra, lubneh and kumara pide. For a full feast, opt for the Jeeb ($110), which feeds three to four people with no heating required. That comes with the above options, as well as a 12-hour slow-cooked whole lamb shoulder, kingfish, spiced rice and dessert.
PASTA & CUORE HOME KITS
These pasta champions were known for dishing out fresh handmade bundles of joy during lockdown, and they've kept slinging make-your-own kits where you can order pappardelle, tagliatelle, spaghetti, potato gnocchi, tortelloni and ravioli per 100 grams. Instead of reaching for the home brand red sauce, pair your carb feast with one of Pasta & Cuore's sauces, including creamy parmigiano or bolognese ragout. And if you'd prefer the experts take care of it, they're also serving up takeaway and heat-and-eat dishes.
Top image: Gemmayze Street