The Store

Overview

A name like “The Store” automatically associates an eatery with some kind of one-stop-shop connotations. Britomart’s The Store certainly lives up to this heavily generalised title. Its offerings are vast. Wanting a healthy breakfast? They have award-winning granola. A fancy meal? They have petite goat cheese omelettes. Just out for a quick coffee? They’ve got you covered. House made soda? Check. Take-away fish and chips? They’ve got ‘em. Dangerously attractive gelato counter? Yes sir. Basically, if you’re in Brito, and you are after some quality kai, The Store is your place.

You can’t miss the building. Despite its ninja-like paint job it takes up a substantial percentage of Britomart square. The size is necessary, given the amount of variety The Store has on offer. At one end of the building you can pick up all your takeaway “gourmet convenience” goods, and at the other end you can grab a table for a peaceful meal under fairy lights in the courtyard.

The Store is part of the Hip Group, so it isn't surprising that they follow the whole farmers-to-forks ethos, where their produce is seasonal, and their fruits are sourced from local farms. Not only does this alleviate any guilt surrounding your double scoop passionfruit gelato (because calories don’t count when they’re helping the community) but you’ll also leave feeling slightly saint-like for the remainder of the day.

The eat-in menu covers all the bases between breakfast, brunch, lunch and sides, and it lists just enough ingredients per dish to have diners salivating as they select their meal. The couple dining next to us ordered the beetroot salad, and after some heavy stalking and eyeing up of their plates, I decided its presentation was too picturesque to ignore. The salad came with raddicio, walnuts and feta, and resembled a pink mountain of awesome. Obviously I copied their order, because food envy, and I'd like to give a shout-out to that couple because the salad tasted every bit as good as it looked. I don’t want to be over the top here, but I swear you could taste the local farmer’s happiness in the Auckland-grown beetroot.

It is no easy feat, living up to a name like The Store. Sort of like aspiring to be a popstar and adopting the stage name “The Singer,” you have to be better than everyone else or you’ll be laughed at. Luckily, The Store manages to deliver everything their title promises.