311 Richmond Road,
Grey Lynn
Auckland,
(09) 962 6711
The ViewAuckland Review
4 out of 5 stars
We’ve already alerted View Auckland users to the retro Kiwiana charms of Agnes Curran and Queenie’s Lunchroom, and now we’d like to add The Little Grocer in Grey Lynn to our list of cafés providing comfort food and a warm ambience in these recessionary times.
Actually café is probably not the best descriptor. How about café meets gourmet grocery meets deli. With a corner location it’s also a pretty handy corner store for busy modern lives.
Open from 7am to 7pm everyday, The Little Grocer could be one of Auckland’s more versatile foodie spots. The organic fair trade Volcanic coffee from Ohakune is great – grab a seat on the outside bench – there’s fresh salads and takeaway gourmet meals available very night, and there’s even homemade ice blocks made from fresh fruit juices and retro milk bottle lollies. Milk bottles are also available in individual bags ($2) and K Bars and Whittaker’s Sante bars provide further retro touches. Organic fruit and veges ‘imported’ from Northland every two weeks provide a more healthy touch. Fresh fruit cordials are another reason to be transported back a few decades. Forget the old school ad campaign for Lemon & Paeroa. This places feels way more authentic.
The Little Grocer only opened in mid-January 2009, but it’s already converted a loyal crowd of Grey Lynn locals. The ever-changing salads include a delicious avocado, lemon and pear variety, and there’s also tasty potato au gratin made from organic Kamo potatoes. It’s little wonder that more than a few locals have given up cooking altogether and just live on The Little Grocer’s takeaway salads and gourmet meals. Apparently in the near future, cookery classes will also be on offer.
Even if you don’t live in Grey Lynn, The Little Grocer’s well worth a visit. I’m already lining up a return visit for some of Auckland’s best muffins and another squiz at their stash of Australian Post magazines from the 1960s. 40 year-old articles about isolated outback pubs, pet koalas and bikini-clad Gold Coast meter maids are strangely reassuring in these slightly uncertain times.
Kind of like The Little Grocer really.
The Little Grocer has been reviewed by 2 users