We came here for a dessert after dinner. Had to wait 20 minutes for a table for two, which wasn't…read morebad since we left our number with them so we could wander around. I chose to have the lemon and yoghurt bombe alaska that was fantastic. The right amount of sweetness and tartness. There was a bit of confusion that kind of spoiled our experience as we also ordered the passion fruit and peach chocolate bon bon and was only told after the dish arrived that the passion fruit and peach were only available as shards, which was eight dollars more. We would have appreciated the waitress explaining that some of the chocolates came as shards and the others as bon bons, so we felt like we were tricked into ordering something. The cookie dough macaron was good but didn't remind us of cookie dough, more of a chocolate macaron. We left wanting a lot more from our experience chocolate- and pastry-wise.

The lemon yogurt bomb Alaska is the best "popsicle" ice cream bar I've had. It's not too sweet or…read moretangy and balances our dessert well. It has a crispy lemony coating over a frozen yogurt middle, finished off with stripes of meringue on the top. It all case together so well! The cookies and cream rocher was also very delicious. It was topped with edible gold, had a crunchy cookies and cream outer layer before you hit a velvety chocolate mousse later. Finally, the inside had bits of cookie. It sounds very sweet and sickly but was pleasantly well balanced. I wish they had a Milse where I'm from! Actually maybe not, or else I'd be so broke.

Everyone has heard of Milse. Now famous for the long queues outside the little shop, I can still…read moreremember the first time I stepped inside. Now taking it into their own hands, husband and wife duo Brian and Roselle Campbell have created Sweet Cuisine pop-ups as real time crowd funding for their own dessert shop. I met them and interviewed them earlier this year and they are just the sweetest and most talented team. Clooney had always been on my radar for special occasions but other places had always gotten in the way. When word got out that we would get to dine at the flash Belle Epoque room downstairs with the open kitchen, all my excuses seemed irrelevant. It was the first time Sweet Cuisine had a communal dining format with a long table seating only 18 people. At the beginning, most people talked within their groups but being opposite interesting strangers, it was easy to start conversations. I went with fellow foodie and blogger Amy from My Dining Journey and we found out we were right next to amazing chefs and bakers. Convenient right? Turns out it was all planned with the thoughtful intentions of Brian and Roselle. Haha! Talk about knowing your customers well :) First course: Granny smith apple, feijoa, Heilala vanilla and ginger. Once I got over the initial thought that the egglets were not white chocolate, it was even harder to get over how cute they were. As a first course, I loved how light it was and almost teasing because soon everyone was scraping their eggs to get to that beautiful ginger which lay at the bottom. The combination of granny smith, vanilla and feijoa was a winner. Second course: Pineapple, passionfruit, coconut, banana and dulcey. It had the look of a beautiful Milse dessert but it didn't have the dark imprint of the overshadowing HIP group. I LOVED the small moichi-like balls on the side. Luckily the red chocolate ball was already halved. The rest of us just had to exercise our demolition skills as we tried to calmly break the case without sending shards across the table to our new friends. Third course: Figs, quince, honey, chestnut and oats This is where the flavours got interesting and complex. I'm not a fig person so I wasn't sure where my tastebuds would take me. If it was a normal degustation, I would consider this the mains. It was quite filling from the oats. The conversation took a funny turn with someone tentatively asking whether we were meant to eat the skin on figs. Even as "self acclaimed foodies" we didn't have a straight answer! Most people though, ended up eating the whole thing. Even I enjoyed it, although I couldn't expect any less coming from the Campbell kitchen! Fourth course: Valrhona chocolate, blackcurrant, coffee and hazelnut. Oh my. Totally the climax of the night. Not only stunning to look at, I was so inspired by the different textures that Brian had created on the dish. From the marshmallow to the mini magnum, my thoughts were only affirmed by the "oh wow"s around the table as everyone tucked into it. It was a pleasure watching Brian and his team at work. There was a calm aura as they lovingly put the desserts together. All the dishes were so clever and I know I left more inspired. As I came home to finish my marking, I knew I didn't make a mistake in breaking out of my nana mode. Starting off the week sweet was an uplifting start to the week. And knowing that macarons and cookies would be my morning tea for the next day kept the smile on my face. Even if I had accidentally squashed them in my bag (sorry Roselle!). Keep an eye out for their next pop-up! There's always something interesting about each one and they're popping up at restaurants like Orphan's Kitchen, Meredith's and Ima Deli. And if you haven't already seen it, here's the interview with Brian Campbell if you didn't catch it the last time.

Most of you would have heard of Milse. The amazing dessert bar and patisserie that opened up in…read moreBritomart a few years ago. Serving gelato on sticks, gateaux, chocolates, sweet tarts, plus their stand out macarons, Milse has become a bit of a phenomenon. Because really, who doesn't love chocolate and dessert?!?! The mastermind behind creating all of Milse's desserts is pâtissier, Brian Campbell. He has 15 years' experience working in Michelin star restaurants in the United Kingdom and at award winning restaurants here in New Zealand, at the likes of Kermadec and The French Cafe. Most recently, Brian has left Milse and has started up his own company, namely Sweet Cuisine' A Dessert Pop Up. So far, he and his wife, Roselle Campbell have hosted a dessert night at Fred's Espresso in Ponsonby where they teamed up with Giapo to create ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and drinks and they also had a dessert pop up at Merediths last week. And, a few nights' ago, I attended their second dessert pop up (however this one was special because all the desserts were made using Valrhona chocolate - the best quality chocolate in my opinion, you can buy it here) AND it was held at Sidart in Ponsonby. I have always wanted to dine at Sidart however it is quite expensive - will definitely need to save up one day! Brian and his team used the kitchens at Sidart and for about 20 minutes, my friend and I had the whole restaurant to ourselves, which was a pretty great feeling! The dessert pop up at Sidart involved a 3 course degustation - $45 per person, and an optional 4th course for $9, however sadly we were too full for the 4th course! All the dishes were beautifully presented and almost too pretty to eat! To accompany the desserts, they were also serving sweet Italian dessert wine, sparkling water, teas and coffee. My friend and I decided on a glass of the 'Prunotto Moscato d'Asti 2013′. With aromas of peach and honey, this was the perfect drink for our dessert night. The first dessert was a white chocolate panacotta, made of Ivoire 32% Valrhona chocolate. Surrounding the panacotta were bite-sized raspberries, blueberries and peaches, all topped off with freeze dried raspberries and fresh basil. It was a refreshing way to start the meal and the basil brought out all the flavours. I never thought to use herbs in baking, but I will definitely try it out now! The second course was a sponge like pudding with stewed apricots, hazelnut praline and a sauce inside using Dulcey 35% Valrhona chocolate. While the apricots were delicious, my friend and I could hardly taste the Valrhona chocolate - we felt like the apricots were too overpowering. This could possibly be due to the fact that the chocolate is only 35% - it might have a very subtle flavour. Last but not least, a to.die.for chocolate sphere, made entirely of Guanaja 70% Valrhona chocolate. Dark chocolate being one our favourite foods, my friend and I were amazed by this wonderful creation. Roselle explained the dish in great detail - two mousses, one with hints of tonka beans (vanilla bean substitute), and the other being rich and chocolatey. There was also a chocolate 'soil' surrounding the sphere, consisting of macadamia nuts, nougat and cacao nibs. But Roselle left out one surprise... Yes, popping candy! We were not expecting that at all, and it was truly the most exciting dish I have ever tasted. Every mouthful was full of joy and my friend and I couldn't stop smiling! It was a great night overall, with brilliant and creative desserts, a lovely host and a stunning venue. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Sweet Cuisine! Note: If you would like some more information, check out Sweet Cuisine's website and Facebook page ("Sweet Cuisine' A Dessert Pop Up by Brian Campbell"), so you can keep up to date!

Yet another of these " sweet " places has opened up in Auckland. First was the one out east and now…read morehere is on more towards the city and a lot easier to get to for a lot of us. Naturally the place is looking good as not long opened and the service and food just as good as the other one. We sampled several of their heavenly delights...the Taichi, black sesame and walnut paste with rice balls ; the Mango Sago Pomelo with Jelly . All were spot on and tasted just as good and tickled the taste buds in the right way as the desserts we had tried out east. Only thing is I am longing to try one of their molecular deserts....they look so good on the menu but alas not available as yet. A bit more costly but probably worth every extra dollar. All in all yet again a big thumbs up for me if you looking for somewhere to go for a decent sweet treat.

Thanks Gateua House for a memorable chocolate moose experience. Will tell all my chocolate addicts…read moremates to visit the Gateau House! You chaps are friendly and easy going; thus keep humble people like us coming back to Gateau House!

Ever walked into a cafe & promptly fainted with sheer delight? This is a distinct possibility with…read moreThe Gateau House. Situated on Queen Street, opposite Aotea Square & within drooling distance of the Civic, Auckland library & the Art Gallery, this treasure weaves it's magic on an unassuming, daily basis. The selection of freshly baked goods available for purchase, is truely mesmerising. One can spend hours oohing & aahing over the contents of their impressive display cabinets but, as the saying goes - the proof is in the pudding. Do not come here for a coffee & a slice - come here for a celebration of visual creativity & taste sensations! If you are able to contain yourself and have only 1 of these delicious morsels with your coffee, & resist the urge of ordering another, congratulate yourself - you possess a willpower stronger than that of the Vestal Virgins who guarded the ancient temples. Unlike the Virgins though, you can come & go as you please...& linger for hours to savour your experience if you so wish. Do so soon! Takeaway is available & encouraged...

Swing by this cute Dessert Depot by Milford suburb. The simply design is quite eye-catching…read more However, I believe you will be mostly attracted by those sweet treat on the counter. Yes, who will deny dessert treat? It is a tidy and modern place with clean color and simple design. Basic coffee choice, great tea selection, lots of chocolate-themed dessert and great choice for Ice cream. Normally I would go for the first dessert on the shelf, Kahlua&Hazelnut Praline Cheese cake. It turns out it is a right decision. Smooth top layer, creamy but not too sweet for the middle cheese cake part, with the bottom full of praline crunch bites, it goes perfect with a warm coffee, and with afternoon sun, which also satisfy your expectation. However, you can easily tell that they need improvement for the decoration and atmosphere, comparing with the two famous Cafes across the street. Dessert Depot, you definitely need more to be filled up.

I found this place today that I never knew existed and hadn't even noticed it before. However in…read morethe weekend they opened a little cafe that sells coffee, chocolate, hot chocolate, biscuits, ice-cream and other things. They have always opened to the public 8.30-5pm Monday to Friday however they recently decided to open the cafe. The cafe will be open Monday to Saturday, and open late till 9pm Thursday-Saturday, so it will be a nice treat for those who live near the Beach Haven area. It was because of this that I noticed it and I am really glad I did, they have a whole assortment of chocolates, fudge and amazing chocolate gifts. They were very busy in there today getting chocolate ready for Easter, and if you want you can get a big chocolate with your name on it. As well as selling to the public they have a huge number of businesses that they supply to such as hotels, restaurants and shops. Today I had a coffee and biscuit combo that went down very well, and I tried the fudge - vanilla, chocolate and black sambuca - all of them were very good, but I especially enjoyed the black sambuca. I think I will come here often for my chocolate fix.

How could there be a chocolate store here and I never knew about it!? My boyfriend lives just down…read morethe road and he has kept this a secret our entire relationship! How dare he?? It's a super cute, quaint little shop in Beach Haven. When I wondered up to it this morning an EXTREMELY friendly lady welcomed me with the warmest of smiles and ushered me inside. She told me all about the store and the things they sold and offered and their hours. She was not pushy about sales or anything just genuinely filling me in on their business. I had a nosy around and loved everything I saw. I could find a gift for every single person I know, they were all wonderful and unique. I bought a three pack of truffles to share with my mom and sister. We nibbled and shared them between us and they were beautiful. It was only $5 for the pack, which I don't think is bad at all for quality chocolate. Extra bonus - they are open for deserts and hot drinks on some nights and there are ice cream scoops sold too. Everything you could want for a sweet tooth! I'll be popping in for desert very soon.

Miann came up in a search for dessert/pastries. I made my way over to the Britomart location which…read morewas closest to me. This location is high traffic as a lot of folks walk through to catch an elevator at the back of the facility...I still have no clue where it goes. Otherwise the space is well appointed with tables and chairs and a large case near the door with some is the most beautiful treats I've ever seen. It took me a long time to order, it was hard to decide. I even asked which dessert was recommended. I went with that, and cannot recall the name of pastry to save my life. I also ordered a latte with oat milk. Both were shortly delivered to my table and looked great. While the latte was perfect, I didn't love the pastry. I didn't dislike it either, I hustled wished I'd ordered something else. Ah well.

It was late, my coworkers and I were craving ice cream post-dinner. Miann was the sole option open…read morepast the usual closing time, so we decided to go there. While they didn't offer an extensive selection of ice cream flavors, as they aren't exclusively an ice cream shop, the fundamental ice cream options were delightful, and the servings were generous. Another colleague opted for cake and found it to be quite delicious. In general, a suitable spot for desserts, though it wouldn't be my top pick if it weren't for the time of day.

Snowtown is a new-ish addition to the CBD dining scene. Located near Collingwood and Alexandra…read moreStreets, it's not in the "usual" locations (Victoria St or Hood St). The atmosphere is trendy and modern, but relaxed. One of my friends had come here for dessert with her family and recommended it to me. It's the first time I've been to an ice-dessert sort of place. I'm not even exactly sure what to call it, other than yummy. There are a number of menu items to choose from, and I chose one that had a dome of ice, chocolate sandwich cookies and cream. It was a bit more than I was expecting but the size was certainly plenty enough for two people to share. It was lightened by the shaved ice (rather than ice cream). There are also a number of tea drinks to choose from. I would definitely go back again.

This place is RAD…read more Formerly in Grey Lynn, WP relocated to this *sweet* Newmarket shop at the beginning of the year, making it extra handy to my workplace. I love this....my "physique", not so much ;) Entering here is basically like entering Whoopie Pie Heaven. They've taken an American classic and added a kiwi twist with flavours such as Hokey Pokey Chocolate, Anzac Cookie, Tangelo and Mixed Berry, Lamington...and the list goes on. They have two pie sizes, too, depending on your hunger/sweet tooth levels. "Whoopie Pops" are also on offer- a mixture of the pie and filling dipped in white chocolate. Can't reallllly go wrong there. Also awesome: dairy free, egg free and gluten free options available #winning.

I had no idea what a whoopie pie was until I read about this new cafe opening up in Newmarket…read morecalled 'Whoopie'. I had actually never even seen a whoopie pie either, so I was quite excited about this new Kiwi take on a classic American treat! Once I heard it was two cakes sandwiched together with a creamy filling, I was absolutely hooked! My sister and I decided that we would try this place out and we are very glad we did. [Side note: make sure you go on an empty stomach because one Whoopie pie is filling!] We tried the 'Heroic' whoopie pie which is hazelnut and chocolate flavoured and the 'Playful' whoopie pie which consists of peanut butter and chocolate chunks. I was somewhat expecting a dry cake, but in fact it was incredibly moist! The filling just makes it a whole lot better! As well as selling whoopie pies, they also sell 'Whoopie Pops' (which look so nice in-store), hot drinks, milkshakes and ice cream sundaes - would could be more perfect?

My husband and I were on our honeymoon and just came in to Muriwai that evening from Sydney. We…read morewanted some place to grab some food on a quiet evening in a mellow litle town and just happened on this place that was open. It's a take out place, but we got to talking to the owner and ate our pizza on the counter. The pizza was delicious. The company was just as good, too. Definitely the best pizza we had in New Zealand and it made for a random evening of fun.