MOUTH-WATERING
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If this past year has taught us anything it’s to appreciate what we have here in New Zealand. Places like Mount Maunganui draw our attention each summer for the shimmering white sand and crystal surf, but as the weather cools down our feelings for this town don’t have to. The Tourism Bay of Plenty team recently released Dine on a Lime, a handy guide highlighting some sensational stops on a foodie tour of the Mount, all easily accessible on a Lime scooter. Whether you jump on a Lime, put on your walking shoes, use pedal power or take the car, we discovered there is more to the Bay’s top beach spot than bikinis and beaches. Here are a couple of the highlights.
TAY STREET STORE Tay Street Store is arguably the cutest little cafe and store in Mount Maunganui, with a big emphasis on supporting sustainablyfocused, local suppliers (and fuelling coffee lovers with a Mt Atkinson roast). Originally from Hamilton, owner Steph Meaden spent 20 years holidaying in the Mount and Pāpāmoa before she and her husband, Sam, made the move to the Bay from Auckland for a different life. “The Mount always felt like an extension of home,” says Steph. “It’s such a beautiful, relaxing place to live.” With a lifetime love for good food and coffee, Steph and Sam PAGE 60 | WWW.NOURISHMAGAZINE.CO.NZ
moved to Mount Maunganui, purchased Tay Street Dairy which they fitted into a store, and set about sourcing local and sustainably-focused products. Word soon spread and their network grew. “We realised the amount of local small business talent here and all over New Zealand, and love working with these people. Supporting other businesses is really important to us,” says Steph. In addition to some epic local products, including Salt Bags (compostable nappy and dog waste bags), Sandbank smoothies, and Mount sourdough, Tay Street Store has fresh baking delivered daily from Mel at Wildflour. Her banana bread and cinnamon buns are crowd favourites. Steph and Sam love being in the Mount and the lifestlye it enables them to live with their daughter Rumi and dog, Captain. “The environment helps eliminates life’s stresses. We put in the mahi and enjoy the lifestyle we’ve created through small business.”
PIZZAROMA Marco Fabrin has had a lifelong love for pizza. Born in Italy, Marco came to New Zealand at the end of 2009 and has spent most of the last 10 years in Mount Maunganui, working in local food markets and as a private chef. Now, with his wife Daiana who has been his “right hand” through all his New Zealand culinary adventures, Marco is showcasing his work ethic and incredible culinary skills at his own pizza place, Pizzaroma, in Mount Maunganui—and it has customers coming back for more. One of the stand-out favourites is the ham and mushroom pizza,
