Vic’s Picks

SOLERA AT HOME

It comes as no surprise I am a big fan of eating out. The last few years though have proved that staying in can also be great and sometimes necessary. What is not necessary is piles of dishes and hours of prep if you are planning a delicious dinner in. Instead, the Solera team have created these genius take home packs which mean you can enjoy a restaurant quality meal at home. The packs come complete with all the elements of the meal already cooked with great instructions on how to effortlessly re-heat the meal and enjoy a Solera experience at home in under 30 minutes. The pack costs $55 per person and each month there is a different menu on offer. Place your order ahead of time for pick up on Saturdays (or other days by arrangement). Go to www.solera.nz for more details

2.

BYO AND SAVE AT BIN INN PAPAMOA

You have got to love a shop that offers you so much choice as Bin Inn Papamoa. I enjoy perusing their shelves to see what’s new. I especially welcome the fact I can buy just a bit of something instead of a whole packet. I’m not sure about you but my pantry is not big enough to hold packets of brown rice flour or dried figs, all of which I needed for that one recipe but haven’t used since. And it’s not just the ingredients I don’t want in my pantry but the packets they come in. Bring your own containers to Bin Inn Papamoa and you can save up to 10%* off your bill, so you will be helping save the environment and saving money! *Refill from Bin Inn Papamoa bulk bins using your own containers to earn 5%. Spend $50 or more refilling from Bin Inn Papamoa bulk bins to earn 10%. Bin Inn Papamoa is open 7 days, Mon–Fri 9am–5.30pm, Sat 9am–4pm, Sun 10am–3pm. 30F Gravatt Road, in the Fashion Island shopping centre.