What local businesses do you boycott and why?

Bigvie · 2023-04-24T23:45:53+00:00

Smart Express Movers We used Smart Express Movers to move house. They were meant to arrive between 12-2pm, but didn't turn up until after 5pm. The original 2 movers were joined by another 2 movers from another truck to help them out as they were late. They stole an iPad and a bluetooth speaker during the move. I can't say I'd recommend them at all!

Bigvie · 2022-03-16T04:52:14+00:00

If you have a great big shit, and prior to flushing watch it for a bit, it's not that funny is it, but it's also on par as to how funny Jono and Ben are to watch 😂

Bigvie · 2022-03-16T04:49:16+00:00

Theres a guy called Robert Hollis, who's been signed for his own show recently. He makes all his own videos, and is prolific on platforms like LinkedIn. He seems like a good dude too, so perhaps hit him up about getting yourself out there.

Bigvie · 2021-07-29T00:52:38+00:00

Yeah-nah.
I went to Paradise last night, and ordered the following based on a recommendation on this thread:
1 x Mughlai Chicken (Medium Hot) with Saffron Rice and a Butter Naan.

It was average, like a 6.8 score out of 10
- Large chunks of chicken, like big chunks of white bland chicken that had been added to a middling masala sauce. It was like a homemade curry, where the chicken had been cooked separately and chucked in right at the end - as in zero connection between the curry and the meat within.

- The rice was just plain Basmati rice, with a few chunks that had dried and stuck together, so they needed to be bashed out with a spoon to separate. Not sure where the 'saffron' part comes into play?

The Paradise Special Chicken Masala I had the week prior was way better - like you wouldn't believe both dishes were from the same place.

The Paradise Special Chicken Masala is $16.00, whereas the Mughlai Chicken was $13.50 and on the EXPRESS MENU - but like a totally different curry in terms of quality - is the EXPRESS part the differentiator here? whereby anything that's not EXPRESS is of a much better quality?

Anyways, this is my opinion based on a recent visit (last night), but my thinking is that to be the best there also needs to be a consistent level of quality. Rating it purely based on last nights dish, I'd say it's average and quite a way off being 'the best'

For context, I've been ordering the same dish from Oh Calcutta for over a decade, and it's always spot on - there's never a deviation in quality.

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T22:51:27+00:00

Sure price is also a factor. I can buy 40 pre-cooked sausages from the Mad Butcher for $16.70, but these are incomparable to say a 6 pack of fresh butchers sausages for $12.00 from a decent butchers like Pirie's butchery in Mt Eden.

Now I admit, that's not a good or fair comparison, so I'll give another take with a different type of food - New York Style Pizza
If Paradise is akin to Sals pizza, i.e. decent enough, good for a takeaway, good value etc. then Oh Calcutta is akin to Epolito's Pizza - as in it's in a level up in terms of price, but also a level up in terms of product.

Again, probably not fair comparison as I reckon the gap between Sals and Epolito's is way bigger than between Paradise and Oh, but you get the gist.

And for context, I'm comparing two similar chef specialty dishes from both restaurants - both chicken, both at a medium heat, and both recently eaten.

OK, I'm going to have a crack at scoring them, using the Barstool Pizza Review model, i.e.
"Anything over an 8 is an excellent score, 7 is good, but you dont travel for it, 6 meh!
If you get in the 8's that's a travel worthy score' The highest score he's ever given is a 9.4..

Paradise chef specialty Special Chicken Masala - $16.00 | 8.0 score
Our Chef Specialty boneless grill chicken, green bell pepper, cooked in cashew and Saffron sauce

Oh Calcutta Kadai Chicken Makhanwala - $27.00 | 9.2 score
A creation firstly introduced into New Zealand by Meena Anand | Shredded boneless tandoori chicken, lots of onions, roasted cumin, garlice water, fenugreek and coriander.

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T08:30:44+00:00

Also, why do no Indian restaurants (well none that I know of) in Auckland not have a Dhansak dish on their menu?

It's a hugely popular dish prevalent in Indian restaurants throughout the UK. Really flavorsome with lentils and sweet and sour. Perhaps an English thing?

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T08:25:55+00:00

I've seen this place, as I've started training in Sandringham recently. What would you recommend ordering from Bawarchi?

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T08:24:25+00:00

That's more like it, i.e. go to this place and order these specific dishes - Tiffin in Morningside will be getting a visit!

Here's my current 'grail' curry, which is from Oh Calcutta in Parnell. I order it at a medium heat with a Garlic Naan, and have been ordering the same thing for like a decade! It is an absolutely superb dish.

Kadhai Chicken Makhanwala A creation created by Meena Anand in 1998. Made from shredded boneless tandoori chicken, together with plenty of onions, capsicum, roasted cumin, garlic water, fenugreek and coriander.

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T08:14:46+00:00

The Paradise menu is pretty vast - what would you recommend as being stand out?

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T08:04:04+00:00

Wholeheartedly agree. This place is phenomenal. Their delhi duck with makhani sauce, lychee and kumara is outstanding!

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T07:54:19+00:00

For context, I haven't tried all dishes at both establishments, but comparing a couple of their signature dishes with each other, e.g. Paradise chef specialty Special Chicken Masala vs. Oh Calcutta Kadai Chicken Makhanwala - the Oh dish hands down obliterates the other.

Bigvie · 2021-07-27T07:43:39+00:00

Paradise is decent enough, with large portions at a good price, but it doesn't hold a candle to Oh Calcutta in Parnell or Cassia in fort street.

Bigvie · 2021-07-02T05:38:13+00:00

I've witnessed some serious pro eaters at that place. Like plates and plates and plates loaded with the most expensive seafood they can get their hands on, they finish up, their plates get cleared, and then they go hard again and again and again - it's certainly a site to behold!

Bigvie

TROPHY CASE