Walking into Scarecrow reminded me a bit of The Wizard of Oz, probably because there’s a giant scarecrow on a bike in the window! Aside from that, this new pop up grocer/cafe has just re-opened up on Victoria Street (corner of Kitchener Street) and is seriously the coolest place I’ve been to this year!

Scarecrow is a collaboration between POPdining, Kokako, Karma Cola, Nice Blocks and the AUT Hospitality School. The concept is to showcase seasonal produce and artisan products from around Auckland and beyond, whether it be trying out one of their breakfasts, lunches, dinners or cabinet food from their cafe or fresh produce and breads from their grocer.

Chef Ben Barton is the mastermind behind all the meals – he prepares them all the night before at the AUT Kitchens and puts them together the next day at a small workstation (which is located at the back of the grocer). Today as I was trying to figure out what to have for lunch (not many options, but still hard to choose!), I got talking to the owner. He was really friendly and very passionate about Scarecrow, which he also runs with his wife. He highly recommended the ‘Beef Brisket on Rye Bread with Sauerkraut’. And it was absolutely divine! The beef was succulent and the rye bread perfectly toasted. The sauerkraut also added a lovely freshness to the dish.

Also on the menu is their AMAZING heirloom tomato and burrata salad (pictured above and recipe here) and baked potatoes with eggs, Gouda cheese and salad (pictured below). They serve many more meals, but I am yet to try them! Vegan cakes, mousses, chia puddings and pastries are also available, plus chocolates from Criollo, made by Bjorn Svensson, an experienced patisserie chef. I couldn’t help myself, but I just had to buy a chocolate – all three front of house staff recommended one of Criollo’s salted caramel chocolate balls. O M G. Amazing! Melt in your mouth! They’re only $2 each and absolute heaven!

The grocer on-site will also help fix your foodie cravings! My favourite products were the Wild Wheat breads, Waiheke Island honey, Nice Blocks, Ceres Organics, Culley’s Hot Sauce and so much more!

But possibly the most exciting thing about Scarecrow (for all you coffee lovers out there) would have to be their ‘Kokako Slow Brew Coffee’ station – the first of its kind in New Zealand. They have all the equipment and an amazing little set up, and I think this will become very popular in time!

Furthermore, they have a small area for making up flower bouquets and they also sell flowers by the stem and can do CBD delivery too.

So, if you love coffee, healthy food and fresh local produce, then I highly recommend heading to Scarecrow now – you won’t be disappointed!!!

Scarecrow
33 Victoria Street East, Auckland CBD
Open Sunday + Monday, 7am to 5pm and Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 10pm
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