It’s Saturday 1st June. The first day of Winter – Queens Birthday Weekend. Surprisingly, the sun is out. It had been pouring the night before, I can still see puddles throughout. The air is crisp and it’s quiet in downtown Auckland. What a change to the Monday-Friday business grind.

The boutique retail stores have their lights on but doors closed and they prepare for weekend trading. There’s a light hum from the precinct’s cafes and the odd person in Lulu Lemon activewear.

Surprisingly I find a car park right outside Amano. I have to direct my partner with my hands so we can fit the car within a tight park down the narrow street.

Through the glazing I can see the glow from the stunning penny-tile bench within the bakery section of Amano. There’s a number of patrons sitting by the window, coffees and pastries in hand.

By opening the door and I am immediately greeted by the front-of-house staff. I say my name and confirm my booking time. It’s 9:30 am and most tables are full with patrons for breakfast. I am led to a corner booth in the dining section of the restaurant, bathed in low morning sunlight.

I’m surrounded by families and tourists with different accents. Everything about the space feels New-York-urban-cool. From the exposed beams and raw walls, to the low humming trendy beats and dim lights.

I am given a glass of sparkling water and asked if I would like a drink. It’s been a long week, I need a double-shot at least.

It’s cosy inside and my  coffee arrives swiftly. There’s a good selection on the menu, bolognese for breakfast? Sounds good by me! I rethink when the waiter arrives and I go safe. Omlette it is. My partner opts for the savoury prosciutto breakfast… immediately I get food envy when our dishes arrive.

My omelette is soft, fluffy and full of flavour. The goats cheese is tangy and the caramalised onions are sweet, the perfect combination. Great choice, but the selection teases a repeat visit and immediately I think when is too soon to come back to Amano?