Long Journeys Wear Me Out...

Jack Dee (far left) and the other excellent characters in Lead Balloon

But they provide a good opportunity to catch new movies and a host of TV shows in a single (albeit uncomfortable) sitting.

My 11-hour haul from Auckland to Bangkok began with a light starter - an hour of UK chef, Rick Stein driving and eating across Spain.

With his easy going TV manner and approach, Rick comes across as a bloody good bloke. My beef with his show, and similar offerings, is that unlike us in the real world, Rick never eats a horrible dish or dines at a rank restaurant.

Rick's culinary saunter was followed by romcom "Friends With Benefits" (FWB). Don't ask me why but romcoms are long haul cinematic faves. Maybe watching beautiful people living beautiful lives eases the pain of sitting in a tin can for 10+ hours. 

Rocco - a real person or a celebrity chef cyborg?

FWB wasn't awful - in fact, this film about a fuck buddy relationship that goes wrong then comes right (I think), is filled with plenty of good lines.

On this performance, Justin Timberlake to me, is a better support player than main man. By comparison, his sparring partner, Mila Kunis, has way more acting and comedic chops. But the film's real star is Woody Harrelson who crackles and pops in his brief time on screen.

More New Yorkers falling in and out of love was next on the viewing schedule with "Something Borrowed" (SB) - a long-winded stinker. SB strives to realise comedic and dramatic ambitions but fails to hit ether target. The only saving grace was the performance of John Krasinsky as the smart but lonely guy, while Kate Hudson was annoying to say the least. Avoid!!!!

After this flatulent dross, I needed some Food Channel escapism and "Rocco's Dinner Parties" sated this hunger. However, one question? Is host Rocco DiSpirito a real person or a celebrity chef cyborg? The man is too perfect to be true.

There was more goodness with my final selection, two episodes of "Lead Balloon," a comedy series co-written and starring Jack Dee, a leading UK comedian. He plays a washed up, delusional TV star who thinks his best days are still ahead of him. It's not dissimilar to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but triumphs nonetheless thanks to its Britishness and host of terrific support characters and actors.

KK

I'd just about given up hope of finding a half-decent South East Asian eatery in Auckland.

Thanks and praise then to the chefs and owners of KK restaurant in Epsom for preparing and serving delicious, affordable and 'real thing' Malaysian cuisine.

Like many of the best dining places in Asia, KK is an unpretentious gem where substance (well cooked and flavoured food) is more important than style (flashy decore, waiters with attitude and Buddha Bar soundtracks).

And as it's well established, KK has built a loyal customer base and is always full, or close to.

Tofu genius - crispy on the outside, like custard on the inside.

As the menu is sizeable, food selection was left to our Malaysian food expert who ordered a spicy stir fried eggplant dish, deep fried tofu drizzled with crunchy peanuts, a sweet chilli sauce and sliced cucumbers, chicken curry (the house speciality and worthy of its status) and mummy's ribs - spare ribs grilled with a sweet, sticky sauce and covered with sesame seeds.

Every plate was a tasty winner - why? Unlike many Asian eateries in Auckland, the KK food was well seasoned (not too sweet or salty) and bang on in terms of "true-to-Malaysia" flavours.

In addition to the top-notch cuisines, the night was extra enjoyable thanks to the company of old friends - we swapped work war stories including epic typos encountered in our respective careers such as eight cups of sugar cake recipes.

No ingredient fails at KK and for an intermittent spice junkie like me - it's one of the best places in Auckland for a decent hit of sambal and chilli padis.

KK address and contact information

RIP Smokin' Joe

Rest in peace Smokin' Joe.

Joe Frazier was the ultimate warrior and while he racked up more life experience miles than money, he commanded absolute respect from opponents and fight fans alike. If there was an 'all-time most feared pugilists' list, I've no doubt Joe would be number one.

The shots he and Muhammad Ali threw in the 70s were felt, and cheered on around the world, including my tiny hometown in New Zealand. Their titanic clashes, and other classics of the time, involving George Foreman, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes and others were must watch events at home.

Even though live TV coverage then was blurry, badly shot and over-saturated (colour-wise), the fights generated the same levels of anticipation and excitement as a rugby test match. It was a golden age for the sport and at my school you were either in the Ali or Frazier camp.

I was a huge Ali fan (still am) but really warmed to Frazier in recent times especially after watching the excellent "Thriller In Manila" documentary. Respect Joe and wherever you are now, I hope you have great people in your corner.

If You Can't Stand The Peat....

If you can't stand the peat, avoid Rex Attitude (RA), a peat-smoked golden ale produced by the Yeastie Boys, a couple of clever, innovative and (it seems) hard case Kiwi brewers.

Shock was the immediate response after my first slug - I thought someone had poured three shots of Laphroaig into a glass of lager and stirred.

Here's the product description from the RA beer label....
... Rex Attitude is inspired by French techno and the whiskey of Scotland's west coast. Like the 'Auld Alliance' it combines a little Scottish rogue with a dose of French 'je ne sais quoi.' It is as far we know the world's first beer made from 100% heavy peated distilling malt.... 

But once you get over RA's unusual flavour combination, it's like the best albums in your music collection, a slow burner that delivers a rich, rewarding and refreshing drinking experience.

It also packs a Manny Pacquiao-like punch. No surprise, given its scotch whiskey roots, and at 7%, RA is best supped and savoured rather than slam dunked.