Best ice cream parlours, cool new Ponsonby bistro and the cure for hangovers

[So Auckland] Kia ora Aucklanders The pohutukawaÂ’s in bloom, which - unless youÂ’re allergic to pollen - is the unofficial announcement that summer is really, truly here and Christmas is on its way! Auckland always puts on a great show when it comes to our national Christmas tree, and we just found out that our very own Rangitoto Island is home to the largest pohutukawa forest in the world - so we will be packing a picnic and our walking shoes and catching the ferry there this weekend for a wander up the crater. Summer and ice cream go hand in hand, and we werenÂ’t short of volunteers when the call went out to find [AucklandÂ’s best ice cream shops - see the results of our delicious research here]. In other ice creamy news, Ben & JerryÂ’s is opening a new outlet in Takapuna, and if the Ponsonby store is anything to go by, itÂ’s going to be a popular summer spot. Also new in town is [Augustus, a cool new bistro in the old Ponsonby Post Office]at the top of College Hill. Launched by Chris Rupe of local institution SPQR, itÂ’s already being flagged as a top spot for stylish dining. And of course weÂ’re now entering full-blown party season, which means plenty of large-group merriness (and messiness), but on the flipside of all the festivities is of course the hangover - especially unfortunate if youÂ’re expected to turn up at work the next day. But fear not, we have you covered here too with our [top spots for eating away the hangover pain], whether your tactic is fry up, detox or even hair of the dog (Bloody Mary anyone?). ThatÂ’s it from us for this week - see you on Rangitoto?! The Auckland Insider Friday, 16 December 5:00pm - 11:30pm [Bollywood Cinema - Bajirao Mastani] - first Bollywood film at Silo Park screenings Silo Park, Jellicoe St, CBD--------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 17 December & Sunday, 18 December 7:30pm - 9:30pm [Candles on the Christmas Tree] - Victorian Christmas brought to life Alberton, 100 Mt Albert Rd--------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 17 December & Sunday, 18 December 10:00am - 3:00pm [SantaÂ’s Workshop] - get your photo taken with the big guy in red Sky Tower, Federal St, CBD--------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 17 December 12:00pm - 5:00pm [The Christmas GanTree] - help decorate and transform a Gantry into a Xmas tree Wynyard Quarter, Halsey St, FreemanÂ’s Bay--------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 17 December 12:00pm - 5:00pm [Craft Harvest] - hand-crafted Christmas presents Jubilee Building, Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Rd--------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday, 17 December 12:00pm - 5:00pm [Titirangi Village Market] - 130 stalls of arts, crafts, produce Titirangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Titirangi Rd--------------------------------------------------------------- [Pic of the Week] Auckland Zoo opens $3.2m new Aussie exhibit [Video of the Week] Walk through the country's longest road tunnel Did a friend forward this to you? [Sign up to get So Auckland to your inbox] [Unsubscribe] [Newsletter Settings] [Privacy Policy] [Advertise] [Feedback]