WAITARERE BEACH 4 SQUARE

This is so much more than an ordinary 4 Square. Let's start with the perfect custard squares, the juicy baklava, the apple slice, the pies — both single and family size — all made onsite. There's also good coffee (Supreme). What 4 Square does that? Frank Taylor's 4 Square at Waitārere does. He also makes fresh-made pizza (to pre-order) on Friday and Saturday nights. Frank's bestseller is the vegetarian with bacon. Vegetarian — with bacon? “Well, people like vegetables, but some also want bacon,” Frank explains. It's delicious. Frank started offering his array of baked goods by accident. “One day, we made a batch of scones, and they sold really quickly. I thought, ‘Oh, people like this sort of thing,' so made something else. Then we made something else, and it just grew.”

The pizzas were also an accident — he made them as a favour (“catering for a local AGM”). But they were so popular he was commanded to keep making them. Reluctant to rely on a single baker, Frank's staff all chip in and create whatever they can. Get in early for the custard squares as they are often sold by midday, and order pizza well ahead of time as Frank can produce only a limited number. 651 Waitārere Beach Road.

(06) 368 6104.