It is the end of the month and also the end of the fiscal year in New Zealand – and Freddino’s cafe and Yakitori is closing.

This has been my favourite cafe to write in and I am really sad about it closing. Freddino has created a great atmosphere, that in some odd ways reminds me of home, the kind of feel that someplace in Champaign-Urbana – there is something about the relaxed, open atmosphere and the Freddino’s artwork that he has about the place. On the surface, you wouldn’t notice it, it is a deeper sense of creativity and comfort.

There aren’t many cafes in New Zealand that are “laptop friendly,” but I never felt like I was a nuisance taking up a table at Freddino’s. I have really enjoyed writing at Freddino’s and it will leave a gap in the cafe writing culture in Auckland.

Freddino isn’t afraid to put himself out there, as you’ll see from his artwork and his iconic self-portrait that festoons the outside of the building.

The coffee is always great, they serve lattes in bowls, which I love. The vegetarian breakfast is superb! We didn’t make it out to Freddino’s for dinner much, I was mostly there on my Tuesday writing mornings, but the Yakitori was great.