We decided to go here because Canvas gave it 4 out of 5 last weekend. Last time this happened I was very dissapointed, Voila! Cafe. Today I agreed with Canvas and really enjoyed this cafe.
The menu is small but it has what is expected in most cafes now, the grill, eggs bene, eggs any way. Everything here is organic and the prices are reasonable, they have not upped their prices because they are using organic produce, this is a nice surprise.
We got a table easily and our waitress was attentive. I couldn't get over how young all the staff were, the chef looked like she was 12 (slight exaggeration but I always say that about young looking people). They were all very competent in running this cafe, I dont know why I was so surprised, but its refreshing seeing a group of young people all paying attention to their customers and not themselves.
I ordered the South Island Salmon Potato Cakes, this came with a poached egg and lemon scented holandaise. The tastes were amazing, there was a hint of dill and lemon in the potato, spinach between the cakes, the egg was runny and the holandaise was sweet, creamy and a good serving. ES had the Hinemoa Omelette with a side of bacon. The omelette was huge and there was so much bacon. The omelette was puffed and light infused with portabello mushrooms and red capsicum, ES could not eat it all.
Our coffees were a little weak and not hot enough for me but I like piping hot coffee.
Rating:
Food: 5
Ambiance: 4
Staff: 5
Coffee: 3
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Cable Bay Vineyard
We came here for a family lunch last Sunday, it was a pity the weather wasn't good but you cant beat the view no matter how windy it is.
We were early so we had a wine in the bar which felt like our own private lounge with the roaring fire. We went through to the restaurant and were received by a very funny, witty Russian waiter, he told us the specials and his favourites. When it came to ordering I was tossing up between the lamb and the beef, I asked him what he suggested and he said if he had to choose it would be the fish, but if I had to choose one of these it would be the lamb. I chose the lamb. My entree was the Pork Rillons – cured, fried pork belly with potato cornichon salad, dijon mustard and apple chutney. The pork was so tender. The surprise was the potato and Cornichon salad, it was creamy, tangy and perfectly accompanied the pork.
The Roast Rump of Hawke’s Bay Lamb with Stewed Chickpeas and Chorizo, Tahini & Parsley was cooked medium rare however after seeing the fish and the beef I had food envy. I felt the chorizo over powered the lamb. That was my only problem.
My sister is a vegetarian and the only thing on the menu is the entree, Goats Cheese & Tomato Tart with Rocket, Pinenuts & Tomato Chilli Jam. She asked what she could have for a main and they offered to make a mushroom risotto, she doesn't like mushrooms so they changed it to pumpkin. I was surprised there was only one vegetarian meal on the menu, and the only main to offer would be risotto. I know its easy to make but surely there is something they could have on the mains menu.
I haven't listed what everyone else had because it would take too long but I have included a photo of the whole baked fish with salsa verde and baked lentils. Everyone enjoyed their meals immensely.
Rating:
Food: 4.5
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Wine: 4 (but what do I know)
We were early so we had a wine in the bar which felt like our own private lounge with the roaring fire. We went through to the restaurant and were received by a very funny, witty Russian waiter, he told us the specials and his favourites. When it came to ordering I was tossing up between the lamb and the beef, I asked him what he suggested and he said if he had to choose it would be the fish, but if I had to choose one of these it would be the lamb. I chose the lamb. My entree was the Pork Rillons – cured, fried pork belly with potato cornichon salad, dijon mustard and apple chutney. The pork was so tender. The surprise was the potato and Cornichon salad, it was creamy, tangy and perfectly accompanied the pork.
The Roast Rump of Hawke’s Bay Lamb with Stewed Chickpeas and Chorizo, Tahini & Parsley was cooked medium rare however after seeing the fish and the beef I had food envy. I felt the chorizo over powered the lamb. That was my only problem.
My sister is a vegetarian and the only thing on the menu is the entree, Goats Cheese & Tomato Tart with Rocket, Pinenuts & Tomato Chilli Jam. She asked what she could have for a main and they offered to make a mushroom risotto, she doesn't like mushrooms so they changed it to pumpkin. I was surprised there was only one vegetarian meal on the menu, and the only main to offer would be risotto. I know its easy to make but surely there is something they could have on the mains menu.
Rating:
Food: 4.5
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Wine: 4 (but what do I know)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Prego Ponsonby
I was lucky to have the day off mid week, so what better way to spend it than by going for a long leisurely lunch at Prego. We arrived at 1 and left at 3.30.
This place is fantastic for people watching too. To start with we shared the calamari with aoli. This is my favourite here and never fails to taste great and is always tender. For mains I had the snapper on a lightly herbed risotto with a rocket balsamic sauce. AM had the linguine marinara, this was filled with scampi, clams and mussels. We shared both because we had food envy of each others but we both enjoyed the fish and risotto the most. The sauce was a great accompliment to the fish risotto, the tang of the balsamic really lifted the risotto. The linguine marinara was filled with seafood but the linguine was a little over cooked and the coriander was lacking. For dessert we shared a cheese board with the choice of 3 cheeses, we chose the Italian gorgonzola piccante, Chaubier and the Brie de Meaux which was intensely creamy and was oozing on the board and so delish. The cheeses came with quince paste lavoush crackers, sultana bread and a runny combed honey. We had over ordered and couldn't eat all the cheeses, but that brie was definitely the favourite. We had a bottle of Odyssey Sauvignon Blanc, it was fresh and accompanied the food well and it was so good being able to drink at lunch and not have to go back to work! The coffees were great too.
Rating:
Food: 4.5
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5 (we never had to pour our own wine, the service was amazing)
Coffee: 5
This place is fantastic for people watching too. To start with we shared the calamari with aoli. This is my favourite here and never fails to taste great and is always tender. For mains I had the snapper on a lightly herbed risotto with a rocket balsamic sauce. AM had the linguine marinara, this was filled with scampi, clams and mussels. We shared both because we had food envy of each others but we both enjoyed the fish and risotto the most. The sauce was a great accompliment to the fish risotto, the tang of the balsamic really lifted the risotto. The linguine marinara was filled with seafood but the linguine was a little over cooked and the coriander was lacking. For dessert we shared a cheese board with the choice of 3 cheeses, we chose the Italian gorgonzola piccante, Chaubier and the Brie de Meaux which was intensely creamy and was oozing on the board and so delish. The cheeses came with quince paste lavoush crackers, sultana bread and a runny combed honey. We had over ordered and couldn't eat all the cheeses, but that brie was definitely the favourite. We had a bottle of Odyssey Sauvignon Blanc, it was fresh and accompanied the food well and it was so good being able to drink at lunch and not have to go back to work! The coffees were great too.
Rating:
Food: 4.5
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5 (we never had to pour our own wine, the service was amazing)
Coffee: 5
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