Parade Cafe
148 Oriental Parade (opposite Freyberg Pool)
T: (04)- 939 3935
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We came here for Easter Sunday lunch after walking around the waterfront. This place was busy when we went, but it has enough seating. We sat in the outdoors patio area.
Items Ordered:
Beef Burger: the meat patty was nice, and the sauce nice. The burger's top was separated, which most cafes seem to do. I personally prefer my burger to have its top on, so I can bite into the two halves of the bun, the salad and the meat all at once. This burger had to be eaten with a knife and fork because it was overflowing with salad. I appreciate the generosity.
Chicken Bites: probably just tegel frozen chicken nuggets
Wedges: home made and with a really nice salt seasoning. Not sure what it is, but it involved some sort of spice
Plum Shortcake: delicious.
This is a nice casual cafe with a very good vibe. Its sunny and very Sydney.
Food: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 85%
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Kaffee Eis
Kaffee Eis
Courtenay Place
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In Italy, the good gelato shops are the one with metal containers, because you know the gelato is made on the premises. I'm not sure if the gelato of Kaffee Eis is made in Courtenay Place, but the getalo here is not bad. The Eis Coffee is not bad either.
It is a good place to pop in for a quick, cheap and good dessert.
Two other locations (1) Oriental Bay (2) Frank Kitt's Lagoon (under that werid wooden sculpted bridge connecting to Civic Square)
Food: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
Courtenay Place
----
In Italy, the good gelato shops are the one with metal containers, because you know the gelato is made on the premises. I'm not sure if the gelato of Kaffee Eis is made in Courtenay Place, but the getalo here is not bad. The Eis Coffee is not bad either.
It is a good place to pop in for a quick, cheap and good dessert.
Two other locations (1) Oriental Bay (2) Frank Kitt's Lagoon (under that werid wooden sculpted bridge connecting to Civic Square)
Food: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
The Welsh Dragon Bar
The Welsh Dragon Bar
Between Cambridge and Kent Tce (opposite Embassy Cinema, on the traffic island)
T: (04)- 385 6566
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We came here because Lisa (Welsh) wanted to come here. It was 6pm, and we just had Nando's. We came here mainly to hang out.
The smell in this place is damp, and quite odd.
The pub is dark and has lots of seats and couches. It has a fake fire place, which we sat by. It is a dark quiet bar to hang out with a big group. The music is Welsh, and plays softly in the background.
Service: 5/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 15%
Between Cambridge and Kent Tce (opposite Embassy Cinema, on the traffic island)
T: (04)- 385 6566
----
We came here because Lisa (Welsh) wanted to come here. It was 6pm, and we just had Nando's. We came here mainly to hang out.
The smell in this place is damp, and quite odd.
The pub is dark and has lots of seats and couches. It has a fake fire place, which we sat by. It is a dark quiet bar to hang out with a big group. The music is Welsh, and plays softly in the background.
Service: 5/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 15%
Maranui Cafe
Maranui SLSC
Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay (follow sing to Lyall Bay, all the way till you hit the sea, then turn right)
T: (04)- 387 2237
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This is a cafe I bring visitors to whenever I can. It is a bit out of the city, but it offers great views, and great food coupled with great atmosphere. The cafe is very busy and it's usually full around brunch time. Come early enough for breakfast, and you'll get a seat otherwise come after lunch. It opens from 8am to 5pm i think.
Items Ordered:
Oat Pancakes: very wholesome, but the oat makes the pancakes quite crumbly
Eggs Benedict (Salmon): very standard
Seaside Scrambled Tofu: quite yummy (tastes like a traditional asian pork dish my mom cooks- except vegetarian). This is served with grained toast topped with a THICK layer of mashed avocado
Big Day Breakfast: Margaret ordered this, and it looked very standard
Scrambled Egg on Sourdough: Eugene ordered this, and the egg looked well done- not too wet not too dry. Perfect texture too.
Lemon Torte/Tart: very yummy
Caramel Pudding: heavenly
The food here is usually quite good, especially if you're here just for a snack- get something from the pre-made display. The menu is otherwise very standard, nothing too special. The coffee here is very well made- espresso is right strength, not burnt, and milk is properly steamed and proportioned.
One of my best cafe in Wellington.
Food: 6.5/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 100%
Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay (follow sing to Lyall Bay, all the way till you hit the sea, then turn right)
T: (04)- 387 2237
----
This is a cafe I bring visitors to whenever I can. It is a bit out of the city, but it offers great views, and great food coupled with great atmosphere. The cafe is very busy and it's usually full around brunch time. Come early enough for breakfast, and you'll get a seat otherwise come after lunch. It opens from 8am to 5pm i think.
Items Ordered:
Oat Pancakes: very wholesome, but the oat makes the pancakes quite crumbly
Eggs Benedict (Salmon): very standard
Seaside Scrambled Tofu: quite yummy (tastes like a traditional asian pork dish my mom cooks- except vegetarian). This is served with grained toast topped with a THICK layer of mashed avocado
Big Day Breakfast: Margaret ordered this, and it looked very standard
Scrambled Egg on Sourdough: Eugene ordered this, and the egg looked well done- not too wet not too dry. Perfect texture too.
Lemon Torte/Tart: very yummy
Caramel Pudding: heavenly
The food here is usually quite good, especially if you're here just for a snack- get something from the pre-made display. The menu is otherwise very standard, nothing too special. The coffee here is very well made- espresso is right strength, not burnt, and milk is properly steamed and proportioned.
One of my best cafe in Wellington.
Food: 6.5/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 100%
Hooch
Hooch
46 Courtenay Place
T: (04)-
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We came here after Motel after we met more friends. They have not had anything to drink yet, so we dropped by this place before hitting Temperance.
A little like Motel, in that it is a quiet-ish type lounge with cool ambience, good drink menu, and nice music. Great place to hang and chat. The place looked rather posh and clean.
Service: 7/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 75%
46 Courtenay Place
T: (04)-
----
We came here after Motel after we met more friends. They have not had anything to drink yet, so we dropped by this place before hitting Temperance.
A little like Motel, in that it is a quiet-ish type lounge with cool ambience, good drink menu, and nice music. Great place to hang and chat. The place looked rather posh and clean.
Service: 7/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 75%
Motel Bar
Motel Bar
Forresters Lane (behind Burger King on Courtenay, off Tory Street
T: (04)- 384 9084
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We came here after dinner for a drink before heading out to the clubs. I know of this place because a friend pointed it out to me while we were walking around town. It will be hard to find for someone who's not familiar with Wellington. Once you see Burger Kind and Chow, you know you're on the right track.
You have to ring a bell for entry, and it's a flight of steep steps to get to the bar.
Inside has a warm decor, with lots of intimate tables. It is very much a quiet drinking place, but this place has buzz. The music is jazz.
Items Ordered:
We ordered coctails which I do not remember the name of. Suffice it to say, it was strong. Maybe a bit too strong....
Drinks: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
Forresters Lane (behind Burger King on Courtenay, off Tory Street
T: (04)- 384 9084
----
We came here after dinner for a drink before heading out to the clubs. I know of this place because a friend pointed it out to me while we were walking around town. It will be hard to find for someone who's not familiar with Wellington. Once you see Burger Kind and Chow, you know you're on the right track.
You have to ring a bell for entry, and it's a flight of steep steps to get to the bar.
Inside has a warm decor, with lots of intimate tables. It is very much a quiet drinking place, but this place has buzz. The music is jazz.
Items Ordered:
We ordered coctails which I do not remember the name of. Suffice it to say, it was strong. Maybe a bit too strong....
Drinks: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
Macs Brewery
Macs Brewery
Corner of Taranaki and Cable Streets (on the waterfront next to NZX)
T: (04)- 381 2282
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We came here with Hannah for Saturday dinner. We decided on this place because Hannah would not pay for parking, and the only free park we could find was near Te Papa.
Very casual, and very brewery. This is a big place so there's no problem trying to find a seat. We were all kinda full, so did not order much. But a nice place to go for a drink nonetheless.
Items Ordered:
Fish cakes: Hannah did not complain about this, so I guess it was ok.
Kumara Soup: I found it too sweet, but the girls liked it.
Pan Fried Fish of the Day: Potatoes were bland, and it was a tad too oily
Food: 4/10
Service: 5/10
Value for Money: 5.5/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 65%
Corner of Taranaki and Cable Streets (on the waterfront next to NZX)
T: (04)- 381 2282
----
We came here with Hannah for Saturday dinner. We decided on this place because Hannah would not pay for parking, and the only free park we could find was near Te Papa.
Very casual, and very brewery. This is a big place so there's no problem trying to find a seat. We were all kinda full, so did not order much. But a nice place to go for a drink nonetheless.
Items Ordered:
Fish cakes: Hannah did not complain about this, so I guess it was ok.
Kumara Soup: I found it too sweet, but the girls liked it.
Pan Fried Fish of the Day: Potatoes were bland, and it was a tad too oily
Food: 4/10
Service: 5/10
Value for Money: 5.5/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 65%
Two Souls
Two Souls
290 Wakefield Street (opposite New World Wellington)
T: (04)- 803 3137
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Jeremy came here without the flatmates. It was a night out with the Auckland friends.
It was easter Saturday, and the place is buzzing, so reservation seemed appropriate.
The ambience is nice. There's a horizontal window view into the kitchen at the back and there's also a bar, so it's more of a bistro. The menu does not bear any particular theme, its a general mix of popular cafe foods, i.e. it wasn't an impressive menu.
The food was very average. But it was a nice laid back place to hang out.
Items Ordered:
Lamb Shanks on mash
Pork Steak
Cajun Chicken
Duck leg
Chicken livers
Hot Wings
Food: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 5/10
One bill per table: Yes (cannot split)
Probability of Returning: 40%
290 Wakefield Street (opposite New World Wellington)
T: (04)- 803 3137
----
Jeremy came here without the flatmates. It was a night out with the Auckland friends.
It was easter Saturday, and the place is buzzing, so reservation seemed appropriate.
The ambience is nice. There's a horizontal window view into the kitchen at the back and there's also a bar, so it's more of a bistro. The menu does not bear any particular theme, its a general mix of popular cafe foods, i.e. it wasn't an impressive menu.
The food was very average. But it was a nice laid back place to hang out.
Items Ordered:
Lamb Shanks on mash
Pork Steak
Cajun Chicken
Duck leg
Chicken livers
Hot Wings
Food: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Value for Money: 5/10
One bill per table: Yes (cannot split)
Probability of Returning: 40%
Saturday, April 18, 2009
St Johns
St Johns
5 Cable St (on the Waterfront next to NZX)
T: (04)- 801 8017
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We came here after Casablanca for drinks and dessert.
This place looks quiet from the outside but very lively inside. There is a restaurant section and a bar section. The bar is pack and the floor was wet. There were dirty glasses lying everywhere. But the bar itself was very nicely decorated, and the place seem popular.
The restaurant is a much quieter area with very posh seatings and attentive staff.
Items Ordered:
Trio of Ice Cream
Tiramisu: good balance of coffee and liquer. Not too dry not too wet.
Chocolate Pudding: served warm, this is delicious
Apple Martini: poorly made
Food: 8/10
Drinks: 4.5/10
Service: 8/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 8/10
5 Cable St (on the Waterfront next to NZX)
T: (04)- 801 8017
----
We came here after Casablanca for drinks and dessert.
This place looks quiet from the outside but very lively inside. There is a restaurant section and a bar section. The bar is pack and the floor was wet. There were dirty glasses lying everywhere. But the bar itself was very nicely decorated, and the place seem popular.
The restaurant is a much quieter area with very posh seatings and attentive staff.
Items Ordered:
Trio of Ice Cream
Tiramisu: good balance of coffee and liquer. Not too dry not too wet.
Chocolate Pudding: served warm, this is delicious
Apple Martini: poorly made
Food: 8/10
Drinks: 4.5/10
Service: 8/10
Value for Money: 7/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 8/10
Casablanca Cafe
Casablanca
18 Cambridge Tce
T: (04)- 384 6968
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We came here for our flat dinner because we wanted to save money. It didn't help when we spend money on before dinner and after dinner drinks.
This place is more of a cafe rather than a "fine dining restaurant".
The decor is very "safari" and very morocco (not that I've been there).
Items Ordered:
Chicken Bruchette
Lamb Bruchette
Royal Bruchette
Bruchette means kebab. It is served with salad and either chips or rice. The Royal Bruchette is a combination of all meats. Their menu also included targines, but we decided not to order it.
The Royal Bruchette includes chicken skewers, lamb skewers and kofta (mince). They ran out of lamb skewers and gave us two chicken skewers instead. They did this without telling us...so that was not very nice when we had to ask why there were no lamb skewers to find out they were out of lamb skewers.
This place was understaffed. Service was slow and unprofessional. Staff were not attentive.
Food: 6/10
Service: 1/10
Value for Money: 6/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 0/10
18 Cambridge Tce
T: (04)- 384 6968
----
We came here for our flat dinner because we wanted to save money. It didn't help when we spend money on before dinner and after dinner drinks.
This place is more of a cafe rather than a "fine dining restaurant".
The decor is very "safari" and very morocco (not that I've been there).
Items Ordered:
Chicken Bruchette
Lamb Bruchette
Royal Bruchette
Bruchette means kebab. It is served with salad and either chips or rice. The Royal Bruchette is a combination of all meats. Their menu also included targines, but we decided not to order it.
The Royal Bruchette includes chicken skewers, lamb skewers and kofta (mince). They ran out of lamb skewers and gave us two chicken skewers instead. They did this without telling us...so that was not very nice when we had to ask why there were no lamb skewers to find out they were out of lamb skewers.
This place was understaffed. Service was slow and unprofessional. Staff were not attentive.
Food: 6/10
Service: 1/10
Value for Money: 6/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 0/10
Pravda
Pravda
107 Customhouse Quay (opposite Old Bank Building)
T: (04)- 801 8858
----
We came here for after wok drinks, so didn't have anything to eat.
Items Ordered:
Daniel Le Brun NV: delicious bubbly by the glass
House Rose?: did not try this, but Sam said ti was good
G&T: always good if made with Tanqueray
Rice crackers with mascapone: the mascapone was really nice.
Food: na
Drinks: 7/10
Service: 5.5/10
Value for Money: 7.5/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
107 Customhouse Quay (opposite Old Bank Building)
T: (04)- 801 8858
----
We came here for after wok drinks, so didn't have anything to eat.
Items Ordered:
Daniel Le Brun NV: delicious bubbly by the glass
House Rose?: did not try this, but Sam said ti was good
G&T: always good if made with Tanqueray
Rice crackers with mascapone: the mascapone was really nice.
Food: na
Drinks: 7/10
Service: 5.5/10
Value for Money: 7.5/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
Friday, April 17, 2009
Floriditas
Floriditas
161 Cuba Street
T: (04)- 381 2212
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We came here for our third flat dinner. We tried reserving a table for 3, but they only do group bookings of more than 8.
Arriving at 6pm, there were lots of vacant tables, so that was not a problem.
Items Ordered:
Ginger Aperitif: light and refreshing
Bread plate with oil: this home made bread is soft and served warm with a green-coloured oil (avacado?)
Chicken on watercress parmesan salad: tender chickend served on fresh salad, balanced with parmesan.
Steak: we ordered on well done and one medium. This meat dish is heavier than the chicken so its more filling.
Creme Brulee: Delicious
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Value for Money: 8/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
161 Cuba Street
T: (04)- 381 2212
-----
We came here for our third flat dinner. We tried reserving a table for 3, but they only do group bookings of more than 8.
Arriving at 6pm, there were lots of vacant tables, so that was not a problem.
Items Ordered:
Ginger Aperitif: light and refreshing
Bread plate with oil: this home made bread is soft and served warm with a green-coloured oil (avacado?)
Chicken on watercress parmesan salad: tender chickend served on fresh salad, balanced with parmesan.
Steak: we ordered on well done and one medium. This meat dish is heavier than the chicken so its more filling.
Creme Brulee: Delicious
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Value for Money: 8/10
One Bill Per Table: No
Probability of Returning: 90%
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Le Metropolitain
Le Metropolitain
146 Cuba Street
T: (04)- 801 8007
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This is flat dinner number 3 (first in Monsoon Poon, second in Uncle Chang's). We came here after being rejected from Scopa and Floriditas because it was full.
We started with a glass of red and french blubbly. The lady was nice to offer us a small bowl of warm olives that were the best olives I've tasted in any restaurant!
We then ordered entrees, mains and dessert- the fully package, along with more red wine.
Items Ordered:
(1) Escargot: beautifully prepared, very garlic-ky and buttery, as it should be
(2) Grilled prawns: this was very flavourful, and cooked just right.
(3) Veal Rack (special board): this was ordered medium but served just a little under (closer to rare). Therefore it was a bit tough. It could have been helpful if they gave us a steak knife. The rack was served with very flavourful stuff.
(4)) Lamb Rump (special board):Sam had this dish, and she enjoyed it very much. The meat was well cooked!
(5) Creme Brulee: the "creme" was smooth, rich and tasted heavenly. The vanilla came thru very well. The caramel topping was too thick tho, and the "creme" was thin. I'd like more "creme" than caramel.
(6) Hazelnut and peppermint torte: this layered cake was light and rich at the same time. All the flavours came thru.
----
Overall Experience:
The service here is great (and not in your face). The food was traditionally french, and just very well prepared. We were bloated by the end though...
Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 7/10
Probability of returning: 75%
146 Cuba Street
T: (04)- 801 8007
----
This is flat dinner number 3 (first in Monsoon Poon, second in Uncle Chang's). We came here after being rejected from Scopa and Floriditas because it was full.
We started with a glass of red and french blubbly. The lady was nice to offer us a small bowl of warm olives that were the best olives I've tasted in any restaurant!
We then ordered entrees, mains and dessert- the fully package, along with more red wine.
Items Ordered:
(1) Escargot: beautifully prepared, very garlic-ky and buttery, as it should be
(2) Grilled prawns: this was very flavourful, and cooked just right.
(3) Veal Rack (special board): this was ordered medium but served just a little under (closer to rare). Therefore it was a bit tough. It could have been helpful if they gave us a steak knife. The rack was served with very flavourful stuff.
(4)) Lamb Rump (special board):Sam had this dish, and she enjoyed it very much. The meat was well cooked!
(5) Creme Brulee: the "creme" was smooth, rich and tasted heavenly. The vanilla came thru very well. The caramel topping was too thick tho, and the "creme" was thin. I'd like more "creme" than caramel.
(6) Hazelnut and peppermint torte: this layered cake was light and rich at the same time. All the flavours came thru.
----
Overall Experience:
The service here is great (and not in your face). The food was traditionally french, and just very well prepared. We were bloated by the end though...
Food: 9/10
Service: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 7/10
Probability of returning: 75%
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