Eating outside my comfort box (heh)
Everyone knows that large corporations eat puppies, but what do the people who work for large corporations eat for lunch?
The Wellingtonista is closing down its Courtenay Place branch on Friday and is opening up in mid Lambton Quay instead. After a year and a half down this way, we'd just finally got the good people at Sahara Kebabs to know that we like just a few onions and garlic yoghurt, tahini and hot chilli on our (mixed vegetarian, mujaver and falafel only) kebabs. Where are we going to eat now?
This is where you come in. Please give us suggestions as to good lunching locations on Lambton Quay and its surroundings, preferably for $10 and under, with both takeaway and cafes-with-magazines-to-read options. And where's the best coffee at? And the best pub for after work drinks? And just so that we don't end up total fatties (oh wait, too late), anyone got any gym recommendations in that area for non-eating lunchtimes?
You should totally get them to ditch those weird dumpling things in favour of more falafel and deep fried slices of carrot and zuchini instead.
Best coffee has to go to Coffee32 on the Terrace. Owners have an AMAZING memory and very very good coffee.
For lunch, I can't go past the takeaway chicken/fish on salads/rice/whatever made by the little add-on to St Peirre's in Lambton Square. Run by a Lebanese (I think) family, they do pretty tasty kebabs and baps as well. Another crew with an amazing memory.
They asked if anything had been wrong with the food when I came back from a 5 week holiday. Must remember to tell them I'm going to be away for a while next time.
Oh cool, I'll try them. The Marion Takeaways in Woodward do good takeaway coffee, and passable bacon & egg sarnies.
I get a lot of soup from Wishbone, and Revive has some nice stuff too.
Pandoro do a wicked beef on 5 grain sandwich & I really like both their blueberry & savoury muffins.
Sir Breadwins do these heart stopping ready made burgers... for special occasions you understand.
No offence to Johnny-Johnny...but you sir, are smoking crack*.
The best coffee on the Terrace (and possibly Wellington) is at "Tony's" near the Reserve Bank. After a week of regular orders I was able to walk in, wait 30secs max and get my coffee. Correct, quick and some of the best damn coffee in the capital.
Their next door neighbour is Daniels Fine Foods. Don't be put off by the name, they do a mean Kebab, as the lines out the door during lunch hour will attest. And good falafel. Oh and they learn fast.
*Johnny-johnny, seriously just kidding.
Kebabs: not much 'round here, but the new "Alaturka" in Waring Taylor St is okay.
For sandwichy stuff, you've got plenty of options, but I often end up at Ground Floor (cnr Waring Taylor & Customhouse Quay), Espresso Republic (Featherston St) or Arabica (Grey St). If you're up the northern end, Sweet Fanny Anne's (by the bus terminus) has one of the wider and more interesting ranges of sandwich than most places.
Takeaway coffee: I like the Burton Hollis "Milano" blend from Magnetix on Midland Park Like? Who am I kidding: I love it!
Sushi: I haven't tried it, but there's always a ridiculous crowd outside Midland Sushi on Waring Taylor, so they must be doing something right.
After work drinks: I'm always desparately trying to avoid the default option (the Poxy Occi). It's loud, crowded and full of bloggers. Shudder. For a pubby environment, I much prefer Leuven, but it's best to get there early and it's easy to forget that after a couple of beers it's hard to walk (if they're Duvel, that is). If I manage to drag the workmates away from the Occi for a more upmarket tipple, then Arbitrageur, Juniper, Beaujolais or Concrete are the usual suspects.
Glad to be of assistance. The Pandoro is in Woodward St, opposite the Mad Hatter's.
My comfort zone was formed in the Upper Cuba area during uni, but I have been working happily in Featherston St for the last 2.5 years. The Bordeaux bakery on the corner of Featherston & Johnston does an excellent nicose salad roll (with anchovies!). If you want classic Kiwi fare, then there is a little place on Panama St with enough lamingtons and steak & kidney pies for Upper Hutt. Ignore them, and head straight for the excellent bacon & egg pie they do.
masi cafe on lower willis st has great coffee and an excellent window for people watching.
hare krishna place (higher taste? something like that) also on willis (upstairs by kathmandu) - yummy and healthy. just a short stroll from lambton quay to work up an appetite.
I second Tom's recommendation of Magnetix's takeaway bar. Though I go for the Paris blend. You do have to ask for the blend that suits you, everyone does it so it's not wanky.
They also write down your name with the order so they can call you when it's ready and no stuffy "suit" gets to steal your coffee.
Different coffee blends eh? Gosh, complicated! I'm used to favouring Supreme over other coffee roasters, but now having to learn about new blends? Challenging! I suppose I did learn that I like Cuban Havana better than X-Blend, so maybe I can do it. And then maybe I'll be old enough to really enjoy a martini properly...
The Hare Krishna "Higher Taste" place has closed down farily recently, and according to a sign I saw there yesterday was asking for suggestions for a suitable replacement venue.
I second R Smith's appreciation of Petit Bordeaux (mmmm, anchovies), and I'll add that the Terrace branch (J'aime Bordeaux) serves wine as well.
Hadyn's reference to Magnetix reminds me of their one limitation: they can get verrrry busy. It's not the suits you have to worry about, but the office minions sent out to get coffees for the entire floor: you think there's just a couple of people in the queue, but there's actually a dozen orders in front of you. Nevermind. They'll tell you if the order will take too long, and they've got the best ever selection of magazines to browse through while you wait.
That little crêpes place on Manners Mall has a sister store somewhere on the Quay, darn it, can't remember where but the crêpes are delicious!
It's in the Harbour City Centre, behind Kirks Cuisine shop and Fromagerie. If they're half as good as the Manners Mall ones, they'll be fantastic.
Haydn is right, but the coffee bar is called Gibston Coffee Company and they roast their beans in the window every day.
It has changed my life.
Big tick to Daniel's Fine Foods, as well. That stuff rules (and for $5.70!)
Midland Sushi is amazing and great value for money. Avocado triangles are my fave.
For excercise options, I go to Configure Express, but I don't rate it that high. It's very corporate and annoying, but they do have lots of classes - kind of convenient.
If its a cracker day, Word of Mouth on molesworth street is worth a walk. They have a great range of freshly made salads (leaving kapai in the dust) and other yummy treats. Got food, then head to parliament, sit on the grass and go.
Haha, it's ironic that you suggest Word of Mouth, because I'm just getting around to doing a "where to eat on Molesworth?" post. And while I'll be saying that WoM is tasty, I will be saying it is tiny portions and very expensive.
mmm, sahara kebabs.
mixed vege, tahini, garlic yoghurt, hot chilli and all the salads thanks.