Last night while the Wellingtonista and FAGs and SAGs (that’s Friends and Girlfriends, and also Sisters and Girlfriends, there were no Partners present) were at Southern Cross quiz, we realised that hey, they don’t give us chipped glasses anymore! That means things have got better since we complained about them. It has also been noted that since we bitched about the decor at the Port Cafe, they have in fact reinstated a cheaper menu for takeaway, which is a good thing. So, to continue on from those great developments, here’s some more suggestions as we strive for perfection.
1. That the Cross gets a $35 wine. We’re bored of drinking the $30 Five Flax, and we feel like the jump up to $40 as the next cheapest wine on their list is too big a jump. We appreciate that their Matariki Cab/Merlot and Ata Rangi Rose are lovely, but we’d settle for something less awesome for less pricey.
2. That Word of Mouth labels its salads. It sucks to queue for ages for what you think is going to be yummy coleslaw with kumara, only to discover that (eww!) there is tuna in the mix. They have a pencil-written list on their wall, with meat, dairy and allergens highlighted, but it does need a lot of peering at to read. And yes, we know they change their salads every day, but really, would it take that long to print out labels and stick them in a little perspex thingie on top of the counter?
3. That Viva Mexico start offering sides. I’d pay extra for guacamole and salsa if I had the option. Also, we’d love them to get a BYO license and extend their hours.
4. In fact, let’s get all of Leftbank a BYO license, and make the centre tables more communal, so groups of people can pick’n mix their dinners. 5. I know this is a very long shot, but can we please have these train-buses too?
At the top of Cuba Street, opposite Fidel’s and next to a sex shop is what appears to be a crappy little tea room named Chef’s Cafe. You might think that they’re going to try and sell you a pie and a custard square, but you couldn’t be more wrong. See that little sandwich board outside that says “Takeaway Curry $10”? That’s right, this is an Indian restaurant. And it’s good. And it’s insanely cheap*. If you dine in, you’re looking at a cost of around $12.90 for a meat curry, rice and naan. The decor is admittedly nothing at all to look at, but the menu is really extensive and the curries do actually all taste distinctive and tasty, rather than just coming in different colours of the same slop (cough cough Tulsi). Plus, it’s BYO, and not just wine – the corkage on a small bottle of beer is $1, and $2 for big bottles. We really think you should try it out. We would like it to have more patronage. Just not on Tuesday nights, because that’s when we go before the Quiz around the corner at the Cross.
* If you work on the basis that most Indian places charge at least $15 for a curry, and that doesn’t include naan and in some cases doesn’t even include rice.
So let’s say you’re a little bit unhinged, and you’re tired of picking up hookers on Marion Street and then running them over. What you really want is to stay home and play Grand Theft Auto, but you hate the fake New Yorkness of it all, and wish it could be a little bit more like home. Well we’ve got just the link for you – skin your game so that the police cars, taxis and ambulances are all familiar Wellington sights!
And of course, what’s a GTA story without some moral outrage surprisingly supportive commentary from Breakfast News?
Remember that time that I went to Capitol for a Serisen wine dinner that cost $85 and was fricking amazing? Well it turns out that there’s something similar happening every month at Cellar-Vate, but for only $35! Holy crap! So, in order to investigate this phenomenon for you, my dear reader, my fearless dining companion Karen and I subjected ourselves to six courses of food matched with Clearview wines last night. Oh the humanity.
It’s such a hardship to sit down to dine with new people just waiting to become your friends, Rachel from Cellarvate who took the time to explain her menu selections, and two people from the winery to chat to. Food was served on communal plates, and while it wasn’t huge amounts of anything, even Karen and I, who do like our food a lot, left satisfied. You need to go to Cellar Vate on Molesworth and ask them to put you on their mailing list so you can come along to the next diner. The menu after the jump.
Noone really does any work on Fridays, do they? So instead, tell us a story about one of your most memorable nights out in Wellington in the comments section. We’re looking for location, location, location, and what you choose to disclose is entirely up to you. Just entertain us. Thank you. My story will follow very shortly.
Wishbone have put up the prices of most of its food by $1, so now you will pay $7.50 for their cranberry, chicken and brie sandwich (luckily, next door to my local Wishbone is the Concorde Cafe where I can get a crusty baguette filled with salami and cheese, and a mystical half olive for a bargain $3.50). They say that it is the rising cost of petrol that has forced them into it. We say that maybe if they investigated ways to reduce the ridiculous amount of plastic that their food comes in, the cost of petrol wouldn’t affect them quite as much.
PS: Their black plastic boxes are #5, which can’t be collected, but you can take them in to Commonsense Organics who will recycle them for you. If you’re that dedicated. We think that Wishbone should take them back too.
We know that we’ve mentioned their sales in the past, but we know that you like books, and discounts, and also free wine, and that is why we must let you know that once again, Vic Books is starting its sale of awesomeness.
It starts with drinks, nibbles & great books with ridiculously low prices from about 4pm, Thursday 1st May, in the Kelburn shop. The sale runs in both shops until Thursday 22nd May, and they have two special “discount days”: 25% off all non-fiction not already discounted on Thursday 8th May; 25% off all fiction not already discounted on Thursday 15th May.
And remember – if you’re too lazy to walk up the hill, you can take the Cable Car, or the numbers 17, 20 and 23 buses to get there, or check out Vic Books down at the Railway Station if you’re not so keen on fiction.
Recently the Wellingtonista were sent an email from “Dave, Designer fella in Wellington” enquiring whether we thought that Wellingtonian Creative Web Design Folk might fancy the opportunity to meet up monthly; to drink, discuss related stuff and network.
Our response was:
“Web people getting together to drink (and talk geek), you have to ask?”
But we thought we’d ask you anyway. We do appreciate that there are many sorts of sub committees that happen organically, but they’re all sub styles. So how about it, Web Creative folk? Leave your comments and thoughts here for Dave to collect. And please feel free to contribute ideas for venues and sponsorship while you’re at it.
Dress for Success Wellington Autumn Clothing Sale
On this week >>> Wed 16 & Thu 17, 11.30am – 6pm each day
Hello fellow bargain hunters,
This week is the Dress for Success Wellington Autumn Clothing Sale. If you fancy yourself in Karen Walker but think you can’t afford it – Dress for Success Wellington has the answer!
We have some amazing labels for sale at rock-bottom prices. You and your mates can scoop up bargains from designers including Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper, Zambesi, Wallace Rose, Veronica Maine, World and even Versace. Of course there will also be lots of chain-store staples that your wardrobe can’t do without!
Nothing is above $50, with most items as low as $5 for tops, $10 for skirts and suits at around $25.
The sale helps us clear out items that are not suitable as interview or work wear, and clears space for incoming winter stock. It also helps raise cash so we can continue to provide our much-needed service.
The sale is open to you – my friends, also to our clients, client referral agencies and the general public – be in early to catch a bargain from our packed racks! The sale is held at the Dress for Success Wellington Office and Showroom, Ground Floor, 84 Willis Street, Wellington.
Please note, we don’t have an eftpos facility, we will be accepting cash or cheque sales only.
Please also, pass on the word – spread it round!