PONSONBY ROAD BISTRO
And just like that, another year has passed and we found ourselves out celebrating Christmas with a fancy meal and our “Favourite Things” (more on that below). What we didn’t factor into our fun after lunch antics was the fact we would be SO FULL post-meal, basically rolling out the door. Let’s just say it made the Megazone Laser Tag a little more strategy-based rather than speed and agility-focused. And it didn’t stop Lou and Kate putting everyone else to shame with their killer laser tag skills (read:domination).
Back to why you’re here, the food. Ponsonby Road Bistro accommodated our request for speedy service and delivered our 3 courses in a record time! This spot doesn’t look much from the street, and even once inside feels a little dark, but that did not hinder the experience. We sipped on cocktails as we perused the menu and settled on our choice of three courses. Each course was much larger than anticipated, and full of flavour and texture. The perfect combination for an end of year celebration!
Our Husky’s favourite things for 2019:
Lou: Strange Planet book by Nathan W. Pyle
Mel: Geometric tealight holder and tealights
Sabrina: Ceres Organics Cashew Butter
Phil: 3 piece Collapsible Dinner Set and torch
Jeffrey: LEGO keychains
Katie: Sipahh Milk Flavouring Straws and miniature glass milk bottles and paper straws
Iliane: Fairtrade Chocolate, Fairtrade Soap and Hemp Carry Bag
Kate: Homemade Almond Butter
Louise had the Chicken Liver Pate for an entree, the Confit Duck with cranberry glaze, duck fat roasted potatoes, radicchio and almond salad for a main and Petit Fours for dessert. She drank a Sesame Daiquiri. She said, “The chicken pate was divine, the sesame daiquiri delish and the plating beautiful and generous. Think the moody lighting may suit evening dining more than lunch but loved it anyway. Thanks PRB!”
Katie had the Southern Clams for her entree. For her main she also had the Confit Duck and for dessert she had a warm Valrhona chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce and creme fraiche. She drank a Craggy Range ‘Te Muna’ Sauvignon Blanc 18. She said, “Feels like eating at the chef’s house — hearty, generous, absolutely delicious!”
Mel had the Hummus, dukkah, lavogh and flatbread for her entree. For her main she had the Roast lamb rump with eggplant relish, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and cumin yoghurt. For dessert she also had Creme Brûlée. She also enjoyed a Sesame Daiquiri. She said, “Wow such a lovely place to have our end of year lunch! The servings were really big so it took some effort to fit 3 courses … but of course we all did and were not disappointed ;)”
Jeffrey had the Spanish Prawn Cocktail with gazpacho salsa and baby cos for his entree. For his main he also had the Duck. For dessert he also had the Creme Brûlée. He drank a Long Black Coffee and a Seedlip Strawberry Smash Mocktail with Seedlip ‘Spice 94’, strawberries, pink peppercorns, lime and demerara. He said, “The food was pretty good and they fitted 3 courses in a short time for us – impressive.”
Phil also had the Spanish Prawn Cocktail, the Confit Duck and the Creme Brûlée. He drank a Yo-Ho Brewing Co. Tokyo Black Porter (350ml can). He said, “Food was delicious, great for our end of year lunch. Nothing too creative but everything cooked perfectly. It was a nice comfortable restaurant but it felt a bit dark with the large windows pouring light in the middle of the day.”
Kate had the Buffalo Mozzarella Bruschetta with peperonata, green olives and basil oil for her entree, Confit Duck for the main and for dessert, she shared A Little Plate of Sweet Treats. She drank a Seedlip Strawberry Smash Mocktail with Seedlip ‘Spice 94’, strawberries, pink peppercorns, lime and demerara. She said, “The staff were so accommodating of our extra person and the quick turnaround we needed for food. The food itself was super flavourful and delicious. The portion sizes were huge – we had to roll our full and content selves out the door at the end of the meal.”
Iliane had the Risotto of Roast Lemon & Mascarpone with zucchini, peas and mint for her entree. For her main she had the Roast lamb and for dessert she had the Chocolate pudding. She drank Chiarli ‘Cialdini’ Lambrusco Grasparossa. She said, “Amazing experience! They catered to our group so effortlessly, sticking to the time we had allocated before heading off on our afternoon adventure! Three courses for seven people in record time. Mains were HUGE! If only I’d known, probably wouldn’t have had that entree – but so glad I did. Yummyyyyyyy!”
