Address: 165 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Rating:
First drinks: Were brought to our table promptly by a friendly and efficient waiter, who commended our bold choice of drink: the gingerbread margarita. Alas, this exotic-sounding tipple was slightly less exotic in practice. Rather, it tasted like a standard margarita, served on the rocks with a couple of slices of fresh ginger in it. Tasty but not quite what the name promised.
The vibe is: Relaxed. Particularly street-side, where we chose to sit so we could participate in the great sport that is PPW (Ponsonby people-watching). The service was friendly, with just the right amount of cheek. Although, it did start to dwindle as dinner service began to ramp up.
It smells of: Ponsonby Road - complete with the occasional belch of Link bus exhaust. But inside, all kinds of deliciousness waft over you, tempting you to stay for dinner.
On the stereo: Should you choose to sit outside, you'll be serenaded by the dulcet and not-so-dulcet tones of Ponsonby street-life. As it is located directly opposite the fire station, be prepared for the occasional blast of shrill sirens. Invigorating!
Room for improvement: Admittedly, we chose to sit outside on a blustery spring afternoon but we did feel a little forgotten as the evening wore on. A lot of hand-flapping and miming through the window was required to secure another round.
The perfect spot for: Serious conversation. It's also a great place to head when you're not sure quite where the night will take you. Start with drinks, stay for dinner, then head across the road and make a night of it.
Most redeeming feature: The outdoor heaters that blast warmth from above and make people-watching an all-seasons pursuit.
- TimeOut