The Lab Eatery on Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna. Photo / Dean Purcell
Address: 132 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna
Phone: (09) 489 4496
Open: Tues-Sun 8am-11pm
Cost: $50.40 for two people
SET UP & SITE
The Lab certainly has plenty of room for experiments. Perched near the corner of one of Takapuna's main drags, there's ample outdoor seating and even more tables inside.The vibe is weirdly roomy, particularly as it's lunchtime on a Sunday and we're only one of about two
tables. Corona umbrellas and fake grass outside give a sports-bar feel and, sure enough, when I ask our lovely waiter what kind of venue it is, he confirms my suspicion that it goes from cafe to bar at night.
SUSTENANCE & SWILL
My friend and I are brought water in a little lab beaker, which is cute but also seems kind of pointless. I hate the whole mason jar thing too though, so maybe I'm just a negative Nancy. The menu is interesting, and the crab cake eggs benedict ($19 with bacon, $21 with salmon) in particular catches my eye, however I'm hungover and worried kai moana might be a bit rich for my queasy tummy, so opt for the Lab's big breakfast ($23) instead. My friend gets the same and we also both order flat whites, which come in big glass cups and are creamy and delicious. When the food arrives, the hash browns, bacon, spicy chorizo two poached eggs and some broad beans (again served in little glass beakers) are great, however, I hereby propose a ban on grilled tomato and button mushrooms on big breakfasts, with them adding little to the dish.
