Brooklyn Patio & Eatery: Share and double the pleasure

Brooklyn Patio & Eatery
53 The Strand, Tauranga
Ph (07) 579 9935

Price range: Sourdough and flat breads are $9.50, while the tasty and varied "small plates to share'' range from $16 to $25. Large plates to share range from $19.50 to $39.50 (the latter for Beef Wellington) and sides range from $8 to $11. Wood-fired pizza are $19.90.

On the menu: It's hard to go wrong with a menu this varied. All dishes are designed to share, which is great if, like me, you have trouble making your mind up. The menu could be likened to tapas but with Japanese, American, Italian and English influences. The food and flavours are unlike anywhere else on the Strand. Vegetarians miss out on the larger dishes but there are 11 smaller dishes, and five gluten-free ones. Cured Meats and Cheese Plates are on offer, plus a selection of homemade desserts that change daily and can be viewed in an open fridge behind the service counter upstairs.

We had: Chorizo and Calamari, sauteed with fresh herbs and cabernet sauvignon vinaigrette; Half Roasted Free Range Chicken, with lemon preserve, manuka honey and truffle oil glaze; and Beef Wellington, eye fillet and mushroom pate, wrapped in puff pastry and served with beef jus, and a side of Grilled Haloumi with roast pepper.

It was hard to choose a favourite. The flavours of the chicken were exquisite, the truffle oil and honey beautifully balancing the lemon. The chicken was moist and perfectly cooked. The Chorizo and Calamari was another example of flavours working brilliantly together.

The haloumi was simple but delicious with roasted pepper, while my partner was particularly fond of the Beef Wellington.

The salad was fresh and crisp, with its own "Brooklyn'' touch - fresh herbs and crusty bread.

For the adventurous: Coromandel Smoked Mussel and Prawn Ravioli, perhaps with a beetroot, walnut and blue cheese salad.

Value for money: Brooklyn has plenty to offer and it would be easy to spend large because there are so many great dishes. But because the food is designed to share - so is the price. The "large plates" hover in the $20-$30 range and are reasonable, when you also consider the quality, fantastic view, service and atmosphere.

To drink: Wine lovers rejoice! The wine list features the best New Zealand has to offer with whites and reds from vineyards such as Amisfield, Mills Reef, Church Road and Mt Difficulty. A couple of cheeky Australian reds are also featured, along with an impressive list of various ciders. Tap and bottle beer are also on offer.

The staff were: Impeccable. Friendly, relaxed, professional and attentive _ the perfect mix for a great night out. Our waitress went above and beyond when she offered me, and the family sitting next to us outdoors, blankets to throw over our shoulders as the night cooled. Staff on the ground floor greeted us and farewelled us, making us feel well looked after.

The buzz: Classy, fresh, elegant - the people who brought Brooklyn Patio & Eatery to Tauranga have harnessed the absolute best of what Tauranga's Strand has to offer.

As we ate, classic British cars from an event at the weekend drove by, laughter could be heard from crowds below, the waterfront shone in the setting sun and a plane doing aerobatics above Tauranga Airport could be seen.

This place is an absolute jewel in the crown of The Strand.