Craft Bar & Kitchen. Photo/John Borren
Annemarie Quill does some people-watching and tries out the menu and craft beers at CBK.
The buzz
Cfadt Bar & Kitchen, known as CBK, is one of the latest dining offerings in downtown Tauranga. It joins the growing family of CBK in other towns including Rotorua, Masterton, Kaiapoi and Dunedin.
With its central downtown Tauranga location, and the expansive outdoor patio spilling onto Red Square, it is an attractive spot for people watching and soaking up the sun. It is regularly humming at lunch, particularly towards the end of the week, and its spacious interior makes it great for a group or family dinner or after work drinks.
Owner-operator Billy Emeny has built a team of friendly attentive staff to take you through their range of craft beers, ciders and lively menu including smoking meats and stone grill.
What's on the menu?
Not surprisingly given the restaurant's name, there's a wide range of craft beers to tickle every palate with more than 60 different beers including Good George, Moa and Stoke beers. The craft beer selection also changes to keep up with new offerings.
For non-beer drinkers there are the usual selections of wine, cocktails and non alcohol options.
The menu is divided into breakfast and brunch, main menu, and street food - which is food that could make a smaller meal or share in groups, such as oysters, smoked barbecue chicken wings and bao buns - all perfect if you come to try the beers and get peckish, and the staff can advise on pairings.
The eatery's speciality is the stonegrill which is cuts of meal that are cold smoked, then served on a sizzling 400C stone grill which you can then cook to your liking. There's also steaks, burgers and salads and a creative children's menu which makes dining with the kids easy to find something to please everyone.
I'll have
Smoked king salmon on a bed of Asian slaw, bok choy, crunchy shredded vegetables with sticky soy and sesame seeds. The slab of succulent fish was generous and the lightness of the tangy salad offset the richness nicely.
He'll have
Good George fish and chips - a generous portion of the nation's favourite with the local catch battered in Good George Pilsner beer batter served with asian slaw, classic fries, lemon wedge, lime aioli and tomato sauce. Fries are another speciality of the restaurant and come regular, curly or cross trax.
They'll have
The kids' menu comes with some standard offerings such as fish and chips or a burger, and there is also something different. We tried the chicken lollipops, crumbed drumsticks in a Cola BBQ sauce. The Flinstone grill plate for children is great value for money and kids get to experience the excitement of the stone grill. You choose two of either chicken, beef, lamb or venison and get to cook it on the hot plate - parents need to supervise, given the high heat. A very generous portion, and it also comes with salad and fries. For teens there is plenty on the adult menu to appeal - our pair went for smoked chicken, pesto and bacon fettuccine, and a flat iron chicken burger.
Value for money
Generous portions and good value. There are also special deals on the website.
The staff
Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Right there when we needed them and patient with our indecisiveness. Great with kids.
The verdict
Popular with the office crowd, but also with couples and families, this is a fun dining option sure to be buzzing this summer.
the details
CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen Red Square
1 Devonport Rd, Tauranga
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9am-late
Contact: 07 578 4700 info@cbktauranga.co.nz www.cbk.nz/tauranga