Daniels in the Park. Photo/George Novak
Daniels in the Park offers a great place for locals to flock and meet for an extended Sunday brunch, writes Annemarie Quill
Memorial Park is one of Tauranga's jewels with its superb location on the water and expansive grounds. It is a central hub where locals flock to play, walk and picnic, or in the summer months, host family gatherings at the barbecue areas.
Daniels in the Park is primarily a venue for hosting meetings, events and special occasions such as weddings.
Family owned by George and Linda Rolls and their son Darren, the venue has recently begun offering a three-course buffet Sunday lunch.
"We were just looking at different services we can offer," says George. "Given that lots of families come to the park on Sundays, there is a gap for a place where people can sit down together over a long lunch."
Children are welcome, and at just $35 per adult, the three-course lunch is good value, gets the family and extended family together for an all-you-can-eat roast with all the trimmings, and best of all, there is no washing up, so when you leave you can go for a walk in the sun, or back home for a movie or nap.
The buzz
It does have the feel of a wedding venue but that is not a bad thing, in fact it made for relaxed intimate dining.
The round tables are spacious and beautifully set with linen.
Food is laid out on a buffet table that you can wander up to at your leisure.
The food
Starters are a choice of soups - on offer when we went was a choice of spicy pumpkin or chicken noodle, with a selection of bread rolls and butter which George brings around enthusiastically.
The buffet table was a feast for all the senses. Darren carved roast pork and beef, and there were Yorkshire puddings to accompany the beef. If that is not enough meat for you, there was also roast chicken, or slow cooked lamb shanks in a tomato and wine sauce. There was also breaded fish.
For vegetarians, a dish of brocoli, cauliflower and other winter veges in a creamy cheese sauce, or a rice salad.
There are plenty of sides from roast potatoes and vegetables to green salad, coleslaw and an array of condiments.
The buffet table is then cleared for a selection of desserts, ranging from hot chocolate brownie, pecan pie, apple pie, tiramasu, with a choice of fresh cream or icecream, or if you are feeling decadent (and we were even after filling our boots on the first two courses). Guests can also help themselves to instant teas and coffees including herbal tea, and there is water on the tables.
The service
A standout, George and Linda are chatty and accommodating, with George making everyone feel like they were guests at his own family lunch.
The verdict
If you are after a traditional Sunday lunch in a beautiful relaxing setting, with tables large enough for big groups, then the last Sundays of the month have presented a great new lunchtime opportunity.
the details
Daniels in the Park
53 11th Avenue,
Memorial Park, Tauranga
Phone | 07 578 6301
Mobile | 027 486 6962
danielsinthepark@xtra.co.nz
Buffet lunches last Sunday of the month, bookings essential.