Then I saw the people - where did they come from and where had they all been hiding?
Pretty much every outdoor chair at every establishment was taken, a live band was playing and the mood in the area was overwhelmingly positive.
It was suddenly (well not so suddenly, but it felt that way) a place I was proud to take out-of-towners.
Whatever you think of the design itself - how it could have been improved, what you would have done differently - the fact is Rotorua needed a real entertainment destination.
A place to which locals and visitors of all ages can head and know they will have a good time.
As we report today, the crowds continued all weekend, helped no doubt by the stunning weather.
Bar and restaurant owners are loving it and, now they've had a wee taste, are working together on ideas to make the Eat Streat experience even better.
The only negatives for me were a couple of instances of below par service, remarked upon by my visitors, which I hope were just a result of some being caught out by the big turnout.
As long as the Eat Streat service can match the quality of the surroundings, it's going to be a great summer in the city.
Bring it on.
