Restaurant Review: The Pig and Whistle Historic Pub

The Pig and Whistle Pub in Rotorua

THE Pig and Whistle Historic Pub is a Rotorua landmark. The 1940s building used to be the city's police station but is now a large, airy venue that with a great outdoor area provides live music, cold drinks and a warm atmosphere. It offers a full menu from 11am until 10pm seven days a week.

- The Food: The menu is extensive and offers a wide variety for both adults and children. Whether you feel like something to snack on with a few drinks, a meal or dessert, it will be on there.

We were there for lunch and were in no hurry so ordered the New Zealand lamb salad with a side of The Pig's famous curly fries. The lamb was perfectly cooked and sliced on top of a fresh, vibrant Greek-style salad with green beans, spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives and feta cheese. It was topped with hummus and tzatziki and the wedge of lemon lifted the whole dish to another level. The fries were their usual best and a perfect accompaniment to the salad.

My friend ordered the beef, bacon and mushroom burger and also had a side of curly fries. She doesn't eat bread but even without the bun the meal looked like any meatlover's dream. It came with Kapiti smoked cheddar cheese, grilled field mushrooms, tomato relish and barbecue sauce.

Be warned - the meals here are huge, even for those with big appetites.

-The service: It was very friendly and attentive. The wait was minimal for our meals and we were well looked after.

-The drinks: The list was extensive. There are many beers on tap and bottled. My ginger beer was perfect for a hot, summer lunch hour and my friend enjoyed the cold jugs of water on offer.

The prices: These are around the $20 mark for the light meals and burgers but what you receive is more than value for money with our meals easily able to feed another person. The snack menu gives a choice of three meal sizes and price ranges from about $9 to $17.

-Overall: The Pig and Whistle is a favourite for locals and tourists.

It's a place you can go to catch up with friends or drop in after work for a few ales and listen to live music. The pub is also inviting for families. While new venues are popping up throughout the city, I'm sure the Pig and Whistle will continue to stand the test of time.