“I love his t-shirt” …
… says Helen as we take our window seats at this bustling café on Cuba Street Mall opposite that bucket fountain that looks like it has been swiped from the Sesame Street set. We’ve just sat for lunch at Plum with Ania from Positively Wellington Tourism to try yet another great value Dine 2010 menu at the measly price of $25. Two courses with wine and coffee though something tells me it was a good idea to skip on the vino as my liver was tapping on my ribcage while whispering “Not now, honey, I’ve got a headache”.
A quick glance around the place is enough to tell you that the mountainous plate of cooked breakfast is a bit of a drawcard and the coffee, judging by t-shirts donned by the staff, is something worth worshiping. HNF needs coffee. Big time. And when I taste it I’m about to get into the same position as the bloke in the t-shirt. Does anyone make bad coffee in this town?
I’m craving something rich and as soon as I spotted blue cheese on the menu I just had to have it. Potato gnocchi with Kapiti blue cheese & toasted walnut cream. As a starter is was perfectly sized and the stunning flavour had me enraptured. That Kapiti blue really is something. A bowl of cheesy paradise.
Ania goes for the Salmon pavé on Pinot Noir risotto and when it arrives I’m wondering how she’s going to get through the massive portion. This is a starter? The risotto with its Pinot blush lays the foundation for a mound of creamy spinach, the salmon pavé (non French may call it steak or fillet) and it’s crowned with olive tapenade. I snuck a taste of the risotto and found it perfectly cooked with a definite flavour of Pinot.
Helen dives into a celebration of colour. A very healthy looking salad of Pumpkin, fetta, tomato, olives, red onion and leaves and Ania, after her mighty attempt of almost finishing her risotto, chooses a Calamari, rocket, fetta, lemon zest and caper salad for main.
An impressive stack of Corn blini’s with house-smoked salmon, salad greens, chive creme fraiche & tomato salsa lands infront of Helen for her main course. The salmon was playing peek-a-boo from between the beautifully-golden blini’s.
Rather than have a main course I skipped straight to dessert and while the girls tucked into their savouries I sweetened myself up with Vanilla pannacotta, poached rhubarb & lime jelly. The vanilla-freckled pannacotta is creamy and silky and possibly the best I’ve ever had and the sharp bite of the rhubarb is very refreshing. The discs of firm lime jelly are milder in flavour than I expected and are similar in texture to the palm seeds you get in those Indonesian es campur desserts. A perfect ending to a delicious lunch.
HNF dined at Plum as a guest of Positively Wellington Tourism for Wellington On a Plate (WOAP)
Plum 103 Cuba Street Wellington 6001 +64 4 384 8881 Mon 8am-6pm Tues-Fri 8am-10pm Sat 8.30am-10pm Sun 8.30am-6pm plumcafe.co.nzOther posts from my Wellington On a Plate experience:
City Market & Harbourside Market, Wellington NZ
Muirlea Rise & lunch at Bar Saluté, Wairarapa NZ
R&S Satay Noodle House, Wellington NZ
Devour, a Gala Dinner, Wellington NZ
Museum Hotel, street art & Sweet Mothers Kitchen, Wellington NZ
Mojo Coffee Central & Waterfront Cafe, Wellington NZ
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Not sure if I’d bow down for a cup of coffee but everything else in that picture I’d probably be willing to!
Trissa recently posted..Savour Chocolate and Patisserie School and My First Giveaway
The places you visited on your Wellie tour are so cool! And what a bonus to not have to suss them out yourself. Love the presentation of the dishes at Plum (lots of ideas to steal, hehe!)
OohLookBel recently posted..Little Black Duck with Orange Pomegranate Sauce
Those t-shirts were awesome. And lol at your “not now, honey” whisper. I think we were both struggling by this point – digestive system overload!
ps. nice fork
Helen (grabyourfork) recently posted..Efendy- Balmain
That t-shirt is so cool! I want one too!
I love those salads, they look so delicious! And that last photo, John… that is just a master piece, I love it! Maria x
Maria @ ScandiFoodie recently posted..Crab Cakes
Why is it everytime I read one of your posts I want to rush out and either visit the restaurant, hop on a plane and go to whatever exotic destination you’re at, or try to replicate the meal at home (sometimes to the detriment of those having to consume the food?!). Thanks for another brilliant post. I’ve been shamefully behind in getting across the pond to NZ and this has definitely pushed me to hop onto a plane and make it my next-visit destination.
@Francesca, I completely agree about the fact that John’s posts are doing a better job at enticing me to go over to NZ, than those beautuiful 100% Pure NZ ads themselves! But it’s all about places, people and FOOD for me!
Will be adding all posts to my travel bookmarks for sure! Maybe a trip for my birthday…*daydreams*
Martyna recently posted… Party food for grown ups: scallops with a vodka and lime [Caipiroska] dressing
Martyna (Wholesome Cook) recently posted..Party food for grown ups- scallops with a vodka and lime Caipiroska dressing
Awesome T-shirt! I also love the look and vibe of this bistro. Places like these inspire me to have another go at opening an eatery with my husband.
Steph@LittlePotBelly recently posted..Ginger Date Muffin- with caramel sauce
Thanks for the positive comments guys. As much as I loved experiencing it all, it’s great to be able to share it with anyone that’s willing to set aside time for my banter! x John
All I can say is: I need to get myself back to NZ!
Richard Elliot recently posted..Spring in Sydney
John do I detect even a slight pulling back from loads of food on this post? You must be giving your insides a pounding on this trip! When I was in NZ I found virtually every place I went to did fabulous coffee – what is it about these New Zealanders and coffee? Whatever it is they’ve go the right stuff going on. I would have gone for that cheese gnocchi too! Lovely photos as always.
Sarah at For the Love of Food recently posted..Persian roast duck legs with date and pomegranate sauce
Ooh! I love that t-shirt! I still think I had some of the best coffee in Wellington!
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul recently posted..Cinnamon Braised Lamb Shanks
You’re absolutely right Sarah. The drinks the night before caused somewhat of a hangover!
Wellington is so full of cute and quirky places isn’t it!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella recently posted..Golden Pineapple Meringue Pie