Words: Vanessa Ortynsky
Take a moment
The bustling corner of Manchester and St. Asaph streets just got even cooler with the opening of Moment. We’ve fallen hard for the beautiful, sunlit café and its Instagram-worthy interior. The team is serving up classic breakfast and lunch options with a twist. Look out for the spectacularly presented poke bowls and vegan Benedict. We’ve also got our eye on the carrot cake smoothie.
Nourishing bowls in Nelson
I never need an excuse to visit New Zealand’s sunniest city, but now I have another. The Vines Village Café and Wine Cellar is my new go-to for fantastic coffee, tasty slices and wholesome bowls. My fave is the Nourish Bowl – cabbage, edamame, tomatoes and tempeh, you really can’t go wrong. There’s also plenty of wine and gin on offer, so make sure to add it to your list next time you’re heading to Marlborough.
Christchurch Food Chase Highlights
The inaugural Christchurch Food Chase has now been and gone, but we’re hoping it’ll soon return (hint, hint). With restaurants throughout our fine city taking part, we attempted to try as many new dishes as possible. Standouts include the brunch of steamed greens and poached eggs piled on top of a bed of mashed polenta at The Fermentist, and the chicken dish at Boo Radley’s. The Hellenic burger at Welles Street was a crowd pleaser, winning favourite dish overall.
First Impressions
Always on the hunt for Christchurch’s best burger, I was ridiculously excited to happen upon Nimpression – a new café and lunch spot on Moorhouse Avenue. The drinks menu was enough to reel me in with a selection of matcha and turmeric beverages. I ordered an iced matcha latté and it was scrumptious and filling. For lunch, I couldn’t resist the cheeseburger and shoestring fries. Nimpression also serves breakfast staples like eggs Benedict and a selection of sandwiches, salads and panini. The café itself is spacious and welcoming. Service is friendly and it’s fine to linger over a laptop or book.
Finger Lickin’ Good
Perhaps I’ve been living under a rock, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered Smokey T’s BBQ at The Corner Store (314 Cashel Street). The BBQ joint is home to the best beef brisket and pulled pork in the city. Order the brisket burger, waffle fries and wash it down with a beer. You can thank me later. The multi-use space also home to art studios, a café and offices. You’ll find us here throughout the summer months.
The Best of Bessie
For date night, I can’t go past Bessie on St. Asaph Street. The meat-focused fine-dining restaurant serves up the best cuts in the city. If you’re after something a bit different, I suggest trying the tomahawk steak. It’s perfect for sharing alongside a few sides. We paired it with roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary, clams and a handful of their delicious cocktails. The establishment is intimate and cosy, ideal for celebrations of any sort.