Roxy Café, 203-205 Cuba Street,
Tel: (04) 890-3939
As we are all aware, there are some fantastic restaurants
around Wellington.
I was part of a reasonably large group (there were eleven of us) which went to
Roxy Café in the weekend. This is a
licensed BYO café/restaurant which confirms the ‘Cuba Quarter’ as being a very
dependable part of the city in which to eat.
Despite the size of our party there is plenty of space around the tables
to ensure we weren’t squashed in!
As far as the all-important aspect – the food – it is simply
just good and tasty. With mains around
the $25.00 to $29.00, it is reasonably priced as well. The flavours are there, without being
intrusive in any way. With eight mains
to choose from on the menu, they really have stuck to what they do best. This is something many other eateries could
learn from. The thoroughly dependable
potato runs with practically all the dishes in one form or another. There is mash, sauté or gratin. I love potato, so I was very happy to see
this under-rated vegetable well-utilised here.
The wine list parallels the menu; it is simple and covers most
of the bases. Sure it doesn’t cover the
high-rollers, but there’s some pretty decent drinking can be had, such as
Terrace Heights Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Earth’s End Pinot Gris 2008, Te Mania
Chardonnay 2008, Saddleback Pinot Noir 2008, Redmetal Merlot Franc 2007. Anyway, you can bring along a special bottle,
if you want.
I began with the brochette; it had a real freshness about it
as most Italian influenced dishes should.
Then came a special of beef eye-fillet with duck liver parfait and
mashed potato, finished with a red wine jus.
It was not extraordinary, but it was cooked perfectly and delivered all
the flavour I wanted. All the group’s
mains came out it relatively quick succession, with no-one waiting. The meals are a good size but if you like
your food I would recommend a side to share.
This was a great venue for a group of friends to go out and
have a very nice, well priced-meal. At
around $40.00 per person for starter, main, sides and coffee, we were all
well-satisfied. A truly safe house in Cuba Street.
- Stephen Clarke