I Accidently Ate Christchurch

I have officially touched back down in Osaka but here are the last of my foodie pictures from NZ.

From top to bottom: hands down the best pizza in Christchurch at Cafe Val, an overdue catch up at the coolest new cafe: Gentle Giant, flavoursome shakshuka from Hello Sunday, local apples, frozen yoghurt (one split into two cos we stingy) and vintage cookbooks on Mother’s Day with my sweet mama at the Riccarton Sunday Market, more coffee (with local almond milk) at Black and White Coffee Cartel and finally, vegetarian black rice sushi (not Japanese) from Bento Riccarton.

Happy 3000 Followers To Me!

OMG. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, merci, arigato. Kisses, boos, chu. Let us celebrate with a Parisian (not Persian) breakfast with croissants and pain au chocolats (from Le Panier) and exotic fruit (including red kiwi-fruit and Tamarillos).

The Christchurch Food Crawl Continues

Top to bottom: Lunch with my dear friends Ellie and Kate at The Lotus Heart Vegetarian Restaurant. I had an amazing Peace Bowl and oh baby was it peaceful. And, pumpkin, courgette, chard and brown rice-full. Also, nice gift store with good health products too. Next, coffee with my mama at Terra Viva garden cafe (where I used to work). We ordered a chocolate raspberry mousse, a chocolate, coffee and cinnamon cake and two americanos followed by a visit to Raeward Fresh, a top-notch grocery store. Top-notch because of its huge selection of health and organic foods. So good. I wish to live between its plastic-free, fresh fruit, isles.

My Big Fat Persian Wedding

Greek. Greek. I mean, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. But in my defence, the last thing my mother said to me was, “I love you” and “I can’t wait to see you in a white dress.” So, Greek, Persian, same diff. No hate mail please (hehe).

So the first movie (2002) was great and the second movie (2016) well, wasn’t but that’s okay. Because even though the humour seemed forced and the acting was awkward, it was still funny and relatable to people with similar families. Like, if I had a penny for every time my parents have irritated, embarrassed and hinted for me to get married… well, I wouldn’t be blogging. Hahahoheha I’m joking don’t leave!

Ok so back to the review, there was nothing fresh about the second film. Same jokes, same character, same stereotypes, same errything meaning it wasn’t spectacular but as already mentioned, and I’m sure you agree, because the first film was so amazing, a second movie  basically imitating it can’t be that bad of a thing.

Watch if you really must or just pay my parents a visit.

PS thoughts on the oh-so-blatant photoshopped poster?

2.5/5

Review No1 Orleans

Around every corner in Christchurch, a new building seems to have appeared out of thin air, in the place of an empty lot, that used to be some other building before it was an empty lot (It’s a good thing, I’m excited. YAY for earthquake recovery!) So, seeing as food and good company are two of my most favourite things, I’ve decided to do a series of reviews on recently opened restaurants in Christchurch. Review no1 is Orleans, 89 Lichfield Street. Before I begin, I must share a piece of vital information with you: I work in hospitality. Now, this is significant info because my inner villainess more often notices things non-hospitality folk are blinded to however; my criticism is justified as with absolute confidence I can say, I know my shit.

curly fries
burnt broccoli & kale
chicken waffle
Nola apple pie

I tried everything except the Chicken waffle (pictured above) and I can honestly say it was all rather tasty. I mean, fries are fries, (personally, I prefer the curly fries from C1), my friend Ryan said the chicken waffle was “delicious”, the burnt broccoli and kale was good (a little too salty for my liking but thats probably because salt is a big no-no in my household) and last but not least my favourite was the apple pie! Although a bit on the small side, the single pie slice was filled with an abundance of superbly spice-balanced apples which went perfectly well with the simple vanilla ice cream. Comfort food at it’s best, I don’t know why I didn’t take some away to enjoy at 3am in my lonely bed… Oh that’s right, because I accidently ate the whole thing (sorry Ryan).

The drink menu was extensive. I always get excited when there are more options than your regular juice and soda under the non-alcoholic section. I thought I’d try root beer for the first time, I blame Ryan, he said it was similar to ginger beer. Unfortunately, it tasted like medicine so I asked for an iced tea instead which was delicious (of course I paid for the root beer anyway, there’s nothing more annoying than the customer that simply doesn’t want to pay for something because they don’t like the taste of it – not because there’s something wrong with it)

According to a wee search on neatplaces.co.nz;  most of the decor at Orleans is “salvaged from an old house on Worcester Street – the venue’s architect having made the call to deconstruct the house after hearing a woman speak of her sadness at its marking for demolition on the plane”. Quite cute, rather sentimental; the atmosphere was relaxed, the venue was warm and the music was loud (good loud!).

Lastly, our waiter laughed at me when I said I was vegetarian. Yep, that’s what I want to end on.