Tulsi

Brother David and Mel were in Petone today looking for kitchen hardware, so an excuse for the next one on the list. I've been to Tulsi before - ages ago - had a feeling that it was a bit ho hum but it was quite OK to get out of the rain today. Lots of thunder and lightning last night and the river was up. Quite an adequate meal and anyway it was great to catch up on the kitchen plans. I now know why the back steps have been wobbly for 10 years - they are about to be subsumed in an expansion! Afraid that I have a perception that eastern peoples can't do coffee and this didn't change. The waiter didn't know recognise the word macchiato - and when I changed to long black, produced a poor one. But in researching the spelling of macchiato it seems that the kiwi macchiato isn't the same as elsewhere - but I like them. The foam on top doesn't detract from the hit of the black, and may even keep the heat in as you drink.

Jackson St Cafe/Bistro

The project has stalled for a year, not that I haven't been to Jackson St for out-of-order coffee visits, but the next on the list required an "occasion". Dined last night at Jackson St Cafe and Bistro with Jim and Jill. Enquired on the phone about veg options for Jill and they had a special menu on the table for us. Nice meal and service to start with, but inattentive as the evening went on. So adequate, would go again, but not stand-out.