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Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Caffe L'affare, Wellington, New Zealand - and a competition giveaway for Grab Your Fork readers



[Read on for details on a new Grab Your Fork giveaway!]

I may have skipped breakfast on Sunday, but there was no way I was skipping lunch.

It's true that in my whirlwind weekend of Wellington, I ate until I was fit to burst. I had limited time in the Windy City and I was determined to eat and see as much of it as I possibly could. Instead of being suddenly hit with hunger pangs, I was actively willing my body to digest its last meal as quickly as it could, just so I could fill it with more. No wonder I love the excuse of food blogging.

My final morning was decidedly hectic: Harbourside Market, City Market and then the Wellington Food Heroes Day at Moore Wilson. The vision of Caffe L'affare across the road from Moore Wilson was fortuitous indeed.


Inside Caffe L'affare

Caffe L'affare is known for its coffee roastery, a range of beans roasted daily, then packaged and sold around the country.


Flat white

My flat white lives up to its reputation. The coffee is full-bodied, rich and aromatic - one of those amazing coffees that makes you want to order another one, straight away.


Old style Reuben open grilled sammie with fries $14.00

Lunch is a grilled Reuben open sandwich, a thick nutty slice of rye bread slathered with seeded mustard and then topped with shavings of corned beef, slices of juicy tomato and lengths of spicy pickle. A heap of sauerkraut helps cut through the richness of melted Swiss cheese and the squiggles of sauce on top are perfect for dipping into with the crisp and golden shoestring fries.

It's seriously good. It's a shame I have to bolt my meal down and trot back to the hotel to pack and get the cab back to the airport. I've never packed so fast in my life (about five minutes).



I flew over with about 11kg of luggage, and returned with double. Suffice to say my pantry is now well-stocked with jams, chutneys, manuka honeys, Schoc chocolates, various Griffins biscuits and more pineapple lumps than you can poke a stick at.


Sydney. Ahhh home...


Pesto-crusted chicken

There was more than a tinge of sadness as the plane ascended into the skies to take me back home to Sydney. I whiled away the flight hours with the New Zealand hit film Second-Hand Wedding and episodes of Flight of the Conchords, happy I'd eaten the Reuben when faced with my light dinner, a rather uninspired and dry fillet of chicken crusted with pesto. A tub of Kapiti ice cream for dessert (double cream and cookies - oh so creamy!) put the smile back on my face again.

A delicious weekend with so many tasty memories.

Wellington on a Plate? Wellington now in my stomach!

Grab Your Fork attended Wellington on a Plate as a guest of Positively Wellington Tourism. For more information on Wellington, check out http://www.wellingtonnz.com.

Wellington on a Plate ran from 17-30 August 2009. Next year's festival dates have already been confirmed as 14-29 August 2010.




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Caffe L'affare on Urbanspoon

Caffe L'affare
27 College Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: +61 (04) 385 9748

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 7am – 4.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 8am – 4pm
Closed on public holidays





Prize giveaway for Grab Your Fork readers

Did you enjoy this series of posts about Wellington? Were you wishing you could've joined in on all the fun? Well thanks to the lovely folk at Positively Wellington Tourism, we're bringing a little bit of Wellington straight to you with a bumper prize pack to give away to one lucky Grab Your Fork reader!

This prize is a collection of Wellington's best. Martin Bosley is one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the City Market, the WotWots childrens series is produced out of the Weta Workshop, and Schoc Chocolate does amazing things to your tastebuds.

THE PRIZE:
One lucky winner will receive
1 x copy of Martin Bosley Cooks (RRP NZ$50) autographed as below
2 x bars of Schoc chocolates (RRP NZ$20)
1 x 250 gram pack of Mojo plunger grind premium coffee (RRP NZ$15)
1 x WotWots DVD featuring 8 episodes (RRP NZ$40)

all packaged up in a gorgeous We Love Wellington bag!
Total prize value = NZ$125


HOW TO ENTER:
All you have to do is
  1. Add a comment to this post and tell us which Grab Your Fork post on Wellington was your favourite?

    WELLINGTON IN 48 HOURS
    Friday
    5.30pm Viva Mexico
    7.00pm The Ambeli

    Saturday
    8.30am Dixon St Deli
    10.00am Floriditas Bakery tour
    11.30am Weta Cave and lunch at Cafe Polo
    5.00pm Schoc chocolates + matching wine with cheese
    7.30pm Hippopotamus Restaurant
    11.00pm New World supermarket

    Sunday
    9.30am Harbourside Market
    10.30am City Market
    11.30am Moore Wilson Fresh and Cash-and-Carry
    12.30pm Caffe L'affare

  2. Send an email to grabyourforkwellingtoncomp@yahoo.com.au and include your full name, email address and repeat your answer to question one above.
Thank you everyone for your entries. The winners have been announced here.


COMPETITION CONDITIONS:
  1. This competition is open to New Zealand and Australian addresses only
  2. All entrants' details will be passed onto Positively Wellington Tourism who may contact you with information about future food-related events in Wellington. You may opt-out of emails at any time.
  3. Competition closes on Friday 25 September 2009 at 5.00pm AEST. Winner will be announced on Monday 28 September 2009.
  4. The winner will be drawn randomly. No correspondence will be entered into.

The inscription inside Martin Bosley Cooks

Go back to Wellington on a Plate Day One

Read about my Wellington eats in 2007

Don't forget you can also enter the Grab Your Fork mooncake competition to win a box of o-mochi mooncakes. The competition is open to entrants with addresses in Sydney or Melbourne. Entries close 5pm Wednesday 23 September 2009. Enter now.
51 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 9/09/2009 03:22:00 am


51 Comments:

  • At 9/09/2009 8:37 am, Anonymous Nillie said…

    I loved the post on Moore Wilson Cash and Carry...the lovely cakes and fresh food, and the mega-size golden syrup tub. Yum! :)

     
  • At 9/09/2009 9:06 am, Anonymous K said…

    PINEAPPLE LUMPS!!!!!!!! Glad PL made a mention in your NZ adventures. :D

     
  • At 9/09/2009 9:08 am, Blogger "Grendel" said…

    I've gotta vote for the post on Floriditas, and since we are about to head over to New Zealand for a three week blogging tour of cafes it was great to have some Wellington highlights to add to my GPS.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 9:14 am, Anonymous shez said…

    That sandwich certainly looks the business! Very understand the need to will yourself to just.eat.more when on holidays - who knows when you'll be able to eat the food again?!

    Loved the floriditas post. All of that icing atop that cake set me drooling at the screen :)

     
  • At 9/09/2009 9:16 am, Anonymous The Extra said…

    Love the Schoc Chocolates + Matching Wine With Cheese post. It's the holy trinity - chocolate, wine and cheese. You dont need anything more than that! Except maybe love. Or more chocolate.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 9:51 am, Anonymous jess said…

    I will have to vote for the Floriditas Bakery tour! that cake is amazing and hello chocolate!! I believe it taste superb too!! woo.. looking back at the post just make me drooling!!! will fly there one day to taste definitely!!

     
  • At 9/09/2009 9:54 am, Anonymous Rose said…

    Definitely the New World Supermarket... I have a a habit of checking out supermarkets in new cities too.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:03 am, Blogger iChild said…

    Without a doubt "11.30am Moore Wilson Fresh and Cash-and-Carry" favourite post. Moore is one of my favourite places in Wellington and the Food Hero day was amazing. That grilled Haloumi sandwich was deliciousness defined.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:08 am, Blogger rissa said…

    I have really enjoyed all the Wellington on a Plate posts from GYF, it has really opened my eyes to the city I now call home (I'm from Australia originally too!). I feel very lucky to have ready access to such lovely, local food. My 2 favourite posts - that's right I couldn't choose! - were the New World Supermarket post and the Harbourside Market post. I think taking a look inside a supermarket overseas is very revealing of the local "everyday" culture. And being regularly shopper at the Harbourside Market, I was surprised I'd missed the fresh-off-the-boat fish! Will definitely keep an eye out on my next visit. Thanks again, GYF!

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:19 am, Anonymous Ericson said…

    Harbourside Market - nothing better than getting up early for a nice stroll in the markets, especially with that awesome view.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:25 am, Anonymous Heather-Panza Llena, Corazón Contento said…

    Lovely to see our beloved Welly through your keen Aussie eyes GYF, thanks! I vote for your Sunday Moore Wilson's post. MW are really Food Heroes too... They assemble the best range of food from wonderful suppliers and they're open 7 days a week - brilliant for us greedy types.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:46 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I really enjoyed your post on one of my many favourite Wellington cafe's - Dixon Street Deli.

    Bridget Jopson

     
  • At 9/09/2009 11:06 am, Blogger mademoiselle coccinelle said…

    Fabulous posts all of them! I live in Mt Vic, right in the heart of all these wonderful eateries and shops, and reading about them from a fresh perspective makes me keen to go out and explore them all over again! My favourite was the New World supermarket post - it's my favourite supermarket in Wgtn as it stocks the most *random* items, such as all the UK products which makes shopping a bit of a treasure hunt nowadays:) Supermarket shopping should always be that much fun!

     
  • At 9/09/2009 11:24 am, Anonymous Audz said…

    Harbourside Market - I will be missing out on this market when i get there so it's nice to see what it's like without being there

     
  • At 9/09/2009 11:24 am, Anonymous Audrey said…

    New World Market - That's the place i'll be spending most of my time in :D

     
  • At 9/09/2009 1:29 pm, Anonymous Sarah Davies said…

    I loved the post on The Ambeli - i could not stop drooling the whole way through and wondered if it was absurd to plan a trip to Wellington based on one restaurant review! :-)

     
  • At 9/09/2009 1:39 pm, Anonymous paul said…

    i would vote for the new world market.....it is like a standard for australian markets to follow

     
  • At 9/09/2009 1:57 pm, Anonymous Arwen from Hoglet K said…

    I've just discovered Flight of the Conchords too. My favourite part is the binary solo in the robot song. Sounds like you had a great trip. I really enjoyed hearing about the Floriditas Bakery Tour.

     
  • At 9/09/2009 3:14 pm, Anonymous Fennalia said…

    Always love your blog!

    My favorite is the newworld supermaket. Its always interesting to see what other countries have in their supermaket. Thats what I always do when I go overseas

     
  • At 9/09/2009 4:20 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Ahhh what a great weekend!! Yay for shopping and doubling ur luggage ^^! That's the spirit :)

     
  • At 9/09/2009 4:41 pm, Anonymous Ashlee said…

    The Friday post that you've titled "Viva Mexico" here was my favourite! http://grabyourfork.blogspot.com/2009/08/wellington-on-plate-food-festival-2009.html

     
  • At 9/09/2009 5:14 pm, Anonymous Jin said…

    7.30pm Hippopotamus Restaurant

     
  • At 9/09/2009 5:58 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Can not go past that Houlmi Sandwich - Love the post on Moore Wilson Fresh and Cash and Carry - Wellington seems to ahve it all!

    Noodlehead

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:06 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    You got me at Hippopotamus Restaurant! With a name that is catchy and food that looks too gorgeous to eat..even the toilet looks good! What more can u ask in a restaurant??

    Fantastic work in NZ!

     
  • At 9/09/2009 10:52 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I love the post of New World Supermarket. I am just amazed at all the different food products which are avaliable out there in NZ. -Wenqi

     
  • At 9/10/2009 9:48 am, Anonymous Belle@OohLook said…

    All your Wellington posts were great, but I loved the one on Weta Cave - all that LOTR memorabilia makes for an interesting outing. And I also liked the Harbourside Market visit, with those giant squid...

     
  • At 9/10/2009 3:35 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Dixon St Deli was my favourite read of your jaunt across the ditch. I'm still drooling.

     
  • At 9/10/2009 8:33 pm, Blogger wintercoldness said…

    My favourite was Schoc chocolates + matching wine with cheese --> chocolate heaven!!!

     
  • At 9/11/2009 11:28 am, Blogger Carmen said…

    Favourite post? Gosh, it must have to be Schoc Chocolates + Matching Wine With Cheese! *drools over photos*

     
  • At 9/11/2009 12:08 pm, Anonymous Cam said…

    Floriditas bakery and Moore Wilson Fresh are the faves although they all looked good and is definately a great guide to any future trip to Wellington!

     
  • At 9/11/2009 3:20 pm, Anonymous Tuyen said…

    "Moore Wilson, Wellington, New Zealand" was my favourite blog entry.

    i loved staring at the cakes and the fresh food produce, it makes me hungry just by staring at it

     
  • At 9/11/2009 4:10 pm, Anonymous Jon said…

    The Viva Mexico post, not only for the food, but that mural is freakin' awesome!!

     
  • At 9/11/2009 4:16 pm, Blogger Hannah said…

    My favourite post was the "Schoc chocolates + matching wine with cheese" post, as I am incredibly envious of anyone who has the opportunity to try such amazing chocolate flavours! I adore seas salt with chocolate, and wish I could justify a ticket to New Zealand for that bar alone....

     
  • At 9/11/2009 4:30 pm, Anonymous Debbie said…

    Floriditas Bakery is definitely my favourite post. I love looking and reading about yummy cakes!

    debbiekayd@gmail.com

     
  • At 9/11/2009 6:43 pm, Anonymous Iris said…

    11.00pm New World supermarket

     
  • At 9/11/2009 10:00 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Harbourside Market is the best.especially the fresh fish that you can get off the boat.Have never seen that in Sydney. Will so love to venture there one day.=) - wenqi

     
  • At 9/12/2009 11:19 am, Anonymous dr- said…

    My favourite has to be the post on The Ambeli. It is not only important to serve good food at a restaurant, the restaurant also has to champion the cause of local produce, and I believe that The Ambeli is definitely one of the best around. Well done Shae! *Applauds*

     
  • At 9/12/2009 1:16 pm, Anonymous lance said…

    My favourite post out of the many yummy mouth-tingling treats was the Floriditas Bakery.

     
  • At 9/13/2009 10:01 pm, Anonymous min said…

    Schoc Chocolates + Matching Wine With Cheese was my favourite post! What delicious photos! The kiwifruit vodka chocolates look amazing.

     
  • At 9/14/2009 11:06 am, Blogger maureen said…

    My favourite post is the Harbourside Market post. All that fresh seafood straight off the boat. Wow.

     
  • At 9/14/2009 11:00 pm, Blogger milliemirepoix said…

    Ooh, I would have to vote for the Moore Wilson's post, though I'm more than a little biased because it's one of my favourite places in Wellington!

    And, coincidentally I just (well, a couple weeks ago) had a few bites a reuben from L'Affare as well! Definitely yum.

     
  • At 9/15/2009 8:03 pm, Anonymous Yen said…

    I love the post on Harbourside Market because it brought back sweet memories for me. Wellington is the first holiday I organise with my partner. I remember waking up early strolling the Harbourside Market with her and cooking up a storm after. I can almost smell the sea and fish reading and looking at all the pictures in your post. Thanks.

     
  • At 9/16/2009 12:22 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    my favorite section was the Harbourside Market....I was literally drooling!
    "johnny forks"

     
  • At 9/21/2009 12:00 pm, Anonymous Tracey said…

    I love exploring markets so the Harbourside Market tour looked great to me.

     
  • At 9/23/2009 8:25 pm, Anonymous WJ said…

    New World supermarket. Such fun. Who knows shopping for food can be so much fun?

     
  • At 9/24/2009 8:37 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The Dixon St Deli. How I wish it was there when I was a hungry boy in Wellington 45 years ago

     
  • At 9/24/2009 4:22 pm, Blogger Baby Bear's Kitchen said…

    I love the post on New world supermarket

     
  • At 9/24/2009 4:25 pm, Anonymous Fern said…

    I love Dixon St Deli!!!

     
  • At 9/24/2009 4:28 pm, Anonymous Kimchee said…

    Floriditas Bakery would be my top pick.

     
  • At 9/24/2009 4:30 pm, Anonymous lindsey clare said…

    i loved the Moore Wilson post, purely for the gingerbread jandals :)

     
  • At 9/25/2009 11:33 am, Anonymous Steve1796 said…

    I love the description and look of The Ambeli - always impressive to know exactly where food is sourced. My partner and I are going to Wellington for the October long weekend so I'm soooo glad I can reference all your posts to plan our feasts!

     

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