Garlic Bread by Monteith's Brewery in Hanmer

Monteith's Brewery Bar
Amuri Avenue,
Hanmer Springs  NZ

Tel 03 315 5133

www.Monteith's Brewery in Hanmer

We decided to take a dip and then were really lazy and supported the local economy and chose to eat at the above eatery.  We remember the place when it used to be a Robbies in Hanmer. The decor / layout had not changed much - but the service and the quality of the food had indeed improved.  The ordered garlic bread arrived in double quick time and was simply delicious.
The Garlic butter had melted into the Ciabatta bread and had a real decent garlic flavour, complimented by the green fresh herbs that were with in the garlic butter. It arrived on a simple wooden platter which given the rest of the meal, which was more plate the substance, was quit a point of difference.  It was still warm - without being steaming hot and the bread itself was an typical Ciabatta bread. The use of Ciabatta bread was unusual - and it took a bite or two to get used to this - but once one slice was eaten the rest very quickly followed. You would think that 6 slices of freshly made garlic bread are enough for two people - but this would have to be the first time where my partner had to say "hands of the last slice - it is mine!"   All in all - a very good start to what turned out to be a great meal out.

Took a while - but I was sure that we had been to a Monteith's Pub before - and as it turns out we did -----> garlic-bread-from-monteiths-brewery-bar
not that long ago!! Interestingly enough - the garlic bread in Hanmer was way better . . . . .

:)

Presentation	4 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	5 out of 5
Quality	5 out of 5
Overall score:	18 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread by La Porchetta - Riccarton Mall and Cranford St

Tried at 2 sites on 2 occasions with similar results.

        La Porchetta is a chain of Italian restaurants, who's claim to fame seems to be that they bake their bases freshly. It's a shame they couldn't possibly say the same for their garlic bread!

      The comments around the table on both occasions were unfavorable. Not only from myself (a garlic addict) and my partner-in-garlic, but from all the others as well once they understood what we wanted.

      The roll is presented on a silver platter, still wrapped in tinfoil. This is approximately the same thing as you get from Pizza Hut. It keeps the bread moist, or more to the point it makes the bread soggy. There was no real crispness to the bread, except where the butter had sunk to the bottom so that the lowest part was "shallow fried" in butter, as it were.

      Quantity was unexceptional. One roll of bread for $5.50, which is again about the price from Pizza Hut. I've paid similar prices for two rolls of bread, of a much better quality.

Taste? What taste? This is herb bread, masquerading as garlic bread.

     Quality was dreadful. One comment was "Catering Pack" and I couldn't disagree with that. I could go to the supermarket and get the same quality, two rolls in a pack, for the same price. In one case, the bread was pale and flabby, and either the butter was soaking in too long or the bread was undercooked originally, but it was doughy in appearance.

      So why comment? Because this chain prides itself on it's pizza bases, and I didn't think a decent garlic bread would be so hard for a chain already specializing in freshly made dough and good quality toppings. End result: Must try harder!!!

Presentation	1 out of 5
Quantity	2 out of 5
Taste:	1 out of 5
Quality	0 out of 5
Overall score:	4 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread by Robbies on Normans Rd

Robbies Elmwood
1 Normans Road
Elmwood, Christchurch

Telephone: 03 355 5345

http://www.robbiesbar-bistro.co.nz/menu/

The garlic bread from Robbies is a loaf in a true sense of the word.  And here came our first surprise - as you can see from the picture it had a small side dish with Garlic butter; - yuss I thought - perfect to add more should you miss that real garlicky flavour - or opt out.  Then the second surprise hit - upon breaking away the first slice of bread we discovered that there is no butter inside the Loaf at all.  You have to butter the loaf yourself.  The bread loaf itself was lukewarm - so not much heat left in there to melt the garlic butter and let it ooze into the fleshy soft part of the bread.  It was also awkward to butter both sides of each slice and in the end there was only just enough to do justice to the loaf.  The garlic butter itself tasted more herbal then of garlic and at one point I did wonder if there was any garlic in there at all.  I certainly could not smell it or discern the flavor when tasting a small portion of pure butter.  Given there was more plate then substance this just didn't do it for me at all. It was a sign of things to come with the side dish of mushroom sauce ordered being a little larger then the a soup spoon (I kid you not) - in fact it is the same size as the garlic butter dish you see in the picture and to be frank was not worth the $3.50 it cost for the mushroom.  All in all it was a rather disappointing experience.

Presentation	2 out of 5
Quantity	2 out of 5
Taste:	0 out of 5
Quality	1 out of 5
Overall score:	5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Phoenix Bar

Phoenix Bar & Cafe

15 Main North Road  

Papanui Christchurch  

Canterbury 8053

 

Telephone (03) 3523257
 No known website


It seems it is a favorite hangout of certain young people so after going to watch the Expendables 2,  we as a family met at the Bar and had a dinner with the obligatory Garlic bread.  The place is a typical suburban Bar and Grill - nothing fancy or flash and this was reflected in the basic and somewhat limited menu choice.  The garlic bread arrived in good time and smelt good.  It was a typical short baguette cut into sections with both sides buttered and oven baked.  The skin was crispy and the inside soft.  The was a  sprinkling of green herbs and there was certainly a  good garlic flavor.  All in all a above average garlic bread.

Presentation	3 out of 5
Quantity	3 out of 5
Taste:	3 out of 5
Quality	4 out of 5
Overall score:	13 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Mothered Goose

119 Bridge St
(old BNZ Building)
Bulls
Rangitikei  NZ

Phone 06 322 1330

Mothered-goose

Mothered Goose on Facebook


Mothered Goose Café, Deli, Vino is situated in the glorious old BNZ Bank building, site of the first armed robbery in New Zealand.  Bulls has a reputation for the quirky and as a stopover for  many travellers heading north.  It has many eateries (including a McDonalds and Subway) and some very interesting sign-posts.
We decided to stop at the local and recommended Cafe - where we found that they do serve a garlic bread - so naturally we ordered some.  It arrived in good time and was still warm-ish.  4 thick slices of bread cut diagonally and very liberally buttered with garlic butter and then toasted.  It was almost crunchy all the way.  The toppings itself also contained some chilli and some fresh herbs and a smitten of grated cheese. The cheese was bearly there just noticable upon pulling a slice away.  What the garlic bread from the  Gumboot Manor (garlic-bread-from-gumboot-manor)  lacked in flavour - this one had in abundance! I made the mistake of drinking some Coke later in the afternoon and "re-tasted" the flavour when accidentially burping!  My wife also recognised the timber board- we have one like that at home!!

Presentation	3.5 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	4.5 out of 5
Quality	3.5 out of 5
Overall score:	15.5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Cobb & Co New Plymouth

198 Courtney Street,
New Plymouth
Telephone: 06 757 9675

 Cobb.co.nz in New Plymouth

 We arrived in New Plymouth somewhat exhausted.  We had traveled down to the town via the "Forgotten World Highway - in New Zealand" and while extremely scenic and enjoyable - it is also very challenging to drive on.  We were on the hunt for some places to eat and found a 'Teddybears' eatery and while tempted (Chinese food) we ended up going to the local Cobb & Co. instead.

The ordered Garlic Bread arrived in good time and was a foot long nicely pleated loaf - cut horizontally and buttered on both sides.  The bread was soft and the top part did break apart at the pleats.  The bottom half had to be cut with a serrated knife (supplied).  The bread had a good garlic flavor - just right and the odd green herb.
All in all - good fast service / flavor and presentation.  

 

Presentation	4 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	4.5 out of 5
Quality	4 out of 5
Overall score:	16.5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Gumboot Manor

Gumboot Manor
15 Matora Rd
Taihape 4720
NZ

Phone: 06-388 1019


We had planned a trip to our Northern Island - only to having to re-arrange the iternary, due to reasons beyond our original intentions.   Cut a long bread short - we ended up staying in Taihape - Gumboot captial of New Zealand and I dear say of the world!
The ordered Garlic bread arrived in extra good time and was nicely stacked on the plate! It was solidly baked through and very crusty ( I do miss the soft fleshy part of the bread).  It has been buttered on both sides of the slices and as you can see from the photo was a cross cut baguette.  There was more then enough for two people and we polished of the Garlic bread with no trouble.  Sadly it lacked a certain garlic flavour - something a bit of a no no when wanting to eat Garlic bread!  Oddly enough, once the bread had cooled down to being - well cold - it increased the flavor.  It also lacked a touch of green herbs.

Presentation	3 out of 5
Quantity	3 out of 5
Taste:	1 out of 5
Quality	2 out of 5
Overall score:	9 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Monteith's Brewery Bar

Shop 4/ 5 Avonhead Mall
210 Withells Rd
Christchurch

Ph.  358-8184

Monteith's Brewery on Merrin st

It was time to go out again and we ended up in the wrong place - but not to be thwarted - we decided to give the place we found a whirl instead - especially when we realised that they do serve Garlic bread.

It was duly ordered and arrived in a timely manner - even though the place was fairly packed. The Friday night crowd sure knows how to enjoy a drink or a meal.
Anyhow - the place is more along the pub styles - so not much on glamor and more on substance. The bread itself was baked through and trough - very crusty.  No soft fleshy bread left - sadly.  The garlic itself was flavorsome and had just the right amount of herbs - to complement the garlic - and give it some color.  The presentation fitted in with the Pub theme - simple and effective. As we shared the bread there was only 2 slices for each - and I found I wanted at least one more. 


I would go back to Monteith's - indeed to any of their many pubs with-in New Zealand - mainly because they do a good choice of hearty wholesome meals, but may think twice about having another garlic bread.  At $5 it was reasonably priced for what you got.

Presentation	2 out of 5
Quantity	3 out of 5
Taste:	4.5 out of 5
Quality	3 out of 5
Overall score:	12.5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Yellow Shack Cafe

Yellow Shack Cafe
Main West Coast Rd
Springfield
NZ

Phone: 03-318 4880


In search of sone decent food while taking a weekend trip over to the brilliant Westcoast of NZ, we ended up stopping in Springfield NZ (of The Simpson's fame - home of Homer and his doughnut, and seem to remember, the world premier of the movie - so aptly called 'The Simpsons')  Anyhow - we stopped at the Yellow Shack - well known for its pies and pizzas. The place seemed quiet when we arrived - the atmosphere was great though. The pizzas are cooked in a woodfired oven (I so gonna want one for myself) and are indeed  v e r y  delicious. As for the Garlic bread - well -  as you can see it is a basic pizza base and had garlic butter over the top. There coverage was missing in some places and so rich was the bread that upon picking up one slice you were covered in dripping butter-oil. The presentation left a bit to be desired as well and if there had been any herbs sprinkled on top, they would have floated away.  Its only redeeming feature being the fact that there is a distinctive garlic flavour to be savoured and can definitley be tasted.
Make no mistake - the service, the atmoshpere, the pizzas and the friendly smile by the owner are first class, and if they improve on the garlic bread itself this will be a fantastic place to eat out.  Alternatively skimp the garlic bread and feast on the other items from the menu!!

Presentation	1.5 out of 5
Quantity	3 out of 5
Taste:	3 out of 5
Quality	.5 out of 5
Overall score:	8 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Pattersons Restaurant

Copthorne Hotel Commodore
449 Memorial Ave,
Christchurch,
New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 358 8129

www.Pattersons Restaurant


Ah yes - a 27th wedding anniversary.  Last year we missed out on celebrating as we were still in panic mode when the mag 6.3 earthquake shook up our City and - well - laid waste to pretty much of the inner city.  This year we decided to treat ourselves and went a bit more upmarket.  One certainly saw plenty of plate and not so much of the food - however it all tasted very good.  you will spot the side plate and knife on the table, obviously we were meant to use this.  Suffice to say I am used to eat my garlic bread with fingers, so I am sure looked out of place.
The garlic bread came in good time, and was nicely presented.  Nice touch - on the side there was a small bowl of garlic yoghurt and a good sprinkling of herbs. Nice and crisp bread.  However the garlic butter had been spread only on the top and then it was oven roasted thus leaving a distinct lack of "butter flavor" in half of the bread.   In terms of quantity there was enough for two people, and it filled you up nicely without leaving you feeling full before your main meal arrives. 

Presentation	5 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	4 out of 5
Quality	4 out of 5
Overall score:	17 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Ceasars Family Restaurant and Bar

Ceasars Family Restaurant
Northwood Supa Centa,
Main North Road,
Belfast,
Christchurch
03 323 5420


www.caesars.co.nz

Yes it was time to go out again and sample some of the local products. This time we went to a family restaurant - in the same vein as NZ Cobb and Co used to be.  A typical family restaurant where the food is good and filling.  This loaf arrived in good time and did not seem to hot - a error which became obvious the moment we opened a slice up.  The extra garlic butter ion the side dish was a nice surprise.  I had visions of having to butter up the loaf myself - but as said before appearances can be deciving.  There was alread plenty of garlic butter inside this Garlic loaf.  The side-dish addition is for those who r e a l l y  like their garlic flavour.  The glass in the background gives you an idea of size - not overly big - in fact just enough for two people to have two or three slices each. The bread was still nice and warm and steaming, once opened, and the flavour was great.  Just perfect.
The only detraction was on presentation - the paper napkin under the loaf did spoil the look of the bread on the wooden platter.

Presentation	4.5 out of 5
Quantity	5 out of 5
Taste:	5 out of 5
Quality	5 out of 5
Overall score:	19.5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Reflections Cafe

Reflections Cafe
State Highway 8
Lake Tekapo
New Zealand

(03) 680-6234

www -> Reflections restaurant

There are a number of eating places on the Lakefront at lake Tekapo - from your traditional quick and easy diary type place  (and some take-away places) to the more formal traditional sit down restaurants. We decided to start with Reflections restaurant that offered a good place to sit down and (if you are lucky enough to get the window seat) offers stunning views across the meadow and adjacent lake front - complete with the Church of the Good Shepherd.

The garlic bread arrived in short time and was presented in a foot long boat shaped plate. The bread itself was a very well baked and was more like a crusty baguette with good garlic flavor. Despite the crusty exterior on the main part of the bread the inside was still soft-ish and easily edible. All of the Garlic butter has melted through the bread and was fully absorbed - no oily residue on your fingers.

The absence of a hint of green herb (trad. parsley) was a detractor from what would have been a good presented and flavored garlic bread.

Very nearly the perfect bread.

Presentation	5 out of 5
Quantity	5 out of 5
Taste:	4 out of 5
Quality	4 out of 5
Overall score:	18 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Poco Loco

 

Poco Loco

15 Queen st 15 Queen Street,

Pukekohe

09 238 1607

http://www.pocoloco.co.nz/

 

The garlic bread arrived on a wooden platter.  It was a mini-mini French baguette – 3 bites and it was gone.  It came half cut with a nice solid flavor and plenty of green herbs on top.  It was solidly baked and yes sadly to the point of being burnt on the edges. This could have been a winner if the presentation and quality are looked after better.

Presentation	2 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	4 out of 5
Quality	2 out of 5
Overall score:	12 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Bistro Forty Seven

 

Bistro Forty seven

47 Queen St

Waiuku

Ph 09 235 2502

The garlic bread arrived in a timely fashion on a warm plate. The bread itself was nicely arranged, layered 2 tier high.  It had a nice garlic flavour with a cheese topping that was crusty – eg well baked.  Now I knew at ordering, that it would come with cheese, and I have to say I am not a fan of cheese toppings on garlic bread – mainly because: 

one: the cheese usually ends up leaving a oily residue (especially if Edam is used) and 

two: the texture and flavour of the cheese tends to hide the garlic on the bread.  However this garlic bread did not suffer from oily residue and there was sufficient garlic flavour left to enjoy. The greenery was purely for decoration and the smattering of herbs (usually parsley) was definitely missing in action.

Presentation	4 out of 5
Quantity	3 out of 5
Taste:	3 out of 5
Quality	3 out of 5
Overall score:	13 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Little Italy

Little Italy
119 Farrington Ave
Christchurch
Facebook -- Little-Italy
03 359 2930

We needed to go out for a meal after we shifted all our belongings so that Fletchers can come and do their bit inside our house and get it fixed after the earthquakes!  Anyhow we decided to give the local new eatery a whirl called 'Little Italy'.
Very nice - and they did do a garlic bread so naturally we had to sample that. In some ways it is similar to that from Harringtons  (garlic-bread-from-harringtons)
The loaf is a little smaller and just the right size for a couple that still wants to enjoy the rest of the meal without feeling full - before you even start the rest of the meal!   It comes as a whole loaf - freshly baked and very crusty! The serrated knife supplied will cut the loaf easily into whatever slice you may want too and then you have a choice of 3 condiments to add to your freshly cut loaf! (fresh soft garlic butter , tomato / capsicum pesto and a avocado pesto)  The bread was so hot that the soft butter had no trouble melting in and soaking the bread!  Yumm!!  Sadly no pictures.  If there there is any criticism the garlic butter had a teeny weeny lack of garlic flavor. 

Presentation	5 out of 5
Quantity	5 out of 5
Taste:	4 out of 5
Quality	5 out of 5
Overall score:	19 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread - from Harringtons

808 Main North Road
Belfast
Christchurch
New Zealand
http://harringtonsbreweries.co.nz


Re-visited on 12 June 2011

A group of us went out to celebrate a certain half century with instructions for no flowers and/or speeches. We went to what must be developing into our favorite watering hole.   This time I gave everyone a slip of paper and got them to "rate" the Garlic Bread - the  idea being that I get different perspectives and a consensus vote.  The Garlic bread itself has not changed since we first tasted it - it is still like a half loaf (imagine a soccer ball being cut vertically and you receive one of these half's)

The great Garlic Bread that looks like a football cut in half

The Garlic Bread Loaf arrives on a nice big white plate, and should have been steaming.  The two that landed on our table were slightly different.  Ours had still the un-melted raw butter inside whereas the other loaf while hot had to little garlic butter. There are still no herbs in any shape added. The garlic "flavor" was very faint indeed and could be described as 'missing in action', but then I prefer a more distinct flavor to some other people.  One comment that came back was saying it was to much to eat- and certainly should be shared between 3 or 4 people.

So without further ado - I have added up all the returned papers and averaged it out and post below - at first glance they seem to be on par or slightly more generous compared with previous ratings - indicating some consistency in the kitchen. Here is their rating

Presentation	4.3 out of 5
Quantity	3.5 out of 5
Taste:	3.8 out of 5
Quality	4.9 out of 5
Overall score:	16.5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Corianders

Shop No 8, 70-76 Rolleston Drive,
Rolleston Square
Rolleston / Christchurch
Phone 03 347 2315

http://www.corianders.co.nz/ 

Went out with a group of Friends and we decided to give Indian a try.  Never been to an Indian restaurant before, so not sure what to expect.  The thing is - this was almost 6 weeks after the major earthquake in Christchurch and many places are still shut down, although I am sure this was not the only major contributer to the busyness of the place.
It's a curious mix of sit down restaurant and Take-away.  Wines are byo.
And the queue's for the takeaway where always 6-9 people deep - this on a Saturday from 6.30 pm onwards right through to 9pm.  Turnover must be fantastic.

To cut a short story long - we had a great time out and the meal was enjoyable.
I didn't think a Indian would have garlic bread - but they did - in a manner.
Basically it was a traditional Indian Naan bread (oven baked) - that had some fresh cut garlic on top. It was semi crunchy and had little taste and it also arrived as a side accompanying bread - as opposed to a starter.  It costs $3.50 and is meant to serve one, but somehow we got a little bit more, not sure how this worked on the night.
While this writer rates the actual bread lowly, due to the fact that this was just a dressed up Naan bread, he has to stress that the rest of the meal and company was superb quality.



 

Presentation	2 out of 5
Quantity	2 out of 5
Taste:	1 out of 5
Quality	3 out of 5
Overall score:	8 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Spagalimis

356 Main North Road
Redwood
Christchurch
Phone:
0800 113 113

http://www.spagalimis.co.nz/

Yes well - the expectations weren't high on this one.  Take-out Garlic Bread never lives up to the expectations and by the time you drive back home and sit down it usually is lukewarm at the best of times.  Sometimes if you are lucky and get delivery's they put the pizza and garlic bread into those special heat retaining bags and you get a better deal.  So for NZ 3.50 it wasn't too bad, there was flavour just big enough to taste and a good sprinkling of herbs.
As for style - well a paper bag - hmmmm - not much to say there.  Between Mamabear and myself we could have had another half of it again.

Presentation	1 out of 5
Quantity	1 out of 5
Taste:	3 out of 5
Quality	2 out of 5
Overall score:	7 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Rotherhams of Riccarton

42 Rotherham Street
PO Box 8425, Riccarton
Christchurch
Phone:
(03) 341 5142

http://www.rotherhamsofriccarton.co.nz


Hmmm had to go to this work do. Nice place -a bit posh. This was brought home when we sat down at the table and the owner / waitress took the napkins of the tables and placed them on our knees. Yeah - posh place all right and right out of my comfort zone and the sort of place where you see plenty of plate and not so much food.

The garlic bread itself arrived on a platter - along with a selection of freshly baked breads (chilly and chiabatta bread) and balsamic vinegar reduction and a small pot of rocket pesto. It was advertised as a plate for two and while the whole was filling, I did miss out on having plenty of Garlic bread. The garlic bread itself was luke-warm - even though it was mentioned that we are to be careful as it had just come out of the oven. It did however have plenty of flavor and a touch of herbs - well balanced. The plater itself was nicely arranged, and surprisingly (given the rest of the menus prices) reasonably priced!!
This would have to rate as one of the top draws.

Presentation	5 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	5 out of 5
Quality	4 out of 5
Overall score:	18 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread at Dinos Cafe

Dinos Cafe

Shop 3 / 1 Blacksmith Lane, 

Whitianga
Ph (07) 867 1010

No known Web address


Re-visited on 11 Dec 2010

We so loved the Coromandel and Whitianga town in particular - so when we knew the Pohutukawa's might be flowering we took liberty and a deep financial breath and treated ourselves to a weekend away. We then took the opportunity and revisited one of Whitianga's best kept secrets - Dinos Cafe.

This is where the idea of running a garlic critique blog began . . .




Upon ordering we noticed this time, that this is advertised as garlic PIZZA bread and
whence the look and earlier critique  ----> garlic-bread-from-dinos-cafe

Not much has changed in the months since (which is good I guess), even the staff are still the same.

Presentation	2 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	4 out of 5
Quality	4 out of 5
Overall score:	14 (out of poss 20)