Garlic Bread from Joe's Garage in Rangiora

Joe's Garage


Ph: 03 3131 JOE(563)

83 Victoria Street,
Rangiora (entrance off Alfred St)







www:  Joe' Garage

Facebook - Joe's


We haven't been out much lately so when a work function came up we gladly went.  Joe's is a relatively new Place in Rangiora, so was not sure what to expect!   The meals were fabulous and if you ever want to eat a decent Salmon - I can recommend that.
Anyhow - to the Garlic bread

It was not listed under entree's, but a "Joe's Roll with Garlic" was listed as a side dish to accompany the mains.  We asked the question and yes - we can have it as an entree, so we ordered that.  It came out in good time - still hot. Slightly soft on the outside (it's only blemish really) and had plenty of flavor. 

The picture tells the rest of the story.  Not often you get a garlic bread that is as close to perfect as this one. 
We give it 19.8 ( a tiny deduction for the outside of the bread not being crispy) and no doubt will go back there one day. 

For the rest of the Garlic breads - this is the standard you are aiming at!

Presentation	5 out of 5
Quantity	5 out of 5
Taste:	5 out of 5
Quality	4.9 out of 5
Overall score:	19.8 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Bishop Brothers Public House in Bishopdale

Bishop Brothers Public House

119 Farrington Ave,
Bishopdale,
Christchurch 8053

Phone: 03-359 2930

http://bishopbrothers.co.nz/

We have lived in the area for nearly 30 years and have seen several transformations of this particular venue - the last one being "Little Italy" themed.

With the new layout and so forth we were keen to give this one another go (seeing the last few visits to "Little Italy" proofed to be less satisfactory re Garlic Bread)  in the hope that perhaps there is a new management - or at least - a new cook in residence. 

The Garlic bread is advertised as: 

Bishop’s Garlic Loaf    $ 9.50
A Honey grain loaf served with homemade garlic and herb butter.

I should have known.  This particular loaf reminded me at the last loaf we have eaten - in fact such are the similarities I am beginning to wonder if this is the same chef - Ex Omalley's in Whitianga
See here ---->   garlic bread at grace omalleys

In any case - the 'loaf' arrived and while there was a super crusty outside and soft fleshy inside - the bread itself was luke warm - at best.  That is a bit of a downer ESPECIALLY as you had to butter your own slice (absolutely ZERO garlic butter in the loaf to start with) - which of course was never going to melt into the bread . . . . .
Again - the similarities with O'Malleys in Whitianga . . . 
We shall leave it here and rate it the same!



As an aside - I am aware of the debate about "Constructing" your meal / coffee etc sweeping the globe.  It seems some places are offering their creations in a semi made state and you are invited to "construct" your dish to your own likening.  This is particular popular with some Coffee/ Barrister's in Australia.  There are some folks who say this is a bit of a gimmick.  Others say you eventually get something made exactly to your liking - by yourself!

My take on this is this:  - I PAY $$$$ to have someone prepare and cook a meal for me!  I do not pay someone $$$ and then having to do half of the work myself. It is not like I get a discount for the product/meal (reduced labour cost?)  If I wanted to do "construct" a meal - I could just stay at home and cook there instead. . . .
So it is disappointing to see a NON-buttered garlic bread on offer and having to butter it up myself . . . . 
  

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

Garlic Bread from The Thirsty Pig in Picton

The Thirsty Pig Restaurant

27 High Street,
Picton 7220,
New Zealand

Ph:  03-573 6969

No known email or website

facebook - The-Thirsty-Pig




The bread itself was from a sourdough bread - or at least so it looked like and almost tasted like that. Certainly not the usual French baguette cut up.
With both sides buttered and melted there was so much flavor and it did taste just right!

The crust was - well crusty and the bread itself still warm and soft!
We rate this highly with the only detraction being, again,  the napkin underneath which did sport an oil - hmmm rather a butter stain.  I would rather that sits on just the porcelain plate . . . .

Presentation	4 out of 5
Quantity	5 out of 5
Taste:	5 out of 5
Quality	4.5 out of 5
Overall score:	18.5 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from The Barn Restaurant in Picton

 
The Barn Restaurant in Picton

48 High St,
Picton 7220

Ph: 03-573 7440



facebook Barn-Restaurant-Bar


After a short hic-up the Garlic Bread arrived just after mains was served - so we had it with mains rather than as Entree.

The bread was buttered on one side only and not overly hot even though it came straight from the kitchen.

Despite that, there was plenty of flavor to enjoy with just a tiny little bit of sprinkling of herbs noticeable!  Crusty on the outside and soft-is in the middle.

The plate added and the napkin under it detracted.  The portions were good enough for two people and certainly added to our main meal!

Would have rated reasonably high except for the fact that the waitress failed to note our order and we had to chase this once mains arrived.  So 2 points off for that I think.

 

Presentation	4 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)

Garlic Bread from Costas Taverna

478 Cranford Street,
Shop 3
Christchurch, New Zealand

Phone: 03 3523232

www.costastaverna.co.nz

 We had been there previously in 2013 and it was time to go for a return visit and enjoy the good Greek food.

The menu was pretty much the same and so was the "pita" garlic bread.

These comments from the last visit :
 "the garlic bread is sold as Garlic 'Pita' bread and such it was - cut as can be seen in the picture half way and then again through the middle and nicely filled with garlic butter and some herbs. The Pita bread was just your average pita bread.  Nothing fancy there. It was to hot to touch and the supplied knife and fork came in handy. There was ample to eat for two people. The presentation - given the rest of the "themed restaurant", fell short of the expectation, and was very plain and simple. Overall - this would be a slightly above average bread. "

We still had the same wicker basket and napkin underneath. If anything - the arrangement had improved slightly.  The bread was still to hot to handle to start with and the knife / fork came in handy again!
So no real change from our last visit.
Oh - the orders were taken by hand / paper - the electronic order-system from last visit was not to be found . . . . .


 The last visit there:  
 Costas Taverna Garlic Bread

Presentation	3 out of 5
Quantity	4 out of 5
Taste:	4 out of 5
Quality	3 out of 5
Overall score:	14 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from the Lost Spring in Whitianga

The Lost Spring,

121A Cook Drive,
Whitianga, 3510,
Coromandel Peninsula
New Zealand.


General Inquiries
Phone: +64 (0)7 866 0456 Ext: 1
Fax: +64 (0)7866 0457

Email: magic@thelostspring.co.nz
Web:   www.thelostspring.co.nz/


DAY SPA BOOKINGS
Phone: +64 (0)7 866 0456 Ext: 2
Email: dayspa@thelostspring.co.nz


www.facebook.com/thelostspring

You have to check out their website.  Short story;- the Dude butchered his Campsite in search for the mythical warm healing waters - which he eventually found at 600meters below.  As the story goes - the water is 16 000 years old.  hmmmmmm

Apart from the soak and spa - there is attached a Restaurante were you can book a "Dip and Dine" package - pre order your meal for a fixed time and price - go for that dip urm soak in the mineral rich warm water (and if so inclined get pool side drinks service)  - then relax for a meal!  Trust me - this was divine!

Anyhow to the Garlic Bread - it came in a timely manner - was warm/hot and crusty on the outside - yet soft fleshy on the inside.  Plenty of flavor too!!! Just 4 slices - actually the right amount for 2 people and nicely arranged on a porcelain plate.  The Black stripes added color - hmm forgot to ask what they actually were - their flavor blended in - I am tempted to say perhaps some soy-sauce???

Apart from the one slice which had "up" righted itself during transport - this is pretty near to perfect! In fact we had enjoyed the previous experience so much - this was our second visit there in the short space of time we had available. No doubt will repeat this next time we are in Whitianga!  Might even go for a Spa or something . . . .

Perfic

(must be the best ever bread - hmmm have to look at this)

Presentation	4.7 out of 5
Quantity	5 out of 5
Taste:	5 out of 5
Quality	5 out of 5
Overall score:	19.7 (out of poss 20)

Garlic Bread from Dino's Pizza and Pasta in Whitianga

 
Dino's Pizza and Pasta

1 Blacksmith Lane
Whitianga
Tel:  07-867 1010

Web: www.ggx.org.nz/dinos/



We had been there before.  It is a little place with three table outside and we saw plenty of the locals coming for a 'take away' food - so figured we were in the right place.   The only question being how much the garlic bread had changed from some 5 years ago?!?!

www.garlic-bread-critique.blogspot.co.nz/2010/12/garlic-bread-at-dinos-cafe


Turns out that it is still exactly the same as last time.  Guess we are going to rate it the same then as well!  Not much else to say really.

Oh - the ONLY disappointing thing was that the much loved Tiramisu had been scratched from the menu - thus no nice afters urm - sweet stuff - urm desert. 

 

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)

Garlic Bread from Grace O'Malley's in Whitianga

Grace O'Malley's in Whitianga

9 The Esplanade
Whitianga 3510

Phone:
(07) 866 4828
(07) 866 4546

Email:  info@graceomalleys.co.nz

Web: graceomalleys.co.nz



This should proof to be urm a major urm disappointment.

Disaster really.

To start with, we had to wait more then one hour for   a n y   food to come out from the kitchen - even though the couple ordering in front of us got theirs in less then 10 minutes. Go figure! When we queried our order it was washed away with "coming to grips with the kitchen".  At least - so it appeared- we were not the only ones waiting for food - I counted at least 5 tables with people waiting and waiting.

When the bread - urm - loaf finally  came, it turned out to be even more of a disappointment.  It had no repeat no garlic butter inside.  ok - so well thats a first having to butter up your own - at least you get to choose how much flavor you want.  Sadly the loaf itself was at best luke-warm (or a couple of degrees away as having come from a fridge)  so for the first slice the Garlic Butter kinda melted - the second helping, well it never did melt at all - we ate the raw garlic butter on top of the cold bread.   Ever ate raw garlic???  Very salty and sulfuric . . .
Being served on a wooden platter (where it was best NOT to look to closely
at the timber - you might find bits) urm did not help either!

So in terms of everything a big fat zero and the knowledge it will / must get and indeed can get better.

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

Garlic Bread from Joe's Garage, Wigram

 This in from our undercover reporter in the great metropolitan area of Christchurch:

$4 at Joe's Garage, Wigram. Nice flavour, no visible herbs. Cheesy bread, which is cheating really, but nice and crunchy. For the price, quite reasonable really. And I can't figure out how to blog from my phone, so don't ask. 16/20

Presentation	- out of 5
Quantity	- out of 5
Taste:	- out of 5
Quality	- out of 5
Overall score:	16 (out of poss 20)