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Monday, September 10, 2007

Cafe Bastille, Wellington


Rustic salad of confit duck, pigs ears, apple,
bleu d'auvergne and toasted walnuts NZ$15.90

It takes me a while to realise that the super crunchy crispy garnish atop my rustic salad of duck, apple and walnuts is not crackling, but deep-fried pigs ears, and how good they are.

I end up at Cafe Bastille on a Thursday evening, pleased that not only will I be treated to an evening of free jazz, but I've also scored front row seats to it, the two musicians unpacking their instruments right in front of my table.

My entree doesn't take long to arrive, and it doesn't too long to finish either. Softly poached apples frame an autumnal salad of baby spinach leaves, crunchy walnuts, tufts of blue cheese and a nest of aforementioned pigs ears. The pigs ears have been deep-fried to a pleasing crunch, and although a little chewy, a delicious if a little rich.


Breast of duck with kumera soufflé, red wine sauce NZ$29.90

The duck theme continues with my main, tender slices of duck breast fanned beside a squat mound of kumera mash garnished with wafer thin slices of crisp pear. Plump red cranberries huddle at the base of the duck mountain, a stain of red wine and berry sauce balancing the richness of duck flesh, fat and skin.


Double baked citrus soufflé, berry coulis NZ$13.90

Dessert is a simple citrus souffle, generous with the use of peel and warm and moist from its second baking.

It's hard to describe the simple delight of the evening. I loved the decor, with its earthy coloured walls and vintage prints of food advertisements lining the walls. There was a raft of tantalising options on the menu, all plated with love and affection. I loved the jazz music as well as the supplementing soundtrack of jazz and swing. And the service was warm and friendly, with every diner treated just like a loyal local.



Cafe Bastille
16 Majoribanks Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (04) 382 9559

Monday to Saturday 5.30pm - late

Go back to Wellington Day One Read the next entry

Read about my Wellington on a Plate eats in 2009

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4 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 9/10/2007 06:57:00 pm


4 Comments:

  • At 9/14/2007 3:40 am, Blogger Vintage Wine said…

    Pigs ears? What does pigs ear taste like? I've never tried that & I'm a bit suspicious about it ;-)

     
  • At 9/14/2007 5:45 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Wow! that makes me hungry. Nice shot you take.

    By the way, let me show you some of my works

    photosorcery.com

    Many thanks

     
  • At 9/14/2007 10:23 pm, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Vintage Wine - The pigs ears tasted just like crackling but a bit chewier. I've had pigs ear salad Portuguese style before, and Taiwanese style pigs ear salad is also full of lovely crunchy tendons :)

    Hi Jay - Thanks :)

     
  • At 4/09/2009 9:41 pm, Blogger Camemberu said…

    OMG I love pig ears! This is an interesting preparation.

     

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