We've visited here twice in recent weeks and plan to go again. Note that the menu Zomato has, and indeed the menu on the restaurant's own website, is no longer very accurate.

Setting is lovely, historical building in its own small garden, with the always lovely Christchurch Botanic Gardens next door. Wheelchair access is round the back and you'll need to get them to move the crockery cart which blocks the hallway to the dining room. There are outdoor seating areas -- open and covered -- which don't have this problem. It looked as if the only accessible toilet was in the ladies' (gents' is upstairs).

On our first visit, for a lazy lunch, we shared the lamb cutlet tapas and the chargrilled market fish main. This was the perfect amount of food for one small and one average eater. The lamb was very tender but rather bland, with the only real flavouring the olive oil drizzle. The fish and accompaniments were excellent. Chocolate mousse and Bailey's dessert wonderful, cappuccino average.

Our second visit was for a cosy dinner in front of the gas fire on a chilly early winter's night. Three of us this time. I had the beef fillet with Pedro Ximenez reduction.  This came with dauphinoise potatoes, portobello mushroom, broccoli, roast cherry tomatoes, and some sort of vegetable crisps on top. The steak was magnificently tender, and cooked exactly as requested. I loved this dish!  Mum had the braised lamb, which was delicious and melt-in-the-mouth tender. Our guest had the duck with pear, which disappeared rapidly. All in all, a great set of mains. For dessert I had the fruit salad with mango sorbet, which capped my meal off perfectly. Mum had the cheesecake with quince paste -- nicely presented, and no complaints.  Guest had the almond torte with ice cream and barely refrained from licking his plate afterwards.

Will definitely return. I want to try the braised lamb myself.  And the venison.  And...


ETA: Returned. Had the beef fillet again, got them to swap the dauphinoise for gourmet potatoes, much more to my taste. Guest had the venison. Happy campers.

ETA: Went back (September).  There have been some slight tweaks to the menu (and the menu on the restaurant's website is now uptodate).  So I gave the lamb tapas another go.  It's now lamb loin chops rather than cutlets, so a cheaper cut of meat that doesn't work out as tender, but in terms of flavour I was delighted.  Could taste the chargrilling, and there was a hint of herbs too.  Much improved.  We also revisited the Bailey's dark chocolate mousse.  This seemed less overwhelmingly boozy than last time, and it had cream on top for contrast.  Massive improvement.   Can also recommend the vegetarian tapas tasting selection--the only bit we didn't care for was the patatas bravas (deep-fried potato wedges that tasted like nothing, with a sort of capsicum sauce), but they are happy to swap things around  The mushroom and Parmesan croquetas are fantastic.  I've nudged this review up to a 5-star on the back of recent revisits.  It would be difficult not to have a good time here.

Had coffee here, fast service but you will have to pay inside after eating. Not quite sure if this is their practice here in Christchurch....