prairie girl musings

Category: Christchurch

Let’s Meet At Welles Street!

If there’s one type of cuisine I haven’t seen enough of in Christchurch, it’s Greek. Fortunately, Welles Street (located on 44 Welles Street in Central Christchurch), is serving up a modern take on Greek eats. More than just souvlaki, the carefully considered menu incorporates a range of mouthwatering items: everything from rotisserie chicken to baklava soft serve. During the day, Welles Street will be pouring Flight Coffee from a coffee bar at the front of the property. At night, you’ll find a wide range of beer, wine and cocktails as well as margaritas on tap. Need I say more?

The spacious yet sleek beer hall is characterised by high ceilings, forest green subway tile counters and plenty of seating. There are some excellent neon signs and the bathrooms are well worth a visit. Trust me. You’ll receive a text when your order’s ready, which allows you to catch up with friends instead of hovering around the till (genius!)

Striking the perfect balance between indoor and outdoor flow, the bar and eatery is sure to become Christchurch’s favourite summer spot. It’s an industrial warehouse in the middle of Christchurch city, and you’ll need to experience it for yourself.

All photos by Nancy Zhou.

September 6, 2017
Christchurch’s Best Vietnamese Eats

Vietnam To Go recently opened in central Christchurch among the other St. Asaph Street container restaurants and cafés. The eatery is serving up authentic and flavourful Vietnamese staples.

It’s been almost two years since my travels to Vietnam and I was seriously missing the freshly prepared pho and bánh mì joints that lined every street. As soon as I leave a place, I suddenly crave all of the food!

Nancy and I happened upon Vietnam To Go by chance, whilst on a midday coffee mission. Distracted from our flat whites, we stumbled upon this small eatery. The menu at Vietnam To Go isn’t overwhelming, rather it focuses on the essentials: pho, bánh mì, bún trộn (vermicelli salad), fresh spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee (hot or cold). We couldn’t make up our minds, so decided to share a pork bánh mì and chicken bún trộn alongside Vietnamese coffees (complete with sweet condensed milk). All items are made fresh to order, perfect for a quick lunch. Needless to say, we’ll be back again soon!

Vietnam To Go doesn’t have a website yet (as far as I can tell), but you can find them just behind Steampunk Laboratory on 270 St. Asaph Street.

Photo by Nancy Zhou

Photo by Nancy Zhou

August 21, 2017
Sister Kong brings Hong Kong to Christchurch

Taking cues from late night eateries in Shanghai and Hong Kong, Sally and Sam Hooper will officially open Sister Kong Bao Bar this Friday. The pair is behind the hugely popular Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar and Christchurch foodies eagerly await their second venture.

The decor of Sister Kong is red, gold and neon, just what you’d expect from a Chinese-inspired eatery. The ceilings are adorned with bamboo scaffolding and dome lights, which Sally imported herself from one of her trips to Shanghai. Most importantly and prominently is the lucky cat which features throughout the restaurant. An ancient symbol of good fortune, Sister Kong’s logo was designed by local artist, Joel Hart.

100 lucky cats line the walls and will soon be available for purchase with all proceeds going to Paw Justice.

Baos are the main attraction at Sister Kong, and you’ll find everything from saffron chicken, brisket, pork belly to panko shrimp. There’s even a breakfast bao for the breakfast lovers among us.

We opted for a range of starters to kick off our meal – everything from stinky tofu (don’t worry, it’s not actually stinky), loaded fries, fried chicken wings, pickled vegetables and kimchi. There’s plenty more on the menu and I can’t wait to return to try it all. There’s beer and wine available as well as delectable cocktails. Sake’s always a good idea to wash everything down.

Everything about Sister Kong is a bit tongue in cheek, not taking itself too seriously. Located on 123 Victoria Street, down the laneway, Sister Kong is already the city’s most talked about spot. Look for the neon lucky cat in the window and you’ve arrived at Christchurch’s coolest eatery.

Photo by Nancy Zhou

Photo by Nancy Zhou

Photo by Nancy Zhou

July 18, 2017
New Opening: Crowne Plaza Christchurch

The long-awaited opening of the Crowne Plaza holds a great deal of significance to Christchurch. Standing 70m above the street, it is the city’s second tallest building. The venture symbolizes a milestone in the city’s recovery. Built in 1989, originally an office building, it mostly withstood the 2011 earthquake and has recently completed a refit. The hotel has been met with a huge level of local support just weeks since opening. When Nick and I checked in, we were amazed by the sheer volume of people mingling in the lobby and socializing at the wine bar. Every inch of the hotel was buzzing with activity (in fact, I waited until very early the next morning to take the photo above).

As the city’s tallest hotel building, Crowne Plaza is 17-storeys and has 200 or so rooms – all beautifully decked out in navy and mustard hues. The upscale hotel is ideal for a weekend away or, in our case, a staycation. Every detail has been perfectly executed and you may find yourself here for your morning coffee or after work drinks. Cafe 1851 pays homage to the hotel’s roots. Settle in and admire the tile floors, high ceilings and marble countertops. The coffee’s by Mojo and there are plenty of pastries on offer.

With the comfiest bed I’ve slept on in years, a pillow menu and a gorgeous reading nook, the Crowne Plaza is the ultimate place to unwind for the night. I loved getting ready in the marble bathroom. The mustard accents throughout our room (and in the lobby) provided me with ample interior inspiration as I begin to decorate my own apartment. We couldn’t stop staring out of the large windows looking out over the city. We stayed on the 17th floor and marvelled at the bird’s eye view of the city below. Christchurch is rebuilding as a low-rise/mid-rise city, so it’s remarkable to experience it from above. We even woke up for the most spectacular sunrise before heading downstairs to experience the buffet breakfast.

If you’re looking for a place to meet friends for after work drinks, Social Wine Bar will certainly fit the bill. Market Place is great for dinner, serving up tapas and shared plates of local, seasonal food. The salmon and polenta fries are both delicious options.

July 17, 2017
Bunch Floral Workshop

With a passion for wild and locally grown fauna, Alicia Erceg launched Bunch Floral in November 2016.

I’ve followed the company since its beginnings, intrigued by Alicia’s unconventional approach to floristry. Bunch strives to use seasonal produce and reduce waste. Alicia regularly goes foraging to find native plants and weeds not commonly used in traditional floristry. Each of Alicia’s creations is striking in its simplicity. Her arrangements can be seen throughout Christchurch as centrepieces at local cafés and businesses, weddings and events. She was responsible for the beautiful and highly photographed floral pagoda archway at Nostalgia Festival. Alicia’s pared down ethos is refreshingly unique, so I was thrilled when she announced she’d be hosting her first ever floral workshop.

Held at XCHC, Christchurch’s coolest café/bar/event/showcase/performance space, the workshop kicked off with wine, platters and beautiful melodies by Holly Arrowsmith. The setting was perfect for an evening workshop, spacious yet cosy with fairy lights draped from the ceiling.

We watched attentively as Alicia demonstrated how to create the base for a front-facing floral masterpiece, slowly adding pieces to add balance and fill out empty spaces. The session was relaxed, accentuated by Holly’s timeless vocals. Alicia encouraged us to create something that appealed to us, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical, there was zero pressure for perfection.

Photo by Rachel Laine

For your next event, I encourage you to check out Bunch Floral for eye-catching pieces that are full of personalty. Perfect for any occasion, Alicia incorporates seasonal flora and fauna, so arrangements are seasonally appropriate and last as long as possible! It’s refreshing to see something a little wild and different in an industry so often governed by cookie-cutter arrangements.

If you’re interested in creating your very own arrangement, Bunch workshops will soon become a regular occurrence. Alicia plans to host a few workshops later this year. She’s even planning on holding a Christmas wreath course in December!

Photo by Rachel Laine

Photo by Rachel Laine

July 1, 2017
Calling All Christchurch Bloggers

Are you a Christchurch-based blogger? I’d love to meet you.

My friends over at Mooch Style and I would like to invite you to The Bloggers Collective on Sunday, 23rd July at 10AM. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for ages, T.B.C. aims to get everyone together to chat about the trials and triumphs of blogging in Christchurch. There will be plenty of discussion and advice on collaborating with other bloggers, photographers and how to score partnerships. No topic is off-limits

Send me an email (vanessaortynsky@gmail.com) with the subject: The Bloggers Collective along with your name and your blog name.

Once we’ve confirmed numbers, we’ll let you know the venue. All I will say now is that it’s going to be fab and flat lays will be encouraged.

I look forward to seeing you there. x

Photography by Jillian Miller

June 18, 2017
Where To Have Lunch In Christchurch’s CBD

Christchurch’s CBD is steadily growing with new businesses popping up on the regular. In fact, it seems like every other day, a new café or restaurant opens in Christchurch! With so many offices moving back into the CBD, there’s plenty of space for growth and many mouths to feed.

If you haven’t been to the CBD in awhile, you may find yourself overwhelmed with all the new gems. These are my six favourite spots to grab lunch (and one new café thrown into the mix!) The majority of these spots are conveniently located on St. Asaph Street.

Grain
19 Southwark Street
Grain Coffee and Eatery is a minimalist’s dream. The stark white walls and high ceilings mean that the coffee and food remain a key focus. Their olive green machine pumps out AllPress coffee and they have both an enticing menu and cabinet food on offer. I recommend trying their grain bowls – filled with fresh veggies, these are filling and oh so tasty.

Thai Box
270 St. Asaph Street
The fresh spring rolls at this lunchtime mainstay are my go-to on busy days. Prepared fresh, they are perfect to grab and go. I’ve also tried the Massaman curry and Pad thai at Thai Box, both are the stuff of dreams!

Steampunk Laboratory
270 St. Asaph Street
Did you know you could get Korean food to go in Christchurch? For a speedy lunch option that’s warm and full of flavour, grab a cup bop at Steampunk. I can’t resist the tofu option.

Engine Coffee Brewers
270 St. Asaph Street
Hidden behind Thai Box on St. Asaph Street, Engine Coffee Brewers has been open only three days. While off to grab spring rolls (see above) I stumbled upon their sign and was intrigued to find a sparse café filled with greenery and some fresh baked goods. The cool thing about Engine is that they know coffee and have made this their priority. Order it black or white and stay a while.

Madam Woo
255 St. Asaph Street
Hailing from Queenstown, Madam Woo has now opened venues across the country. Much to the delight of Cantabrians, Christchurch now has a place to get your Malaysian street food fix. Feast on hawker rolls, sui mai and dumplings, actually try everything on the menu because it’s all amazing. This is the place to go for a long lunch (complemented by a beverage, of course!)

Potsticker Dumpling Bar
144 Lichfield Street (Poplar Lane)
My colleagues and I often enjoy treating ourselves to delicious dumplings from Potsticker on Poplar Lane. With a rotating, seasonal menu, you’re sure to find an option to satisfy your palette. Their dessert dumplings are particularly noteworthy. The good news is they’ve now opened another establishment on Victoria Street, Sister Kong, which serves Hong Kong street eats!

May 17, 2017
Nostalgia Festival

Combining the talents of the best local musicians, chefs, baristas, mixologists and florists, Nostalgia is unlike any festival I’ve ever attended. Held at Ferrymead Heritage Park, every detail of the day was carefully considered and flawlessly executed. I’ve attended my fair share of festivals in North America, yet was completely blown away by the atmosphere at Christchurch’s own festival. The experience reaffirmed my belief that Christchurch is a truly special place to live and work.

With so many enticing food options (Vagabond Chefs, Sage, Heisenburger, Cakes by Anna, Grizzly Bagel and Gatherings by Alex Davies to name a few) festival-goers were spoiled for choice. I was especially fond of the slow roll, which kicked off at Action Bicycle Club and offered a sustainable and enjoyable way to get to the festival.
Decor for the day fit perfectly with the mood and theme of the festival. Dried hanging flowers by Bunch Floral and quirky bunting complemented the historic elements of the park. My friend even remarked, “I need this for my wedding,” after we did our first lap around the festival grounds.

Music across two stages consisted of national and local talent, mostly of the rock and folk persuasion. Lawrence Arabia, originally from Christchurch, stole the show for me. The party continued at Blue Smoke as the sun went down, and I loved jumping around to Sal Valentine & Babyshakes.

This was my first time visiting Ferrymead Park and I was compelled to jump on the train for a scenic trip that took me back in time. The day catered to all ages and interests, while remaining true to its roots. I anticipate many photos and round ups across the interwebs, so I’ll leave you with a few photos of my favourite moments.

Tell me about the best festival you’ve ever attended? Was it a popular, globally-known festival like Glastonbury or Coachella or a more intimate, local affair?

March 4, 2017
Arty Party

One of the biggest perks of living in a city is its proximity to cultural institutions. If you live within walking (or cycling) distance to a museum, art gallery, a theatre and a art house cinema, consider yourself lucky. In Toronto, we lived on the same street as the Art Gallery of Ontario. Now in Christchurch, we’ve purchased a townhouse on the same street as the Christchurch Art Gallery. I’m more than willing to sacrifice a proper backyard for community parks and gardens, but that’s another story…

When Christchurch Art Gallery announced its Gigs at the Gallery series, I knew I had to check it out. Friday Nights at the ROM were some of my most memorable evenings in Toronto. We’d dance around the galleries while DJs spinned obscure yet familiar tracks. Securing a ticket to one of these popular evenings always felt fortuitous, who can resist partying amongst some of the world’s best art?

Gigs at the Gallery is decidedly more subdued than Friday Nights at the ROM, but no less magical. The glasshouse gallery is a striking architectural masterpiece, especially when the sun goes down. With food trucks parked outside the gallery and two cash bars inside, partygoers have plenty of food and beverage options during the evening. The ground level galleries are also open during the event.

I was especially mesmerized by dreamy pop duo, Purple Pilgrims who performed at Laneway earlier this year. Their electronic dance music is ethereal and otherworldly. Main act, Grayson Gilmour is known for his contemplative, introspective musings. Needless to say, it was a memorable evening filled with delicious drinks (the gallery’s gin cocktails are a must-try) and glorious music.

From now on, I’ll be spending my Friday nights at the gallery.

March 3, 2017
New Opening: Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters

Working in Christchurch’s CBD, I’ve kept a close watch on all the cafés and restaurant openings over the past six months. And it seems there’s a new spot open every other week. As a frequent café-goer, I’ve relished in all these new dining opportunities. Oddly enough, I didn’t notice the new roastery on St. Asaph Street until a couple days before it opened. Only a block from our new Plato Creative offices on Manchester Street, Unknown Chapter is conveniently situated for a work session or client breakfast.

The interior is reminiscent of Australian cafés, crisp minimalism with fauna and greenery gracing the ceiling. All the white space is a refreshing change in Christchurch, where cafés tend to be slightly crowded and occasionally claustrophobic. There’s ample seating and plenty of windows. With the sun pouring in, it’s a gorgeous place to begin your day. It also makes my ever-growing list of New Zealand’s most Instagrammable cafés.

The menu is somewhat limited on opening morning. I opt for an omelette with prosciutto and goat’s cheese, Alice decides on the classic granola and Nancy opts for eggs on toast. I’d love to see a few more inventive dishes, but my omelette is nevertheless satisfying. The team is still working out some kinks, but it’s clear they care deeply about what they do. When our breakfasts were delayed coming out of the kitchen, we’re promptly offered free coffees served with apologetic smiles.

Finding delicious coffee isn’t difficult in Christchurch, yet I’m impressed to see flawless latté art at Unknown Chapter. Whether you’re looking for a new environment for study or a wholesome breakfast before work, Unknown Chapter is an excellent addition to the Christchurch café scene.

November 5, 2016