Olive

Cuba Street, Wellington

Whenever Andre asks his work colleagues to recommend a cafe for our weekly visit, invariably The Botanist in Lyall Bay comes up, so this week…you guessed it…we’re off to Olive in upper Cuba street! There’s some trepidation on Andre’s part around parking as we’re talking about as central as you can get to the CBD. We all know what parking can do to even the most well planned expedition if some thought hasn’t gone into it! With Siri as backup, would you believe, we find a park directly across the road from our destination! This is a great start.

The building looks circa 1920 and inside it’s much the same decor apart from an eclectic collection of light shades from olde worlde through to funky futuristic. There’s not really a cabinet to speak of but there are some treats under cloches along the counter. We don’t have time to investigate though as a bubbly Irish lass whisks us to a table by the window and merrily informs us that she’s just had her second christmas in New Zealand and she loves how everyone here goes to the beach and you don’t have to give presents. Don’t have to give presents…really? She’s a sweetie so we decide not to say anything and we’re left with our thoughts plus two menus.

Two english breakfast teas soon appear and not long after our two waffles of the day. We quickly tuck in and agree they are best described in three words…Sen.Sation.Al. Light and fluffy and dripping in a smooth chocolate sauce over the freshly whipped cream and banana. If you’re a waffles fan then add this one to your bucket list as it’s to die for! (which is probably what you’ll do if you eat too many of these bad boys but what the heck…YOLO eh?) (That “YOLO” is Andre’s attempt to convince us that he’s still young and hip…although by the look of him a replacement hip is more likely in his future!)

Anyway…it doesn’t take us long to dispatch both waffle meals and wash it down with a tea. Andre explores the courtyard out the back, declaring it’s a peaceful inner city sanctuary that’s just right for a first tinder date, while Rachael watches the tattooed man in a fluro orange shirt smoking out on the footpath while his skateboarding buddy whizzes up and down the street wearing a tshirt with the word “plagueround” emblazoned on the back. This cafe is certainly smack in the middle of a cultural melting pot and it’s given us plenty to talk about on the ride home!

We take our leave and enjoy a quick stroll down Cuba street, Rachael squeals with delight as the wind catches the bucket fountain and splashes her with cold water…it’s an endearing kiwi tradition. We call a staff meeting in the car during the drive home and both agree we’re glad we went to this cafe as we didn’t have to waste olive our time with a bad review. A well deserved 5 stars from both of us!