Bethany's

Type of Dining: Fine Dining

• Affordability: 3
  
• Portion Size: 4
• Flavour: 5
• Service: 5
• Ambiance: 4

The other day as a celebration my partner and I decided to go out for lunch. We wanted something with a touch of class to celebrate the special occasion. We decided on Bethany's.

With a light menu priced around $20 and a mains around $30, Bethany's is moderately priced for restaurants in Palmerston North.

Placed in the superb location under the council building in the square, the restaurant has a superb outlook. The slightly quirky architecture adds to the feel with an upstairs which has truly splendid views.

I ordered the Seafood Pasta at $23 and my partner ordered the Vegetable Tartan at $20. We of course had a couple of glasses of wine to top off the celebrations. My pasta was delicious full of high quality ingredients cooked perfectly. I was thoroughly pleased. My partner devoured the Tartan and so I have no idea what it was like. She assured me it was excellent.

The service was excellent. It is so nice when going out to feel like you are being served and treated. We were regularly checked on and the Manager made sure to touch base with us at least once. The whole experience couldn't have been a better way to celebrate our special occasion.

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Noodles n Dumplings

Type of Dining: Fast Casual

• Affordability: 5
• Portion Size: 5
• Flavour: 4
• Service: 2
• Ambiance: 2

Recently this little culinary hideaway was recommended to me by a friend. I had past the restaurant many times and put it down as one of those very cheap Asian takeaway places that are not really worth visiting. The type that when you visit you feel very uncomfortable about staying in to eat as you are the only ones there and everyone getting takeaways keeps looking at you as if to say whats with these guys?

Today however at the recommendation from the friend I felt it was time for an adventure. As soon as I entered I realised that I had been missing something for a while. At last I know what it felt like for Lucy when she walked through that wardrobe to find a mystical land. On entering one is thrust into a world of flavours, language, smells, and colours that you can surely only beat by travelling to china.

The food was totally authentic. We chose the seafood dumplings and some braised pork on rice. It was delicious. The flavours were devine. It has been a long time since I have come across a chinese restaurant in Palmerston North.

The venue was packed and we were lucky to get a seat. The noise and colour of the place was wonderful. Red and gold galore. My partner and I were one of the few europeans dining in. The portion sizes were extremely large and the prices very reasonable, for a total of $25 for the two of us, we were absolutely stuffed.

For some such an authentic, ethnic experience may not be a first choice for a meal out, but I have to say Noodles 'n Dumplings is definitely worth a visit at least once.

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Essence

Essence

Type of Dining: Fine Dining

• Affordability: 4
• Portion Size: 3
• Flavour: 3
• Service: 4
• Ambiance: 3

Ok, I know not technically Palmy but, hey it's close enough.

The other night a group and I went to Essence in Feilding for dinning. The group of us was a very large group of 16. The staff did an excellent job of catering for us all. Essence is located next to the stockyards and has a beautiful rural charm matched with some traditional class.

The menu is diverse, consisting largely of an excellent selection of traditional New Zealand dishes prepared to a superb standard. For a fine dining experience the Menu was very reasonable priced between $20 - $30. Each dish had a clear central flavour that was enhanced by carefully selected sides and sauces.

I ordered a scotch fillet. Cooked to perfection, I was at first not entirely impressed by the portion size as there was that classic kiwi faux pas of 2/3 meat and 1/3 vege. This in the end was due to the enormous size of the steak.

Beautifully prepared and cooked the fillet was not the most premium cut I have ever had, but was wrapped in bacon and mushrooms infusing a delicious collection of flavours.

With great service, a beautiful restaurant design and excellently prepared meals I think Essence is an great restaurant that I struggle to classify. As a fine dining experience the menu left me wanting; but as a cafe, Essence is a superb highlight of the Manawatu dining scene.

I recommend it for all visitors to the region, will be taking my in-laws their next time they are in the country.

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Aqabar

Type of Dining: Casual

• Affordability: 4
• Portion Size: 4
• Flavour: 4
• Service: 3
• Ambiance: 3

Today we popped into Aqaba on Broadway for lunch. This iconic restaurant of Palmerston North has a long history. When I first came to Palmerston North as a student I was introduced to Aqaba. Back then I thought the it was a great place to get an affordable tasty meal with a group of mates or on a casual date. Things haven’t changed.

Priced between $20 - $35 for a light or main meal, Aqaba is very reasonable and has excellent portion sizes that are very satisfying but not over bearing. Today we ordered the prawn linguini and the rack of lamb on seasonal vegetables, costing about $45 al together. The meals were extremely flavoursome and we were quite pleased by the quality of ingredients used.

The environment is a little dated and tired but very comfortable. Service was polite and cheerful, with quite acceptable waiting times. All orders are made at the bar and delivered to the table promptly.

Looking over the menu the antipasto platter and dessert taster platter looked like excellent options for couples or groups looking to share.

For a great meal and a couple of quiet drinks, Aqaba continues to be a classic dining experience in Palmerston North.

Nandos

Type of Dining: Fast Casual

• Value: 3/5
• Service: 2/5
• Portion Size: 4/5
• Flavour: 5/5
• Ambiance: 3/5

Today with the signs of winter truly upon us, the howling southerly chilling us to the bone, we decided on dining on something hot to warm us up. Nando’s was the decided venue. Nando’s the chain known around the globe for its spicy periperi chicken is a chain that is new to Palmerston North.

Found in the square on the shady side of the council building where Holly Bagels once tried and failed, Nando’s has decorated the space superbly with a mod like decor full of nooks and table dining to suit a variety of needs.

I devoured the supreme burger and my partner ate a quarter chicken. Both were flavourful dishes drenched in the famous periperi sauces. As a side we had periperi chips, coleslaw, and spicy rice. All of which were great accompaniments for the quarter chicken. Extremely spicy and tasty the meals were excellent and very filling.

Priced between $10 - $20 for a meal Nando’s was good value for fast casual dining. Situated centrally with an excellent dining layout Nando’s seems well suited for friends to catch up and hangout while sharing some chips or having a quick meal. Although slightly under staffed and a tad under heated for the cool weather; Nando’s was largely a very satisfying dining experience that I hope will succeed in Palmerston North.

My First Post

Hi

I love dining out. In Palmerston North there are so many places to eat out. Many are excellent for their target market. Catering for families, group affairs, or intimate encounters. Too rarely these places do not get the credit they deserve. This blog is about giving those places credit and also reminding me why I don't like going to the other places.

Each review is based on 5 points of dining:

1- Affordability

2- Portion size

3- Flavour

4- Service

5- Ambiance