Eating Out in New Zealand: You're Not in America Anymore!

We like to go out to eat. A lot. I chalk it up to the freedom of not having children and being able to do what we want, when we want. I certainly don't think it has anything to do with my aversion to going to the grocery store, and absolutely has nothing to do with laziness. Anyhow, there are a surprising number of little differences between a Kiwi dining experience and eating out in the U.S. of A.

Bookings
They really like you to make bookings (reservations). Even when the restaurant isn't yet half full, you get a cocked eyebrow when you answer, "No, we don't have a booking". And then you might find yourself towards the back...

Anatomy of the Menu
The Appetizer is called the Entrée. The Entrées are called Mains. Bread is never complimentary. Beer and wine aren't hard to find, spirits can be.

Gor:lla. (nope, that's not a typo!) A little restaurant that prides itself on uniqueness, local and organic.
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Language of the Kiwi Restaurant
Bacon: usually called "Streaky Bacon" (no idea why, and I'm afraid to ask)
Biscuits: Cookies
Chips: French Fries
Gherkins: Pickles (sort of)
Kumara: Sweet Potato
Manuka: Honey (technically it's a type of honey)
Rocket: Arugula

Beverages
Frequently you must ask for water. They're happy to bring it to you, just ask. Good for the enviornment! Beer prices are (expensive... and) reflected by their percentage. 4% ABV beer is usually $1 cheaper than 5% and it seems to go up exponentially from there. Wine is similar, but priced a lot more similarly to wine the States. Oh, and everyone's got cider on the list.


What you WILL find
Lots of lamb, steak, chicken, salmon. Lots of smoked salmon. Tons of pies (think pot pie, not dessert pie). Plenty of quiches and fritatas. Breaded foods, deep fried foods. Ethnic foods. Surprisingly, lots of places that cater to gluten free eating.

What you WON'T find
French Toast without bananas and bacon on top. Nice Calfornia-esque green salads are hard to find. Chèvre. Taco trucks, or really any "normal" Mexican food (Scott and I agree to disagree on this issue). Zinfandel, or any California wines... which I know is to be expected but I still miss it.

The BEST place for brekkie.
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Ordering coffee
Oh man, this should be it's own blog post. So, don't bother trying to find drip coffee, it doesn't exist. Coffee is an espresso based experience in New Zealand, and they are proud of it. You will need an open mind and a translator to get a coffee similar to what you are looking for...

Flat White: Most similar to a latte, but with a slightly higher coffee to milk ratio
Short Black: Basic shot of espresso
Long Black: Similar to an americano, 2 shots of espresso poured over hot water. (I fear if one tried to order a "Long Black" in America, you run the risk of being slapped and/or arrested.)
Bongo: A double shot with hot milk in a small cup
Fluffy: Steamed milk (for kids)

Oh yeah, a French Press (the closest you're gonna get to that Peet's coffee that you actually want will require a French Press) is called a "Plunger". Appetizing, no?

Cafe Metro, my favorite little coffee place near our house.
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Gratuity
You may have noticed that your fancy dinner didn't come with complimentary bread, you had to ask for water, and your server dropped off your food and disappeared into a black hole. New Zealand is not a tipping country. Of course they won't turn down a little cash bonus upon your departure, but it is not expected. Ever. I felt guilty the first couple of times we left a restaurant... but now I relish in it. No one asks you 5 times in 20 minutes how your food is. I'm eating it, aren't I?! Sure if you need a new fork, you may have to catch someone as they walk by. I don't mind. The downside? When we return to the States, tipping is going to be so annoying.

Payment
No matter how fancy-smancy the restaurant is, you pay the cashier when you leave. No one brings the bill to your table. This left Scott and I sitting for a long time once or twice. But actually, it's kind of sweet. Don't you hate when the waiter brings your bill while you're still finishing your meal? Maybe you wanted another glass of wine? Or worse, when you need to get to the movie theater but your waitress vanished into that mysterious black hole of a kitchen again. No biggie; here in New Zealand, you always pay at the front.

The Coffee House Cafe & Bistro (pre-earthquake, the wall is gone now...). A favorite.
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The Cost of Things... and other odds and ends
At many restaurants there is a 15% surcharge on public holidays... which, if you'll recall, New Zealand has frequently.
Pizza is available at almost every restaurant, and is a nice choice for those on a budget.
Happy Hour is a fond but distant memory.
Eating out is pretty darn expensive compared to the US, although buying your food at the grocery store isn't too much pricier.
Napkins are sometimes called "serviettes", which I like because one time I taught myself French for 3 months... and now it's totally paid off.