Brunch: Stan's Eatery & Bar, Whangaparaoa

Stan's Eatery & Bar.

Address: 3/570 Whangaparaoa Rd, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa
Phone: (09) 424 4050
Website: stanseatery.co.nz
Open: Tues-Fri 10am-8pm; Saturday 8am-8pm; Sunday 8am-3.30pm
Cost: $51.75 for two

SET-UP & SITE

We're checking out one of a strip of three, soon to be four, new eat and drink places.

Brunch destinations are generally scattered on the peninsula, so having so many in one place is a novelty.

They face an also-new New World supermarket but the pedestrian atmosphere is balanced by plenty of parking. Stan's name comes not from the owner, whose stable includes Pescado in the Wynyard Quarter, but from the nearby bay.

First impression is "where is everyone?" It's light and airy, with plenty of mostly empty seating options. We opt for the annexe with high tables and adjustable-height screw barstools.

SUSTENANCE & SWILL

There's a small but adequate brunch menu - as well as an extensive all-day list. We start with two trim Icoco flat whites. I love mine but my husband prefers his coffee with a bit more kick. He orders eggs benedict with kale and extra-crispy bacon ($15) and I go for the corn beef hash with kale poached eggs and hollandaise ($16), and a side of mushrooms ($6). And a glass of prosecco ($11.50) - because it was there. My food arrives first - with a side of bacon. There was confusion in the kitchen, we are told, it's the bacon for the benedict. So he has a wait for his meal. And the prosecco has to be mentioned again. However, once we are eating there are no niggles, just lots of flavour, perfect eggs and sizeable portions. It is only later that I notice a blackboard notice of a winter special that ticks all the healthy boxes: tumeric latte with almond milk and cinnamon.

Eggs benedict at Stan's Eatery and Bar.

SERVICE & OTHER STUFF

The much-mentioned prosecco featured again after it was mistakenly left off the bill, however staff were friendly and helpful and hopefully the glitches we experienced will soon be ironed out. New housing is going gangbusters in the area, so there will be plenty of potential clients. As we had visited previously for hot drinks and were remembered, we were "regulars" and therefore got a 10 per cent discount. Nice touch.