C.A.C. Bar and Eatery, Mt Eden

C.A.C. does a great pork loin tonno mayonnaise. Picture / Greg Bowker

Herald rating: * * * *

The Writer: So, you found a park all right then?

Bridget: Yes, it's easy around here, mostly suburban streets. We won't get towed like last time.

The Writer: I wouldn't count on that. Not the way that the storm troopers of the Auckland City Parking Battalion have been going about their nocturnal missions.

Bridget: You sound smug. Get the bus from the office?

The Writer: I walked. It's a new trend I'm pioneering. Gets you from the CBD to almost anywhere within 5km of Queen St faster than driving.

Bridget: Hmmm ... I see you've started already. What's that you're drinking?

The Writer: It's a Spanish wine. I asked for something full and round and red ...

Bridget: ... and she brought you a mirror?

The Writer: No, Artero La Mancha tempranillo. Almost black, spicy and fruity. It threatens to go too nicely with the food.

Bridget (to wait-nymph): I'm with the Man of La Mancha tonight. So, initial impressions of C.A.C.?

The Writer: Aah, of course, you've been here before. Adore the building, thank heavens they saved some bluestone around here. It blends so nicely with the prison across the way. Appreciate these couches and low round tables. The crowd is unashamedly urban, people who live in apartments without kitchens. They could be extras from a TV relationship drama.

Bridget: Watch where you're going with that thought.

The Writer: Oh, sorry, forgot this place played a seminal part in your relationship.

Bridget: Perhaps we could look at the food?

The Writer: We could pay it more attention than that. When Anthony Joseph and Megan Watson trolled over the bridge from the Chop House and other ventures in Albany 18 months back, their catchphrase was "small plates, big flavours" ...

Bridget: Tapas, in a word. Much more interesting and relaxed than that old "entree-main can I have a bite of yours, it looks nicer than mine?" way of dining.

The Writer: Not actually tapas. Strictly speaking, that's a Spanish concept that's as much about socialising as it is about eating. True tapas are little more than a mouthful ...

Bridget: If you're on another of your geoculinary namedropping jaunts, I'm ordering. The waitress said most people order three plates and then see if they're still hungry.

The Writer: ... whereas these are far more substantial platters and the influences are wider ranging. Classic Italian risotto balls and fried smoked mozzarella, tres French terrine, North African hummus and spiced lamb. You could say that the smoked peppers and fried stuffed anchovies are Basque cases. Stonking wine list here. Fascinating ideas from all over the world.

Bridget: Likewise the food. I'm not sure which I like best: slow-cooked lamb shoulder with almonds and raisins, pork with rocket and capers?

The Writer: Easy for me, it's these sardines - the real things - and that mash. The menu seems to change frequently so you could come along once or twice a week. Look at the cheeses: manchego, bleu d'Auvergne. No, can't pass up sheep's camembert.

Bridget: I can. Especially when there's creme caramel.

The Writer: See, you wouldn't get that in a Spanish tapas bar.

Bridget: You're not in Guadalajara now. But we are about to be serenaded - there's a jazz band setting up in the corner.

The Writer: That's not a jazz band. Jazz bands wear straw hats and bow ties and striped waistcoats.

Bridget: Flat white for me, long black for him, then the bill. I can tell he likes being here way too much.

* * *

Address: 26 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden
Phone: (09) 630 5790
Open: Tue-Fri 11am-late, Sat-Sun 4pm-late
Cuisine: Mediterranean Rim
From the menu:
* Squid and couscous saute, chilli, tomato, olives $16
* Boquerone (fried stuffed anchovies), sweet onion and pepper relish $15
* Vacherin meringue, pineapple, passionfruit, creme patisserie $10
Vegetarian: Grazing was made for you
Wine: Stonking list: glass $8.50-$17.50, bottle $38-$199