Olive, Newmarket

Olive Restaurant and Bar. Photo / Richard Robinson

Herald rating: * * *
11a Nuffield St

We came here because we'd agreed to meet in Newmarket and, after an extensive recce of eateries on offer, this looked one of the better options.

Parking would have been a nightmare if I hadn't left my car further up the road in Remuera and walked down.

We walked in and immediately thought given they've gone to the effort and expense of installing air conditioning, it wouldn't kill them to turn it up a bit on one of the muggiest days of the year.

The most unusual thing on the menu was the separate bruschetta menu, with six different options, including one topped with rare beef, beetroot and feta puree ($17.50).

We ordered the lemon souffle pancakes with apple syrup and yoghurt ($14.50) and the poached chicken salad ($22.50), which was the only gluten-free option on the menu. The pancakes were light and fluffy but much too sweet, especially when soaked in the apple syrup. Even the natural yoghurt couldn't hide the sickly sweetness. The poached chicken salad hit the spot, though we weren't entirely sold on the sultanas - what is this, 1974?

The service was er, well, sweaty if we're honest. Which made for an awkward minute as the waiter reeled off the specials and we tried not to stare.

The coffee was fine.

We recommend if you come here you keep it brief. If you want a long, languorous brunch, there are better places to be found in neighbouring suburbs.

Overall, we thought why is it that the city's premiere shopping destination doesn't have a single standout cafe? Plenty of decent ones, but nothing really exceptional.