The Packing Shed
99 Parrs Cross Rd, Oratia
KEY POINTS:
We came here because it had been highly recommended by a colleague, and his judgment is pretty reliable.
Parking was dead easy. Just what you'd expect from the surroundings of an old fruitpacking shed, really.
We walked in and immediately thought we must be early as the staff were still shuffling tables and chairs. Big night the night before, we were told. So we wandered around and looked at the abundant artwork displayed on the walls and on shelves in the two rooms.
The most unusual thing about the menu was its brevity. And the sausages that came with the Big Westie were proper ones, not the tiny snarlers you usually get.
We ordered the Big Westie ($16) which promised and delivered two of everything - sausages, eggs, tomatoes, bacon, hash browns, you get the idea. It was satisfying without being original. I had mushrooms on grain toast ($12) which were rich and creamy and a bit overwhelming.
The coffee was fine.
The service was chatty and relaxed, more like visiting a friend than going out for a meal. The whole place is like that really - not quite rough and ready, but not far off it. Instead of table numbers you get table flowers - a nice touch.
We recommend if you come here you also visit Just Plane Interesting, the antique and curio shop next door. There are strange and wondrous things there.
Overall we thought The Packing Shed is one of the ways West Auckland differs from the rest of the region. They can do this sort of thing and not appear naff.
