Metropole

By JAN CORBETT for canvas

Even on a Monday night, parking in Parnell Rd is horrendous. So luckily a group of the better establishments have banded together to run off-street parking directly opposite Metropole, a Parnell eatery of long and respectable standing, and our destination. Hand over $5 to the young attendant and he gives you a voucher entitling you to a rebate on your meal.

Being so early in the week, dining at Metropole was on this night confined to the downstairs area - think stark white tables and soft black leather chairs - so the mysteries of upstairs remain just that. We had our choice of tables with a fine view of the street and bar which had at least had one obligatory raucous drinker - lovely g-string dear, so glad you showed it.

Being of that persuasion Laurie was impressed to find a range of vegetarian options, although couldn't help but be impressed the tapas menu included cheerios. To begin he ordered the plate of sundried tomatoes, garlic, green beans and feta ($7), Barbara asked for the pork wantons ($8) and I requested the tempura prawns ($8). The carnivores among us happily picked at each other's plates, sipping the Weeping Sands Cabernet Merlot ($48) from our fishbowl-sized classes.

Laurie went on to the baked potato, feta and tomato tart ($16.50) for his main course and, smart enough to anticipate it would not leave him fully satisfied, also ordered potato gratin on the side ($6) which did. Barbara had the entree-sized seafood kebab ($18) with prawns, scallops and cajun smoked salmon and was impressed, although if she had known it would come with salad greens, would not have ordered a side salad ($5). And I went boldly for the roast sirloin ($27) served with kumara cubes (a favourite), broccolini (not keen), battered oyster mushrooms (mmmm) and blue cheese (even more mmmm). Rich, filling and divine it was.

Only Barbara was left able to face dessert, Banoffi Tower - a glorified banana split with a caramel tart and strawberries on top. ($11)

Already, we had noted how reasonable the prices were and when the bill came I was convinced something important had been omitted, but not so.

I decided downstairs at the Metropole is great for a cheapish, casual, great meal and I suspect even more wonderful stuff happens upstairs later in the week.

Cost: $157 for three tapas dishes, one entree, two mains courses with side dishes, one dessert and wine.

Ambience: sleek, trendy, but not intimidating.

* Read more about what's happening in the world of food, wine, party places and entertainment in canvas magazine, part of your Weekend Herald print edition.