Zippy Central, Rotorua

By PHOEBE FALCONER for canvas


It was three sad women who wandered into Zippy Central in Rotorua one recent Sunday morning. Their faces were pale and drawn, their eyes red and swollen. It was the day after that game.

However, the beautiful weather helped to salve the pain, as did Zippy's retro decor. This place is not for the faint-hearted or hungover. One wall is lime-green, another striped pink and orange. The tables are Formica-topped, with mismatched but comfortable chairs, and the waitstaff dress to match, including tattoos. They're friendly, though. The kids who came in with a young couple had obviously been there before, as they headed straight for the box of toys, and were commendably quiet.

Food, we thought, would help to dispel our depression, followed perhaps by a stroll among the redwoods. Zippy's menu is comprehensive. As well as the breakfast menu, they offer bagels all sorts of ways, BLATs, cakes and muffins, plus a good range of coffees and teas, including herbal.

Christine went for the corn fritters and bacon ($9), and blanched when she saw the size of it. She did her best, bless her, but retired some time later, defeated. The fritters were tasty but slightly burnt, she reported.

Charlotte chose the vegetable omelette (also $9), and was well pleased with the offering; a nicely cooked egg portion stuffed with tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms. The accompanying hash brown was redundant, she felt.

I decided on the Little Zip ($7.50), feeling too emotionally fragile to face anything bigger. It was a good decision, as the bacon, egg on half-bagel, hash brown and wee sausage were just right. The alternative, a Big Zip ($11), would have been wasted on me.

Excellent coffee accompanied the meals, served with three Pebbles in each teaspoon. Unexpected but not unwelcome.

Bit like Zippy Central, really.

Ambience: Very casual, very popular with mountain-bikers and other athletic types.

Parking: Easy

Hours: 9am to late

* 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.