Approaching Urban Pantry, the heavy metal doors prepare you for the confident and polished experience beyond. Even on the coldest of winter nights, the warmly lit dining room is so wonderfully cosy as to make the evening chill feel a million miles away.
For those that haven’t ventured in to this fabulous little corner of The Lawns in Manuka, there is a lot to love. Breakfasts start at 7.30 in the morning, with salads, omelettes and the wonderfully indulgent big breakfast, all available with a hot coffee or fresh juice.
Lunch features light snacks (grilled haloumi or bruschetta) through to the more substantial dishes including venison ragu or twice cooked pork belly. A delicious snack is the succulent prawns that burst with juiciness. The feta adds creaminess to the dish while the tomatoes provide a wonderful hit of umami. It’s a great little plate to share, but be sure to get more than one prawn before your fellow diners devour them.
For dinner, the Specials Board reveals all manner of seasonal treats. One highlight spotted was a Roast Pumpkin Tart featuring almonds, baby spinach, topped with Jenson’s Red Brie and served with mixed greens. The pumpkin, roasted with honey, is deliciously sweet without being overly so. While the nuts, along with the puff pastry add a delicious crunch.
One of the heqadline acts from the dinner menu is the Veal Cutlet. Accompanied by feta-infused mash, pepperonata and kalamata pangrattato, the serving is certainly generous. It may look daunting, but the meat is delicate and tender.
There are some great options for those who are just looking to kick back of an afternoon between lunch and dinner to take in the sunshine with a coffee or a glass of wine. Urban Pantry has started serving burgers from 3.00pm and, if that might spoil your dinner, there is a wide selection of cakes and pastries in the counter display.
Head Chef Malcolm Hatch is working hard to keep the menu fresh and seasonal and is ably assisted in the kitchen by Ben Harrison. Looking to the summer months, Urban Pantry will be a much more open affair. The windows will open, the awnings will be rolled back and, starting in October, jazz will be played on the lawns every Friday night 6.00pm until 10.00pm throughout the Summer months. It makes that glass of wine look all the more tempting.
Urban Pantry is certainly that – a convenient place for a bite to eat no matter what time of the day. Be it breakfast, a daytime refueling or a celebratory dinner, all your options are covered. Get in there soon and raid Manuka’s favourite pantry.
