CANDIDATE 4 : Fidel's Cafe

C'mon, we all know Fidel's. Great restaurant/cafe but the status is so 'hipster'. Still love it. GREAT MILKSHAKES. The Snickers milkshake is my personal favourite because it is pretty much a snickers bar blended up into a milkshake. Yes. Fidel's is a bit different to my other choices of milkshake locations around Wellington, but is probably the most well-known. I cant decide if Fidel's is going to be a concrete candidate in this brochure as it just seems to blend in with the other choices...

''The undisputed King of Cool on Cuba Street, Fidel’s Café has a long history of serving strong single-origin coffee and hearty fare that won’t break the bank. On top of their legendary pizzas and salads, there’s a wide variety of dishes from brunch ‘til dinner that cater to vegetarian and gluten-free requirements, and a sizeable selection of sweet and savoury cabinet treats to boot.

Fully licensed and serving until late, this spot is ideal for the late-night caffeine fix, though they’re also known for their smashing milkshakes. Earlier opening hours on the weekend mean breakfast is exceptionally popular, so it pays to be in quick.

The interior is warmly adorned with imagery of the revolution, but if it’s too packed there’s always the sun-soaked courtyard to bask in when the weather holds, and another that’s semi-enclosed out the back.

Words: Matt Paterson''

Review taken from : http://www.neatplaces.co.nz/place/fidels-cafe/

CANDIDATE 3 : CRUMPET

''Crumpet on Manners Street is a quaint café / bar and quite possibly Wellington’s best kept secret. Everything about this place is excellent – the most lovely staff, delicious cocktails (and by the way, there’s no cocktail menu, but instead a custom made cocktail service), jazz music and croon tunes, old fashioned tablecloths on beautiful wooden tables, dim lighting and candles at night time and crumpets for snacks – yes crumpets. And not just plain crumpets with a little jam and butter (although you can have that if you’d like) but crumpets with interesting savoury and sweet toppings – think tomato, basil, mozzarella and prosciutto or banana, butterscotch and toasted walnuts.

Crumpet is magic and looks set to become a true Wellington institution now the secret is out.

Words: Grace hall''

Review taken from : http://www.neatplaces.co.nz/place/crumpet/

Crumpet. Ugh I love this place. Great music, great atmosphere, great staff and most of all, great drinks. I had only found out that they do milkshakes today from a flatmate (who is a CONSTANT regular there) so I had to try it for myself. I ordered a Pistachio milkshake which turned out to be amazing! Unlike Six Barrel Soda, they use gelato and milk instead of syrups. I love this milkshake. However Crumpet is falling under the same categories as my other candidates so far so it may not make the final cut as I definitely need some range in my research.

CANDIDATE 2 : Six Barrel Soda Co. continued......

So continuing on from the previous post... SBSC has probably the most interesting and extensive range of sodas/milkshakes out of my proposed candidates. The simplicity of the interior design/set-up has inspired some thoughts of initial 'brochure' design. Simple, pastel palette and recurring 'vintage' motifs

''Fancy a drink? Take a stroll down an alley off Dixon Street. Perched above the chaos of Courtney Place, in a site once occupied by the eminent Eva Dixon’s, Six Barrel Soda Co is a gilded getaway from the hustle and bustle of the streets below.

This soda factory which moonlights as a café specialises in fizzy drink and food made from locally sourced ingredients. From bagels and tinned sardines, to sliders (mini-burgers) served with Kettle chis, Six Barrel is open for business seven days a week, along with a special scrambled egg menu for scrambled weekend minds.

The soda comes in a range of flavours, from kola nut to cherry & pomegranate, and can be enjoyed as a float with hand-churned vanilla ice-cream for two dollars more. The syrup itself is brewed, bottled, and sold on site, while fruity flavours such as raspberry and lemon can be had hot to ward off winter’s chill.

There’s board games and plenty of reading material to take in while waiting for your order (including a stack of vintage National Geographics best perused over bottomless coffee) so next time you’re thinking lazy lunch in the city, think Six Barrel.

Words: Matt Paterson'' 

Review taken from : http://www.neatplaces.co.nz/place/six-barrel-soda-co/

CANDIDATE 2 : Six Barrel Soda Co.

What: Six Barrel Soda Co.

Location: Above 'Hope Bros', Eva Street

Six Barrel Soda Co. has a great vibe. Independent and intimate, this soda bar is a must for cutesy hangouts in hidden Wellington gems. They also manufacture and sell their own soda syrups so you can take them home and recreate delicious sodas for yourself. I think SBSC is a concrete candidate for this project as it is an independent company that has it's own vibe and 'flavour'. Onwards now to seek out local dairys, 'CityStops' and takeaway restaurants for the next milkshake wonder.

CANDIDATE 1: Martha's Pantry

Personal Favourite- Martha's Pantry

Location - Upper Cuba Street

Why?- MILKSHAKES

I love Martha's Pantry. Forgive the traditional, high-tea-loving, fancy lady fan-girl in me, but this place is just 

gorgeous! The atmosphere is delicate, intimate and pastel-perfect. Great for Golden-oldies catching up after a life-time, cutesie bridal parties or mature afternoon tea and cupcakes. I will be trying, recording and photographing properly tomorrow for some great primary research information. Great excuse to catch up with good friends. I chose a good topic. 

''There is no better way to describe Martha’s Pantry than to say that it is simply delightful. Martha’s Pantry is somewhat of an institution in Wellington, and when you step inside this gem of a café it is not hard to see why. Stepping into Martha’s is like stepping into your granny’s house. Tables are laid with embroidered tablecloths, dainty sugar jars and little vases of freshly picked flowers.

On the walls hang pretty paintings, and a selection of straw hats to choose from if you want to sit in the sunny courtyard, surrounded by pots of flowers and herbs.

Everything is served on old mismatched china, and tea and coffee come with dinky old school souvenir teaspoons. The teapots are always covered with cute little knitted tea cosies. Not only is the setting spectacular, but so too is the food. A big wooden serving bench and cabinet are adorned with cupcakes, sandwiches, homemade pizzas, delicate macarons, biscuits and slices that your granny would make. The highlight is certainly the High Tea – a variety of bite-sized treats served on beautiful three-tier cake stands. Bookings for High Tea are essential.

There is no detail missed at Martha’s Pantry – even the lovely girls who serve you wear pretty pinnies and red lipstick, just like you’d expect someone with the name Martha to, and often the lovely staff will hunt out a souvenir teaspoon that is pertinent to you. Martha’s Pantry is the perfect place for a girls’ day out; but that said, the boys are sure to love it too.

Words: Grace Hall''

Review taken from : http://www.neatplaces.co.nz/place/marthas-pantry/

Jamie B