6th March 2010 2009 my partner Scott and I set the date for our wedding in March 2010. We now live in Wellington but wanted to have the wedding at Paraparam Beach so I sent emails out to the cafes in the area and Sue from The Office Cafe was the only one who responded. She sounded great and the menu looked good so Scott and I headed out one Saturday to have brunch, meet Sue and see if it would be the right location for our intimate (30 guests) wedding. Brunch was devine (I had the eggs benedict and Scott had a pot pie) and the staff were lovely. That settled it. The Office Cafe was going to be the place. Through December we sorted a 3 course menu(and other things like they could provide the music, flowers for the tables and source the wine from local boutique vineyards)and even though Sue and Jenny were flat out with functions, I knew that I could contact them with various questions and requests and feel like I was the most important person to them. Once the RSVP's were back, Scott and I went back to the cafe, had dinner and confirmed everything.
Through February, I contacted Jenny a couple of times to double check a few things (for peace of mind) and felt perfectly happy that all was fine.
We went to the cafe with my parents and a couple of friends for dinner the night before the wedding and had steak (that didnt need a steak knife to cut), chicken (very moist and tender), fish (delicious) and pork (moist, tender and wonderfully spiced) and had to have dessert all of which were devine and more than matched the image in our heads and were a dream to our taste buds!
The wedding day, the cafe was ready for the guests to arrive from 5pm and the staff were so gracious and attentive and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Nothing was a problem for them. Entrees (scallops or pate) were very well received with the generous portions being fully devoured. We went across to the beach to get married and on our return, the tables had been re-set and bubbles had been poured and were offered to the guests as the register was signed.
The main (steak, chicken or salmon) was then served with the same wide eyed amazement at yet another plate of beautifully presented food that was again delicious. Dessert was a mascapone fruit tart which was presented beautifully and thoughtfully. Our cake was the yummy chocolate hazelnut torte which was cut up and served with tea and coffee.
We had such a lovely time and went back with the out of town guests the next morning for brunch where everyone was chokka from the delicious and generously proportioned food.
Thanks so much to everyone at The Office Cafe for making our wedding day (and other visits!) so great! The chefs were amazing and Sue and Jenny just made our day and the wait staff were so lovely!
So, we highly recommend you go for breakfast, lunch and /or dinner cooked so, so well and presented as beautifully as any 5 star restaurant and enjoy wonderful food at great prices and (for a change) wait staff that actually seem to like working and are happy to be there.
6th March 2010 2009 my partner Scott and I set the date for our wedding in March 2010. We now live in Wellington but wanted to have the wedding at Paraparam Beach so I sent emails out to the cafes in the area and Sue from The Office Cafe was the only one who responded. She sounded great and the menu looked good so Scott and I headed out one Saturday to have brunch, meet Sue and see if it would be the right location for our intimate (30 guests) wedding. Brunch was devine (I had the eggs benedict and Scott had a pot pie) and the staff were lovely. That settled it. The Office Cafe was going to be the place. Through December we sorted a 3 course menu(and other things like they could provide the music, flowers for the tables and source the wine from local boutique vineyards)and even though Sue and Jenny were flat out with functions, I knew that I could contact them with various questions and requests and feel like I was the most important person to them. Once the RSVP's were back, Scott and I went back to the cafe, had dinner and confirmed everything.
Through February, I contacted Jenny a couple of times to double check a few things (for peace of mind) and felt perfectly happy that all was fine.
We went to the cafe with my parents and a couple of friends for dinner the night before the wedding and had steak (that didnt need a steak knife to cut), chicken (very moist and tender), fish (delicious) and pork (moist, tender and wonderfully spiced) and had to have dessert all of which were devine and more than matched the image in our heads and were a dream to our taste buds!
The wedding day, the cafe was ready for the guests to arrive from 5pm and the staff were so gracious and attentive and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Nothing was a problem for them. Entrees (scallops or pate) were very well received with the generous portions being fully devoured. We went across to the beach to get married and on our return, the tables had been re-set and bubbles had been poured and were offered to the guests as the register was signed.
The main (steak, chicken or salmon) was then served with the same wide eyed amazement at yet another plate of beautifully presented food that was again delicious. Dessert was a mascapone fruit tart which was presented beautifully and thoughtfully. Our cake was the yummy chocolate hazelnut torte which was cut up and served with tea and coffee.
We had such a lovely time and went back with the out of town guests the next morning for brunch where everyone was chokka from the delicious and generously proportioned food.
Thanks so much to everyone at The Office Cafe for making our wedding day (and other visits!) so great! The chefs were amazing and Sue and Jenny just made our day and the wait staff were so lovely!
So, we highly recommend you go for breakfast, lunch and /or dinner cooked so, so well and presented as beautifully as any 5 star restaurant and enjoy wonderful food at great prices and (for a change) wait staff that actually seem to like working and are happy to be there.
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jimbo2000
1st June 2009 Well, what a surprise - walked past 31/5/09, from the outside just looks like a typical ppmu cafe - but then we looked at the menu - first off - evening meals - not just cafe lunches! Secondly - open Sundays - and this in the desert formerly known as Paraparaumu where everyone is shut on the Sabbath!
And then - the food! The menu is mouth watering - from Salmon Fillet with hazelnut, chili and lime, through Pork Fillet with Mushroom & Fig Duxelle (in a lemongrass & Honey jus or broth) to the star turn =- Rabbit - cooked in 3 styles on the same plate, with cherry compote and sherry reduction. Well - we were hooked, booked and landed.
On arrival at an early time of 6.30pm, were were greeted, seated and welcomed very professionally - well done Toni. Interesting ambience - half cafe, half restaurant and half lounge - but it works!
The entree of a seafood platter ($12) worked extremely well - prawns, calamari, couple of grilled greenlip mussels, and a slab of perfectly cooked salmon fillet! Well done - 10/10. Beautifully presented on a large, unusual oblong plate.
Mains - well - N just had to have her rabbit - again presented to perfection - all 3 cooking styles worked well - the cherry compote a delight - the leg possibly a little dry - but the friendly owner / chef Steve says he's on to that and actively working on the solution! I chose the Pork - beautiful, and the broth made the most marvellous marinade for N's veges and my salad! The salad, by the way, was as crisp and fresh as you could desire.
Co-owner Sue (Sister of Steve) was attentive and friendly as we ate - suggesting a very good choice of wine and assisting with desert wines!
Ah, dessert! Well, we chose the Apple Tarte Tartin - huge, unique, real home made vanilla bean icecream - (not just great taste, but a firm texture without being too cold - the perfect Winter ice cream - N didn' t believe me until she'd tried it!)
Will we be back ? We most certainly will! Many thanks for a very special night at very sensible prices!
G & N
2009 my partner Scott and I set the date for our wedding in March 2010. We now live in Wellington but wanted to have the wedding at Paraparam Beach so I sent emails out to the cafes in the area and Sue from The Office Cafe was the only one who responded. She sounded great and the menu looked good so Scott and I headed out one Saturday to have brunch, meet Sue and see if it would be the right location for our intimate (30 guests) wedding. Brunch was devine (I had the eggs benedict and Scott had a pot pie) and the staff were lovely. That settled it. The Office Cafe was going to be the place. Through December we sorted a 3 course menu(and other things like they could provide the music, flowers for the tables and source the wine from local boutique vineyards)and even though Sue and Jenny were flat out with functions, I knew that I could contact them with various questions and requests and feel like I was the most important person to them. Once the RSVP's were back, Scott and I went back to the cafe, had dinner and confirmed everything.
Through February, I contacted Jenny a couple of times to double check a few things (for peace of mind) and felt perfectly happy that all was fine.
We went to the cafe with my parents and a couple of friends for dinner the night before the wedding and had steak (that didnt need a steak knife to cut), chicken (very moist and tender), fish (delicious) and pork (moist, tender and wonderfully spiced) and had to have dessert all of which were devine and more than matched the image in our heads and were a dream to our taste buds!
The wedding day, the cafe was ready for the guests to arrive from 5pm and the staff were so gracious and attentive and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Nothing was a problem for them. Entrees (scallops or pate) were very well received with the generous portions being fully devoured. We went across to the beach to get married and on our return, the tables had been re-set and bubbles had been poured and were offered to the guests as the register was signed.
The main (steak, chicken or salmon) was then served with the same wide eyed amazement at yet another plate of beautifully presented food that was again delicious. Dessert was a mascapone fruit tart which was presented beautifully and thoughtfully. Our cake was the yummy chocolate hazelnut torte which was cut up and served with tea and coffee.
We had such a lovely time and went back with the out of town guests the next morning for brunch where everyone was chokka from the delicious and generously proportioned food.
Thanks so much to everyone at The Office Cafe for making our wedding day (and other visits!) so great! The chefs were amazing and Sue and Jenny just made our day and the wait staff were so lovely!
So, we highly recommend you go for breakfast, lunch and /or dinner cooked so, so well and presented as beautifully as any 5 star restaurant and enjoy wonderful food at great prices and (for a change) wait staff that actually seem to like working and are happy to be there.