It’s had a lick of paint
and a change of management, but K’ Road’s iconic Verona Café, which has
variously doubled in its twenty-year lifespan as a gallery, poet’s corner and
music venue, lives on.
We never considered
changing the name,’ says Tim Mercer, one third of the new management trio which
has moved into the heritage building. We’re respectful of the
history of the place and see ourselves as caretakers of the ongoing Verona
Along with husband and wife
team Annabelle Guinness and Phil Randle, founders of the Leigh Sawmill Café, Tim
will be enticing K’ Roaders into the new incarnation of the cafe with a
tapas-style menu based on that which Annabelle and Phil have been wowing
Matakana locals with until recently at the area’s village farmer’s market.
‘It’s modelled on the
concept of slow food,’– food which has been prepared unhurriedly but can be heated
and served up fast - he says. There’s also an emphasis on using organic
produce wherever possible.
Examples of the flavoursome
dishes on offer from the slow-cooked menu are duck and lentil chilli on organic
brown basmati rice and venison, fig and cavolo nero ragout on potato gratin
which come in $5 tapa or $15 main sizes.
These are complemented with a variety of wines including local Warkworth
and Matakana varieties.
New artwork supplied by
Annabelle’s sister and Agee jars of Annabelle’s own preserves decorate the
walls giving the revamped café an old world homely feel. Which is pretty much how the threesome see their
new K’ Road venture With Annabelle and
Phil living practically next door and Tim domiciled on neighbouring Symonds St,
‘it’s like being at home,’ he says.
You can check out this new
addition to K’ Road’s dining scene at www.facebook.com/veronacafe
Hours:
Wed – Sat 10.30-1.30am
Sun-Tues 10.30-11pm .
