Jackson Café & Bistro 306 Jackson St, Petone

Score: 4 out of 5

Adam Li, previously chef of well known Trafalgar Square Bistro, and Adam Café and Bistro, set up shop Jackson Café and Bistro eight months ago. He has won the culinary award for beef and lamb six years in a row so we were looking forward to our lunch.

The café itself is spacious with plenty of seating. There is also an outdoor area, but it was a bit nippy on this particular day, so we sat inside.

The specials of the day looked appetising – West Coast whitebait omelette with salad and fries ($16.50), free range pork fillet with honey bacon, kumara and apple puree ($29.50),  and 600g scotch fillet on the bone with rustic fries and a mushroom red wine jus ($36.00).  We all chose the whitebait omelette and all agreed it was perfect – lovely and creamy, and full of flavour. A decent sized portion too.

The staff were friendly, professional and helpful, and obviously proud of their eatery. 

The coffee was also good – robust with a slight bitterness. 

A perfect end to a lovely meal.