An Ace, a Duke, a Sow and a Camembert

It was time to catch up with Ace who has been a big support to me over the years that we've worked together, so off to Duke Carvell's for 2 for 1 on a Monday night. Now, I've had at least one bad experience at the Duke's before = basically every dish was luke warm when it should have been hot. A sure sign of a busy kitchen cutting corners. But let's give it another shot.

Ace thinks they've changed staff; I'm not sure, but they were certainly graceful hosts. We are both usually such wholesome eaters that we decided to give veges a miss for the night and go for the Pork Board and the Baked Camembert. There were actually some veges in the form of chillis (do they count?), gherkins and some fibre in the form of bread and pistachio nuts, so don't worry for us.

The Pork Board consists of 'House made charcuterie' and pork on a board is a fair description. A terrine/pate, some deep fried crumbed cheeks, crackling (!), glazed ham 'French' salami and then some. An enticing selection which we happily demolished, chillis, pistachios and all. (Before and after photographic evidence supplied)

The Baked Camembert is just that – Camembert de Normandie (au lait cru – raw milk, so not one for the pregnant or immune deficient, so we're in!) studded with slivers of garlic, allegedly splashed with wine and baked in its own box. (Now, you can do this at home, and you should. If you, do make sure the box is wooden and held together with metal not sticky tape!). More of the same salami (no complaints from us), incy wincy gherkins and long bruschetta-like bread to smear the cheese on.

There are healthier ways to eat, but not many nicer ones.

I would have liked the cheese a bit longer baked than it was, but that's a personal preference. And we certainly didn't leave any behind. (Photographic evidence once more!)

Lasting impressions:

food/menu – tasty new menu and it looks good, those that we had certainly hit the spot. Plenty of small plates for sharing, but other options too. And ours were not small at all.

service – smooth operators

noise – noisy, but that's all fine here

kids – safe adults-only zone at night, not sure about during the day

parking – there's a carpark out the front and out the back, but you should walk or take the bus so you can eat the pork!

deals – two for one food on Mondays

Redeemed!
Oh, and I used to go to drama classes upstairs back in the day!

Duke Carvell's – Swan Lane Emporium

Swan Lane

Wellington City

04 385 2240