Café extraordinary

On my way to an Easter photo assignment in central Christchurch, I called in for a coffee at Arbo Café in the new ANZ atrium in High Street. The interior emulating a generous hotel lobby is identified by its centrepiece, a 6 metre-high glass tree.

I am not a great fan of all these ``glass’’ buildings popping up in the newly rebuilt Christchurch but Arbo Café is a standout. It had been open for about three weeks.

My Americano was perfect as was the accompanying cheese scone.   I cannot resist a cheese scone but am typically served with something disappointingly soggy. This one was the crisp exception.

Arbo manager, George Cullen, says they are presenting café fare based on what your grandmother once prepared albeit with a contemporary twist.

In addition to offering the welcome coffee break, Arbo offers breakfast and lunch.   On Thursday and Friday evenings the venue becomes a bar to entice city employees keen to wind down at the end of the week.  Part of the same business is the street-side Arborista intended for a coffee stop on the move. Another attribute is Arbo and Arborista having a proximity to the city’s heritage tramway route. Tram drivers routinely recommend the café. The CBD is becoming well served with cafes. Just as well as hundreds of office workers are on their way to take possession of desks in newly built space.