Words Liz French, Images Brydie Thompson
The black house in the green garden that is Clarke Road Kitchen has long been a popular fixture for a morning fix, a snack, a meal or a takeaway on a busy day.
It is no mean feat to deliver consistently good sustenance and service over a long period. Longevity in the food business is hard won. Sandy Crooks has been in catering for nearly three decades. She took over, revamped and renamed Clarke Road Kitchen five years ago.
With the help of her loyal staff, some of whom have worked with her for many years, Sandy has built a business with a solid following of locals, passers through and city people wanting to get out of town but not too far out.
The reasons are deceptively simple: good coffee, a strong cabinet offering and an ever-evolving menu which changes seasonally. Getting it right six days a week is something Sandy has down to a fine art, if a slightly hectic one.
The good coffee, especially appreciated by daily addicts, like this writer, and the regulars, like the many cyclists who detour here, is Organico Fair Trade coffee by Karajoz. The cabinet has a great mix of savoury and sweet. The extensive menu invites a big breakfast (from 7 am) or brunch, and a healthy or hearty (or both) lunch. Soups and comfort food feature among the fare on the winter menu. Clarke Road Kitchen is licensed if you are celebrating a special occasion or simply the joy of life and company of good friends.
Sandy’s catering background sees Clarke Road Kitchen offering gourmet dishes you can pass off as your own at the next dinner party or treat the family, and give yourself a break, at the end of a busy week. Order these Monday and collect later in the week or check out the Clarke Road freezer for instant deliciousness.
Inside Out
Yet another advantage is the choice of seating areas inside and out. The day Nourish visited we sat in the glasshouse of the café, where out the window we could see one of Sandy’s helpers raking up a colourful carpet of autumn leaves in the courtyard. “A thankless task,” says Sandy, laughing. She completely transformed this popular outdoor eating area into a shady fernery under the mature and mostly deciduous trees. This and the lawn make Clarke Road Kitchen a very dog friendly environment and equally appealing on fine winter days and hot summer ones. In warm weather the glasshouse windows all open out to the garden. “Our older customers enjoy this inside out atmosphere,” says Sandy.
Now it is winter the warm main cafe rooms are beckoning. As the cafe premises were originally a family home, the interior retains a homely feeling, enhanced by the beautiful matai timber floor.
Cook School
Sandy is generous with her skills and knowledge, sharing them through her cook schools. They are themed for season or celebration, strictly limited so that participants get her full attention. Her Christmas one last year sold out quickly, so check out the website for upcoming sessions.
If you want to be generous and treat someone else to the Clarke Road Kitchen experience, a meal or endless coffees, vouchers are available at the cafe or online.
Parking is plentiful here and it would be hard to come to Clarke Road Kitchen without having a browse of the other businesses that make up Clarke Road Village, on the corner of State Highway Two, and what must be one of the Bay’s prettiest country lanes, Clarke Road.
Clarke Road Kitchen, 7 Clarke Road, Te Puna
Open 7am–3pm Tuesday to Sunday