[T2DMan]

Add your review of Coast to Coast Cafe and be part of the fun .

Contact Details:
50 Marine Parade
Paraparaumu Beach
Paraparaumu
ph. 0-4-904 5288

Cuisine:

[sumo]

A Saturday drive, a bit peckish, cold day, let's get out of the weather for a warming quick lunch. This nice little cafe has a good little position by the seaside and looks warm and inviting. It's not obvious there's no table service, but it was obvious when no-one even acknowledged us at the table for 5 minutes despite only 3 other tables with guests. Oh right, OK we have to order at the til. Meals very reasonabley priced with nothing over $16, I went for the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussels in Thai Style Sauce and my partner had the Lamb Shank with Jus, Mashed Potato and Salad. We also had a hot chocolate and a banana smoothie. My hot chocolate was a shrine to obesity and far too rich. On the side were 2 marshmallows and a chocolate fish, pancaked in cocoa powder and with a nasty chocolate sludge in the bottom it was just too much, it should be on a dessert menu. Whilst I'm sure this appeals to some, I'm over 16 and felt this was over the top; I wanted a big glass of water to wash it away. My partner liked his banana smoothie. On to the mains! Timing was excellent, not too long to wait and the food came out nice and hot. The presentation of the mussels was excellent all standing up to attention in a big white bowl, looks devine. But what's this Thai Style Mussels served with? Two slices of toasted baguette, of course cut on the angular rubbed with olive oil? Is this what the call fusion food? Asian style mixed with French/European style bread? It looked odd on my plate, it tasted odd too, what the? Now I'm not sure what was up with Thai Style Mussels - steamed medium/small mussels, scattered with braised red onions with this thick strange looking creamy sauce. To me it looked and tasted like evaporated milk, thickened, with a few microscopic flecks of red (presumably chile) and green (hopefully coriander, maybe parsley?). Is this some disastrous packet sauce you can buy? What were they thinking? To me Thai means the fundamentals hot, sour, sweet, salty and fresh. I'm talking lime, chile, lemongrass, fish sauce, turmeric, basil, coconut (sometimes) and a host of other palate exciting flavours. This was terrible. Thank heavens it wasn't served with a spoon, so people might actually eat that sauce. I guess the saving grace of any food establishment is saying Thai "style", that's like a get out of jail free card. Do not eat this strange concoction served with grilled baguette, it doesn't make sense.
My partner on the other hand, liked his Lamb Shank. Meat was falling off the bone and with the mashed potato and salad was good value at $16. Presentation was nice and the flavours of lamb left simple.

[prayse]

This cafe is quite good really. the hot chocolate i have every visit is great! i suppose Sumo that it depends on who serves you.
agreed with the simplicity of the menu, which is ka pai.. sometimes cafe's have too much and it takes longer to choose.

all in all well run and well represented.

[Yoppeh]

I visited Coast2Coast restaurant a couple of weeks back. It was packed to the doors, perhaps it being a Sunday might have had something to do with it.
It may also have had something to do with the food though which was very palatable.
Not least it may have had something to do with the very attractive young blonde front of house manager. She stole my heart away.
Next time that I am in the Wellington region I will return 'to be sure'