Bangalore Polo Club

Planning for this night began way back during Wellington on a Plate in August.  Whence we were enjoying the fabulous cocktails of the Museum Hotels Cocktails in the City.  These consummate hosts stayed behind to keep us company after the official cocktail session had ended.  One of these hosts, the very charming Houston was telling us he was later to meet with friends who were visiting Wellington from Christchurch.  These friends were employed by the owners of the Bangalore Polo Club in Christchurch and were still being paid, even though the Christchurch Bangalore has not reopened since the February earthquake.  Such loyalty to staff must not be overlooked. 

So we made a pact that night, to venture to the new Wellington Bangalore Polo Club, which has opened up in the old Coyote spot of Courtenay Place. 

And here we are, nearly seven weeks later, only to find the place heaving by six o’clock on a Friday night on their second week of trading.  Lucky I booked a table.  I got proceedings under way with a ‘Catapult’.  How apt.  It really did catapult the mood from weekday-ho-hum to weekend-hip-hoorah.  I can see why they decided on the name ‘catapult’, perhaps my name for it is a little wordy for the menu.  But, I will let them use my term, should the feedback be resolute enough to get it back on the menu.  My friend ordered a Lady Stacy, which could be described as a meal in one, with strawberries, mint, cucumber, pineapple juice and a brand of Vodka I can’t pronounce without slipping into an Australian accent.  A bit early for that!

Feeling ‘fearless and brave’ as the Bangalore Polo Club catch phrase goes, we ventured away from the drinks menu and settled into reading the entertaining 13-page dinner menu.  Rest assured there was to be no funny business about food this time.  We were again female diners, but this time we had healthy appetites and not afraid to sate them.

Saying that, I wasn’t going to be seduced by the cheesy and herby calzone.  No!  I’ve learnt this is a foolish weakness to give into at such an early stage of the evening.  It can only lead to buttery lips and a full stomach, leaving no room for the main show.

Even with such resolve, we did not get past the entree menu.  We were sold on the prawn cocktails, how could you not love these nostalgic gems.  The prawns were big, the dressing creamy but not enough to drown the plentiful prawns, on top of shredded lettuce, avocado, tomato and a wedge of Meyer lemon (not too hard, not too bitter or too dry, but just right).  My partner thought the prawns could’ve been tastier if they were fresh, but I’m not sure how easy it is to find fresh prawns in Wellington.  I suspect not very easy.

We foolishly ordered the BPC sharing platter at the same time as the prawn cocktails.  One of those eyes bigger than our stomachs situations.  The platter would happily feed 2-4 hungry people.  We certainly saw tables of 6 female diners sharing the platter and not finishing it.  Not that a platter must be scraped clean, we’re not that greedy, but it does seem a shame to waste such delicious food.

The whole menu is an eclectic mix of dishes.  You’d think given the theme of the place you’d find Indian curries, and you would be right.  But also you will find seafood chowder, Waldorf salad, risotto, roasted pork hock, pizza and my ultimate Italian dessert, affogato.  So, the menu has something to please everyone.

We gave the platter a good hour to enjoy and sample a little of everything but still couldn’t clear the board.  We unanimously agreed the Umai (pronounced Ooh Mai – indeed) was the absolute winner on the plate.  The Umai is a Malaysian style cold salad with fish, pickled lettuce, carrot, onion, coriander and chilli being a delightful mix of light and crunchy with plenty of bite, all beautifully complementing each other.  A close second favourite on the platter was the chicken liver pate.  The pate was so creamy and airy with maximum flavour, definitely the best pate I’ve ever had.  Also deserves a mention were the crispy chicken drumsticks, with their clever mix of herbs and spices; the seared tuna; mango lassi (cold yoghurt drink in a shot-glass); cucumber pickle; cured meats; more of our prawn cocktail, oh look, I’ve nearly described the contents of the platter – it was all good.

Unfortunately, we then had no room for desserts, not even my divine affogato.  But, this is good news, as there is plenty to come back for.

We decided a gin and tonic would be appropriate instead of a dessert.  The movers and shakers (excuse the pun), of all things mixology at The Museum Hotel have us sworn off Bombay Sapphire Gin, so we knew knowledgably ordered the Beefeater 24 Gin - we were not disappointed.

The service was excellent at the Bangalore Polo Club, right from booking a table through to entry to the bar onto our table through our meal and settling up at the end of the night.  The music was also a great mix of old classics.  They’ve got it all right.