sarahcentric

When you get to Memphis Belle in Wellington, make sure you’re at the front door and not the full-length window. Don’t be the cranky New Yorker in a rush to get out of the rain who spends at least a full minute pushing on a solid pane of glass, totally confused as to how everyone else got inside there and you’re stuck on the outside looking in. Don’t be that girl.

Do tell them that you are from New York, however, because you will receive a warm and genuine, “Ohhhh cool!” from the manager Nick Clark. Don’t bother explaining why it took you so long to get inside because you’ll just ruin the moment.

Do order the hot chocolate if you like hot chocolate because it’s good hot chocolate….

But do not not order a Flat White because you think should be over Flat Whites by now, because Flat Whites are good…and a Memphis Belle Flat White is great. This is how it will go…

When Nick asks if you would like to take a picture of something more interesting, say yes.
When Nick asks if you like coffee, say yes.
When Nick asks what kind of drink, please-for the love of God or at least me -say a Flat White.

Drink this uniquely Kiwi/Aussie coffee drink down…

…one beautiful cup…

…right after the other.

Talk to Bink when Nick steps out because he’s got the information.

Bink will tell you a good Flat White has two shots of espresso with the cream being “pulled from the bottom” with less foam than a latte and more coffee flavor. He will tell you that Nick placed 2nd in Wellington at this year’s New Zealand Barista Championship and 6th in the country. Bink will answer any question you ask mostly because he’s nice, but a little because he knows you’re tripping balls from two flat whites.

Don’t be afraid to dig deep and find out that the beans come from a boutique roastery in Napier. You’ll be in the South Island when the weather gets warmer which is in October or November… which is crazy…because you’re in New Zealand now.

If you’re meeting a friend from the UK the next day to see how he’s adjusting to his new life in Wellington, I suggest moving it from a bar at night to Memphis Belle in the afternoon. Nick and Bink will greet you by name and ask what you’ve been up to. Introduce your British friend to your new Kiwi friends over a couple of Flat Whites and chat each other up a bit. Of course you will have to tried to get in through the window again because you will always be that girl. But talking to three people you didn’t know existed a month ago drinking over the best coffee you have ever had, you will feel warm and comfortable on the inside looking out.

Or at least that was my experience.