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Press, 29 August 1984, Page 43

Dolly’s Cafe cnr High and Colombo Streets Phone 794-425 8.Y.0.

(KAREN HOGG) Dolly’s Cafe is one of Christchurch’s newest eating places and offers something a bit different — whether you want a midmorning snack, afternoon tea, lunch or light dinner. Situated in the centre of town, on the corner of High and Colombo Streets, near the Stewart Fountain, Dolly’s Cafe has adopted the tag, “On the Mall,” which brings back memories of a well-known outdoor cafe in Brisbane, Jimmy’s On The Mall. Dolly’s Cafe is different in two ways. It, too, hopes to become an outdoor or “footpath” cafe — Christchurch’s first — but has to wait for city council approval to serve and sell food on the reserve around the Stewart Fountain. It has also done away with the Kiwi habit of queuing for food, bridging the gap between a coffee bar and a formal restaurant. The day my companion and I had lunch at Dolly’s, there were eight tables set up inside, as well as two counters with stools by the windows. This was cosy but not too crowded. The decor was refreshing — blue and lemon walls, black table cloths, cane and chrome chairs, and lots of pot plants. The menu was clearly displayed on blackboards both inside and outside the cafe. I started my meal with bacon and mushroom soup a This was a “thin” soup chunks of bacon, mushrooms, onions, and noodles, and although it was not “ )iping” it was still served rot enough for my taste. For a main course I had stuffed red peppers ($4). The >epper had a delicious filing which remains a mystery to me and was surrounded bu saffron rice. It

was served with lettuce leaves, a slice of tomato, and baked potatoes, sliced and lightly fried. My companion started his meal with a large tomato juice ($1.20) and an entree of Asparagus Jennifer ($2.95) — a layer of asparagus spears, topped with slices of hard-boilded eggs and melted cheese. He followed this with Spaghetti Bolognaise ($4.25), which was the usual bed of pasta with a tangy meat and tomato sauce. Both dishes seemed to meet his approval and were described as “tasty.” He finished his lunch with an iced chocolate ($1.50) and helped me with my hot apple custard flan ($1.95), Although this was attractively served with cream, it was disappointing, and I think I should have ordered the home-baked apple and blackberry pie recommended by our waiter, or the Black Forest gateau that other lunchers seemed to enjoy. Including my coffee (90c), the bill came to $18.75.1 ate far more than I usually would at lunchtime, and did not want dinner that evening, but I wanted to try as many dishes on the menu as possible. Visitors to Dolly’s Cafe need not eat this sort of meal, as the menu also includes lighter fare, such as quiches, croissants, toasted sandwiches, and plain and garlic toast to have with soup.