Michael Guy’s ‘Eating Out’

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 47

Michael Guy’s ‘Eating Out’

(By

HANS PETROVIC)

The fifth edition of Michael Guy’s “Eating Out” (Lindon, $8.95) contains a comprehensive and generally up-to-date survey of New Zealand restaurants from Alexandra to Whitianga. It should prove invaluable to anyone dining out while away from home. It also gives you a good run-down on eating houses within your own territory. The appraisal of 41 restaurants in the Christchurch area seem generally perceptive and fair, with only a few receiving seemingly unwarranted knocks — probably because of one of those unfortunate visits that can happen at even the best of places. When riled, Guy has a tendency to hit below the belt in his criticism, making it no surprise that he always seems to be facing “massive lawsuits from disgruntled restaurateurs.” This can also make for entertaining reading. With more than 500 restaurants covered by the book — which would involve about 10 visits a week each

year, without time out for a holiday — it is a mystery how Mr Guy can hope to do justice to them all. Because of the rapid change of ownership of many restaurants, it is also inevitable that there will be some out-of-date information and some omissions, in his survey. In Christchurch, for example, we now also have the Chung Wah II; the Kubla Khan has become the Win Sun; and the Occidental Hotel now boasts Flappers Restaurant as well. as Perry’s. Mr Guy would do well to add Fliks, and the Gallery Restaurant, at the Gainsborough Motor Lodge, to his reviews. The Stairway is listed as a Hungarian restaurant, but where is the Budapest? Henry Africa’s is more than just a 8.Y.0., and now has an upstairs bar. Scarborough Fair rates a mention in the introduction, but is left out of the body of the book. These omissions will no doubt be rectified in the sixth edition. Otherwise, “Eating Out” still serves as the major critical restaurant guide in New Zealand.