New Countdown centre has European-type cafe

Press, 17 March 1987, Page 32

New Countdown centre has European-type cafe

Those looking for wholesome cafe food will not have to look too far at the Countdown Centre. No Names Cafe opened today to cater for such whims.

Moira Parker, who coowns the cafe with Mike Gibbens, was originally employed by the developers of the Countdown Centre to lease the retailing spaces. “It was only after I’d done a few surveys throughout the local area, as to what was needed, that I found

people were screaming out for a place that supplied meals such a pate, quiche, salads, chicken crepes and the like — good, but whole food,” said Moira.

Styled in the vein of European cafes, No Names will also have outside seats with parasols. The decor is simple but pleasant, with peach walls, black lacquered chairs and glass-topped rectangular tables. Although Moira says No Names is specialing

in serving the working people within the area, she says simpler foods such as sandwiches, cakes and savouries are still catered for on one side of the counter. “We’re trying to cater for all tastes, she said.

As well as the usual beverages available, No Names is also trying for a liquor license. “We hope to provide good food as well as a pleasant atmosphere in which to eat that food. We’ve had the usual problems

that people have when setting up a new business but all those fidgety things are usually ironed out as you go,” she said. No Names was opened unofficially yesterday, when business people were invited to attend a lunch hour of light refreshments. “We’ve had a very good response from the business side of Riccarton, who seem happy to receive our cafe and its style of food,” Moira said.

According to Moira, two offers have already been made to them to buy No Names out before they had opened. “That just shows the demand for this style of cafe,” she said. A full-time cook has since been hired, as everything sold at the shop would be cooked on the premises. Soups would be eaten by cus-

tomers with complimentary bread, said Moira.

Some hot dishes offered at No Names are spinach and gruyere crepes, seafood profiteroles, barbecued spareribs, skewered pork with sate sauce, Chinese chicken and lasagne. Some quiches offered would be asparagus, courgette and ham, and spinach. A cold meat selection would also be available each day, along with a selection of three salads.

Soups such as broccoli and cheese, pumpkin and prawn, gazpacho, sherried carrot and minestrone would be listed, as well as salmon, avocado and chicken, and chicken livers and brandy pates. Desserts such as gateaux, fruit salad and chocolate mousse will be provided to round up the meal.