My Favourite Table

PHIL REID

Eggs pert: Nine to Noon presenter Kathryn Ryan is a connoisseur of eggs benedict.

Relevant offers

Capital Life

Wellington ZM crew relive glory days Take a fresh look at kumara Tuffery's sound and vision Spiced apricots with caramel cream Trophy up for grabs after 120 years Final polish for new Te Papa sculptures What to do with windfallen fruit My favourite table: Lisa Walker at Pranah Cafe review: Soho Brown's Wellingtonians chose local frocks for Oscars

My Favourite Table: Kathryn Ryan, Radio New Zealand Nine to Noon presenter, at Vista Cafe, Oriental Bay.

I've been coming here for about a decade, since I first moved to Wellington. Oriental Parade and this end of the city is an area I love. I do a lot of walking. Vista is one of those places that is really great to stop in and I'm a regular, I suppose. I've been coming here since not long after it first opened. I find it's a place where I can come after work as it's away from the central city . I'll grab some lunch or a coffee and I like to sit in my usual spot - this table here by the window.

I grew up in Dunedin, one of six kids, and part of a household of nine when I was very young as my great-aunt lived with us. There was no cash for dining out! There was such a crowd at the table that sometimes there was an overflow. As the youngest, I ended up at a little mini table of my own  perhaps that's why I have no qualms about cafe stops on my own.

I dine out as often as the budget allows but I do eat out quite regularly. I'm a connoisseur of eggs benny. At Vista, I usually always order the eggs benedict, which they do outstandingly. They indulge me here and let me order spinach and salmon on the side - not one or the other. It has greens and protein so it's a real meal.

Long before I had any public role or profile, I'd come here and they have never changed the way they treated me over the years. It doesn't matter who you are here. Everyone is accepted and welcomed.

I start work around 7am and I'm an early riser. I never have much of an appetite at that time of day so I have a very light breakfast. I'm quite happy with a sandwich or something for lunch. But if I decide to go out for lunch after I've finished working and planning for the next day, I often stop here.

If I have a sniff of wine during the day I fade, so I don't usually drink alcohol and will order a flat white. If it's later in the week, I might have a wine, especially if it's a Friday and I want a nice long lunch with friends. I sometimes socialise after work and I also catch up with friends in the evenings. We often dine at someone's house, and we're just as likely to eat at home as out at a restaurant. I get invited to events and drinks through my job but I pick and choose. I try to keep my social life away from work.

As a city, we're absolutely indulged with the range of places to eat. A decade ago, when I shifted here, the rise of our restaurant and cafe culture was already under way. In my early days here, when I worked at Parliament as a political reporter for Radio New Zealand, I probably saw too much of the 3.2 bar and Bellamys restaurant. I had no time to enjoy all the different places. Now, within my budget, I have to contain myself.

Vista Cafe 106 Oriental Parade, Wellington
Phone 385 7724
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 11pm
Sunday to Monday, 8am to 3pm

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First