Dux Dine - Christchurch

Like everyone else I am partial to a cold glass of beer on a hot day, avec barbeque, or without. The intense guttural relief of beer in gullet cannot be explained in mere words, rather by promidial, Stone Age grunts, deeply expressive  sighs of satisfaction and the mangled, highly spiritual notes of   post-deglutitious  paeans.

A romantic notion perhaps, but isn’t that what drives us all to seek out the pleasures of the flesh, in particular those delights offered by way of food and wine…or cold beer?

Richard Sinke and his team may very well have understood these sentiments when deciding to  revive something of the spirit of the legendary Dux by sniffing out an old villa in Riccarton just ripe for renovation. With the careful addition, into the culinary cauldron, of  a spoonful of style,  considered use of indoor space, welcome parking, ample outdoor dining spaces and a menu that works, the owners have managed to draw the crowds and invite favourable comment thus far.

As  with most cafes and restaurants of note in the west at the present time you need to call in advance, book, make a reservation, all six of one and half a dozen of the other to forewarn the management that you and your curmudgeonly lot are wanting to impose your blessed selves on the other diners. Seating, morning, noon and night, is at a premium.

Reminiscent of former times you still must queue to place your order from the blackboard menus, pay and retreat to your table. The waitress who brought our drinks over stayed with us, so to speak, throughout the meal, accepting reorders of drinks and additional food. It worked well and exempted us from having to jostle for position in the long queue which would have been an irritating inconvenience and possibly even  a huge disincentive to return. We were not singled out for preferential treatment as a flock of costumed  waitresses  attended to the random food and drink  needs of all the tables, as much as I could see.

A cold Dux Lager was a fine start to my dining experience and, “because I’m worth it”, I championed the cause by having a second; after all it was a hot afternoon.

While others at my table picked away at Semolina flat bread, Caesar salads and fried calamari I gently spooned in luxurious mouthfuls of seafood chowder, scooping out the delicacy of the two small clams floating on top and savouring the rich consistency of the broth.  

Glasses of Coopers Creek Syrah, with  hints of spice and modesty of body, were enjoyed by all and certainly complemented the Massaman Curry I had for a main, providing a pleasurable flow to the afternoon and loosening up the tongues of my four scintillatingly charming guests. The curry itself, resplendent with spiced tofu, baby carrots, cucumber, bean sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and more, sat comfortably with those of us who had it, notwithstanding the heat of the day.

Whether you’re in shorts or a skirt, this smart/casual restaurant is a place to consider if you’re looking to dine with colleagues or friends. Like so many of the former inner city eating houses that are reopening in slightly changed form, Dux Dine and its operators bring to your table years of experience, tried and tested food options and a relaxed sense of style. It works…