Deli Classic

We’d been up to the Botanic Gardens for a walk and to admire the tulips. They’re only just beginning, so had mercifully escaped the ravages of the storms of the last few days, and a lot of them have yet to bloom. Some years they get absolutely ripped to shreds in the Wellington wind, but so far this year they seem to be OK.

Heading through town, we called Pickle & Pie to see if they had availability under the current 50 person maximum (now thankfully relaxed back to 100 people, which is what the old Covid Level 2 maximum was), and yes! They could. At the oddly-specific time of 1240. We arrive in time and were seated, then both went for the Deli Classic.

Pickle & Pie normally specialise in…anyone?...anyone? Yes, pies, served with pickles. We’ve been there in the past and always been pleased with their fare, each time resolving to go there more often. But with Wellington City Council’s war on cars we hardly ever go into the CBD these days, depriving them (and other venues) of our custom. Ah well. When the CBD is a deserted wasteland I’m sure the council will be happy. Pickle & Pie's burger is what I call a "meat sandwich": Pepper-crusted beef with truffle cheese sauce, mushroom, capsicum and onions in a Dough Bakery brewers grain bun, with gravy, dill pickles and fries. The Garage Project beer match is once again Arvo XPA. I had that, and Nicola had a glass of rosé.

It looks like this: 

This was quite a dry meat sandwich, and easily pickup-able…so I did. There wasn’t much hint of the pepper crust in mine, so it was a little bland. Also the cheese sauce had been sparingly applied – I felt it could have done with more. The pickle was super vinegary, and I didn’t finish it. The chips were good, and the gravy (more of a jus, really) was tasty. It was a very acceptable meat sandwich, but not really anything out of the ordinary. I scored it a 7/10.