The Bresolin - CLOSED

Overview

You already know the Bresolin Brothers. They're the guys who scored it big in the Wellington culinary stakes with Scopa. And then a few years later with Duke Carvell's. And then with Crazy Horse Steak House. And then with Tommy Million's. These two are the resounding affirmative answer to the question of whether a knack for good food is genetic. You already know that when the Bresolin Brothers do food, they do food good. Their latest enterprise is no exception.

Occupying an Edwardian villa on the Aro end of Willis St, The Bresolin occupies a site drenched in Wellington history—it was once a butcher, once a pharmacy, and once the legendary Bodega Bar. The Bresolin wears this mixed heritage proudly, sporting a number of different outfits. You enter a small bar area. There's a few tables, a bar hosting an impressive range of local craft beers (with good wine too), and just enough room to make it to the stairwell, up which is the dining area, a room which speaks the language of fine dining. Look out the window and you see the courtyard. It's big, and while its back wall hugs the highway, it's surprisingly intimate. A large awning keeps the elements at bay and a fearsome outdoor fireplace takes care of a spit roast on Sundays. If the inside is fine-dining, the outside is your local pub—except a glass of Speights and your Dad's drunk friend are nowhere in sight.

The menu is diverse too. It has Crazy Horse's flair for big meat—the dry rubbed pork ribs in barbeque sauce ($12) and the buttermilk fried chicken with slaw and hot sauce ($15) are particular treats. And if meat's not your thing, never fear—there's a strong range of seafood and vegetarian dishes. Try the gin-cured salmon with watercress, red onion and wasabi creme fraiche ($16). I did, and I will again. And if seafood is a step too far, give the mushroom, pea shoots, green garlic, and mascarpone a go ($17). The textures, the flavours, my God. The meals are all totally shareable, but a dish per person is still appropriate, which sets it apart from full blown tapas.

The meals aren't massive, but the deliciousness-to-dollar ratio ('DDR') is off the charts. And if you're still hungry after the main, grab a dessert. Actually, it doesn't matter whether you're hungry—just order a damn dessert. The goat's cheese sorbet ($10) is ridiculous. And all this is to say nothing of their breakfast or brunch menus.

Whether you're after breakfast on your way to work, a dinner out to impress, or some serious Sunday meat and beers in the sun, The Bresolin is a fine choice. This place will be sticking around for a while.

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