Boulcott Street Bistro

We ended up coming to Boulcott Street Bistro for an early dinner this past Sunday, and it was definitely a good idea — given that the restaurant is in a pretty small space (it looks like it is in what used to be a house; it is so unassuming that we would have missed it without looking for it on the map while walking), it is pretty cozy with not too many seats. The interior definitely has a bit of an older, homier feel to it, but it is a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of being just off of the relatively modern city center in Wellington. Our waitress coincidentally was American as well, and she took care of us very well. The only mild disappointment was that the craft beer I selected had was unavailable, but that is a small quibble at best.
The food overall at Boulcott is delicious, with some of the items we got being a cut above the rest. My wife’s scallops were delicious and well-​prepared — very succulent, but while I didn’t mind the lightness of the sauce with the scallops, I thought it was a tad too light (the cucumber definitely was present; the mango a bit less so). The mushroom ravioli, on the other hand, was absolutely delicious. I am very partial to anything with truffles, and the white truffle here really adds an oomph to each bite you take. Just enough truffles and cheese let the rich flavor of the mushrooms come through, really making it a dish that showcases them without the toppings overpower them. On the mains, my wife’s lamb rack was definitely the winner; it was perfectly cooked, with the right amount of tenderness to really keep it juicy. The mint butter on the side is a really interesting complement to the meat that works well — combining the natural flavoring of the lamb with a strong herb like mint was a great idea. As for my pork cheeks, I was a bit less enamored. The celery-​based mash is interesting, but combined with the tartness of the apple purée and perhaps being braised in IPL (which will be more on the bitter side when it comes to beers anyways), the whole dish came off as being a bit too acidic. The texture on the meat was great, but perhaps it was a bit too British /​stewy for my preferences. Dessert was the pinot noir /​Ghana mousse, which was a good choice after a relatively heavy meal; the mousse had a very subtle hint of the wine infused into it, while the crisp on top provided a nice contrast to the creamy smoothness of the mousse.
In all, I was definitely pleased with our meal here, and I’d definitely come back to try other items on the menu whenever I make it back to these parts. The homey atmosphere, combined with a menu that tilts a bit more British, makes it a bit of a throwback, but the food is delicious — and that’s what counts, no matter what day or age it is!

So happy to give this place some more traction here on Unilocal since it was the best meal I had on my little excursion to Wellington.
I grabbed dinner here on a weekday and had no problem getting a seat, though I was by myself (I’m going to die alone) so it’s a bit easier. BSB is located in an aggressively quaint house perched up on a hill convenient to the CBD but far enough away to be quiet and relaxed. I had the short rib which was incredible, and everyone was exceedingly welcoming.
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The BSB is what it is all about; a cute herritage setting cottage on top of a hill, that serves lovingly made modern and classic meals with warm cheer makes it a foodie landmark.
There are no dinner reservations as it is casual dining, however you can book lunch via their website. We arrived at 6pm on Friday to secure a table and by 6:30pm, the place was already 60% full. Obviously the BSB knows whats they are doing, as it has been around since 1991.
They serve classic bistro dishes such as coq au vin, fillet of beef with bernaise sauce, pork, lamb and a vegetarian option. Most meals can be gluten free and dairy free upon request. The wine list is carefully matched and adaptable to the seasonal menu. There is also the usual alcoholic beverages available as well.
For a cosy, cooked bistro meal in a relaxed setting, this is the place to be!

Was here for a special event so I can’t comment on the usual menu… But the special menu was great! Nice selection of drinks too and the staff were very nice

This restaurant has class, for sure. A hidden gem. It’s in a cute little old white house but the food is great, and the menu has a small but great selection of dishes. I’ve had the short rib, pork, and fillet bearnaise for entrees, and they were all excellent. The crème brûlée was excellent as well. I’ve been here a few times and every time I’ve come here was always a good experience. I will definitely keep coming here. This restaurant is also not stuffy when it comes to dress, smart casual is fine, but dress up if you like.

When the executive chef is manning the kitchen, man does the food taste extra special.
Try the duck fritter with the Maude Central Otago Pinot Noir. You won’t be disappointed.