Head along to the 1950's retro diner in Kaikoura

A little slice of America recently hit Kaikoura of all places! And it truly is a unique and authentic American diner experience - the sort that you would seek out in the States itself although such original style diners are perhaps less apparent than they used to be.

I used to live in New York and one of my favourite memories is a diner just near to the New Jersey turn pike. It was one of those places that glowed in the dark, such were it’s neon lights. The metal trailer style exterior was painted a light royal blue. It was in the worst place possible, a car park just a short drive from the Holland Tunnel and I swear nobody walked there but me who did so as I didn’t own a car at the time so simply had no choice. But it was worth the walk and breathing in the exotic exhaust fumes, as it was the real deal and I loved it.

Bernie’s is based on a traditional 1950’s American Diner

Bernie’s in Kaikoura is as close to that memory as you can possibly get whilst not being in the USA itself. The outside looks like a real life diner complete with the lobby entrance and ‘please wait to be seated’ sign. There are even comfy booth seats and waitresses wearing those classic ‘only in a diner’ uniforms. The only thing missing is that they aren’t constantly wandering around the place with a stained brown coffee jug in their hands scouring for those desperate for a stewed coffee top up. Bernie’s is definitely not that type of place. Neither is it full of grease either, thankfully. But be warned that doesn’t really make it healthy, Please look away now if you’re not a fan of calories.

The menu is the diner classic, with a a protective covering to prevent damage from spillages. If I remember rightly coffee slops were a constant in the diners I inhabited in the USA. The space is retro 1950’s America with number plates of various states lining the walls together with photos of the American Icons of that era. There is a juke box playing classic American rock tunes, there is even a museum and souvenir shop. This place is seriously cool.

I studied the menu and decided to forgo the coffee for the milkshakes. A smoothie caught my eye - cherry and cocoa flavor sounded intriguing and I wasn’t expecting it to be healthy. It was so good I could have drunk double. Dan opted for the classic American milkshake, vanilla flavor of course. It came in the traditional straight out of the deep freeze silver jug it had been blended in – cold and refreshing and went down a treat. I grabbed a mouthful for reviewing purposes that’s all….

The breakfast menu is American but there are one or two kiwi twists, such as tofu burgers which I don’t think I’ve ever really seen on a USA diner menu, but forgive me if I’m wrong. There are eggs Bernie and of course grilled cheese sandwiches which I was very tempted by. There is also the breakfast burger and selections from pancakes, French toast and waffles. I decided to go for an omelette with cheese and tomato. The last time I had ordered an omelette was actually a year earlier in Juniors diner just off Times Square, I had stupidly asked the waiter what type of cheese I could choose to which I got the classic New York answer: white, yellow or orange. Dan laughed loudly and I struggled to keep a straight face. As it turned out white cheese,s, or Swiss as it’s better known, can be very nice in an omelette, and despite Bernie’s being a bit more discerning and offering cheddar as the cheese I can honestly say the omlette was just as good. The only thing missing were the home fries! Homemade pies are fresh each day as are the doughnuts. I spied the cherry pie, I will be back to try it soon, that and a big fat unhealthy coffee milkshake… yum I’m drooling. Better get back on the treadmill now….

The counter at Bernies, as this is New Zealand no tips are required….