Taking its name from the official title of an interesting character named William Jervois, Herne Bay cafe and bistro The Governor serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a true focus on locality.
After they saw a distinct gap in the local food offering for a casual eatery offering more than just your standard daytime cafe fare, the stylish yet relaxed spot extended its opening hours, a move that was a direct response to its customers’ needs. Now, instead of shutting its doors at 4pm like many cafes, The Governor stays open till 10pm, with an ever-evolving menu offering its clientele a brand new shared plates and dinner option starring fresh, seasonal ingredients.
From Tuesday until Saturday, The Governor serves up not just the modern day spin on classic cafe food that they have quickly become famous for, but also beautifully crafted winter dishes like braised beef short rib with celeriac puree and Brussels sprouts and roasted half chicken served with baby carrots, garlic dijonnaise and gremolata.
Locals have also fallen in love with the concept of dropping in for an early dinner with friends and family and being close enough to walk home, as opposed to further up the Ponsonby strip where there is more of an emphasis on late night dining and big nights out. Mid-winter nights have been known to be absolutely humming with folks who really can’t be bothered with the hassle of slaving over a stove at home, and feed off the buzzing vibe of the comfortably chic local. With white tablecloths, an impressive line up of cheese on display and attentive staff at your elbow before you even know you need their attention, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re dining in a small, European neighbourhood bistro, with the perfect wine list to match.
In another nod to meeting their regulars' needs, The Governor has recently introduced a happy hour between 4pm and 6.30pm, with a regularly updated line up of drinks specials and a beautifully curated bar snacks menu. The Governor’s cheese boards and charcuterie offering are already the stuff of local legend, but now small, cleverly crafted hot plates will also be on offer to complement the Herne Bay dining spot’s eclectic beverage list. The aim is to provide a warm, welcoming local bar with a twist, where customers can drop in for a wine and cheese after work, and then order from the bistro menu if the afternoon looks like it’s turning into an evening. With temperatures rising and sun streaming in, the front windows all afternoon long, The Governor is setting itself up to be the perfect spring and summer watering hole just a quick walk from home for many of its regulars.
Over the cooler months and during the weeks of Olympic Games' frenzy, the cafe’s light, spacious back room has been humming, with breakfast meetings held whilst watching the competition unfolding on TV. The space continues to grow in popularity as a private space too, and with good reason. With no hireage fee to pay, it is available to any groups looking to launch a product, celebrate a birthday or just watch the game with friends. The front of house team look at it as providing a much-needed service for their regulars, and welcome enquiries for bookings in the busy lead up to Christmas.
Equipped with seating for up to 20 guests and a big screen TV, it is also the perfect spot for local businesses just wanting to get out of the office when discussions need to be had - and having great coffee on site is an added bonus. In terms of catering, The Governor kitchen can supply small bites, a charcuterie plate, breakfast buffet or a set menu depending on what the group needs, and nothing is ever too much trouble for the talented team behind the scenes and front of house.
THE GOVERNOR, 228 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 5060, www.thegovernor.co.nz