Wild Pear Kitchen — Restaurant in Taranaki

My partner came to spend a weekend with me in New Plymouth, as I travel for work a lot and hardly get time together, so we wanted this weekend to be extra special. We planned our day together over our morning coffee. First, we decided upon a walk along the beach, then we would grab some lunch from Wild Pear Cafe to enjoy at Mt. Taranaki lookout, Pukeiti gardens walk, then back to the hotel for a movie.

We arrived at Wild Pear Café, and my partner was immediately impressed with the menu options. We're from Hamilton, and it's very hard to find a variety of culturally/religious safe foods for my partner, apart from some Indian cuisine restaurants. It was refreshing for us both to have a change of cuisine, and to enjoy together. Once our order was placed - a keto bowl for me and a hippie bowl for my partner, with added haloumi and two sweet slices for afterward - we signed up for the loyalty program and waited for our order.

My partner, an avid social media user, decided to take a snippet of the picturesque items displayed publicly while we waited. The owner appeared out of nowhere, initially smiling, but her expression quickly changed as she accused my partner of being rude and trying to steal her business. "I know what you're doing... its rude!" This was repeated 3 or more times, while i was trying to figure out what she was refering to. I couldn't understand what was happening at first, then I was shocked to understand what we were both being accused of. My partner, with limited English, did well not to react. We offered to leave our $70-something lunch and go, feeling uncomfortable and attacked. We explained that we both work in the health and disability sector and meant no harm, but she refused to apologize or understand our perspective.

When our meal Finally arrived, I was still fuming inside but kept my cool. We took our lunch to Mount Taranaki as planned, stopping in to Mc Donalds drive-through on the way, to get forks, but the experience had ultimately left us with no appetite. I took two mouthfulls of the keto bowl and founnd myself having to pull a hair gently out of my digestive tract, so as not to snap it. We will not be going back to Wild Pear Cafe again.

Whānau and interntionals -...

While I was waiting for my order, I was making video of the food displayed as I always post stories of my food and places I been to. A lady staff came towards me and started accusing for stealing her business. She was blaming me for being rude. No any cafe staff accuse me for making video of their food in last 9 years in New Zealand 🇳🇿.

I was shocked whats happening. I apologized and deleted the video in front of her to calm her down. I explained her that I am here for only this weekend and I am from Health Sector, not from food industry. That was not enough yet, she was still repeated the same thing twice. Now, I was feeling to defend my self or walk out. In the mean time a guy bring the food.

I was not feeling to have that food. It almost spoiled my beautiful day. LATER, I FOUND THERE ARE ALREADY 100'S OF PHOTOS ON GOOGLE WITH WILD PEAR KITCHEN NAME, INCLUDING THEIR DISPLAYED FOOD AS WELL AS STAFF INCLUDED IN THE PHOTOS. I don't know how I would steal her business.

My strong recommendation is not to go there ever. If you really want to try that place, better you don't pull your phone out of...

I jokingly call Wild Pear Kitchen my pantry because I eat there all the time! I feel it’s the one place you can go if you’re looking for a healthy meal (and it’s not just vegan, they do the best egg sandwiches) but do cater for dairy free, gluten free and refined sugar free - just check with the staff what you’re ordering, they’re so friendly and helpful it feels like you’re being greeted by a friend, they have a great balance of hot meals, salads, sweets in the cabinet but also offer a menu. My go-to’s are the tahini date slice (you’ll thank me), the powerhouse smoothie (add a shot of coffee, you’ll also thank me) the toastie with avocado is a flavour bomb, their salad bar mixed with the hot selection will keep you full all day and drizzled with the green goddess dressings is an experience you never even knew you needed now won’t be able to live without. 10/10 every...