Pillsbury Press: Tram Dining, Christchurch, NZ

Cleary we didn't pack
for a dressy night out

As with many good tales, the story of how we came to have dinner on a tram car in Christchurch begins long before the day it happened. In this case, the story began this past April when we were in Milan and out of the corner of our eye, we saw a similar tram car pass us. We tried to book the 90 euro experience for the next night, but found out reservations had to be made at three days in advance because that's when you had to choose your meal. That was out. In three days we would be back in New Jersey.

I made a mental note that if we ever go back to Milan, I want to do book that experience before we leave home.

Fast forward to nearly six months later. While looking at the rack of tourist brochures I saw one for a similar experience in Christchurch for $125NZ. Before you ask, 90 euros in April was about $92 (now it is $95), and $125NZ is $73USD. Both are more than we typically spend on a meal. I decided to leave it in the hands of fate, if I could book the dinner it was meant to be, if not, we'd do something else that night.

Traveling has taught us the hardest meal to figure out is dinner on our first night in a new city. Dining that night on the tram car would solve that problem.

We stopped by the office to make sure we didn't have to choose a meal in advance (since we knew the kitchen would be miniscule) and to check out the menu. The website listed their winter menu, but as it was now spring, the menu had changed to something Don would enjoy more.

It is a three course meal, plus a welcome drink and appetizers (starters) of the chef's choice. There are three options each for entrees, main courses, and desserts, which you choose on the bus. For an additional fee you can order a wine pairing with each course.

The tram was filled with locals celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, anything worthy of a nice night out. Our table was across from a mother and her two daughters who were extending the matriarch's 80th birthday celebrations by being tourists in their backyard. They were from Christchurch and marveled at how the sites looked different perched up high in the tram as it wove through their city. We talked about the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and how the daughter still has some PTSD from the quakes and the aftershocks.

The evening relaxingly unfolded over 2 1/2 hours. Conductor Paul slowly glided us along the four-kilometer course, looking it three times and turning it around so what was seen by those on the left, were now seen by those on the right. We were the only tram running, which made it easier to do these fancy moves. About 90 minutes into the ride (after the main course, but before dessert) we paused in Cathedral Junction so people could use the restroom and stretch our legs. Lara took this picture of us during the rest stop.

The tram was built in Melbourne, Australia and was in use from 1927 to 1982. It was refurbished and shipped to Christchurch, NZ in 1999. A year later it started restaurant service.

There were tables in the front of the car, and tables in the back, with a galley kitchen and an wood paneled 747 bathroom in the middle.

Don taking a picture of me taking a picture.

Remember these glasses. They will make a reappearance.

Kitchen

Bathroom

Our fancy appetizers were a plum ball, chickpeas in filo, and avocado on tiny toast.

Entrée options included chicken over cous cous, chilled green soup, or mussels. We both ordered the chicken.

Main course options were salmon with fennel, pork loin, or lamb rump. The table next to us was smart and ordered one of each when given an option.

They choose meals that take exactly the same amount of time to prepare so no one is waiting for their meal.

The oddest part of the experience was that they played Christmas music throughout our dinner. It was mid-September. It was Spring. When I made a comment to the table next to us they said that's par the course, they start Christmas music in Spring.

Dessert options were black forest cake,
caramel and orange mousse,
or a cheese platter

Very tiny black forest cake!

Part of the attraction for us was seeing Christchurch from the tram. As this was our first night in the city, we didn't know our way around. Everything was new to us.

Here are some views from the tram:

At some point, I suspect it was when we were making small talk when we paused in Cathedral Junction, we got to talking to Conductor Paul. I asked if they have a cable car museum, similar to the one we went to the day before in Wellington. He said no, but he offered to take us to their depot after the tour to see the "ladies."

When Paul retired, his wife insisted he discover a hobby. Any hobby. A retirement job. Something to get out of the house on a regular basis. Though never into trains or cable cars, he found himself drawn to these.

Paul gave us a personal tour of the seven cars, they are getting an eighth. When that happens, the dining car will be stored in Cathedral Junction. Even though Christchurch feels like the sleepiest town on the planet, they are kept under lock and key out of necessity. Paul drove us across the street when he put the 1927 dining car away.

I wish I took notes. He is quite knowledgeable about the equipment. Each one has a story of where it was created, and where it was refurbished. The collection has come from all over the world, including Australia and San Francisco, California.

Here are some pictures of the rest of the collection:

Map of the route

I asked Paul if I could take his picture in front of his favorite tram. He chose the one we rode that night. It is his favorite route. Some others don't like it because you have to drive extra slowly so the chef can prepare the food. He likes it.

Paul showed us pictures of when Queen Elizabeth an Prince Harry rode the cable cars, and when Sir Edmund Hillary rode one that was pulled by a team of huskies.

The next day all of the trolleys were going to be out, but only some would be taking passengers (to ride you purchase a tram and gondola pass starting at $75 NZD). Paul doesn't usually work during the day, but he was going to be out training new conductors.

The next day we had fun seeing the tram cars and waving to the drivers.