Once a week, high on the hills that surround Dunedin’s student ghetto, a small piece of Paris blossoms. Highgate Bridge (or the “Friday Shop,” as it is affectionately known by its addictees) opens to customers only one day a week (can you guess which one?). It may not quite have the aesthetic charm of a Parisienne café (it exudes more hygienic efficiency chic than Amélie) but its patisserie offerings are damn fine. Some say that chef Jim Byars makes the best almond croissants this side of the Eiffel Tower, and anyone who disagrees hasn’t gotten up early enough to try them.
That’s right folks, c’est dommage, but the supply/demand equation triggered by the Shop’s exclusive opening hours and classically-conditioned clientele means that these baked goods don’t last long. The bakery opens for customers at 6am, and by 9am all that remains are some lonesome croissanty crumbs and the odd bag of soup. Thus, not only must you climb a massive hill, but you must also do so at the break of dawn. Do it once, and you will do it again. And again. Every Thursday evening you’ll think, “… should I?” But if you know what you want, you can pre-order during the week and pick up your treats at your leisure throughout the day. If you really can’t be bothered, some of the treats are sold down on the flat at Everyday Gourmet, albeit for an inflated price. Enjoy.
Get there: on foot (so you deserve that tasty pastry). It’s on Highgate just along from the bridge over Stuart Street.
Do: accompany your treat guzzling with a coffee from Rhubarb across the road.
Don’t: forget to take cash – there ain’t no EFTPOS. Roughly, prices hover around $3 for pastry and $5 for tarts.
Eat: EVERYTHING (nom nom).