Around the Table | DineOut Articles

Eating out east

by CJD, Sat 19th Mar 2011 06:00pm

On the 22nd February 2011 Christchurch suffered another major earthquake. Just 6 months after the 7.1 magnitude quake that first shook us up, a violent 6.3 hit during the lunch hour, toppling buildings, taking lives and wreaking destruction. While smaller in magnitude, it was closer to the city (centered in Lyttelton) and significantly more violent, due in part to 'the slapdown effect' where the up & down movement was over 2 times faster than gravity. Maybe a GNS scientist can explain it better... Take it away Dr Martin Reyners

One of the most obvious impacts was the central city. Buildings came down and lives were lost. Business owners were (at at the time of writing, still are) cut off from their premises making it impossible to retrieve essential goods. Worse still for those who could only trade from their premises, like retail shops, cafes and restaurants. Many were already struggling after the September quake, and now with no building, no customers and no access, times are getting even tougher.

The western suburbs were hit quite lightly in comparison with plenty of damage, however roads and businesses were able to carry on as close to normal as they could.

Out east it is a different story again. From North Beach to South Brighton and Sumner to Lyttelton the destruction of roads, water mains, electrical grid and homes was significant. Liquefaction caused silt to bubble and burst from the ground which tore up many roads, making most of them a 4x4 track rather than a main arterial road, and this has caused many local cafes and restaurants out east to suffer the same as their inner-city cousins. With a lack of good roads, a lack of power and water and more importantly, a lack of customers, these businesses are suffering.

What can you do about it? Well, if you are outside of Christchurch, the best thing you can do is donate to one of the major organisations (Christchurch Earthquake Appeal or Red Cross). If you are a resident of Christchurch, or maybe just visiting, then you really can help businesses in the east by going there and ordering a meal. Every meal you eat is saving a business. And hey, you get a meal too!

Mr Lu has decided to try and eat the east coast, and I'll quote him here: "I am ready with my wallet to dine anywhere and everywhere - regardless of how good or bad the reviews are - as long as it helps the east of our lovely city." He's even willing to stump up with some vouchers, so stay tuned for information on how to get your hands on those!

How to eat out east

Below is a map and list of the restaurants and cafes on the east, from North Beach all the way down to Lyttelton. A note of warning though, some of these establishments are now closed. Give them a call, make a booking, and go for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, or even just a takeaway coffee. If you find one of the following listings are closed for good, please let us know. Those that are open though are desperate for your custom, so get out and get eating! Don't forget to pop back and tell us where you went.

Your Comments

Titch

Sat 16th Apr 2011 09:49pm

Finally back reviewing - and would really love to win the $250 price - to take our neighbours out for a nice meal, to give them something to smile about after their very hard time since the 22nd of Feb Earthquake - kia kaha Family Lucas!

MikeJ

Fri 29th Apr 2011 05:33pm

What a great idea to help get people out East and supporting business there. Thank you - I am certainly keen to take out the $250! Mike

Nabashis Misra

Wed 21st Oct 2015 05:57am

Nice Article

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