Tiffney’s

We’ve walked past this new addition to Otago St a couple of times, chatted to the owner once and thought «y’know, offering people free taxis to the theatre they’re going to is a pretty smart idea, wonder how that’ll turn out?» And I’m not averse to the idea of another neighbourhood steakhouse. This site’s changed hands a couple of times (the previous incarnation as a burger joint was woeful) so I’ve got my fingers crossed for these guys.
Payday came around and I decided to treat us, so me & Barry N wandered along last Friday. It was quiet, but didn’t feel empty, which was a nice start. We opted for the seat by the window, and ordered a bottle of red, two medium rare sirloins, a cheeseboard and two glasses of port.
This place meets my not-​well-​defined-​but-​I-​know-​it-​when-​I-​see-​it definition of «cosy». Lighting levels low enough to be relaxed but not so dark that you can’t see your food. Seats comfy, music really good, service attentive and chatty but not overbearing. We were served by a guy whom I presume to be the owner, who took an interest in us but not to the point that it got weird, y’know?
The food isn’t cheap, and the menu isn’t massive, but what it does it’s doing well. The meat was juicy & very nicely cooked, and the bearnaise that I had with mine was creamy, and fresher than I’ve had elsewhere. Barry’s pepper sauce was a hit. So yeah, not cheap, but definitely worth it.
The place is aiming for classy, but without the West End cringe. I approve, and we’ll be back!