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Latest Christchurch hotel reviews
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Post-earthquake update June 2011
The Dux has been an institution in Christchurch for years and years. The announcement of the Arts Centre's board of trustees - who surely do NOT own the Arts Centre - not to have the Dux repaired any sooner than the entire Arts Centre complex despite its distant location has sparked hot debate in Christchurch. The trust board had finished all leases but one after the earthquake on 22 February. The Dux's owner, Richard Sinke, has an engineer's report saying that the Dux could be repaired within six to eight weeks and that he would pay for the repairs. The huge rent he pays could even contribute to the massive repairs that are required for at the Arts Centre. A few days ago the out of touch head of trustees said he was willing to discuss the issue. We are waiting now.
In the meantime, of course, the Dux is closed. The owner has reopened a different-style Dux at another location in Addington. It is the:
Dux Live
It is an industrial live music club at the corner of Moorhouse Ave and Lincoln Road, south of Hagley Park.
Address:
363 Lincoln Road
Addington
More info here: interview with the owner
As I come from crowded Europe I always feel a little bit like home when we go to the Dux de Lux - because it is nearly always crowded there LOL
At least the many people are not all at one spot as the Dux has a bar, an upstairs lounge with cocktails and pool tables, and a tavern, and on sunny days the outdoor area is flooded with people sitting on chairs and beside...
Obviously it is a place to be, with lots of people of all different kinds, converting the outdoor area into a buzzling beer garden, well, not of Munich dimensions but...
So it is not the cosiest or even a quiet place to enjoy a meal. It can even be quite difficult to have a conversation which is less due to the many people but to the loud music (not only on live music evenings), and sports being shown on huge TV screens. If this is too much for you just watch the people ;-)
Even if you are out with very nice people dining at the Dux can become rather an antisocial encounter, as you have to get your drinks from the bar, and also order your food there. If you go there with your partner on a busy sunny day, one of the two has to queue for ages, and the other one spends half of the evening alone at the table. When we were there the last time my husband arrived back at the table 30 seconds before the food arrived... Then you should already think about the next drink... and order... Well, meet up with more people, so you have entertainment ;-)
Anyway, it is still a good place to go to from time to time, after a film at the Arts Centre, or on the way back from the Museum or the Botanic Garden. They were NZ Pub of the Year 2006 and have a good selection of award-winning home-brewed beers, the wine is as expensive as in most other places (some very few at 6.50$ per glass, most around 8.50$).
The Dux is well-known for its huge range of vegetarian food, and for its great seafood and pizza as well. (And the big portions...) The bar/light meals and salads are very well priced, most under $15 whereas vegetarian is all over $20.
Open daily from 10.30am.
Favorite Dish: Cioppine - fish, scallops, prawns, squid and mussels with tomato, garlic and capsicum, a kind of Mediterranean style fish soup. A lot of fish and seafood in a steaming hot thin tomato broth, served with a slice of fresh bread.
Updated Dec 22, 2011
Address: 41 Hereford Street
Phone: (03) 366 6919
Website: www.thedux.co.nz
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We had our lunch VT Meet with Guy (fishandchips) and Annie.
Dux de Lux is locted near the Artcenter at Worcester Boulevard. The menu has lots of vegetarian options and a few fish dishes.
Order your meal at the counter and the food will be served at your table. If you are on a tight budget go with a simple salad plate for $6 onwards.
There are some outside sitting areas where we took our photo.
Favorite Dish: Cajun Fish
Written Oct 3, 2006
Address: At the Artcenter Worcester Boulevard
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The Dux is an easy place to drop in to and have a meal. The menu is heavily in favour of the vegetarian diner with a few fish dishes thrown in for good measure. You order at the bar and the food comes to your table. Several of the Dux's own brewed beers are available with the Nor' Wester my favourite. There is also a good wine list.
If you are on a tight budget you can get a simple salad plate for as low as $6 - with the Dux's selection this is normally good enough for those needing a quick & cheap feed.
Once you have finished there is often a live band playing next to the restaurant (often a bit heavy so be warned) and great outside areas.
Favorite Dish: I really like the fresh fish with Cajun spices.
Written Mar 12, 2006
Address: At the Artcenter Worcester Boulevard
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We actually read about this place in our guidebook, liked the sound of it and decided to check it out. We hadn't booked and the place was really busy when we arrived, but they managed to find a table for us, and we didn't have too long to wait for our food. It's divided into three areas - a bar, a restaurant and a heated outdoor courtyard. There's live music in the bar most nights, and although there was a band playing while we were there, it wasn't too loud in the restaurant and we were still able to have a conversation without having to shout at each other. The service was really good and fast and the staff were able to recommend dishes and wines to accompany them.
Favorite Dish: I forget now what I had to eat, but I know that I was really satified with it. They serve mostly vegetarian and seafood, and have a good selection of interesting and well-priced dishes to choose from.
Written Aug 20, 2005
Address: At the Artcenter Worcester Boulevard
Phone: 03 366 6919
This is a semi-cafeteria style restaurant. The salads and breads are served at the counter, but the entrees are cooked to order.
There are three different areas attached to this restaurant, and at night part of it turns into a club. And they make their own beer!
Favorite Dish: I ate here a few times, and there wasn't anything that was bad!
Written Oct 17, 2004
Address: At the Artcenter Worcester Boulevard
Website: http://www.thedux.co.nz/
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It seems quite a must go place in Chch, well - at least most reviews including those at VT.
To be very frank i think it is over-rated - and I did not particularly liked the food. The beer my husband said made up for the not too great green curry.
we were at the Arts centre and wanted some light food so we decided we share out the Green Curry Seafood...i was just curious how good the NZ could duplicate Asian curries...it failed to the last straw. It was not thick and i suspect it was convenient paste...and it tasted more like a green coloured tom yam. well if the locals think this is green curry - sorry mate...you better take the next flight to Thailand.
The portion was large, and piping hot and the seafood was very very fresh. As a matter of fact the prawns was so so sweet. It was good if you are expecting a mild Tom Yam soup....
the food otherwise is mainly pizza and deli like salads...where you order on queue line. it was very popular with the locals - young and old and family type.
Written Dec 2, 2003
Address: At the Artcenter Worcester Boulevard
Written Sep 6, 2005
Address: At the Artcenter Worcester Boulevard
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What I like most about Christchurch are the many trendy bars and street side cafes. The food is on the whole fabulous in NZ being fresh and hearty.
Written Sep 12, 2002
Address: All over town
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Dux de Lux tips and photos posted by real travelers and Christchurch locals.
Write a ReviewWhat I like most about Christchurch are the many trendy bars and street side cafes. The food is on the whole fabulous in NZ being fresh and hearty.
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