Lemon Tree

Okay, full disclosure: I did not ride my bike to the Lemon Tree Tea Shop in Christchurch, New Zealand. Instead, I was taken directly there in a car by my daughter, Jane, after a 15 plus hour plane ride. This charming cafe is not one I am writing about in order to entice you to eat there.  I am writing about it to illustrate how a meal (or 2) in a special place can leave a lasting impression on the senses, mind, and heart. 

Jane knows how important a good meal is to me, but it’s her boyfriend whose deep love of food makes him an excellent resource for choosing where to eat. He told Jane the Lemon Tree would be just the place for us to share our first meal together, and he was right. 

When we entered the cafe, it was late afternoon and I was ravenous. The baked goods were piled high on pretty plates, and there were cookies, bars and other unfamiliar pastries in a case. Jane and I were giddy in each other’s company and couldn’t focus on the menu, so we relied on the smiling cashier–who also turned out to be the chef–to choose for us. We were not disappointed in the least with our open-faced sandwiches, which included avocado, grilled vegetables, poached eggs and salmon. They were garnished with sprigs of cilantro and chives, fresh flowers and bright microgreens. 

While we were waiting for our food, we held hands and talked excitedly. A woman came up to our table, bringing us tea, and said she was the owner and cook. She asked if we were mother and daughter, and when we answered yes, she told us how important family is and told us a bit about her life. Jane and I felt like we had been invited into someone’s home, with its cozy atmosphere and incredibly friendly staff. One by one, they came by to ask how we liked our food and to tell us they were happy we were there. When we left, the owner told us to enjoy our visit and said she hoped to see us again. 

After two magical weeks, it was time for me to return to California (on March 12, 2020, 3 days before lockdown!). That morning,  I took a photo from the deck of where we had been staying, and I teared up when we left Jane’s little town for the airport. We decided to have our final meal together where the trip had started, at the Lemon Tree. How thrilled we were to see the same people working there who greeted us warmly and once again helped us order. Our meal was more subdued this time, and we spent a while taking photos. I wish we could have stayed all day, and I am sure this would have been encouraged by our new friends. 

Not every meal out has to be outstanding; sometimes we just need to fill our bellies. But a meal in a place that feels like the best version of a family dining room is something special. The people who worked at Lemon Tree and its funky, eclectic decor welcomed us and invited us to stay. This is the kind of eating establishment I want to return to again and again, wherever I am.