Gamboni's, Karori

Gamboni's, Karori.  Won't buy again.  Made on site.  4/10.  $3.50.

Ah, I lament this particular slice.  It had all the markings of a tasty treat, including being gluten free.  Completely redundant to me, but I appreciated the effort for my gluten intolerant friends.

The caramel and chocolate was great, but the base tasted like burnt chocolate toast and was equally crunchy.  This may have been a freshness issue, or a lack of gluten, but meant I probably will only buy it again if I have a person with Celiac's in the house.

Gusto, Wanaka

Gusto, Wanaka. Wouldn't buy again.  Made on site.  4/10. $4

This was sampled during a recent trip to Wanaka - I'd have to say Wanaka shouldn't bother with caramel slice.  Only 2 of the 7 cafes I went past actually had something that resembled caramel slice and this tan slice was one of them.

On the rough theme of disappointment, this stuck to my mouth - and my parents (I'm not just being mean, there was intersubjective-verification here, truly scientific!).

Won't bug again, and brings the rest of the this cafe's apparently good food into question.

Sorry Gusto.

Brumbies, Karori Rd

Wouldn't buy again - no offence intended.  $3.30  4/10  Suspected made off site.

I have in my notes that this was 'very pedestrian' - but I have no idea what I meant by that, though I recollect the rest of the notes.  I do admit this was from about a week ago when I was in a caramel slice frenzy... 

This slice looked a bit of alright, and smelt ok, seemed to have a bit of coconut and cocoa in the base.  However, the caramel blended into the chocolate and the base, all blurred into a mouth slush.  

Not bad, about what I'd expect from a Brumbies.

I must admit I'm getting a bit sick of crap-ish tasting caramel slices - I should have known this wasn't going to be exemplary, but thought I should be fair and review it - I might have been presently surprised.  Though, since I need to a instigate a per swim/per caramel slice rule I will now demonstrate more discretion. 

Pak'n'Save, Petone

Probably wouldn't buy again.  $1.88  4/10 Made off site.

I assumed 'Slice Caramello' is the same as caramel slice as per the label - perhaps a upmarket name to balance out the thrifty packaging.
 
Not too bad, esp. for $1.88.  I found the base a bit sweet and a bit bland, but ok - no coconut which I'm discovering I quite like in a caramel slice base - just a wee bit.  The caramel was ok enough and a adequate chocolate top.

I say I wouldn't buy again, but this is probably more because I'd just come from trying new jeans on, than it being particularly offensive.  I can see why this would get bought each day as part of someone's lunch, though personally, I'd rather save the calories and get into those skinny jeans...  Mike - it's all yours!

Mt Cook Cafe, Wellington

Probably wouldn't buy again 4/10 $3? Suspect not made on site.

Bland. Given this was not at a mail centre, I'd hope for better.

Grindz, 1st Ave, Tauranga

Wouldn't get again: 4/10   $4   Made on site

This caramel slice looked pretty promising in the cabinet but deteriorated as it arrived on the table - the condensation on the icing not an ideal start, not promising.

A too thin malt-biscuit base, a hard, sugary choc icing top (not the ganache type either) meant the tasty caramel filling was a bit lost.  Overall, too sweet to really enjoy the whole thing.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't too bad, but I'd rather pay $3 for 1/2 the size, than eat it all and feel a bit ill.

I was a bit surprised and disappointed as the rest of the food and coffee here is good.