Thunderbird Cafe, Wellington

Thunderbird Cafe, Wellington.  Might buy again, if I forget this experience. $4. 5/10

Long time no review - won't bother with justifying the absence, but here's the latest sampling.

Thunderbird Cafe's caramel slice looked a promising slice in the more 'elegant' category.  I forgot to ask if it was made on site, but didn't reek of it.  Then again, wouldn't be suprised if it was.

Caramel was fine, chocolate ok, a sniff grainy, and the base non-offensive.  It's not that there was anything wrong with this (other than the lack of coconut a purely personal preference..) - it's just that nothing really stood out.  It was forgettable.  I forgot to bother finishing it.  Good thing I had company to polish it off.

Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Arcade

Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Arcade, Prob won't buy again.  5/10  Price??

This was a wee while back.. but the caramel and choc was good.  The base was a bit disappointing - too thick and a bit crumbly - perhaps a few days old?  I wonder if this is an example of the rumoured 'Millionaire's Slice'... The base did seem to err on the shortbready side.

Now that I'm racking up a few I think I'd give this a miss next time.

New World, Wellington Railway Station

New World, Wellington Railway Station, 5/10 $4.95? Might buy again

Bought this for a team morning tea at work.  Team thought it was pretty average, but after having quite a slices recently, I didn't think it wasn't as bad as they though thought. It was a quite chocolatey base, with somewhat tasteless caramel, and the doughy topping.  However, it was a good texture, not falling apart, or all crumbly which was a nice change.

Of all the caramel slices with doughy toppings, this was the best.  I think it was ok because it wasn't too heavy.  On closer inspection I did note it was made the day before and had an expiry date of about a month a way.  I wonder if that has quite a large bearing on the quality of the texture. 

Anyway, not too bad, fine for a morning tea - except for my discerning bunch. 

Loaf Caramel Slice - purchased by George at Moore Wilson I suspect

Loaf Caramel Slice, might buy again.  Curated by George.  5/10  Made in Loaf's kitchen I assume. 

I must admit I was somewhat relieved that George, who brought this Caramel Slice over didn't think it was awesome.  It's not that it was bad, it just wasn't what I'd expect a boutiquely packaged slice to be.  In saying that, we have scoffed the whole lot off.   And looked for crumbs.

It had a nice enough caramel and somewhat sugary icing, but the base was a bit crumbly and perhaps too chocolately - I don't recall any coconut either.   I just expected a wee bit more.

Would buy again to take to someones place for an afternoon tea or evening treat - thanks George!

Expressoholic, Cuba St

Wouldn't buy again.  $4.50  5/10  Not sure if made on site.

This looked promising - lots of caramel, many of late not having enough and being a recent complaint.  Though, the caramel was a overpowering and not teamed up with enough chocolate.  The base had some sort of secret ingredient (cornflakes perhaps?) which also made it a bit odd - though some may argue this made it a bit 'sparkley'...   Perhaps if it was half the size and half the price it would have been ok.

Rahzoo, Wellington

Won't buy again, sadly.  $5!  5/10  Made on site.

This looked quite promising - check out the photos, and for a fiver I figured it must be quite good (not to mention the recommendations).  But not.  There was no chocolate top, but dollops of dough (a bit like the Wishbone one).  It was a good condensed milk-ish caramel, but the base - not great.  Very hard, sugary, crystalised and falling apart.  It was so hard it bent my knife.

It's as if the makers found a good recipe years ago and have kept making it without ever trying it again.  Either that or it's been in the cabinet for a week.

Not horrible, but not worth five dollars.  Looked better than it tasted - perhaps purchase for display only?

New Zealand Post - Highbrook Mail Centre

Would buy again. 5/10. $2 Made off site

I wasn't sure about this one from it's appearance, but was surprisingly nice - modest and unpretentious. A coconutty base with a slightly too firm caramel and chocolate icing top (not my preferred top). It tasted way better than it looked and didn't fall apart. For $2, not bad for a mail centre. Will buy again with my punnet of chips.