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.

Ritual, Wanaka

Ritual, Wanaka.  Will not buy again.  Made on site.  3/10. $4.

Again, a bit disappointing for dear Wanaka.  This had a hard thick icing, and I couldn't actually taste the caramel.  The base was also all wrong - maybe it just wasn't fresh..

EIther which way it seemed like a bit of a chef's experiment - which I'm all for, I just wish they'd try them before putting them on the counter. 

Fingers crossed for less a less bleak caramel slice outlook for Christmas.

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.

Revive, Petone

Revive, Petone.  Wouldn't buy again. Made on site. 7/10. $4.

This was delicious except for the chocolate. Milk chocolate does not belong on caramel slice, even if it is really good exotic milk chocolate.

This cut beautifully - nice and fresh, great caramel and a nice base.

I wouldn't buy it based purely on the milk chocolate, but if this doesn't bother you, certainly worth stopping by.

Thanks Anna P for bringing this into work to share!

Breadworks, Palmerston North

Breadworks, Palmerston North. Buy again, easy.  Made on site 8/10 $4.50?

I have had this before so on a recent trip to PN it was easy to buy again.  It was good, again. An oat top and good caramel, base not too hard.

Perhaps a few days old which gave it a stiff sort of texture, this slightly lower rating than last time.  Yum!

New World Railway, Wellington

New World Railway, Wellington.  May buy again for group morning tea.  Made onsite?  6/10 $4.99 for a slab.

This was bought as part of a morning tea at work and it served its purpose.  Pretty fresh so a good fudge texture, quite a chocolate base, caramel good enough and the lumpy dough topping.  

Overall slightly anonymous - nothing actually wrong with it, just a sniff too bland for a posh party - but good value for money.

Even better, ensuing discussion between work colleague has resulted in a caramel slice and pie tasting session next month - yes!

Barista, Palmerston North No.2 - more a brownie

Barista, Palmerston North No.2. I won't buy again, but someone will love it. Made on site 6/10. $4?


This had to be tried not just because it's caramel slice-esque, but because my cohorts and I are pigs. Nice pigs. 


The concept had merit - good caramel sandwiched by chocolate brownie, but to be honest it was wasted on me.  Too rich, the brownie diluting the caramel and vice versa, all mixed up.  However, both probably great independently.  


Nevermind, at least I won't have to choose between this and their No.1 caramel slice.