Another business forced to close its doors after the September quake was Copenhagen Bakery located in the PriceWaterhouseCoopers Centre (now demolished). Known for its famous pies and pastries, it relocated to the Bishopdale neighborhood of Christchurch where it enjoys as much popularity as before. After a visit to the nearby Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, we went there for lunch.
On first visit, the selection is somewhat overwhelming. Not only is there a large choice of sandwiches, all on display behind a glass counter, but also all manner of quiches and, of course, their savory pies ($4.50 NZ). The pastry display is what you would expect of any decent Danish bakery, dazzling in its mouth-watering variety.
The sliced beef and mushroom pie was an umami bomb, thick with meat and mushroom filling made gelatinous with cornstarch, and encased in a very flaky shell. An outstanding meat pie (☆☆☆☆).
The tomato soup (☆☆☆) was thick and creamy with admirable restraint on sweetness and embellished with a slight tartness.
The almond and chocolate chip cookies we purchased afterward were delicious, rich with butter.
A second visit to the bakery was made three days later (July 27). The mince meat pie already sold out, the mince and cheese pie was a bit too cheesy (☆☆☆), suffering a little from a hot waxiness that typifies cheese pies.
The vegetarian pie (☆☆☆), filled with kumara (sweet potato), celery and bell peppers, is spicy and savory.
The daily special of mushroom soup (☆☆☆☆) was a masterpiece of mushroom flavor, thick and creamy with a touch of butter. It is a soup that should be a permanent menu offering.
Copenhagen Bakery
409 Harewood Road
Bishopdale
Christchurch NZ 8051
03.359.0175
zoomeboshi 
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