Review date: 24 October 2006

Right opposite the Parliament building in Wellington is the Backbencher pub - "The House with no peers" as it marketed. The Backbencher was brought to our attention by the Lonely Planet, who recommended it. We now know why.

For my main I took the "Dyson Scotch Fillet Welfare," which comprised the chargrilled fillet, garlic cream potato, spinach, bearnise sauce and French Onions. M'learned companion decided to snack on the Browlees Pate. I took a pint of Speigths Old Dark beer - which was luscious in it's maltiness. And the service was quick, punctual and courteous.

Effigys lampooning various politicians adorn the walls. Lange, Mike Moore, Muldoon and Jenny Shipley all come in for lampooning. Satirical cartoons poke more fun at hapless polticians. Winston Peters seems to be a particular favorite at the moment.

It's good to see satire hard at work in New Zealand. Highly recommended.

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