Public Address | Cafe | Random Play: The Last of the Long Lunches . . . https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/ en-us Copyright (c) 2026 Public Address Sofie Bribiesca https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=87112#post87112 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=87112#post87112 Ooooh, long lunches. Weren't they just the best part of working hard?!! I remember them fondly and recall quite a few memorable ones at Prego ... Yeah but ,na but. Thing is plebs (workin' class, like meself) see a long lunch (noted by several pinot gris glasses at table at… ]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:25:32 +1300 Rob Hosking https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=87108#post87108 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=87108#post87108

I think the fun somehow went out of it all when we became bridled with electronic leashes. One by one, people would turn up with cellphones (or PDAs or whatever) and these devices became virtual, if uninvited, lunchtime companions.

You know, I really think you're onto something there.

There were…

]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:57:12 +1300 Sylvie Zlami https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=87047#post87047 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=87047#post87047 Ooooh, long lunches. Weren't they just the best part of working hard?!! I remember them fondly and recall quite a few memorable ones at Prego ...
I think the fun somehow went out of it all when we became bridled with electronic leashes. One by one, people would turn up…

]]> Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:01:14 +1300 Simon Grigg https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86971#post86971 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86971#post86971

"Best. Prego. Ever."

Straight from the airport to Prego after 48 hours of Malaysian Airlines hell on Friday (it was a fairly large birthday party)

Sometimes I love being an Auckland-centric pinot gris quaffing jafa

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:22:43 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86964#post86964 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86964#post86964 a bicycle called a Pompino. ]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:10:39 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86963#post86963 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86963#post86963 Someone got to them:

Pompino Restaurant and Bar

Pompino closed its doors on the 28th February 2008.

We would like to thank you (our customers)for the 6 years that we were here.

We look forward to seeing you at the new "Traffic Bar and Kitchen" for more great times in the…

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:08:38 +1300 Gareth Ward https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86960#post86960 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86960#post86960

Nor is the person who called a restaurant in Auckland _Pompino_, I know this for a fact.

Aren't they? I always hoped they were and were just having fun at the Kiwi's... I may open a restaurant in Torino called Blowjob.

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:01:20 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86951#post86951 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86951#post86951

RB, could you translate "Prego" for the benefit of... non Aucklanders, I presume? I'm intrigued.

Prego is a long-established restaurant on Ponsonby Road greatly suited to long lunching, and traditionally favoured by the media menagerie (although it is also a watering hole for the beasts of rock 'n' roll).

One…

]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:01:47 +1300 giovanni tiso https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86935#post86935 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86935#post86935 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:30:10 +1300 Joe Wylie https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86934#post86934 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86934#post86934

Clearly I am not. Nor is the person who called a restaurant in Auckland _Pompino_, I know this for a fact.

FFS. Wonder if they offer free parking if you turn up in a pajero?

]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:20:34 +1300 giovanni tiso https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86931#post86931 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86931#post86931

Are you sure you're Italian?

Clearly I am not. Nor is the person who called a restaurant in Auckland _Pompino_, I know this for a fact. Now, though, I want you to reassure me that Prego isn't next to Pompino. That would be bad.

]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:53:35 +1300 Joe Wylie https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86926#post86926 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86926#post86926

RB, could you translate "Prego" for the benefit of... non Aucklanders, I presume? I'm intrigued.

Are you sure you're Italian?

It's probably symptomatic of the long unchanging twilight of postmodernity that Prego's still there after twenty-plus years. In case anyone thinks that LOL cats are a bit twee, Prego's predecessor…

]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:34:04 +1300 giovanni tiso https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86924#post86924 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86924#post86924 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:07:28 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86887#post86887 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86887#post86887 Maybe it was an IT industry thing, but when I was at IDG (1994-97)there was a long and somewhat dishonourable tradition of long lunches. Not just the journalists but the whole staff. (Russell may remember these) The firm would shout all the staff three times a year. Hire a temp… ]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:01:34 +1300 Rob Hosking https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86861#post86861 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86861#post86861 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:22:31 +1300 Dinah Dunavan https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86850#post86850 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86850#post86850 I think the 90s and ERA killed the Long Lunch. In the 80s we loved our LLs (usually LLLs) but after I got a job in gummint and National got back into power, bang, the LLs were over. And many a restaurant struggled.

In the 80s I had drinking buddies…

]]> Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:42:09 +1300 Islander https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86784#post86784 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86784#post86784 You know, I've *never* had a long lunch?
Comes of never being a corporate person, or member of a Wellington government department, I guess...

BUT! Our hangi/umukai here in the OFR are more than the equivalent: we do 'em on significant birthdays, or over the festive season. They atart with…

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:43:32 +1300 andin https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86783#post86783 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86783#post86783 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:23:37 +1300 Russell Brown https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86776#post86776 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86776#post86776 Dammit, you're right.

It's ages since I had a long lunch, and longer since a festive season passed without one. Where is my Prego? I had a Prego last Christmas.I wonder if this year no one wants to appear extravagant. Still, there is time.

One of my favourite Pregos was…

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:39:28 +1300 Public Address https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86775#post86775 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/random-play-the-last-of-the-long-lunches/?p=86775#post86775 Discussion from blog post.

]]> Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:39:28 +1300