High Ti on Willis

Ti Kouka cafe is cleaning out the spiders in an old nook on Willis St.

Okay okay it’s a bad pun, but the new cafe restaurant has filled the space left by old Katipo Cafe, a Willis stalwart for many a moon. Upstairs on the intersection of Willis and Mercer, the space was always a touch removed from the street-level cafe walk ins that soak up the lunchtime and after work crowd.

But new owner Shepard Elliot has turned a dab hand to brightening up what used to be a fairly dingy wee venue and Ti Kouka is worth a look. The stairs aren’t much to look at but the simple set up and brick and wood wall decor makes for a fairly earthy vibe. Gone are the blacks and reds from old Katipo, as the new crew breathe a bit of life into their new digs.

The menu is a good spread, from cheapish rolls served up very nicely on crockery through to a full blown steak option for those still hanging on to the 80s theme of power broker lunches. I had a duck and bacon club sammie, which at $14 was good value and tasty to boot. The fries are $6 and hearty (I tell you because you won’t ask but everybody wants to know).

Ti Kouka does breakfast and dinner as well, but being open from 8am til 7pm, we made the comment that they might struggle to fill their boots in those sittings. Shepard said he was open to shifting the hours … but only four weeks in he’s still getting his head around which way is up.

There are a few things to get sorted – art on the walls and some more tables are due soon – but at the essence of it, Ti Kouka has the food and service right, especially with a former Logan Brown chef in the kitchen. Serving Napier brew Flight Coffee, their counter nosh looks yum, and the runners manning the bar and tables are friendly, quick and chirpy.

It’s a tough space to pull people into, but it’s a quiet and tasty oasis just above the bustle of Willis. A good feel and a good menu, Ti Kouka could be one of those ones that sticks around. I recommend giving it a crack.