NZ Visual Diary - entry 219

along Elliott Street

Bounded by Wellesley Street to the south and Victoria Street to the north, less than 4 metres wide and one-quarter kilometre long, Elliott Street is a charming thoroughfare, more lane than street. That it is open to one-way car traffic may be its only deficit. It begs to be a pedestrian-only passageway.

The street is anchored at its southern end by the Elliott Street Apartments Hotel, the high-end street food venue Elliott Stables and the upscale department store Smith & Caughey. There is an uptown air to this southern entrance, although Elliott at Wellesley will never be mistaken for Fifth Avenue.

The photograph is set at the thoroughfare’s northern boundary. A mix of local and chain restaurants form a bland border on its east side. On the street’s west bank, and of greater interest for both its culinary and visual appeal, is Yooa & Tako, billed as a Japanese - vegetarian takeaway. The food stand is often busy. The food must be good.

My appetite was not satisfied by the menu, interesting as it appeared to be. I feasted on the visual composition: the placement of the people - sight lines to draw one into the scene; the sense amongst the cast of characters of an isolated togetherness; the odd charm of the food stand sign; the playfulness of the four Japanese lanterns; and yes, the quizzical look of the fellow in the white hoody whose fascination with the pigeon on parade steals the show.