Modicum (noun): a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something desirable or valuable. And an apt name for one of Uptown’s most-loved hospitality spots, Jenny Rindermann’s petite cafe on the corner of Upper Queen and Dacre streets, which she has run alongside her partner Bobby since 2008. There’s nothing accidental about the charm of Modicum, from the life-affirming coffee to the cabinet full of delectable offerings and the uplifting jazz music. It’s all down to holistic decision-making and talent built up over years.

You might expect a chef with Jenny’s background to be at the helm of a grand kitchen somewhere, but the more you learn about her ethos, the more it makes this wee gem, in which she works solo in the kitchen making everything from scratch, the perfect home for her talents.

“I moved to New Zealand at 10 years old with my parents,” Jenny explains. “Dad was a diplomat, but when I was 18, I returned to Germany to do a proper European apprenticeship in a very old establishment, a private hotel in Hamburg. We had Michelin-starred restaurants on site, there was a private farm, our own butchery, and we made everything from scratch.”



In the same vein, at Modicum Jenny eschews the usual ordering through wholesalers. “My mum goes every weekend to the markets and buys all my fruit and veggies for me. That’s why I have no menu.” Jenny’s improv approach pairs seasonal produce with staples and using the skills picked up in those Michelin-starred restaurants, she fills the cabinet to the brim by the time doors open at 8am, having risen at 4.30am to get cracking in the kitchen. And that’s not her done for the day – Modicum’s catering is a bit of a local secret with fellow Uptown businesses, so that also keeps her busy.

Regulars know the house coffee roast is something special, as are Bobby’s skills in service and on the espresso machine. The couple use a special blend by Karajoz roastery. The perfect accompaniment along with the delicious food is the steady jazz soundtrack.

“As well as being a diplomat, my dad had a jazz band,” explains Jenny. “I grew up on the side of the stage and for me, music is hugely important. At Modicum, the jazz we play changes all the time depending on the mood, the weather, the time of day.

“I love places that create atmosphere; a family for people in the area,” says Jenny. “We’ve had customers who have come in every single day for 12 years. It takes me back to Europe and the little villages where everyone knows everyone.”