Jano Bistro

Jano Bistro is somewhere I have only been twice, and both occasions have been for Wellington on a Plate. After they were shortlisted as a finalist last year (and eventually going on to win the Festival Dish award) we really wanted to eat there and were so delighted with our meal that I couldn’t wait…

Bastardo

Bastardo (82 Tory Street) Replacing what used to be Pan De Muerto, Bastardo is brought to us by the same people behind Cicio Cacio and is just as delicious. The place aims for an Italian-American theme, and manages to pull it off beautifully. All of the wait staff are foreign, which only adds to the ambience. The…

Akarua Wines & Kitchen

Akarua Wines & Kitchen (265 Arrowtown – Lake Hayes Road, Arrowtown)   Previously known as Walnut Cottage, Akarua is a cutesy little cottage located just out of Arrowtown, not much further than Millbrook. After pulling into the gravel carpark, we made our way to the entrance across the sun-streamed patio and outdoor tables. We were welcomed…

Greytown

  Such an easy getaway from the flurry of the city and sub-par weather that epitomises Wellington, yet it is somewhere that I have always only thought of as nothing more than a town that I pass through on my way home to Hawkes Bay. Not this time though. We only left Wellington Saturday after…

Abbey Cellars Winery

Abbey Cellars Winery (1769 Maraekakaho Road) There is a lot of sentimental value attached to Abbey Cellars for me. My childhood home (that my family built) has the address of 1769 Maraekakaho Road, but rather than the winery it is now it used to be a horse breeding farm, known as Crianza. Over the years,…

Melbourne

People have described Melbourne to me as being like ‘Wellington on steroids’ and after visiting there myself, I can’t really disagree. Think fashion, coffee, culture and sport; it is a continual hub of activity and a foodie’s dream. The public transport system is excellent (a possible point of difference to Wellington), there are so many…

Rochford Winery

Rochford Winery (880 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream, Yarra Valley) I love eating at wineries. The food is always presented so beautifully, and it is rare that it is not of the highest quality as well. I was extremely excited to be visiting the Yarra Valley, and excited to sit down for a meal at one of…

Amisfield Vineyard & Bistro

Amisfield Vineyard & Bistro (10 Lake Hayes Road) All I knew about Amisfield is that Princess Kate and Will had eaten here when they came for their visit to New Zealand. Based on that, my expectations were high – and they were certainly exceeded by the absolutely fantastic experience that we had. It was a…

Poppies

Poppies (91 Puruatanga Road, Martinborough) Ever since I moved to Wellington Poppies had been on my bucket list. All the people at work talked about it, my friends talked about, even people I didn’t know talked about it. I knew I had to get there and I just had to find an opportunity. An overseas…

Recipe: Pork Bolognese Pappardelle

Constantly on the hunt for delicious meat recipes which omit the beef, I was so happy to stumble across this delicious pork bolognese recipe. I love home cooked food so much, and to make something so rich and tasty with such ease is what everyone should be looking for! Pappardelle too; it’s definitely a favourite…