Shoreline Café and Restaurant, Kaiteriteri: Unmatched Sea Views with a Movie-Theatre Feeling
by Kakapo2
I had only a (good) cappuccino at the Shoreline Café and Restaurant in Kaiteriteri, so I cannot tell you how good the food was they served in the middle of the afternoon. But it looked good, and the all-male waiting staff were friendly but also a bit reserved. A bit more outgoing personalities would be nicer in such surroundings.In this place I was not really interested in food. A little later, and I would have asked for a Piña Colada or a glass of wine. It would have been the appropriate aperitif for this Carribbean feeling I got, sitting in the sun and watching the sea like a film in a movie-theatre.Although their indoor area is nice nobody wants to sit there on a nice afternoon. You just have to sit on the deck and enjoy the sweeping views of the bay, the half-moon shaped beaches of Kaiteriteri and the tiny rocky islands off the shore from under the large Red Bull sunshades. They even...
Park Café, Marahau: The First and Last Café at the Abel Tasman Park
by Kakapo2
The Park Café is the first café past the Abel Tasman National Park if you walk the Coastal Track from the north to the south - and the last café before the park if you walk from the south to the north. It is located in the last building in Marahau before you cross the bridge to the Abel Tasman National Park, and sitting next to the esturary. So you can imagine it has very nice views.Also the building has a very nice feel. Rustic polished logs, and the furniture in the same style. During the day they serve a big selection of café-style food, including seafood chowder, and breakfasts. I just had a mocchaccino last time, and that was also very nice. Remember: A good moccha in New Zealand MUST be accompanied by at least one marshmellow. This one was served with a chocolate-coated one that was logically not swimming in the milk froth... ;-)There is also an outdoor seating area. If you wear...
1 more image
The Commercial Hotel, Murchison: When Will the Chef Learn to Cook?
by Kakapo2
I had fond memories of The Commercial Hotel in Murchison from a visit in 1991, so when we decided to have dinner there 16 years later (Nov. 2007) after having stopped for light meals at other places all the years before I was surely in a positive mood. But this changed rather quickly, and not only because they spelled "soupe du jour" wrong, as: "soup de jour". Why can they not write "soup of the day" if they are not able to spell it correctly in French?My husband chose the safe option of nicely presented fish'n'chips but I was stupid enough to order the pasta of the day which was creamy seafood pasta. And afterwards I regretted that I had not sent it back to the kitchen straight away, as we had to pay the full price ($ 19)although I had piled quite a lot of the unedible part of the pasta on the side of my plate. I had the impression they would have served us a dessert for free but I was...
Restaurants in Motueka: A nice selection of local and international food
by Kakapo2
As we have been staying in Motueka several times already we have tested some of the restaurants. This town really has a good selection of nice places, including a big choice of very nice pubs and bars. Clearly Motueka is the place to have fresh fish, it does not get much fresher than there. All restaurants below are located on the main road.The Gothic - now: Gothic Gourmet:This surely is the most unique of the restaurants in Motueka. It is in the building of a former church, thus the name. But you also pay for exactly this, perhaps a fee for the renovation costs LOL The food is fine, including the dishes from the stonegrill. Nice and relaxed atmosphere.The Mooring:You get good value for money. You have to order the food at the counter, like in so many restaurants in NZ. Pizza is a specialty but the fish we had was great, and the portions were good. Nice housewine. The minus of the place...
1 more image
Lambretta's, Nelson: Great Pizza and Pasta and Great Value for Money
by Kakapo2
You do not have the Cathedral view as the restaurants at the end of Trafalgar Street, just around the corner. But for that you pay a lot less than in most of those other places where you can still sit after dinner and have a drink. Although that would also be cheaper at Lambretta's ;-) The house wine ($5.50 per glass) was excellent.We had pizza and seafood pasta from the day menu, and both dishes were delicious and the portions hearty. (BTW They also offer all day breakfast and have great Italian starters like bruschetta and smoked antipasti on the menu.) We sat at a rustic wooden table and on benches outside. Right on the footpath are some more aluminium outdoor tables and chairs. We chose this restaurant because the wonderful Italian smell of pizza bread and garlic was too tempting. So it was pure coincidence that we went there. Nelson has an incredible lot of great restaurants where...
Elaine's Alpine Café, St. Arnaud (Nelson Lakes): No Cheap Choices but Free Insect Repellent
by Kakapo2
The menu at Elaine's Café is very clever: no fish'n'chips, no burgers... No mains under NZ$20. As St. Arnaud is not a big place and has no fish'n'chips shop you can either cook spaghetti on toast in your motel or backpackers accommodation, or you have to pay fine dining prices for rustic food like mixed grill with chips or chicken breast with potatoes. The portions are hearty, no complaint, but some simple and cheaper choices would be nice, not just starters like bread and chips with tomato sauce. Beers cost $6, a glass of house wine $5.But they also offer a free service that I have never experienced in any other place in New Zealand. On every table - beside salt and pepper - was a spray can with insect repellent, and you really needed it as the sandflies were flying relentless attacks. They served dinner from 6pm-9pm and were open from 11am. The hours may vary, so check out the display...
1 more image
Victoria Pub: own Brewery
by pepples46
where the Locals meet, the Beer fantastic and the Food superb
Pasta and Nelson Oyster..which also goes down well with a blonde Mac Beer
Picnic @ Ruby Bay
by wkcsmt
Good place to stroll and sunbath after your meal. Pack your own lunch and get down to the beach...but remember to bring the rubbish away with you when you leave.
Sign in with Facebook
Comments