New Zealand: A gourmet paradise
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A trip through Auckland's gourmet fringe
As New Zealand's largest city, Auckland is for many the gateway to a highly anticipated epicurean adventure in a country where food and wine are second to none. That's a perfectly good way to begin except that many overlook Auckland's fringe offerings in the rush to discover central Auckland before moving on to more famed culinary regions.
But Auckland's fringe areas boast some of New Zealand's finest culinary experiences like Waiheke Island, La Cigale French Style Farmers' Markets and Matakana Village Market. Leave too soon and you'll never know.
Waiheke Island is known as New Zealand's 'Island of Wine' and is located about a 30-minute ferry ride from Auckland. The climate is best suited to Bordeaux-style grapes so you'll be pleased there's plenty of cuisine to match with an alluring collection of restaurants serving some of New Zealand's finest produce. Other wines you're likely to see on Waiheke are chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and some award-winning syrah.
Back on the mainland, just 10 minutes from the CBD, is the La Cigale French Style Farmers' Markets, held weekend mornings. It's all about fresh fruit and vegetables, home butchery and face-to-face contact with local producers with a French flair you would think you were in Lyon. The locals even ensure their pet poodles are present.
One hour north of Auckland, the famous Matakana Village Market runs every Saturday morning with a small point of difference; as well as fresh fruit and vegetables expect to find homemade gourmet food products including cheese, sausages, preserves, olive oil, chocolate and pastries - all for a fraction of the price you'd buy them in trendy delicatessens and cafés.
A trip through Wellington's culinary quarters
Like Auckland, Wellington is a gateway leading on to New Zealand's southern climbs. It boasts some sensational culinary experiences for those who are prepared to stick around.
Wellington is nestled on the slopes surrounding a harbour at the bottom of the North Island. Just up the road lies the acclaimed wine making and crop growing region known as the Wairarapa meaning it's perfectly positioned to reap the best from land, sea and vines.
A city of café (Wellington has more per head than New York - truly!), Wellington is unforgettable as a gourmet paradise with plenty on offer for all tastes and budgets.
Start by discovering the best in cafe culture by taking a stroll down the uber-cool but slightly grungy Cuba Street. At the top is Fidel's Café a favourite with locals and a joint known to warmly welcome visitors without pretence. Further towards the harbour you'll find Plum Café, known for great coffee and contemporary kiwi cuisine while Midnight Espresso is cosy and coo and often frequented by local celebrities (it's also open till late). For some of the best cafe style eating try the quirky Caffé L'Affare, just off Cuba Street. The menu is fabulous but confounding so here's a heads-up: Caffe L'Affare is renowned for its all-day breakfast.
When it comes to restaurants it seems cruel to single out a few where so many deliver but Logan Brown on Cuba Street deserves a mention. A frequent winner of national awards, Cuisine magazine once said of its arrival that it "elevated the standard of dining in this country." Others to try are the opulent French bistro Hippo where Chef Laurent Loudeac marries French sensibilities with contemporary global flavours and Arbitrageur, an inner city European style restaurant that won the Best Casual Dining award for 2011.
Are you still sceptical about what culinary and luxury pleasures NZ holds? Follow a true Kiwi sceptic, Jodi, as Air New Zealand challenges her views about New Zealand's lack of culture. Check out the trailer for a sneak peek and tune in on 13 February to Kiwi Sceptics to find out if Jodi converts from a Europhile to a Kiwiphile.
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