Richard the Great…Mate
Had lunch today at Nikau Cafe Wellington with my good buddy Richard Genn, legendary chef ex-Aman resorts and one of the best palates I know on the planet – and a top man to boot! After a few decades at Aman resorts he’s decided to take a break and hanging out in Bris-Vegas with his family. He’s actually a kiwi, indeed a Wellington boy! Yes, another amazing (wandering) palate who grew up in the windy city in possibly the most culinary low era of New Zealand’s history other than the first settlers coming to terms with there only being birds, fish and kumara in Aotearoa.
We had a marvelous lunch at Nikau Cafe, one of my local favourites and totally civilized place to be on a gloriously sunny Wellington day with the tables spreading alfresco. We grazed our way through the entrees and I had him wrap his lips around some Mount Edward Gruner Veltliner and Burn Cottage Pinot Noir…both got the nod.

Nice way to spend a summers day and have a good yarn with a mate. Hoorah!

Merry Christmas from the Wandering Palate

It’s the Pōhutukawa tree that does it for me… our very own Christmas Tree

Where else on the planet would there be a tree that speaks to me, and understands I have been 28 years at sea.

I thought I was destined to roam, but as it turned out I found my way home.

To Wellington, the great harbour of Tara, but also named after our past master.

A town named after a Duke that would make most Kiwi’s puke, but never mind, its a ship of line that our character is defined.

And I did my time here in my youth, and some would say I was a touch uncouth, and that’s probably the truth.

Actually, it’s the garage beer that brings me here, a beverage I would like to be near.

They call it Wellywood, but my purpose for being here is little understood.

I should really live in New York as my wife is a banker, and she’s the anchor.

But what sort of tree would I talk to in New York… I think I’d rather shake hands with an Ork.

No, it’s the Pōhutukawa tree with its stamen bright, surely the future is in sight.

You know everything is all right, when I drive around Oriental Bay in the twilight.

And when I look at my daughter, and I see her shine, I know that coming back to New Zealand was always in my mind.

Wishing you all the very best for the festive season

The Wandering Palate

Loretta – Wellington…this place is going to rocket

Had a quick lunch today at Loretta, Wellington…wanted to check it out, wow, most impressed, great space and balance between distressed look and modern clean lines and high-quality fit out. Its breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, wine bar, cafe and everything in between…bloody brilliant wine list, 40 eclectic offerings by the glass and 375ml carafe, all kept in perfect nick with Argon, equally impressed with steemless Riedel glassware. Try the wet risotto with purple carrot, thyme, chervil & parmesan – looks and tastes great. Beef pie was the real job too. This place is going to rock and aimed perfectly at the savvy Wellington palate www.loretta.net.nz

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