We had a mini-holiday over in New Zealand, and mainly stayed in Wanaka (south island). I wasn’t expecting it to be such a foodie destination, but even in the tiny town of Wanaka, there are some really great food options. I book into Muttonbird a few weeks in advance.
On the night, our table of six are seated and provided with the drinks menu. There is only one mocktail on the menu and they can’t seem to make anything else which is odd. Luckily I am in love with the mocktail, so much so that I order it a second time with my main.
We all partake in the Muttonbird Mix (NZ $77 per person) and I’m excited to see what comes out. Sourdough and fennel seed butter arrives for the table.
We enjoy the copious amounts of chicken liver parfait with apple jelly on fried bread. So very rich and moreish.
To my mind, the parsnip with peanuts and sesame doesn’t sound like much from the menu description. However, this is my favourite snack of the night. It comes straight out of the oven, and tastes like sesame snaps – hot, sweet and crunchy. I could definitely eat another one or two of these.
The monkfish bites are stuffed with the fish mince, herb, are well seasoned and come covered in crunchy flakes, almost like corn flakes.
The pig’s head taro puffs are basically the same as what you can get at yumcha, though slightly elevated.
I love the thick slices of salmon crudo paired with pear, ginger and caviar. Fresh, slightly sweet and the ginger makes it pop.
The beef carpaccio with bitter greens and horseradish is another fresh, tasty and healthy dish.
By this stage, we’ve had 6 small plates to share and we’re actually kind of full. We have no idea how many main dishes will be arriving. Thankfully it’s just one main – the lamb neck with tamarind and daikon to be stuffed in little pita pockets. This is served with a side of potato bravas. I’ve said this before, Kiiwi’s really know how to cook lamb. Amazingly cooked soft, tender, delicious lamb with pickled daikon to cut through any richness. Honestly, we didn’t need the potatoes.
A short time after mains are cleared away (and packed into take away boxes since we couldn’t finish it), we receive our dessert. The blackcurrant and apple dessert is a combination of mousse, sorbet, dried fruit roll-up and wafers. Lovely flavours, and a very soft dessert with no other contrasting elements. There are only two serves of this to share between the six of us but it is enough for everyone to have a taste after the very filling snacks, small plates and main.
We’re then surprised with hot honey and lemon madeleines for everyone at the table. These are so good – hot and straight out of the oven and I love the buttery pastry, it just melts in my mouth.
I absolutely loved Muttonbird. For the price, it is fantastic value for money when you’re getting about six snacks/small plates, a large main with sides, and two desserts. Well worth a visit if you’re in Wanaka and have no other plans but to sit, eat and drink.
Muttonbird
33 Ardmore Street, Wānaka, New Zealand
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