Vudu Larder Cafe

 

This place right here!!! Vudu Larder Cafe is probably one of the best places I have ever enjoyed breakfast in all my travels. Have breakfast there just once and you are under their spell. Located on the pier in downtown Queenstown, Vudu will help you get off to a great start .

Their daily specials are enticing, fresh and oooh,  so delicious! Vudu actually grows their own herbs outside the door facing the pier. That was the first good sign of this great restaurant. The other is the line out the door. You stand in line in front of a case filled with homemade pastries and literally imagine yourself devouring every morsel! After placing your order, you can choose to sit inside or outside with view of the snow capped mountains and the lake. There are sometimes street musicians performing on the pier. On one of my frequent visits, the performer was a singer/ guitarist and his comically singing pooch!

Now for the food...Breakfast - Day 1:  Breakfast Hash. Poached egg atop of bacon, spinach, roasted cubed butternut squash with fresh herb sprinkles and think sliced dried tomatoes.  Day 2:  Organic scrambled eggs, bacon and potatoes on top of whole grain toast. Day 3: (and my favorite) spicy homemade chorizo sausage, sautéed mushrooms in a light cream sauce, topped with poached eggs, fresh herbs & feta cheese. All this with a base of fresh baked wheat bread! Day 4:  Buttermilk & buckwheat pancakes, topped with date caramel, raspberry & lemon mascarpone and half a roasted banana garnish. It this doesn't have your mouth watering, take a close look at the photos.

I cannot speak on any other breakfasts cafes in town. I'm sure they are good. But once Vudu gets its hold on you, it doesn't let go! And that fine by me.

5/5 Valcooks Aprons/Golden Apron Award

Vudu Larder Cafe (Original location)

23 Beach Street

Queenstown, NZ 

www.vudu.co.nz

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

Mudbrick (Waiheke Island) Auckland, NZ

 

Life cannot be finer than a cool, crisp New Zealand Spring day and a leisurely lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant. Take a ferry ride on Fullers Ferry from Auckland, rent a car and whist away to one of the most gorgeous views on Waiheke Island. Snuggled on top a hill awaits a delicious meal prepared to perfection and sites to make you "ooh" and "aah"!

You will not only marvel at the view, but also the cuisine. I was tempted to try one of their world renowned wines, but it was going to be a long day. Instead I chose to enjoy a refreshing Sidra Del Verona apple, peach and apricot cider. Luscious and a perfect pairing for my meal.

Perusing the menu briefly, I knew just want I wanted - the Saffron Papardelle consisting of prawns, clams, market fish, cherry tomatoes and fennel in a delicate broth. It was divine! All the seafood was extremely fresh! It was as if they caught it that morning. The table also partook of the market fish of the day, topped with a cauliflower purée, candied grapes and a jamon & anchovy brown butter. The roasted chicken & jamon croquetas and the wilted beetroot with lentils and walnuts were also enjoyed. We finished the meal with shared fried doughnuts accompanied with lemon curd and raspberry purée.

I can assure you, Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant was the perfect way to start my culinary quest through New Zealand! You definitely need to make reservations for the main dining room. But, the casual dining room was just perfect for me. Both have spectacular views and serve the same menu.

"Kia ora!" (Translation: "Be well/healthy " in Māori)

5 of 5 Valcooks Aprons 

Mudbrick Winery & Restaurant

126 Church Bay Road, Oneroa, Waiheke,

New Zealand

+64 9 372 9050

www.mudbrick.co.nz

"Live life with an exclamation point!"