Nikau dinners 1 & 2

In celebration of Nikau life* and spring produce, they’re having 4 set Sunday night dinners with matched wine for regulars and friends of Nikau. I think we’re rather unique in that we signed up for all 4 dinners and have reserved our usual place at the bar.

It’s a complete mystery what’s on the menu for dinner – it’s set, and 4 courses. Not really my style as it’s unlikely to be mashed garlic potatoes followed by non-chocolate ice-cream however the owners have guessed I’m rather unadventurous with food choices – I suppose 4.5 years of nothing but date scones was a bit of a clue.

Anyway, we’ve enjoyed 2 Sunday dinners and 2 to go. There’ve been some ‘strange’ things on offer but I’ve been very brave and sampled each course offered (and the Mister has had all my wine).

Sunday 1

Salted cod & potato ravioli with saffron broth
Artichoke, grapefruit & olive salad
Roast pork with baby turnips & asparagus
Strawberry semi fredo

(Ravioli was too fishy; artichokes OK but I prefer them mixed in with something (& don’t like olives); wasn’t too keen on the turnips; LOVED the semi fredo)

Sunday 2

Cured salmon, cauliflower, caper & sorrel salad
Asparagus, ricotta & marjoram sformato
Spring lamb, artichokes, mint, chard & skordalia
Tangelo & chemoya ices with coconut macaroons

(Salmon was especially for me, others had clams; sformato was GORGEOUS, licked the plate clean, so creamy and rich and asparagussy GOD IT WAS GOOOOD; lamb good but was getting full by this stage; tangelo sorbet was very orange but I couldn’t eat the chemoya one (custard apple), tasted a bit like I imagine a grandmother’s perfume would).

Still a bit nervous of the crayfish/curry or spicy/chocolate pudding arrangement …

* Good news is that they’ve managed to negotiate with the council or City Gallery to stay open until the weekend before Christmas so we don’t have to deal with the wrench as early as anticipated. Still no news of a temporary or alternative location for next year so I’m thinking we’ll boycott Wellington cafes for Sunday lunch and I’ll make date scones every Sunday myself until Nikau re-emerges.

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