If you had told me ten years ago that I would marry, move to NZ and complete my PhD I'd probably would've had some inappropriate outburst that a social norm filter would normally repress. I love that reality can be stranger (and more wonderful) than anything we could imagine. But this post isn't really about the five years past. It's about food. Food.
Every year Wellington restaurants pull out all the stops and put on a city-wide event called Wellington on a Plate (WOAP). And this is the first year that we've been able to partake. So a couple days ago we sat down and perused the long list of WOAP participating restaurants and starting narrowing things down. Now some of this was easy when you've embraced a vegetarian lifestyle and some places only offer meaty portions. At one point we had twenty tabs open on the laptop. With some counterbalancing as only science nerds will do we narrowed the list down to ten contenders. Then with random pairings we narrowed it to six. Then three. And finally we picked a winner! To our surprise it was Southern Cross, a restaurant just two blocks from our house. Now you have to understand that Southern Cross isn't particularly fancy; they embrace an eclectic, bordering on chic, look with mismatched dining tables and chairs and a garden bar out the back. Since we moved to Wellington we've enjoyed going there and decided to do WOAP at Southern Cross for our fifth.
Upon arrival we were whisked to a cute corner table in the front window and I was thanking myself for making a reservation. The waitress arrived and described the WOAP protocol; three courses with an entree, a main and a dessert served with a regional bevvie. We both ordered the Urlar Sauvignon Blanc 2013 made right up the road in NZ wine country, Wairarapa.
Next came the entree and since both were vegetarian we decided to each order one and share around. The first was a delightful think tomato soup that was topped with pillowy soft pieces of smoked brinza. Everyone knows that tomato cheese pairs well but this was amazing!
The second entree was a Parkvale portobello mushroom burger. This came out and I realized that the chef was going with a very literal interpretation because the portobellos comprised what would have been the bun of a traditional burger. Sandwiched between the mushrooms was a light almond hummus and finely sliced beetroot. Now when we read the description on the menu it sounded good but the combination of flavors was spot on - admittedly I would've had seconds it that were allowed. :)
Feeling rather content we sipped our Sauv while the entree dishes and cutlery were cleared away. With the main on its way we were both sufficiently curious. The menu read, "Raw beetroot ravioli" and while we enjoy beetroot with the best of them you wonder, "What does that mean, exactly?".
Soon after we were presented with the main and tucked in straightaway. On a bed of spinach and clouds of butter lettuce we found the ravioli. They were made from two thin slices of beetroot surrounding a scrumptious filling made of salty feta. On their own they were delicious but the course came full circle when you tried the accompanying pistachio and sweet potato croquettes. The course, in a word, was a stunner! Two thumbs way up.
Lastly, we ordered both dessert options so we could try everything. The first was a poached
pear with Carello del Gelato vanilla bean ice cream. Simply elegant. The second dessert was truly different: a Whittaker's
Dark Chocolate cheesecake stuffed apple accompanied by Carrello del Gelato banoffee ice
cream. I've never really considered chocolate and apple together but they were amazing!
Pushing back from the table we declared that WOAP has a sure winner at Southern Cross. :) I'm hoping I could convey some of the experience here.
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