8 April 2011

MOLLIES REVISITED

Mollies Hotel is under new ownership. This boutique hotel, in a grand villa between Ponsonby and Herne Bay, is now being run by resident owners, Murray Rose and Nicola Guinness and their family.

I went along last night to the very first event to be held since the family took up residence last week. I have been to a number of functions and meals there in the past, and always found the atmosphere a little cloying. That it is not the case any longer.

Nicola is a woman of extreme talent. Her Front Room business in St Kevins Arcade produces extraordinary fabrics, furnishings and linen that are elegant and unique. So the new curtains, screen printed tablecloths and other pieces she has made, along with her chic art collection, bring a new modern quirkiness to the hotel.

The same team remains in the kitchen and they did a fine job of our dinner last evening. The canapes were some of the best I've had; petite, full of flavour and only one bite each. Perfect with the Veuve Clicquot!

A great modern interpretation of Caesar salad to start was followed by moist flaky hapuka with dill and miso. No fuss about dessert, just a well chosen, properly ripened cheese selection with lots of fruit and nuts.

Dierdre Irons played Chopin nocturnes and Ravel. Nicola and Murray proved to be superb hosts. Get prepared to see Mollies become a fun place to be.