26 July 2013
EATING WELLINGTON
I recently went on a voyage of food discovery around Wellington. That city stands out above all others in New Zealand for its passion for food, as witnessed by the annual Wellington on a Plate.
Above, three of my new food heroes, from left: Rachel Priestley, Vicky Ha and Nikki Chung. Here's record of my visit, the artisan producers and food warehouses I loved:
Mediterranean Food Warehouse, 42 Constable St, Newtown, Wellington www.medifoods.co.nz for a range of imported Italian specialties and takeout treats.
Espresso Rescue Coffee Cart, 399 Hutt Rd, near the Kelson off-ramp, Conrad Adams Fair Trade coffee made with organic milk and passion.
Prodigal Pig and Prodigal Daughter www.prodigaldaughter.co.nz Rachel Priestley’s top class pancetta, porchetta and salumi is made in a kitchen at 37 Waterloo Rd, behind commonsense organics and can be ordered via her website.
Ontrays Food Emporium, Fitzherbert St, Petone www.ontrays.co.nz Cheese specialists, South African food and everything else edible. Where the chefs shop.alists
House of Dumplings www.houseofdumplings.co.nz
Vicky Ha, “The Queen of Dumplings” is at the city market every Sunday or contact her for wholesale and private catering.Nam, 122 Willis St Village, Central Wellington www.restaurant-nam.co.nz Nikki Chung’s smart Vietnamese restaurant serving authentic cuisine, inspired by her mother’s recipes, with an adjacent hole in the wall café and delicatessen.
Mount Vic Chippery, 5 Marjoribanks St, Wellington www.mtvicchippery.co.nz Fresh fish with hand cut fries make traditional fish ‘n chips pale into insignificance.
Moore Wilsons, 93 Tory St, www.moorewilson.co.nz For absolutely everything that’s fabulous about New Zealand food. Don’t miss their Chook Wagon for hot chicken cooked French rotisserie style.
Merkato Fresh, Shop 2, 37 Miramar Ave, Miramar Robert Giorgioni’s store where for light crunchy Roman pizza by the slice and some of the best freshly hand-crafted pasta and sauces money can buy.
Elysian Foods, 12 Park Rd, Miramar www.elysianfoods.co.nz A Greek food specialty shop where the Yiannoutsos make pastries, terrific taramasalata and some stunning tzaziki, and stock all manner of traditional Greek specialties
La Boca Loca, 19 Park Rd, Miramar www.labocaloca.co.nz A cheerful restuarnt to grab a fix of genuine Mexican food and some refreshing margaritas which transported me back to Mexico City.
A long delicious day and I’d merely scratched the surface of the city’s thriving food scene. Love Wellington.