24 FOR THE 24th OF MAY - SEEKING OUT THE BEST LAMB DISHES ACROSS NZ

Thursday 24 May is National Lamb Day which celebrates one of the most significant milestones in New Zealand’s sheep meat history, marking the day the first shipment of lamb arrived in London, 98 days after leaving Port Chalmers.  As a nation we love to celebrate New Zealand’s great achievements, so we encourage you to get out and enjoy lamb whichever way you can on National Lamb Day.

If dining out is your way to celebrate, then we have taken the guess work out of finding an award-winning lamb dish for you to try on National Lamb Day. We begin our lamb journey at the bottom of the South Island where the first shipment left New Zealand all those years ago and take you right up to tropical Northland.  So, wherever you will be on National Lamb Day we have 24 suggestions for you to celebrate on 24 May.

1. Vault 21, Dunedin
Located in the heart of the Octagon, executive chef Greg Piner offers a fusion-inspired shared plate menu which features two stunning lamb dishes.  Choose one or indulge your taste buds and try both - ‘plum wood smoked lamb rump bruschetta with edamame & feta smash, black vinegar marmalade, pomegranate essence’ and ‘hand-made lamb neck spring rolls with black garlic mayo and minted caper salsa’. vault21.co.nz

2. Ombrellos Kitchen & Bar, Dunedin
This quirky restaurant is well known for its craft beers, sunny courtyard and award-winning menu.  Let the friendly staff help match a beer to this delicious lamb dish on their menu – ‘rack of lamb, kleftiko with drunken prunes, chilli salsa and port jus’. ombrellos.co.nz

 3. Paddington Arms, Invercargill
Invercargill is definitely a dining destination with fresh local produce available in abundance, including delicious New Zealand lamb.  On the menu for National Lamb Day, chef and owner of this popular gastro pub, Graham Hawkes’ dish will take you on a journey of lamb cooked three different ways - ‘slowly braised lamb shoulder, confit of lamb and seared boneless lamb loin with braised carrots, minted pea croquette, parsnip purée, wilted greens and pinot jus’. paddingtonarms.co.nz

4. Millhouse Restaurant, Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown
Executive Chef Andi Bozhiqi is well known for his stunning lamb dishes, he was awarded the accolade of Beef and Lamb Ambassador Chef in 2016.  He loves to create dishes using local Merino lamb and to celebrate National Lamb Day he has put together a stunner of a dish (which is our cover shot)!  ‘Lamb paired with Jerusalem artichokes, feta and mint labneh and pickled shiitake mushrooms hidden beneath a layer of artichoke crisps.  Accompanied by two skewers of barrel scorched lamb shoulder and a delicious beer and mushroom jus'. millbrook.co.nz

5. Carnegies, Fairlie, South Canterbury
From the small rural town of Fairlie, local chef George Rhind, is offering the full South Island lamb experience featuring a Provenance rack of lamb, seasoned and roasted in their wood fired oven which he says takes the natural flavour of lamb to the next level.  George believes the flavour of the lamb all begins in the soil of the Maniototo Plains of Central Otago where the lambs are raised and this dish is a true paddock to plate example of New Zealand lamb. carnegies.co.nz

 6. The Fat Duck, Te Anau
Located in the heart of Southland and the gateway to Fiordland National Park, The Fat Duck have two amazing lamb dishes on their menu.  The classic and always popular lamb shank is 'slowly braised and served with creamed Southland Agria potatoes, seasonal vegetables and a red wine jus infused with mint'.  For a lighter lamb dish, check out their Italian influenced slow cooked Italian style lamb ragu with house made fettuccine and parmesan'.  thefatduck.co.nz

 7. Café Valentino, Christchurch
Enjoy New Zealand lamb with an Italian twist at the vibrant and iconic Café Valentino in Christchurch.  This is one of only very few restaurants who have held the Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards since its inception nearly 23 years ago.  Their lamb dish is ‘Agnello Marinato - Canterbury lamb tenderloin marinated in green herb olive oil, chargrilled medium rare and served with grilled rosemary parmesan polenta and a braise of peppers, onion, tomato, olives and capers, finished with a red wine jus. cafevalentino.co.nz

 8. Merrin Street Brewery & Bar, Christchurch
You will be spoilt for choice at this Christchurch eatery with two delicious lamb dishes on their menu.  ‘Tender braised lamb shanks served with creamy garlic infused mash potato, roasted glazed carrots or a Canterbury lamb rack grilled to perfection over crispy golden potatoes, minted pea purée and roasted baby onions, finished with a wholegrain mustard sauce.  monteithsmerrin.co.nz

 9. Chillingworth Road, Christchurch
Let owners Darren and Leanne Wright take you on a unique culinary journey at their elegant restaurant, Chillingworth Road.  With Darren being a Platinum Ambassador Chef for Beef + Lamb New Zealand he knows how to prepare and present stunning lamb dishes.  On his menu to celebrate New Zealand lamb is ‘lamb rump and braised lamb shoulder with roast pumpkin and goat cheese tortellini celeriac peas and date purée’. chillingworthroad.co.nz

10. Cod & Lobster Brasserie, Nelson
You may well wonder why a seafood restaurant is being recommended for National Lamb Day.  We can reassure you that chef Helen Murphy has the magic touch with lamb as well as seafood and has created a dish of ‘pan roasted lamb loin with beetroot gel, broadbean smash, feta and jus’.  Helen says her kitchen team use the ‘cap on’ lamb loin, meaning it has a layer of fat which renders down and crisps up beautifully adding depth of flavour.  The lamb is also lightly marinated in rosemary and garlic to boost the tenderness of the meat. codandlobster.com

 11. Oceano Restaurant, Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
The chef at Oceano will be treating his customers to a dish featuring three different cuts of lamb.  “Tongue in Cheek” features a roasted lamb fillet, confit of lamb tongue and a braised lamb cheek with celeriac, Jerusalem artichokes, parsley purée, herb, lemon and mint bouillon. So for the more curious amongst us, this would be a wonderful dish to try out something a little different.  rutherfordhotel.co.nz

12. Wharekauhau Lodge, Featherston
The beautiful Wharekauhau Lodge is not only a luxury lodge with an award-winning chef, but it is also a working farm.  In fact the Wharekauhau Farm is one of the oldest Romney Studs in New Zealand.  With 10,000 spring lambs born on Wharekauhau each spring, it’s no wonder that Chef Marc Soper is renowned for creating stunning lamb dishes.  On the menu for National Lamb Day is ‘lamb loin with a sweet curry spiced shoulder, pumpkin and suet bake, apple relish, cauliflower, vine tomato, green beans, local herb and buttermilk jus’. This dish is part of the ‘Trust the Chef’ menu available for lunch, Thursday through to Sunday for casual dining.  Be sure to make a day of it and linger a while to explore the gardens and environment which makes Wharekauhau a unique and stunning destination.  wharekauhau.co.nz

13. Hillside Kitchen and Cellar, Wellington
The team at Hillside Kitchen and Cellar, have a food philosophy of using the best ingredients and celebrating them in a tasty, modern and multicultural way.  You will find their menu descriptions simple, but their dishes full of flavoursome surprises.  For National Lamb Day, chef Ngawai has put up 'lamb, cabbage, romesco'.  This dish involves Silver Fern Farms lamb rump, charred red cabbage with an apple and date BBQ sauce, red pepper romesco sauce, herbed whole wheat and a lamb jus. hillsidekitchen.co.nz

14. Boulcott Street Bistro, Wellington
With one of our Platinum Ambassador Chefs, Rex Morgan at the helm, there will be no surprises on just how popular this restaurant will be on National Lamb Day.  He is renowned for his quintessential lamb dish, red wine braised lamb shank with smoked potato mash, roasted baby vegetables, lemon zest & fresh herbs.  Perfect for an autumn lunch or an evening out in the Capital City!  boulcottstreetbistro.co.nz

 15. La Bella Italia, Wellington
If it’s a delicious slow cooked ragu you are keen on then check out this dish from the team at La Bella Italia who are super proud to showcase the fusion of Italian cuisine and New Zealand lamb. Fettuccine all’uovo con Ragu di Agnello (which is Fettuccine egg pasta with lamb ragu and pecorino romano).  This is a very old traditional recipe, slow cooked for almost five hours and is one of the most popular dishes on their menu. labellaitalia.co.nz

16. Nero Restaurant, Palmerston North
Set in a beautiful historic homestead in central Palmerston North, owners Scott and Yvette Kennedy are well known for their hospitality and outstanding dining experiences.  Scott has been a long-time holder of the Beef and Lamb Excellence Award, an Amassador Chef and was recently announced as a Platinum Ambassador Chef for his culinary contribution to Beef + Lamb NZ over the years.  For National Lamb Day Scott has on his menu his signature style of combining prime and secondary cuts – ‘French rack of lamb, caponata, polenta, mint gels, feta profiteroles and pressed lamb shoulder’. nerorestaurant.co.nz

17. Stolen Bike Café, Rotorua
If it’s a lamb lunch your after then check out this lively urban Rotorua café located in the Scion Research facility.   Chef Ryan Gregorash is serving ‘dukkha crusted lamb back strap with smoked aubergine puree and Jalapeno sauce’.  Ryan has pulled a fusion of cultural flavours together to highlight this premium cut of lamb.   From the subtly smoked aubergine to the crunch of the unique dukkha coating on the lamb this is a dish not to be missed. stolenbikecafe.co.nz

18. Mokoia Restaurant, Rotorua
Here’s a fine dining option for you with a Pacific Rim influence.  On their menu for National Lamb Day is a ‘backstrap of lamb crusted with a kawakawa crumb, served with a rich moilee sauce, glazed carrots, shallot, and Maori potato finished with horopito pickled radish, herb oil, and port wine jus.’  The kitchen team love to use indigenous herbs and spices and with the fabulous lakeside setting, this is truly unique New Zealand dining experience. mokoiarestaurant.co.nz

19. Latitude 37, Mt. Maunganui
Relax at this stylish restaurant in the heart of Mt. Maunganui and enjoy their National Lamb Day menu of - 'New Zealand Lamb Rack - pan roasted Hawkes Bay Lamb Cutlet, Smoked poblano chimichurri, harissa spiced baby carrots, brulee baby onion and cotija with a carrot and manuka honey purée'.  latitude37restaurant.co.nz

20. Agenda Restaurant, Hamilton
The Waikato is a destination dining hub with many talented chefs heading up the Beef and Lamb Excellence Award restaurants.  This dish caught our eye featuring two different cuts of lamb – ‘roast lamb rack and cranberry glazed Leelands lamb belly, jus, chestnut and miso purée, pine nut dukkah, season vegetables and kahurangi blue cheese’.  ontheagenda.co.nz

21. Marina Bar & Grill, Tairua
Situated in the Marina with gorgeous views over the water, this is an ideal place to sit and savour this very special lamb dish – ‘marinated slow cooked lamb shoulder pulled from the bone and pressed, served on white bean skordalia and ancient grains with sourdough pangratatto and snow pea tendrils’.  marinabar.co.nz

22. The Sugar Club, SkyTower, Auckland
Why not take National Lamb Day to new heights and celebrate at The Sugar Club, high above Auckland City.  Whether it’s a long lunch with views over the habour or an evening illuminated by the lights of the city, the team at Peter Gordon’s signature restaurant have a stunner of a lamb dish on their menu - ‘Hawkes Bay lamb loin with den miso lamb rib, hay baked carrot, quince, and star anise crumb’. skycity.co.nz

23. MASU by Nic Watt, Auckland
How about a little Japanese influence on National Lamb Day?  Well if that’s your style then you must check out this dish on the menu at MASU in Auckland.  Kankokufu Ohitsuji - Canterbury lamb cutlets, gochujang, cucumber, goma dressing, chives.  MASU would have to be one of Auckland’s best loved eateries, where along with a vibrant atmosphere the chefs ring a contemporary twist to the traditional robata style of cooking over an open charcoal grill. skycity.co.nz

24. Marsden Estate Winery, Kerikeri
If it’s a long leisurely lunch you are after then a visit to Marsden Estate Winery with its relaxed atmosphere should be on your list for National Lamb Week.  With a delicious lamb loin dish and knowledgeable staff to help with your wine match you are sure to enjoy this special dish -  'Hawkes Bay loin of lamb, freekeh w’ feta, broad beans, almonds and pomegranate - molasses vinaigrette'. marsdenestate.co.nz