PLANNING A WINTER ESCAPE IN THE SOUTH?
There is nothing better than a mid-winter get away where the fire is roaring, the food is warm and comforting and the scenery is snowy and picturesque. We have some amazing suggestions for a weekend away where all these things come together to create a memorable winter escape. You may not have heard of some of these destinations, but we know first-hand that each one has an award-winning chef who will be serving some hearty, warming winter beef and lamb dishes.
1. Stronechrubie, Mount Somers
Nestled in the township of Mount Somers, an hour’s drive from Christchurch is this delightful restaurant. Set on three acres of landscaped grounds, owners Madeline and Sean Brown offer accommodation as well as award-winning dining. Located near Mt Hutt and Mt Sunday there are plenty of activities to keep you busy over the long weekend and Madeline and Sean are more then happy to help you plan your day’s sightseeing. You can rely on chef Sean, who is a long-time recipient of the Beef and Lamb Excellence Award, to replenish your energy at the end of the day with his stunning beef and lamb dishes, using locally sourced produce. stronechrubie.co.nz
2. Carnegies, Fairlie
Fairlie is a quintessential rural New Zealand town and the eastern gateway to the Mackenzie region. Great for a lunch stop or stay over and enjoy an evening meal. We can highly recommend Carnegies in the historic Old Library building, where chef George Rhind takes the natural flavour of his food to the next level using his wood-fired oven. So whether it’s a quick pizza or a succulent lamb rack your taste buds will thank you for stopping at Carnegies. carnegies.co.nz
3. The Panorama Room, The Hermitage, Mt Cook
Nestled in the beautiful Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, The Hermitage Hotel is the prefect base for a long weekend adventure. There is a multitude of sights to see and walks where you will discover some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery. After a day of sightseeing you can take your place in front of the roaring fire for some pre-dinner drinks before enjoying some award-winning cuisine from chef Logan McPherson at The Panorama Room. Logan has spent time as a Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef so he knows a thing or two about dishing up amazing beef and lamb cuisine. thehermitage.co.nz
4. Poppies, Twizel
Located in the heart of the MacKenzie high country Twizel is the perfect place to stop when travelling from Mt Cook through to Wanaka or Queenstown. It may be a small town, but with its stunning lake with a back drop of snow-capped mountains it is definitely worthy of a stop. You may not expect to find award-winning eateries here, but we can recommend calling in to Poppies Café for lunch or dinner to experience their award-winning cuisine. With extensive gardens, alfresco dining and superb views of the Southern Alps, Poppies Cafe is the ideal spot to dine at a big table with a group of friends, enjoy an intimate dinner or just sit back, relax and enjoy a leisurely coffee in the hassle-free and welcoming surroundings. Poppiescafe.com
5. Cardrona Hotel, Cardrona
Situated on the Crown Range Road between Wanaka and Queenstown, The Cardrona Hotel was established in 1863 and is said to be one of New Zealand’s oldest hotels. The rustic charm, rich history and boutique accommodation makes this a destination to spend a weekend exploring this beautiful part of New Zealand. The award-winning restaurant offers a modern take on traditional pub fare using the freshest local ingredients and the roaring fires both inside and out create the most delightful winter atmosphere to enjoy while you are there. cardronahotel.co.nz