Hungry for more New Zealand!!!

Do not read this on an empty stomach! I repeat, DO NOT read this on an empty stomach! I just finished a bowl full of boring kibbles for dinner, and my tummy is still growling for more after looking at all these wonderful foodie pics. I promised an update on all the New Zealand grub my parents devoured, so here's a journey across New Zealand vis-a-vis my parent's bellies! 

As you know our tour began in Auckland. My parents sipped and savored the night away down at the Viaduct Harbor. They started their evening with a crisp Speights cider and a basket full of tasty, truffled greasies at Snapdragon. From there, they headed on to Soul where they threw back a few oyster shooters, marveled at the beautiful backdrop, and dined on some seriously spectacular entrée dishes. Everything was of course washed down by a couple glasses of Central Otago pinot noir...duh. 

Viaduct Harbor, Auckland

You had me at Pinot!!!

I know what you're thinking...my parents are moo-moo-fatties. I won't lie to you, they did pack on a few extra el-beezies this trip, but as you can see, the extra bulge around the waistline was well worth it and absolutely enjoyed! I indulged a bit myself while on vacation, and was startled to see the scale tip 14-lbs as I propped my caboose up on it. I'm a hefty wiener!!!! Hehehe ;) To make up for the weight gain, we've all been on a diet in the Stewart household. Mommy and daddy are hitting the gym hard, and I've been getting lots of exercise and ball time.

Daddy's main course = Roasted hapuku and littleneck clams with white beans, gremolata and fennel. 

Mommy's main course = Oxtail and porcini tortellini with braised veal sweetbreads.

Now onto dessert....we were just getting started people!!! What goes better together than crème brûlée and BUBBLY!?!? 

Feijoa Crème Brûlée - Poached feijoa (local Kiwi fruit) with lavender honey ice cream. Mmmmmmmmm!!!

The final stop before they passed out...a hole in the wall wine bar just around the corner from their hotel. 

I suspect this parma ham plate was due to some late night drunken munchies. Is that sherry in the background???

The next day they were up early, and on a plane to Christchurch. In an effort to combat the countless calories consumed the previous evening, they went for a refreshing run through a local park. They followed it up with a quiet evening of pizza and ginger beer (non-alcoholic) on the pier in New Brighton. The lights were out before 8:30pm....possibly a combined result of jet lag and nursing a minor hangover. To give them credit, New Zealand is five hours ahead of Bangkok. For some reason, though, I think they were feeling the effects of the hangover a bit more ;) 

Perfect cure for an upset tummy! This inspired mommy to make homemade ginger ale too! That stuff is D - Lish!!! 

World famous Spag's Special @ Spagalimis Pizza!

The next day they left Christchurch early to drive to Franz Josef. For the long road trip ahead, they packed the car full of all sorts of yummy snacks to munch on along the way...New Zealand soft chew licorice bites, delicious beef jerky, and even a delectable scrummy mix. They skipped lunch in order to save their appetite for dinner. 

For hor d'oeuvres, New Zealand green lipped mussels.

Daddy ordered fish and chippies! 

Mommy slurped down a bowl of pumpkin soup while warming up by the fire. 

Who cut the cheese!?! 

They were up early again the following morning to hike the glacier. After that, lunch consisted of coffee and some serious comfort food...MEAT PIES!!! 

Mommy - Do you like a little milk in your coffee? Or should I say, coffee in your milk!?! 

That ain't no ordinary pot pie!

The next stop on their food journey - Cromwell! Similar to Franz Josef, Cromwell is a very, very small town. The dining options include: the local grocery store (which closes at 8pm), Subway (home of the $7 footlong in NZ), a Thai joint (mommy and daddy get plenty of that here in the Big Bangers), and a local pub. Good call on the local pub! 

New Zealand - Home of the most tender, fall off the bone, finger licking (or paw licking in my case) good....LAMB!!! Glad to see you're getting some veggies in your diet too, daddy!

Literally caught that day...New Zealand salmon burger.

Their first full day in Cromwell included some wine tasting, bungy jumping, and a wee bit of cheese! 

On day two of touring the Central Otago wine region my parents splurged and had an incredible lunch at Mt. Difficulty Winery. Mommy ordered the sampler platter that will forever live in infamy. Daddy enjoyed the panfried Stewart Island (whoop whoop....represent!) Bluecod. By the time dinner rolled around, they were still stuffed, so they drank their dinner instead! After some delightful NZ vino on their balcony they were ready for bed.

Can you imagine the countless permutations with that platter?!?

Go fish!!!

The food tour continued with a stop in Queenstown. With almost too many restaurants to choose from, you can't go wrong in Q-town. The first thing my parents tried were Aggy's fish and chips. They passed the lil' shack while walking through downtown. It smelled and looked way too good to miss! I'm just a bit baffled why they didn't pack some up in their suitcase and bring it home to me!

Those are some good lookin' greasies!!! 

For dinner they snuggled up in a cozy little Italian restaurant, Bella Cucina, which was highly recommended by their taxi driver. The ingredients were fresh, the flavors were incredible...just as I'd imagine they'd taste if they had come straight from Italy. 

Fusilli pasta with lamb, eggplant, zucchini, olives, mushrooms, and fallegio.

Wood fired pizza with parma ham, mustard cream, rocket, and parmesan. 

It was their last day in Queenstown, and parents wanted to go out BANGkok style...with a bang! They started the day off right with a breakfast of champions. An oh-so-soft ham and cheese croissant and a delectable egg omelet at Les Alpes, a cute French Bistro overlooking Lake Wakatipu. This more than fueled them up for their Sawpit Gully Hike that afternoon. 

Dinner time, which meant it was time to get serious with some SERIOUS BURGERS. Ever heard of Ferg Burger?? It's kind of a big deal. No one leaves this place hungry! N.O. O.N.E!!!

Can I get a Ferg Burg w/cheese and a side of fries, please!?! 

That's some SERIOUS prime New Zealand grass fed beef!

It's so big it takes up the whole plate! HA! Don't worry my parents shared just one.

I'm sad to say, but my mum and pop's food adventure is coming to a close. They headed to Auckland for a delicious round of tapas and the last stop on our tour - Elliott Stables Epicurean Village. I'd describe this place as a gourmet food court. Leave it to the Kiwis to take something so simple and make it so SPECTACULAR! Step #1 - Find a seat (pretty tricky on a Saturday night). Step #2 - Order from any of the surrounding restaurants. Step #3 - Wait for your food to be delivered to your table. Step #4 - Stuff yo' face!!! 

Elliott Stables

Can you say Pintxos? No seriously...can you?

They may have left New Zealand a few pounds heavier, but a newfound culinary perspective and many, many delicious memories will remain long after the pounds have been shed! All right friends, it's time for exercise. I gotta go play with my balls!

See you soon!