i victim, you culprit?
or am i both?
initially chanced upon little culprit just across the street for a little tipple.
and then it dawned upon me that there has to be a bigger culprit??
indeed, there was, and intrigue led to investigation.
a quick perusal of their online menu and i was tempted.
next was the wait for the stars to be aligned even though the lure was strong!
finally, the time came.
a casual walking in as a lone diner, and victim turned culprit.
bar seats suited me just fine.
right up close and personal to the criminal culinary action happening at their open kitchen beyond.
2 decisions needed to be made by you, make it epic? at a supplement of $34pp for their kaimoana seafood platter and choice of mains?
yes, you guessed it! i decided to go with make it epic! ;)
along with my carnivorous choice, pressed beef brisket main as my first choice of having their famous duck was not to be (only available for multiples of two diners).
they do allow for slight variations if you do have dietary restrictions.
they swapped out the raw oysters from the seafood platter and doubled up the sashimi portion for me! thank you.
now let the epicure journey begin....
the lightly salted thinly crisped kumara chips was the perfect culprit to get you going!
devoured it but unfortunately, no repeat.
the kaimoana seafood platter quickly followed:
line caught sashimi, lacto-fermented sweetcorn, hokianga habanero X2.
market fish tartare cones, purewasabi leaf & avocado, wasabi pea.
lobster bisque dip and chips.
and then,
smoked kawahagi on toast, Olaf's sourdough, clevedon green tomato.
you start to savour the stepped-up sophistication.
the mingling complexity of flavours clashing within.
a great start indeed!
the end of make it epic meant the beginning of chef's menu proper, $75pp.
cured pork leg & grilled otago peach, poaka coppa, shaved blue cheese.
shiitake milk bun piped with fermented kumeu mushroom butter within.
orange tomatoes & Nduja, clevedon heirloom tomatoes, quark, tarragon.
hawkes bay lamb neck croquette, cornflake, eggplant kasundi, smoked yoghurt.
these bread and all the bites will wow you further with bold flavours, multi-dimensional textures, crescendoing to your mains.
but first,
a playful palate cleanser, watermelon aeroplane shaped jelly to dust as you wish with zesty lime powder!
as if you are not fully satisfied by now, your main arrives.
my choice:
pressed beef brisket, courgette, caponata, romesco sour cream.
delivered and explained by none other than the culprit-in-chief, kyle!
his signature cap today says OBEY!
and obey i did, polishing up all the last bits of caponata just shy of licking the plate clean.
i'm quite sure the word wasn't meant for me but his kitchen staff? :)
and a light treat to end the night,
soft styled pavlova, give it a good mix right from the bottom up.
culprit is indeed creatively nostalgic, modernly global, yet with a clear focus on projecting local produce onto the big stage, deservingly so.
now,
i culprit, you victim! ;) read more