A leisurely breakfast was had at the Eichardt's Hotel, which made for a fine start to a gorgeous Christmas Eve morning in Kiwi-land. Eichardt's (Private) Hotel is a lakefront boutique (only 5 luxury suites) member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and was originally started as a "woolshed" back in 1859, and reinvented into a hotel sometime around 1866. After the damaging 1999 flood, the hotel went through a renovation and re-structuring. A contemporary glass and steel atrium was added as a reception entrance to the historic building, along with an outdoor courtyard, complete with an oversized wood-burning fireplace. The hotel's restaurant is highly respected, and the morning meal was no exception. An order of Huevos Rancheros (soft corn tortillas, free-range poached eggs, homemade wild board chorizo, and spicy tomato sauce) ($18) was beautifully presented and made for a (surprisingly) hearty start, despite its smallish-looking size. The wild boar chorizo was bold with only the slightest bit of gaminess; poached eggs were perfect. The tortillas were not the typical Mexican-style, but more (mini) thin-crust pizza style: a little doughy and chewy. The order of Blueberry Pancakes (w/maple syrup and vanilla mascarpone) ($17) were fantastic! The pancakes had an unusual butteriness, as well as a terrific texture and smashing flavor; vanilla mascarpone added an almost savory richness to complement the maple syrup sweetness. And, too, our waiter (Gary) was engagingly personable and attentive -- befitting the hotel's class-act.
I wish we had more time to have returned for lunch and/or evening tapas.... Ambiance and service gets 5-stars; 4-stars for our breakfast. For now, I'll have to leave some room for that return visit.... read more