This was published 7 years ago
Where to eat in Wellington, New Zealand: Martin Bosley
Martin Bosley.
Wellington-based Martin Bosley is a New Zealand food scene luminary, having opened world-class restaurants, contributed monthly and weekly food columns to publications such as Air New Zealand's in-flight magazine Kia Ora, released two cookbooks and continuing to produce a range of sauces, dressings and kitchenware through Bosley's Pantry. He regularly appears on television and at food festivals around the world and has been commissioned by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise as a Chef Ambassador to Japan and San Francisco. He is a co-founder of Wellington's City Market, a weekly food and wine market showcasing the city's artisan producers.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TABLE IN WELLINGTON?
The window table at Havana, in Wigan Street. You look out over the small street, the perfect place to enjoy a well-made Negroni, eat some terrific food and watch people come and go to the arthouse movie theatre across the street. The service is enthusiastically youthful, energetic and genuine, while the food never fails in its combinations of flavours and textures. See havanabar.co.nz
THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE PAST YEAR?
Farmed Kiwa oysters, from Port Underwood in the Marlborough Sounds. The same flat species as our native Bluff oyster, Kiwa were described by the US magazine Lucky Peach as "the most ferocious oyster they've ever tasted". Available from July 1, they are are powerful taste of the ocean and need nothing more than a hit of lemon juice. See kiwaoysters.com
WHAT IS WELLINGTON'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?
The emergence of some truly fabulous eating houses and craft beer bars in our laneways and alleys. Exploring Leeds Street, Egmont Street, Swan Lane and Aro Street reveals some true gems of the city's food scene.
PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?
I'll head off to Lyall Bay, on Wellington's south coast, right by the airport. I'll walk my chocolate labrador, Puku (Maori for "stomach"), along the stretch of beach and on a windy day, watch the planes attempt to land while surfers ride the waves next to the runway. On a clear day, you can see down the Kaikoura ranges of the South Island. I love to finish the walk with lunch at Maranui Cafe, in the surf club. The food is healthy, simply rustic, with bold, gutsy flavours. See maranuicafe.co.nz
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN WELLINGTON?
I'll grab some unpasteurised cheeses from Le Marche Francaise, some bread from Gramercy Bakery, then head to my boat shed on Clyde Quay, open a bottle of chardonnay and put some jazz on the stereo. The world walks past the door, people stop by and chat, and the community of other yacht owners always make for entertaining company. See lemarche.co.nz and gramercy.co.nz
PLACE TO GO FOR A BIG NIGHT OUT?
For a big night out I'll start at Hawthorn Lounge on Tory Street, just off the entertainment district of Courtenay Place. Small, intimate with a great cocktail list, it's a hidden jewel in the city's crown. See hawthornlounge.co.nz
BEST TIME TO VISIT, AND WHY, FOODWISE IN WELLINGTON?
Best time to visit the nation's capital city is August 12-28, when Wellington on a Plate is on. The annual food festival is the largest in the country and showcases the best culinary events, burgers, set menus and cocktails that you can imagine. See visawoap.com
WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE, IN WELLINGTON?
Food is such big part of the cultural aspect of the city, its difficult to put a foot wrong. With more restaurant seats per capita than New York, if you can't find something decent to eat in Wellington, then either you weren't looking hard enough, or weren't hungry in the first place.
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