This was published 7 years ago
Where to eat out in Wellington, NZ: Chef Shepherd Elliott
Shepherd Elliott shares his favourite Wellington food haunts.
Wellingtonian Shepherd Elliott has worked with the likes of Tetsuya Wakuda and Al Brown at various kitchens around the world. In 2010, Shepherd Elliott and his brother Jesse Simpson opened Wellington's slow food, sustainable and organic Ti Kouka Cafe. It's since won many awards including Wellington's best burger and most outstanding cafe. He also owns the Leeds Street Bakery and has just opened his new restaurant Shepherd, in conjunction with Sean Golding, both in Wellington's Hannah's Lane Precinct. See tikouka-cafe.co.nz; shepherdrestaurant.co.nz
FAVOURITE TABLE
When I'm not hanging out at Ti Kouka cafe, I like to go with my family and have breakfast or lunch at Nikau cafe. With a menu that changes almost every day, there's is always something new to try. Ortega Fish Shack is consistently great for dinner. Awesome food service and wine. On a recent visit we were given this dish which was exquisite – Kaikoura scampi ceviche, avocado, Vietnamese mint, coriander, lemongrass, scampi oil. See nikaucafe.co.nz; Ortega.co.nz
Baby beetroot and carrot salad
LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY
Cwmglyn Farmhouse cheese. A three to seven-month aged farmhouse cheese that has been hand made by Biddy from the milk of their four Jersey cows (Dizzy, Holly, Patsy and Isobel). It is delicious. They are trying at the moment to make cheese from raw milk, which I think will be even more amazing. Good luck to them. See cwmglyn.co.nz
BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET
Regal's tofu hotpot is a must. They make the tofu in-house and it's like eating creamy tofu egg custard.
MUST-TRY FOOD EXPERIENCE
Going down Hannahs Laneway and being able to choose a multitude of different food experiences (Six Barrel Soda, Fix and Fogg peanut butter, Wellington Chocolate Factory, Pizza Pomodoro, Leeds St Bakery and Goldings Free Dive and Shepherd). This epitomises what Wellington is to me, as there is so much to offer in a condensed city area. See wellingtonnz.com
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE
Plum custard doughnut from Sixes and Sevens. Sixes and Sevens is a small cafe with an even smaller kitchen and each morning they make a range of great baked goods, salads and sandwiches. The doughnuts are fresh and change regularly. They sell out every day so it helps to get in early. See facebook.com/sixesdeli/
A BIG NIGHT OUT
Goldings Free Dive and home by midnight, so I can be up with the kids. See goldingsfreedive.co.nz
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Visa Wellington on a Plate – for 17 days every August, Wellington hosts an amazing food festival. There are more than 100 events to choose from, a burger competition and more. Everybody gets involved to create a massive buzz. It's an exciting time to be in Wellington if you love food. See visawoap.com
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