29 May 2011

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS AT THE MUSEUM

There's a really good reason to go to Wellington. (Actually there are hundreds of good reasons to go there but they can mostly wait for another time.)

I stayed at the Museum Hotel while cooking at the Food Show and thought, I will eat in at the hotel. I hadn't booked at Hippopotamus restaurant on the hotel's third floor (that's why there's a hippo on the roof!) but Timothee Lepoutre, the talented and knowlegeable sommelier found me a spot even though they were fully booked. I am so grateful as the meal, eaten alone, was superb.

My entree, served with a glass of Pegasus Bay Riesling Bel Canto, the salmon sashimi (pictured above) was absolutely the most divine salmon I have ever eaten. Each piece was wrapped in the thinnest of cucumber, flavoured with wasabi, topped with wakame and sat on some perfect ginger soy syrup. Sublime!

The restaurant overlooks the harbour and the recent refurbishment has made it a luxurious dining spot that's comfortable, spacious and elegant. The staff are terrific (mostly French) and chef Laurent Loudeac's food is sophisticated and hits the mark. It's a major cut above most hotel food, and I would be happy to eat there every week.

Loudeac's menu ranges from the expected (steak and frites) to fresh clever dishes with lots of imagination. My kingfish with cauliflower puree was good, although I would like to have cooked it a tad longer. The accompanying salad was excellent and the extensive wine list has been put together with the food in mind, as it should.

And as for the Hotel, all that wonderful quirky art that owner Chris Parkin collects, the spacious rooms and the biggest bath ever makes this a perfect place to indulge oneself . I did not even need to leave the hotel.