In Praise of the Bluff Oyster

Bluff Oysters - a gastronomic wonder of the world

Back in the Big Mango now after 2.5 weeks of eating, drinking and driving... not at the same time... across the eastern and central parts of New Zealand's (NZ) North Island.

Besides magnificent feasts cooked by family and friends, we visited some super eateries. In Gisborne (my home town), the Soho bar in the wharf area serves a very decent lunch, especially the $25 set that includes a starter, a delicious fish main and a glass of wine or beer. A good value feed indeed. Cafe 1874 in the Poverty Bay Club in town is a terrific spot for coffee and the Provence flavoured Matawhero Vineyard is perfect for an afternoon wine or 3.

Matawhero - one of my fave wineries in Gisborne

200 kilometres south in Napier we stayed a night at the very comfortable and well located Mission B&B in Taradale. Host, Robert Simon is a national treasure and should be engaged by Tourism NZ to run hospitality courses. He is a raconteur (in English and Cantonese), wine and music buff and a top chef. He cooks a mean and generous breakfast that sees you right for the day.

His B&B is a stone's throw from the regal Mission Estate - NZ's oldest vineyard - equally famous for its wines and annual summer concerts. The restored seminary building at the vineyard houses a fine restaurant.

As an on-the-road treat we ordered the in-season Bluff oysters. While many food bores rave on about truffles, foie gras and caviar etc.. in my opinion, the sweet, succulent 'Bluffy' lords it over these traditional posh nosh pretenders.

Raw or battered and deep fried, the Bluff oyster is food of the gods. Equally good were our John Dory and  fish and chip orders.

TSG's Salmon and green bean hummus dip 

For the best Cantonese food in Auckland, head to the jam-packed Sun World restaurant in Newmarket. Their steamed cod, stir fried string beans and olives and salt baked chicken were some of the standouts. The meal reconfirmed my view that eating Chinese or Asian offers the best value for money dining in NZ.

And a final mention about the new and impressive Tyler Street Garage (TSG) restaurant in the revamped  downtown area.

While the the TSG food and rooftop space is really good - the service was, to put it politely, variable. We copped some serious 'attitude' from the downstairs wait staff who deemed us unworthy to dine upstairs. Luckily for us, their rooftop colleagues were super helpful and friendly.

And whinge #2 - As they arrived 5 minutes before TSG's 11.30am opening time, my mum and gran were told to wait outside by staff. Come on TSG managers! Would you do the same to your respective mums and grans.. very, very poor form.