If I were a journalist

Fine dining is high up on my list of favourite ways to spend an evening, as truly awesome food excites me no end. As you can imagine, I was extremely chuffed to discover my surprise birthday dinner, to celebrate 21 one years, would be eaten at The Grove, Auckland. Rated Metro’s Restaurant of the Year 2010, we decided to go and see what the fuss was about! Here’s a rundown of our delicious dinner..  

Entreé - Tortellini 

Stuffed with a soft creamy herb infused cheese, the pasta was served with fine slithers of nuts, a drizzle of an oil dressing (which, if I had to guess, I’d say truffle) and a sprinkle of that extraordinarily tasty yet delicate salad that looks like cress. The pasta its self was delicate, flavoursome and everything I’d hope for in a tortellini. I was impressed and probably could have happily eaten a whole main course of it. The nuts were a nice touch to the balancing of textures in the meal; gooey cheese, soft pasta and crunchy nuts. 

Main - Lamb

Served with what can only be described as a mexican theme of flavours; something resembling a tangy guacamole (all the usual flavour culprits; coriander, avocado, tomato, salt, dash of chilli) and a dab of the most intense sour cream you’ve tasted. Alongside a pea puree (my favourite!) and some peas in their ‘whole’ form, lurking underneath the meat. The lamb its self wasn’t utter perfection, it was pretty damn good though - heavily salted which accompanied the flavours of the dish nicely. 

To accompany our mains we ordered a gratin (“Vegetable gratin, parmesan & sourdough crumbs”) which was super. Cheesy, gooey, cauliflowery and yum. It was a little bowl of winter, and has definitely inspired me to try and make it at home soon! 

Dessert - Crème Brulée

I’m a sucker for crème brulée, so what else would I choose than the enticing “Fennel crème brulée, raspberry and orange, iced green apple”. The ‘crème’ in this dish was a little different to the usual. Instead of it being set to a jelly-like consistency it was gooey and slightly warm. Infused with just enough fennel to tickle the taste buds, with the usual crunch on top. Though I am not sure where the raspberry and orange element could be found within the dish, I thoroughly enjoyed the iced apple. Literally like a frozen apple globule, not a sorbet or an ice cream, just chilly apple goodness. 

Drinks

Alongside our meal we drank a bottle of Pinot Noir - 2007 Huia from Marlborough, which was delicious. Smooth and full bodied, it was perfect. Before we started our meal we also had a cheeky cocktail; Chili Lemon Drop - chili infused Herradura, apple juice, lemon, & honey. My new favourite thing is chilli cocktails after discovering  the drink “Floridita No. 5” at The Library Bar, which contains chilli sugar that gives a superb kick.