Special meals in Auckland

As we slide inexorably in to yet another festive season, I thought it might be diverting to record each big lunch enjoyed, if not for the quality of food and wine consumed, at least for the entertainment value provided by inevitable over-indulgence.

First up, Kermadec Restaurant in the Viaduct Basin, on a lovely Spring day. And fortunately an experience which promised much both in terms of the venue, food, winelist (which I had thoroughly researched in advance) and the quality of the company; my colleagues Carol and Debbie.

The occasion: to thank them both for their fantastic contributions to ID Tours before each departs; Carol to motherhood (note to self; renew contraceptives in office water supply) and Debbie to love in Australia (but fear not readers: not with an actual Aussie). Fortunately, both still plan to stay with us, Carol is being granted 3 days maternity leave and Debbie will represent both ID Tours and our new Australian operation.

This was my third visit to Kermadec this year and the new standards established by Peter Thornley and his team have been maintained.

Time and space don't allow me to list all the courses consumed, save to say there were no lowlights and surprisingly, for a seafood specialist restaurant, the star main course was the slow cooked perendale lamb shoulder with lamb cutlet with fresh goats cheese sandwich and fennel puree. I know everyone is getting bored with sous vide cooking but the lamb shoulder was peerless. It frustrates me that it is impossible for the normal punter to source the quality of meat restaurants like Kermadec do.

As for the wine: Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2007, rich and mouthfilling without being over-oaked, Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2007, just a knockout from a brilliant Central Otago vintage and de Bortoli Noble One 2006, as good as it always is.

After a repast of some 5 hours we retired to the nearby Bubble Bar for palate cleansing Mumms. I don't normally break the "stays on tour rule", but someone may have done an unplanned back flip off the couch they were perched on, and no, it wasn't me.