Casita Miro Winery/Restaurant - Waiheke Island

by Gail
(Auckland)

We found the unobtrusive sign to Casita Miro about half way down Seaview Rd above gorgeous Onetangi Beach. This takes you to Brown Rd and at the end is the unsealed driveway to this very unique restaurant and vineyard.


We were immediately intrigued with the very distinctive building. With a Spanish flavour...I originally thought Italian.... there are glass walls and stunning curved wrought iron work featuring the name...Casita Miro.....Miro being the name of the owner’s daughter. The old front door with a patina only age can produce
came from France and there are 100 year old tiles used in the interior.


Inside... the restaurant was full as patrons enjoyed meals in what feels almost like a tent! The huge glass windows which stretch wall to wall are like the old sash windows. Featuring as part of the design, weights on chains outside hold the glass panes... each weighing 350 kilos up...or down. All the top windows were open on this hot summer’s day making for a pleasantly cool room.


We were here for a wine tasting and meal but there was no room at the inn. However...... we were invited to sample a complimentary glass of the house specialty, which encouraged us to book for a table the next day.


Casita Miro has served meals from a temporary gazebo for the last five years...its wines and food are well known on the island. Their new building had been opened only the week before... and is clearly an instant hit!


We came back as planned and sat with views out to the paddocks. The gardens still being developed are taking on a complimentary Spanish style, reminiscent of southern Spain.


The menu is based on Spanish cuisine with tapas the mainstay. Pork belly, Lamb or beef tajine

href="http://www.menumania.co.nz/restaurants/casita-miro"> you can check the full menu here.


The Meal


We started with Romesco Dip with fresh Miro Breads....the home made bread was delicious...with the spicy hummus based dip!


As the Lamb and Fig Tajine was finished it was a toss up between the Harrissa Roasted Pork Belly and Orzo Salad and the Beef and Prune Tajine, notes of Cinnamon, Ginger and Coriander. We both opted for the Beef tajine with a glass of the shiraz which went perfectly with the meaty mildly spicy, citrus flavours of the tajine. A delicious and filling main course, I would have liked some rice to go with it rather than the bread...having had breads for starters.

We couldn’t resist dessert.... both choosing the Honey-Roast Figs with Rouge Luxe, Pomegranate Molasses & Vanilla Bean ice cream . This was truly devine....my mouth is watering as I write! It was one of the best desserts I have had in a long time.



Many people were opting for the chef’s special which was a mix of several choices from the menu, which would have been great but we had been a little late arriving so some choices were finished.



The Wines were all from their own Miro Winery which was
established in 1993. Growing a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, 'Bordeaux' style wines do well on the north facing Waiheke slopes. Miro Vineyard is taking part in a New
Zealand Trial of Sustainable Viticulture techniques.



I can highly recommend this winery and restaurant . Not only did it have a great menu but it was well priced and the service is friendly...the owners taking the time to chat. We will be returning!