The Bistro at Logan Brown Wellington

by Gail
(Auckland)

A meal at Logan Brown restaurant was definitely on our list on a recent trip to Wellington . Winners of New Zealand ’s top restaurant for 2009...my husband is a big fan of their cooking programme“Hunger for the Wild”. A real New Zealand treasure where you not only see the cooking... but the hunting, fishing and gathering of local food in remote areas of the country. These are then turned into delicious meals in a rustic farm kitchen or on an outdoor beach BBQ....or some other equally intriguing venue....with a bunch of locals invited to share the end product.It is a unique style of cooking programme…as much a New Zealand travel programme as a cooking one.

The décor at Logan Brown is impressive.Once a bank, this stunning Art Deco building with high ornate plaster ceilings, huge columns and almost circular in shape, creates a dining atmosphere like no other I have experienced. Each table has an attentive waiter and ours was certainly a very amenable, helpful young man, friendly and efficient.

We decided to have the Bistro meal which is for early diners ...between 5.00pm and 7.30. With a set menu offering 2 choices for each of the three courses for a set price of $39.95 at time of writing....despite only two options, it was still a hard choice!We ended up choosing all the alternatives.

The freshly home baked bread roll was accompanied by a balsamic and olive oil dip and butter.


Entrees... for Brian the Fig & Spanish Onion Tart with Goats Cheese, Rocket & Balsamic, he declared truly delicious. My Gingerbread Dusted Corn-fed Chicken Livers with Brioche & Beetroot Relish were also melt in the mouth.

Main course was for me... the Macadamia Crusted Tarakihi with White Beans, Fennel & Caponata and the flavours had just the right balance. It was nice having crunchy green beans as well as the white beans.I can't say I could pick the macadamia flavour, but the fish was succulent and very tasty.Brian said his Sweet Spice Braised Pork Belly with Apple Sauerkraut & Garlic Mash was excellent and would recommend it.The meat came cut into a layered square, set on the mash.

Dessert was a really difficult decision and in the end I opted for Pecan Pie with Brandy Raisins & Maple Cream.This was very nice....but I regretted not joining Brian with the Baked Organic Vanilla Custard with Dark Cherries & Almond Sable which was truly mouth watering.A smooth and creamy baked custard ...a little like a brulee topped with the cherry instead of the caramel.

All the portions are small, but exquisitely presented.The waiter was helpful with the wines and gave me a taste of two different reislings.

Brian declared it the best food he has eaten in a long time. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to go again when we are in Wellington again.