A little cold outside. Warm + spicy in.

Dear Diner ! — Matariki approaches, that beautiful time of year. We hope you find a moment to pause, snuggle up, reflect on the past year (well done). We wish you much good food, clear skies, and time with your loved ones.

We’re happy to be here, still cooking up a storm, stuffing bellies and the drafty windows (we have blankets…). Our winter menu is flying, we’re so enjoying serving you our new dishes.

To that end, three things: A new Wine Producer Showcase, another new dumpling dish, and an update for our Matariki trading hours ! (Plus, scroll for bonus winter tunes).

Producer Showcase — Luta

This month we are excited to share Luta Wines with you — Rob and Kate Burley (also of Unkel), have been organically farming a picturesque 5.5 Hectare vineyard in Nelson since 2019. Nelson ! A tiny but mighty wine region. There they grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris + Riesling. ‘Luta’ — derived from the Latin word for clay, refers to the Moutere clays where the grapes are grown. The resulting wines are gently made from their finest fruit and very delicious.

We’re excited to share three Luta wines with you for all of June —

• Luta ‘Echoes’ Chardonnay 2022 Think limes + apricots. Textural, creamy. Lively acidity.

• Luta ‘Rising’ Pinot Noir 2021 Like tamarillo, strawberries + cherries. Bright + fresh.

• Luta ‘Shadows’ Pinot Noir 2022 — Brooding and serious, plums, violets + spice. Structured, ripe tannins.

Now pouring, by the half glass, glass and bottle.

New menu (again!)

The chefs are constantly tweaking the menu, keeping front of house on our toes — and their latest addition is a dreamy new dumpling dish. These are large, steamed dumplings filled with chicken + prawn meat, served with a smoked hock suprême butter and chilli shallot. The hot dumplings are soft, dense and delicately flavoured, the sauce a lovely little salty and creamy and all lifted by the chilli shallot and touch of chilli oil. Yuhumm.