Last week, I was invited to dine at Meat Fish Wine to try their five course degustation menu, matched with local and international wines. We had a fantastic night, thanks to the beautiful food, wine, ambience and service.

Meat Fish Wine is located on the corner of O’Connell and Chancery Streets, making it a great central spot for dining. The menu changes seasonally, focusing on fresh New Zealand produce, in particular meat and fish, and it has one of the largest wine lists in New Zealand. With over 500 wines to choose from, hand-picked by a Sommelier, you are truly spoilt for choice.

Walking in, the interior is stunning. We loved the inviting bar area with plush seating, the large heritage windows overlooking O’Connell Street, the open plan kitchen (with adjoining chef’s table), the unique bathroom (don’t leave without taking a peak!), the luxurious private dining rooms (named Waiheke, Rangitoto and Kawau) and most impressive of all, the chandelier display of over 2,000 Riedel wine glasses shaped to reflect a Hei Matau or traditional fish hook.

Chandelier display of over 2,000 wine glasses shaped to reflect a Hei Matau

Our degustation menu consisted of three starters (fish, venison and seafood tortellini), a main (lamb) and desserts. Every dish was beautifully presented in ceramic bowls/on plates and a highlight was that all the hot dishes arrived on warm plates… definitely makes a difference!

We started with a warm bread roll and horopito butter – heavenly! Followed by the Kingfish Ceviche with tiger’s milk, chilli, coconut, lime and salmon caviar, matched with a 2014 Meßmer Feinherb Halbtrocken Riesling from Pflaz, Germany.

A simple, yet refreshing dish, with punchy flavours! It is a little spicy, however if you reserve a few sips of your riesling for the end, you will finish with a lovely sweet aftertaste and the spice magically disappears…

Kingfish Ceviche with tiger’s milk, chilli, coconut, lime and salmon caviar

The next starter we enjoyed was the Raukumara Venison Carpaccio with beetroot, parsnip, celeriac, watercress, hazelnut and sherry dressing, matched with a 2015 Pyramid Valley Calrossie Pinot Noir from Malborough.

A well-presented dish, with many different elements, representing earthy and winter tones. We particularly enjoyed the crunchy parsnip on top. The Pinot Noir was also a perfect match – very smooth!

Raukumara venison carpaccio with beetroot, parsnip, celeriac, watercress, hazelnut and sherry dressing

Our favourite dish of the night was the Prawn Tortellini with crayfish bisque, fennel, crustacean oil and lemon, matched with a 2015 Pizzolato Pinot Grigio from Venice.

The bisque was lovely (the hint of brandy gave it that special touch) and the flavours of the prawn tortellini superb. We also savoured the sweetness and crispness of the Pinot Grigio.

The only glitch with the prawn tortellini was the dish it was served in – a very large bowl! While I have no complaints about the bowl itself, it would have been much easier to eat the tortellini if it was served in a lower bowl or plate.

Prawn tortellini with crayfish bisque, fennel, crustacean oil and lemon

For our main, we loved their Silere Alpine Merino lamb rump, served with a potato and parsnip gratin, pea puree and port wine jus, matched with a 2015 Te Mata ‘Estate’ Syrah from Hawkes Bay.

The lamb rump was perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. It is the most delicious piece of meat I have ever eaten – every bite was heaven. I also loved the creamy potato and parsnip gratin, plus the Syrah was a perfect match!

Silere Alpine Merino lamb rump, served with a potato and parsnip gratin, pea puree and port wine jus

Last but not least, dessert. We indulged in their ultra-smooth Lemon Posset, with Raspberry Sorbet and Ginger Crunch, which was a lovely sweet finish to a beautiful meal.

Lemon Posset, topped with Raspberry Sorbet and a sprinkling of Ginger Crunch

And one of the best desserts I have eaten this year, Warm Chocolate Brownie with Maple and Walnut Ice Cream and Italian Meringue. Every mouthful was melt in your mouth, thanks to the decadently rich and gooey brownie, chocolate discs, smooth maple and walnut ice cream and perfectly piped meringue. Highly recommend this dish to all dessert lovers out there!

Warm Chocolate Brownie with Maple and Walnut Ice Cream and Italian Meringue

I can’t recall which dessert wines were matched with our Lemon Posset and Warm Chocolate Brownie, as we were too engrossed in devouring them!

Overall, we were very impressed by the food, wine and service at Meat Fish Wine. I will definitely re-visit as it is the perfect place to have a drink at the bar, enjoy two or three dishes from their express lunch menu or indulge in their degustation menu, paired with a few of their wonderful wines.

* I was invited to dine at Meat Fish Wine, courtesy of the restaurant, however all opinions are (and always will be) my own.

Meat Fish Wine
Open Tuesday to Friday for Lunch (12pm to 4pm), for Dinner (5pm till late), Saturday for Dinner (5pm till late), Closed Sundays and Mondays
Address Corner of O’Connell and Chancery Streets, Auckland
Notes Takes bookings, degustation, wine flights and express lunch available
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