Christmas Lunch at Lombardi Restaurant, Hotel St Moritz in Queenstown
After a 3 month lockdown and being confined to our Auckland apartment, Chris and I left for the South Island of New Zealand as soon as the borders and in doing so spent 3 weeks over the Christmas/New Year period travelling.
We spent Christmas in Queenstown which was something different for the both of us. With no family around and no expectations, I wanted to ensure we still had some sort of festivities with everything being closed on Christmas Day so booked in at Lombardi Restaurant, Hotel St Moritz for Christmas lunch together. Our friend, Nick, who was also in Queenstown for Christmas joined in on the festivities with us.
We indulged in the Christmas Lunch menu at Lombardi Restaurant, Hotel St Moritz feasting on a 5 course lunch which was paired with wines.
Our table was set with gold plates, luxury Christmas crackers and an array of cutlery. Our table was set looking out over a stunning panoramic view of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu.
We were greeted with a glass of bubbles and oysters to on arrival.
FIRST COURSE
If there’s one thing I love, it’s scallops so I was so glad we started with these.
SCALLOPS
carrot puree, mushroom, proscuitto, vincotto
paired with Mt Difficulty Sauvignon Blanc
SECOND COURSE
Our second course was very fitting incorporating a main element of a New Zealand Christmas;
MANUKA GLAZED BONE IN HAM
creamy leaks, crushed potato, cranberry
paired with Wooing Tree Blondie
THIRD COURSE
While all of the dishes were delicious, the third course was truly special and packed with flavour;
LOBSTER
butter poached, aubergine puree, mount cook salmon caviar, lobster veloute
paired with Gibbston Valley China Terrace Chardonnay
forth COURSE
Showcasing the best of the South Island game was the forth course;
WILD FIORDLAND VENISON
maple roasted pumpkin, wild mushroom, broccolini, picked cherries, venison jus
paired with Mt Edward Pinot Noir
fifth COURSE
There’s two traditional Christmas desserts in New Zealand - that’s pavlova (which I would’ve preferred) and Christmas Pudding. Now I’m not usually a fan of Christmas Pudding but this one was pretty delicious and the wine pairing left me with the most decadent taste.
CHRISTMAS PUDDING
traditional with berries
paired with Tannacriett Hunter’s Collection Ruby Port
The total Christmas lunch at Lombardi Restaurant, Hotel St Moritz came to a total fo $250 per head - $180 for the 5 course lunch and an additional $70 for the wine match.
We sat just under 3 hours from 1.30pm - 4.30pm enjoying chats and delicious food. I’d highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to book a future Christmas lunch (or dinner) in Queenstown. It was worth every dollar.
