The view from our room
Baah!
I’m embarrassed to say that despite being only a few hours away from New Zealand with only a relatively small sea between us and having lots of friends from New Zealand, this is my first time visiting the country. It was only after having a glut of frequent flyer points ready to expire and conveniently, having just the right amount for a visit that I decided to visit what I would later call, one of my favourite places to visit ever. Silly me for waiting so long. After a 4.15am alarm, we flew the requisite 3 hours where I passed the time watching “W” (my favourite line was Bush discussing Guantanamo Bay “We have that Guantanamera Bay”) and sleeping, we touched down in Queenstown and picked up our rental car. Queenstown is known as an Alpine village during Winter where ski-lovers and adventure seekers congregate. Planning for this trip, in particular the eating was done with the help of my friends Queen Viv, Teena and Julie from the Crowne Plaza in Queenstown.
We unload our bags at the Crowne Plaza hotel which is lovely, and yes there’s a nice room along with all of the amenities you could want including a Pillow Menu, aromatherapy oils and a gorgeous view (we ordered 4 types of pillows, and I think the delivery guy thought we were nuts -either that or having a pillow orgy in our room). My husband makes use of the hotel’s sauna which he says is so huge, it can fit in at least 50 people. We then set off for Arrowtown, a small town about 15 minutes by car outside of Queenstown.
The Village Green
The Blue Door Bar
Patagonia Chocolates
We drive past paddocks and paddocks of lamb, sheep and deer frolicking in lush green fields and resist the urge to get out and have a closer look at them. We reach there and park and unlike all tourist destinations of Sydney there is no metered parking. The town itself is lovely, reminiscent of the Cotswalds in England. There are lots of lovely little boutiques selling all things NZ including Patagonia Chocolates, the famous chocolate shop in NZ but more on that later, as well as lots of eateries, a well known Blue Door Bar which has no sign, just a blue door signifying its presence as well as a delicious fudge and lolly shop, called The “Remarkable Sweet Shop” which happens to sell some fantastic fudge.
It’s named after the Remarkables Mountain Range-if that isn’t a marketer’s dream I don’t know what is. Their strategy is free sampling and it works, we sample a couple of flavours, the creme brulee and the white ginger and we buy them both. The Creme Brulee is fantastically accurate, down to the bruleed top and the white ginger is chock full of real stem ginger and strong in ginger flavour.
Large slab of Creme Brulee fudge
The Postmaster’s House restaurant
One of the most famous eateries is the Postmaster’s House, a converted former house transformed into a restaurant situated right next to a Post Office. Said to be one of Queenstown’s best places to eat, we booked in for this. They were busy but could accommodate our last minute booking if we dined early which as, tourists that had to get up very early the next morning, we were only too happy to do. Tables outside are in demand and as a last minute booking we get one near the fireplace which on this chilly evening (Queenstown is quite South on the South Island), is a blessing.
We have a look at the menu. Chef Varick Neilson is also the owner and there are quite a few choices. The obvious choice while we are here is to try the lamb so we order this along with some other dishes. We’re warned that the meals are on the large side here which has my husband mentally rubbing his hands together with glee (he’s not Dr Evil so he didn’t actually rub his hands together).
Crispy roast duck with shaved fennel, red onion and radish salad $19
The roast duck salad is an interesting combination of the fennel and radish. I’m not usually a big eater of radish but it goes together with this. The duck is delicious, particularly together with the rest of the salad although a little on the sparse side. A bit more duck would have been perfect.
Crispy fried squid with saffron and green apple aioli $18
The crispy deep fried squid is 5 pieces of lightly floured squid and a salad of mixed leaves. The squid is not quite as tender as I would have liked but the saffron and green apple aioli is incredibly good. The green apple lends a touch of tart sweetness to the aioli. Every bit of this is gone.
Parmesan crusted lamb liver, potato puree, gorgonzola dressed spinach salad with parsley, anchovy and orange salsa $29
I know, I am not a big offal fan but it’s lamb’s liver and I don’t mind foie gras so I figure I should order this. It turns out to be delicious, the crispy parmesan crust making the liver flavour take a backseat. It’s huge and filling with a large mound of potato puree and gorogonzola spinach although I have to plead ignorance with the salsa as it’s lost in the flavours.
Lamb rack with rosemary fried potatoes, goats cheese, rocket, pear, fried caperberry salad with gravy and mint oil $36
The three points of Lamb’s rack are deliciously soft and tender. The lamb having a slightly different taste here in New Zealand to Australian lamb. it’s a nice mix with a light dressing although the amount of goat’s cheese in it is negligable.
if I thought we could fit in dessert I was wrong, especially after the Lamb liver and so we ask for the bill. There’s an awkward moment as we’re given the bill without a pen so I can’t add a gratuity to the total. I put my credit card down and assume that I can add it to the credit card slip later but when I receive this there’s no space. The waiter shoots me a dark look as if he can’t believe I wouldn’t tip him, which I would have if I’d have had the chance.
We leave and check out the restored Chinese Miner’s Village on our drive back. Chinese migrants settled in the Soutn Island of New Zealand during the gold rush in the late 1800s and faced considerable discrimination and were housing amongst many other injustices. In 2001, the New Zealand government formally apologised to the Chinese community for the treatment they received. The restored village is what remains of where and how they lived with the top picture being of shop owner Ah Lum’s shop which operated until 1972 and is quite fascinating to visit.
Crowne Plaza Queenstown
93 Beach Street
Queenstown Town Centre, Otago, New Zealand
+64 3 442 7800
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/660/en/hd/zqnbs
NQN and Mr NQN stayed as guests of the Crowne Plaza Queenstown
The Postmaster’s House
54 Buckingham Street
Arrowtown, Otago New Zealand
Tel: +64 (03) 442 0991
The Remarkable Sweet Shop
27 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown, Otago, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (03) 442 1374
Arrowtown
Bumblebees are abundant in New Zealand but they are shy
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35 Comments | Add your own
Those portions look ginourmous! What a lovely little town, looks like the perfect holiday destination – close, beautiful and delicious!
Isn’t Arrowtown just the cutest little town? I look forward to more NZ stories
The brulee top on the fudge looks amazing. Good job catching the bumble bee. They’re always crawling out of the shot.
Arrowtown is one of my favourite places. We dont usually tip in NZ, so i wouldnt feel bad about the tip. We never tip when we are out, although I guess in a tourist town, the expectations may be different. I am pleased that you are enjoying my home land!
So beautiful! When you mentioned a ski town, I was thinking there would be snow pictures – of course not thinking about the winter here summer there thing! Glad you’re having fun!
Creme brulee fudge? Wow! New Zealand looks really adorable from the pictures. I can’t get over that candy shop! I’d love to visit someday but it’s a much longer trip for me than for you!
What a cute, quaint town. And that slab of fudge looks delish
how gorgeous is New Zealand (and how fun are pillow menus)! loved the variety of food in this post, i feel like i’ve snacked and dinnered myself from just reading it!
I forgot to tell you! If you are still there, go to Saffron in Arrowtown!!
Ihope I wasn’t too late…
Your hotel room looks great, oh and I remember that fudge shop! Can’t wait for the rest of your NZ posts
I loved NZ as well. Such a beautiful country – I even went Bungy jumping, something I would not do now.
Cream Brulee fudge seems like something that is…doable? Hm. Maybe I’ll try it…
What a beautiful post Lorraine. I felt like I was there with you all along…LOL on the pillow menu!! Good for you!
LOL, pillow menu, we’re so alike!
Yum to apple and saffron aioli – what a gorgeous combination.
Arrowtown is so gorgeous – such a quaint little town. Loved exploring there
Looks like you’re enjoying New Zealand. Have you caught the big steam boat over to the other side of the lake in Queenstown?
This post brought such wonderful memories of my visit to New Zealand. I loved visiting Arrowtown. Did you find any gold? We still have our little specks as a souvenir
Your meal at The Postmasters House looks wonderful!
That little town looks so lovely. Any chance of you making the brulee fudge so we can try it? Cheeky I know but it looks so good! =)
LOL at the big sheep! You are making me miss NZ – perhaps it’s time for another visit!
wow! great post at a great time. my friends and i are heading to queenstown in a few months. would love to stop by the Remarkable Sweet Shop!! yum!
Mmm I remember going to NZ – everything is on a slope! And my first encounter of a bumblebee was a cross somewhere between amazement (bees come that big?) and mild horror! Now it just looks cute ^^
What a lovely trip!!! Beautiful pictures yet again, Lorraine!!!I want to go there, some day!!
Seriously intrigued by that creme brulee fudge!
Oohh what great little shops and the creme brulee fudge mmmm! ana Yayyy for lammbbb yuummm!
yeah, seems we’re all loving the idea of that fudge.
fabulous piccies again, Lorraine. i hope you made good use of the free fudge tasting.
could there be any excuse not to taste?!
Hi lili-They were very generously proportioned and with the fudge in our bag we didn’t have room or time for dessert! Yes I can’t believe it took me so long
Hi Kathy-It is indeed! I loved it. Yup lots more NZ to come
Hi Arwen-Thanks, that was my husband’s capture!
Hi tammy-Ahh ok, that’s what I read but he gave us a very unhappy look! We loved NZ and have been trying to talk my parents into going now
Hi Barbara-Yes I sus[ect it might look quite different in Winter with all of the mountains covered in snow but it’s lovely in Summer too
Hi anna-It is a gorgeous country and yes creme brulee fudge is the stuff dreams are made of that’s for sure
Yes it would be, although everywhere else is far for us! 
Hi Brianna -I agree on both counts!
Hi shez-Hehe yes pillow menus are the best, especially since we seem to love the boomerang pillow and European pillows which you don’t usually get unless there is a pillow menu. Hehe how cool, that’s great!
Hi tulula-Aww unfortunately we just got back but we did see Saffron right next to the Blue Door Bar. It looked good but there wasn’t a menu outside so we couldn’t see what sort of food they had.
Hi Y-Love the view and location too and hehe that’s a memorable fudge shop! There are lots more to come
Hi Belinda-It’s amazingly gorgeous isn’t it and the people are wonderful too. Wow, you’re braver than I. I’m frightened of heights and when we went up on the gondola I was really scared and that’s about near the bungee jump platform!
Hi justJENN-I wonder if it is?! I really should give it a try I suppose!
Hi deeba-Thankyou so much!
That’s so lovely to hear. Hehe he looked at us strangely but what did I care? I had my pillows!
Hi Christie-I’m a girl that sleeps with at least 4 pillows so the idea excites me a lot! It was really nice and unusual too!
Hi Esz-Yes I’m so glad we devoted an afternoon to it. We loved it, I can’t wait to go back! Unfortunately we didn’t have time for it-maybe on our next visit perhaps?
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Wonderful! That’s great
We didn’t go panning but that’s great that you found some! 
It was nice and a great intro to NZ food.
Hi Diamond Lil-Hehe maybe I will try it! It was good so it’s for partially selfish reasons too
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe the closeup of the face looks so real. Hey now is good time, the exchange rate is really good!
Hi jules-Thankyou! Excellent, well stay tuned, I have more Queenstown to come
Hi. Chris-Hehe really? I know the roads are really, really curvy! They were everywhere but thankfully were quite shy. I find regular bees here hover around people more. They are so big though!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou so much
You definitely should, it’s a lovely place to visit:)
Hi Midge-Yes I really should try and make it!
Hi FFichiban-The lamb in NZ is really, really good. Anhd yes why don’t we have creme brulee fudge here?
Hi the projectivist-I know, I will give this a try. We’ve just finished our last bit of fudge so it makes sense to try and make some more no? The [roblem with tasting is buying all of them, they were really good! The Apple pie one was amazing too.
Ah a pillow menu is so luxurious! I’m so picky with them. Mine needs to be a high brick for me to sleep well! And isn’t NZ beautiful? The guy at customs said they see surprisingly few Aussies considering how close we are geographically, and the number of 1st time visitors of pensioner age is astonishing.
The town looks like a step back in time-in a good way of course. Wife loves the pillow menus too and whenever she’s happy I’m happy.
Hi Forager-It is isn’t it! It’s the small touches that add luxury
Oh really? What a shame! I think a lot of people (myself included) don’t realise how different it is from Australia. I know I looked at it as an almost extension of Australia. Until of course I got there and found it vastly different (well the South Island). 
Hi Mike-Hehe yes I know what you mean! Good philosophy
I heard that Queenstown is bustling with lots of hotel being built right now and some are due to finish in 2009 and 2010?
Hi Lilia-I don’t know, I didn’t see any being built but I wasn’t really looking. There didn’t seem to be many but who knows!
That little window shot with te candy is very inviting. I would just have to go in. The salad with the radishes looks great. Just love them.
And “We have that Guantanamera Bay” – you are so funny in posting that. I’ll miss Bush for the humor, not much else
Hi Beth-Isn’t it just adorable in that old fashioned way?
lol yes I’ll really miss Letterman’s “Great Moments in Presidential History”
We stayed at the Crowne Plaza for a few nights on our Honeymoon last August, it’s a lovely hotel
Your photos are making me NZ sick! Can’t wait to start planning another trip.
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[...] anyone, anytime could produce. After writing about the delicious Crème Brûlée fudge we had in Arrowtown, New Zealand, I had readers asking for a recipe and I was also curious to have some for myself. What I [...]
[...] anyone, anytime could produce. After writing about the delicious Crème Brûlée fudge we had in Arrowtown, New Zealand, I had readers asking for a recipe and I was also curious to have some for myself. What I didn’t [...]
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