After our rather adventurous day, we have dinner at Cafe de Paris, a restaurant that is said to serve classic French dishes. It has cooled down considerably and all I can think of is a nice warm soup and I’m hoping that if they do classics, that French Onion Soup will be on the menu. We rush in out of the cold and sit down and I’m relieved, there is French Onion Soup! Because it is the Wild Foods Weekend, there is a special menu that features some wild foods mixed among more regular dishes. Me, I’m just glad that I don’t have to face another Huhu Grub!
French Onion Soup $9.50
The food arrives quickly and the French Onion Soup is rich in wine and very warming and just what I needed. There is one piece of gruyere topped bread (admittedly I always hope for a bit more as that’s my favourite bit) and the serve is deceptively large.
Petite salad $6.50
The petite salad is a colourful mix of salad leaves, capsicum, carrot, red cabbage and snow pea shoots and is well dressed in an oil and vinegar dressing.
Beef Short Ribs
The serve of beef ribs is huge – in fact I think I’ve been served a main size of ribs even though I ordered an entree. I like my ribs two ways, soft and sweet. As long as they sauce has a touch of sweet (so good especially with pork ribs) and if they’re soft and fall off the bone I’m happy. Thankfully they’re both and come with halved chat potatoes. The sauce although liquidey is just the right amount of sweet, not cloyingly so and not nectary.
Wild Boar in puff pastry
I had forgotten how big the serves are in New Zealand and this is also a large serve. The soft pieces of wild board are cooked in a thick wine based sauce with a rectangular puff pastry container. It’s good although I’m a bigger fan of the ribs so I swap back with Mr NQN who likes this. We have no room for dessert so we do a bit of people watching while getting the bill. We watch super heroes, Na’vi, Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles walk past us shivering. Apparently super hero status doesn’t come with a coat.
The next morning we forego the hotel breakfast in search of greener pastures. We check out of our hotel, the Hokitika Beachfront Hotel which has a gorgeous view of the beach (hehe hence the name!) and stow our bags there.
We visit the Jade Factory for a little window shopping. Hokitika is known as the Greenstone or jade capital of New Zealand and jade is only found in the South Island of New Zealand. Lynette holds tours here and we learn of the legend of Pounamu (jade). Her father has one of the largest private collections of jade in New Zealand and only certain Maori tribes are allowed to collect jade that they find on the beach and in the wild. In 1997 all of the naturally occurring pounamu was handed back to the Ngai Tahu tribe in the South Island as part of the Ngai Tahu claims settlement.
There are some gorgeous pieces being carved there including a pendant that I covet (“No’ says Mr NQN firmly although he admit it is pretty).
Jade tile paver on the street
The cheese room at the Hokitika Cheese & deli
Mostly New Zealand cheeses feature here
We stop by the Hokitika Cheese and Deli Shop for some breakfast and we have a look at their cheese room which looks well stocked with a variety of cheeses. We ask for their recommendations of New Zealand cheeses on a cheese platter and as we’re feeling peckish for breakfast, we also order a whitebait sandwich and a Clearwater natural yogurt. Most of the partygoers from yesterday have left with a small trace of yesterday’s festivities still remaining. Outside sits a tattoo bus for those that want to have an inked reminder of things.
Whitebait sandwich $6
Sadly the whitebait sandwich is a bit cold by the time it reaches us as I think they may have been waiting for the cheese platter to be prepared.
Clearwater Yoghurt $4.40
The Clearwater natural yoghurt is ever so slightly sweet with a layer of cream on top which you might be able to make out in the above picture. The cream layer gives it a lovely richness that you can stir through the whole yogurt.
Cheese plate
It comes out shortly later with little New Zealand flags with the names of the cheeses. We have an Evanstone Brie, a handmade Neudorf cheese, a Windsor blue and Karikaas pepper cheese. They come with peach & almond chutney, olive & tomato chutney, cherry jelly, Turkish apricots, two types of crackers and a sprinkling of sunflower seeds. I particularly like the brie paired with the olive and tomato chutney, the Neudorf and the Windsor Blue with the peach & almond chutney and the Karikaas with the olive & tomato chutney.
The counter at Sweet Alice’s – with an old fashioned register!
Maple & Walnut Fudge $6.10
We then stop into Sweet Alice’s for a slab of fudge. There is also fudge sampling and we get to try a double chocolate fudge before deciding on the maple and walnut fudge which is beautifully smooth and strong with maple and walnuts.
Mallocino $4
Hot blackcurrant juice $2.50
We have a bit of time before our flight so we stop by a little cafe called Adz Cafe which we’re drawn to (ok rather I am drawn to, Mr NQN couldn’t really give a hoot) as it has a large teapot collection. There we order a mallocino which is a cappucino topped with two marshmallows and a hot blackcurrant juice. While sipping at our drinks, we check out the teapot collection which is actually rather impressive with some unique teapots including a hedgehog teapot and a porcelain one that looks like a toilet dolly.
Mr NQN’s favourite? The teapot with the chubby legs.
After our little DIY roving brunch, we take a taxi to Hokitika Airport where we board our flight that will take us to the next leg in our adventure. Stay tuned! 
So tell me Dear Reader, would you ever get a tattoo and if so, what would it be? Or do you have one and what is it of?
NQN and Mr NQN travelled to New Zealand as a guest of Tourism New Zealand.
Cafe de Paris
19 Tancred St,
Hokitika, Westland
03-755 8933
Jade Factory
41 Weld Street
Hokitika 7810, New Zealand
(03) 755 8007
Hokitika Cheese & Deli
84 Revell St,
Hokitika, Westland
03-755 5432
Sweet Alice’s
27 Tancred St Hokitika
03-755 5359
Adz Cafe
39 Tancred St,
Hokitika, Westland
03-755 8379
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
42 Comments | Add your own
Goodness Lorrain, I’ve never heard of this place. You are truly on the other side of the world! I’ve always wanted to go to NZ… my ex wanted to go for the trout fishing! Oh well, one day!
Don’t lie, I know you’re just dying for more chances to say “Huhu grub”
But the soup is eating the gruyere bread! What’s with that?! Luckily, I’ve been placated by the fudge.
A lot of my friends have tattoos but I doubt I’ll ever get one – I can’t feel sure I’d like it forever!
I’m with Mr NQN, I like the teapot with the fat legs too! Really loved this post, Lorraine, thank you – as I looked at each food photo, I thought “I could eat that!”. And can I just say, if I ever did get a tattoo, it wouldn’t be in the back of a bus!
What an interesting place. The ribs you had look marvelous, plenty of sauce and tender meat. I love to visit small cheese factorys in my travels, the owners and employees take incredible pride in their loverly products.
I’m have no tattoos myself – I’m just not that committed.
That maple fudge certainly sounds devine!
What a fun visit to New Zealand! The cheeses look fantastic, and I’m very distracted by the thought of a malloccino now. I’m going to have to re-create that!
I’m trying to get my head around why there’s a mobile tattoo van outside the cheese deli?
Ooh hot blackcurrant juice sounds perfect for a cold kiwi day.
That chubby legged teapot caught my eye too! I got a tattoo for my birthday when I was 26, 12 years ago. It is the Japanese symbol for heaven and I chose it to remind me that heaven is my home.
I don’t have a tattoo and I am far to indecisive to ever get one. Your policy on short ribs sounds a lot like mine. I like them to be slightly sweet and they have to fall off the bone.
Mmmm, I want me some wild boar in puff pastry and some of that cheese! I wouldn’t get a tatoo simply because I know that the day would come and I’d look at it and I’d hate it and I’d hate myself for defacing myself. I am happy for other people to get them and don’t mind them at all, just not for me.
I will list the one that caught my eyes (tummy)…
the whitebait sandwich!
The french onion soup (I ADORE IT!)
the ribs, oh the sound of those ribs..
Notice I didn’t list dessert Lorraine? hehe, am I losing it!
And I love the name Hokitika. It sounds mildly Japanese…
Love reading your posts Lorraine. That cheese platter with flags and the chubby teapot made me SMILE! My daughter wants a tattoo and body piercing! I’d better not show her your post!
wow! The food, the amazing cheese spread, the really mouth-watering fudges! Looks and sounds like an amazing trip!
I had always wanted a tatoo but as I know it is for life, I decided to wait until I turn 30. Guess what my 30th b’day present was
Would love to get another one but I have such a low pain tolerance
mmh I agree with NZ portions…even the normal coffee is a large!
Hokitika is a funny place isn’t it? We stayed there for one night, (same hotel I think!) and it’s a quiet little town
I want some of the beef ribs
so yummy… I want some!!
Definitely another place that is on my bucket list.
i miss NZ! it’s been a long while since i’ve been there. I am sitting here patiently for my custom made pizza to deliver from Crust and seeing the pictures has made me exceptionally hungry!!
New Zealand really does have such lovely produce, must go there one day.
No Tattoos, they remind me of Bikies
I love, love the decor.. and is that homemade fudge? OHHHHHHHH it’s been years since I tasted such sweetness, LOVING every darn photo.
You always know where to eat and snack. And I think I am too married to Mr. NQN! Not care about a snack or dessert, not understand that one MUST buy a beautiful jade piece of jewelry when one is on a trip? Sheesh! Men! But all the food looks fantastic! I’d have a hard time choosing and would need to go with someone who shares
I do want a tattoo but know I’ll never get one. On my wrist or chest or shoulder. Flowers maybe.
hi lorraine ,
You know that onion soup is (was) a tradition dish in france when people were going out for a movie (theater )and come back home to eat that soup ; that has led to the verb “souper” which is the last meal of the day !! Cheers from Onionland Pierre
i’ll bet you did want some tame food after all that crazy stuff at the festival!
first, i need to express my love for that teapot with legs–it’s awesome.
secondly, i’ve never heard of a mallocino, but it’s a great idea and i can only hope it makes its way to the states soon!
Fantastic cheese platter! I’d only get a temporary tattoo as I don’t believe in committment!
The french onion soup, though scant on the gruyere, still looks fantastic – it makes me miss a little bistro in my Canadian hometown. And the cheeses! I would love to sample the pepper cheese, and the chutneys. As to tattoos – I wouldn’t get one because I could never make up my mind on something that permanent, but I do have a nose piercing.
Phew! Much safer (and tastier) food today Lorraine. Hot blackcurrant juice sounds yummy! Tattoos? I’ve got a couple…ssshhhh
The French onion soup looks delicious. Especially with the cheese covered crouton. Yummm
Hey I like that chubby legged tea pot too. Your hubbs has good taste
No, I’d never get a tattoo. My tastes change and I would hate to be stuck forever with something I would tire of. Besides, tattoos don’t look good when you get old. Well, that’s what I think anyway.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
*kisses* HH
How funny that you went to the same places that we did in Hokitika! Hokitika Cheese & Deli was fabulous. We loved that city.
Haha, more white bread I see!
So, did it cross your mind to pry that tile paver from the street seeing as you weren’t allowed your pendant?
No tattoos on me, but I think it’s going to happen soon. Still lazily playing with design, not in any rush (plus they are expensive!!)
OH Lorraine, the foods looks yummy, especially the Onion Soups and the beef ribs (drooling) and very curious with whitebait sandwich
What a fun time! I could die a happy girl in that cheese room, Lorraine!
The teapot collection is lovely, my favorite is the black one on the bottom shelf toward the left (but the one with the chubby legs is cute too, lol!).
I love the look of that French Onion soup – mmm delicious.
Love all those photos, and seriously heart the teapots!
That cheese looks sensational!
As for tattoos – I have two (so far) – one in Chinese & one in Arabic.
I have no tattoos and will probably never get one, but occasionally have flights of fancy of covering my whole back with a favourite poem, lots of flowers and probably some bluebirds too
I really loved this post, so much delicious food and interesting stories. Checking NQN in the morning is definitely becoming a favourite part of my day
Big fat NO to the tattoo!
I love the pics of the teapots – I collected them for a long time and at one point had more than 50. I’ve culled them several times and now I’m down to the final 15. I can’t see the count getting any lower than that.
Argh, you’re making me very homesick!
Hi deana-I think we are!
Oh yes trout fishing is big there! 
Hi Hannah-haha it’s true!
ooh yes maple should be a food group! 
I agree, it is very much forever!
Hi celia-Thanks and you’re welcome! Hehe yes although it seemed to fit right in
Hi Mark-Thankyou!
I agree, small boutique shops and producers are wonderful!
Hi Christine-Haha that’s a good way to look at it!
Hi lisa-Hehe yes brilliant isn’t it? I bought some marshmallow to do that very thing with!
Hi mlle délicieuse-haha it’s a bit surreal isn’t it?
Hi Fiona-Yes it was just what I needed !: D
Hi Amy-Isn’t it cute? Oh that sounds lovely!
Hi Deanna-yes I like to stick to my ribs policy
Hi Cakelaw-yes I know, I had this idea for one about 15 years ago nad I’m glad I didn’t get it!
Hi Sweets By Vicky-No we didn’t have dessert-we were too full! NZ sizes are big
It does I agree!
Hi deeba-thankyou Deeba!
Haha isn’t it cute 
Haha yes best not 
Hi Lianne-Thanks so much!
It was an amazing trip!
Hi Annie-Ooh what did you get?
Hi food.4.two-yes no wonder everyone is so tall and strapping!
yes it is, except for that weekend 
Hi Anita-They were so good!
Hi sandra-Oh cool! NZ is full of gorgeous places
Hi lily-Me too!
Sorry about that 
Hi Matilda-Yes it’s so gorgeous there
Ahh yes they do I suppose!
Hi Girl Japan-Thankyou darling! xxx
Hi Jamie-Hehe that’s thanks to some help too!
Haha isn’t that funny? 
that sounds like a nice, small one!
Hi pierre-Oh really, why that soup? :O Very interesting!
Hi grace-hehe yes we weren’t ready for more huhu grubs
You can do it yourself! 
Hi Moya-Haha you are too funny!
HI Julia-Yes that cheese platter was fantastic!
Ahh a nose piercing-my sister in law has one! 
Hi shaz-hehe don’t be like that!
Oooh really? You must spill! 
Hi Katherine-yes the cheese bread is a must. I wish I could have ordered more
Hi Heavenly Housewife-Hopefully he doesn’t think it looks like me
Ahh there’s an ad that suggests the very same thing! Have a gorgeous weekend darling! xxx
Hi Akila-hehe yes there aren’t that many places to go to there!
It was very cute 
Hi Conor-Yep, I don’t know if they sell wholemeal!
No I didn’t, I didn’t want to get deported when I knew what was coming up next! 
Good idea!
Hi Isya-They were all good
Thanks!
Hi Faith-Yes isn’t a cheese room fun?
Oooh yes that’s a nice one too! 
Hi Gourmet Chick-Hehe it was good I have to say!
Hi Y-Hehe thankyou!
Hi Phunk-Oh fantastic! So far? So that means more up?
Hi Alex-Ahh yes I wish they could be permanent but then removable too
Thankyou so much! 
Hi Red Dirt Mummy-Wow 15, how did you decide on what you kept?
Hi Sasa-hehe sorry!
Amazing pictures and recipes. I like your blog name too-so witty!
I love those little flags in the cheese. My husband might like those at home!!! The hotel looks nice.
Post a Comment