Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 06-306 9505;
www.aylstone.co.nz
;
19 Huangarua Rd; d incl breakfast $230-260; )
Set among the vines
on the edge of the village, this elegant retreat is a winning spot for the romantically in-
clined. Six en suite rooms exude a lightly floral, French-provincial charm, and share a
pretty posh reading room, while the whole shebang is surrounded by micro-mansion
garden sporting lawns, boxed hedges and chichi furniture.
Eating & Drinking
Café Medici
(
www.cafemedici.co.nz
;
9 Kitchener St; breakfast & lunch $13-23, dinner $24-32; 8.30am-4pm, dinner from
6.30pm Thu-Sat)
A perennial favourite among townsfolk and regular visitors, this airy cafe
has Florentine flourishes and a sunny courtyard. Tasty, home-cooked food includes
muffins and pies, lovely brunch dishes such as Spanish eggs, and Med-flavoured dinner
options such as Moroccan lamb tagine. Great coffee, too.
CAFE
$$
Tirohana Estate
MODERN NZ
$$
( 06-306 9933;
www.tirohanaestate.com
;
42 Puruatanga Rd; lunch mains $16-33, 3-course prix fixe dinner $59;
lunch noon-3pm, dinner 6pm-late Tue-Sun)
A casual lunch over a glass or two will be much enjoyed
on the terrace at this pretty vineyard, while evening dining in the elegant dining room is
quite the occasion. The food, while 'comfort' in style (crumbed prawns, beef fillet and
mash, bread-and-butter pudding), is amply proportioned, fresh and proficiently prepared.
Impeccable service; dinner booking essential.
Micro Wine Bar
(
www.microbar.co.nz
;
14c Ohio St; 3pm-late Thu-Mon)
Moreish little Micro packs a punch with its
excellent wine list (mostly local with some far-flung stars), notable craft-beer selection
and yummy nibbles ranging from Asian dim sum to Mediterranean tapas. Catch the sun
streetside, hole up in the romantic bar, or head to the sociable courtyard where an evening
might slip very easily by.
WINE BAR
PUB
Martinborough Hotel
(
www.themartinboroughhotel.com
; Memorial Sq; 8am-late)
The historic Martinborough Hotel is
home to the Settlers Bar, a friendly, well-run pub with a decent drinks list and both a bis-
tro and bar menu (mains $18 to $32). Set yourself up in the sunshine on pavement tables
or mingle inside with a mix of locals and out-of-towners.
