I'll let you into a wee secret. Us Woman-folk can be a bit funny about food. This is never more true than when we are out dining with other woman-folk.
Tonight we were seven woman out to enjoy a pre-theatre meal before
WOW. I chose Foxglove, because of it close proximity to the TSB Arena and also we thoroughly enjoyed the food, location and atmosphere last time we were there.
I decided on the set pre-theatre menu, as it was quicker and easier than waiting for seven woman to decide on what to agree on.
Six of us started without the seventh, as there were babysitting issues for the seventh. So, we start with sourdough, olive oil and a quenelle of light and airy herb butter. I adore the light and airy herby butter and wonder if anyone would notice that I had run out of bread a long time ago, but was still enjoying the butter.
Then onto a starter of goats cheese & mozzarella balls, with rocket and slivers of toasted almonds all very well seasoned. I have no idea what an apple & bush honey gastrique is, but assume it is the dressing, which goes beautifully with the strong goats cheese.
The duck liver parfait was very popular at our table, perhaps chosen for its moussy lightness yet maximum flavour. Whatever the reasons, just know that my cheesy balls won out.
There was some mirth when the 'nearly-a-vegetarian' ordered the steak tartare. We weren't sure if she knew that the tartare meant it would be raw beef. But everyone else was interested to get the nearly-a-vegetarians' take on her choice, so we all agreed to say nothing. Unusual choice - funny business!
The nearly-a-vege did stop still in her tracks on being presented with her entree. The glass was lifted to release the sage smoke, which must have cast some kind of spell on the n-a-v, as she broke the egg yolk over the not so vege raw beef and happily ate it all up. I haven't heard of this type of vegetarian before, but I have to say that even the carnivores blushed on watching her devour the meaty dish in delight. Perhaps I will send her the Wikipedia link to the meaning of a vegetarian. Then, perhaps the fact the beast was a vegetarian counts towards being a vegetarian dish? Who knows, I'm very much a carnivore, but I still enjoyed my cheese balls with no hint of meat in sight.
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| Snapper with beetroot & ginger air |
We knew we would be sitting down all evening, without intermission at the WOW show. So, I thought I would not order anything too heavy. See, this is more of the funny business around food. What's wrong with ordering the rump of lamb or the confit of duck? No, four out of six of us would just have the grilled snapper with beetroot and ginger air - so foamy and ethereal, not to weigh too much on the tum.
The duck and lamb were delicious, and I was rather envious when I saw them.
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| Rump of lamb |
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| Duck leg confit |
And now, as the meal was so light, we are looking forward to the dessert. Oh, I don't think I could. After all that beetroot and ginger air I am positively full! Oh, chocolates you say, well, if you insist. And they are in such a cute little box, it would be rude not to.
All in all, the pre-theatre menu was perfectly proportioned for pre-theatre. And extremely reasonably priced for the quality, flavours and choice. We decided to 'match' our own wine to the meal, so the meal was $45 each, great value. We had plenty of wine options and were very happy with our selections. My personal favourite wine of the night was the Mt Difficulty Target Gully Riesling, which went perfectly with all the delicacy of my meal.
My only suggestion for room for improvement would be the transition from entry to table and then from table to paying to exit. But this wasn't enough of a downer to downgrade our unanimous 5/5 vote.
After the WOW show, with the beetroot and ginger air now dissipated, we agreed that a hot chocolate and cake was in order. You see? More silly business. If I had chosen the lamb, then the cake wouldn't have been necessary. But perhaps if we get a trim mocha to go with the cake...
So, we head to Dockside, as it was very conveniently located. There was plenty of seating and they were more than happy to accommodate our silliness of trim mochaccinos and maybe just a little bit of cake, but to share, you understand. Oo, never mind the idea of cake, how about a cheese platter, made to share. Well, it had fruit and everything on it, which was very well received and counter-balanced the cheeses, surely?!
So, silliness over. We are all too high on the WOW experience to mind that the rugby was playing in the background and that it didn't go so well. But, surely that one doesn't count either?
Foxglove Pre-theatre menu:
http://www.foxglovebar.co.nz/sites/default/files/pdfs/menuitem/foxglove039s-pre-theatre-menu/pre-theatremenuapril2011.pdf
