Harvest Festival, Carterton, Wairarapa
The 2013 Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday 9 March 2013. Tickets will be available through all Ticketek outlets from late November 2012. For early bird registrations email festival@wairarapawines.co.nz. The Harvest Festival is a high quality, annual event showcasing sensational wines and food from throughout the Wairarapa region. See: http://www.wairarapawines.co.nz/home_pages/harvest_festival/
The festival will once again be held at the beautiful, sheltered riverside setting, ‘The Cliffs' on the banks of the Ruamahunga River at the end of Dakins Road in rural Wairarapa (click here for map). Its remoteness and vineyard setting is part of its appeal while still being close to public transport.
'The Cliffs' is just 10 minutes from Hokimai in Carterton which makes the site easily accessible. A regional shuttle service will run to and from the festival site at the beginning and end of the day. Reservations are essential.
Gourmet escape
Restaurants and bars are within walking distance of Hokimai, including The Lounge Bar where you can enjoy delicious food, local wines and live music at weekends. The township also has various pubs, sportsbars and other eateries. Cafe Istanbul does nice donar kebabs and Turkish themed meals and Wild Oats is good for breakfast and lunch. It's a short drive to both Greytown and also to Masterton which both have a selection of nice cafes and restaurants.
Local bestaurants, bars and cafes
Local Carterton eateries and pubs are an easy stroll along the flat from Hokimai.
Cafe Mirabelle, High St, Carterton We love this French-inspired cafe, so cute and food is wonderful. Love it. Check out this review: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/cafe-reviews/3117270/Cafe-Mirabelle-La-belle-cuisine-lures-diners-to-Carterton
Marquis of Normandy Hotel, Carterton By a happy fluke we discovered the Restaurant Dining Room is this historic hotel which has been recently renovated. The first time we tried to get in on a Saturday night about 8.00pm they couldn't take us. We tried again a few weeks later and turned up at 6.00pm this time. Lucky. We got one of only two tables not already booked. Fab food, and lovely atmosphere. Warm dining room too in winter.
Cafe Istanbul, 91 High St Carterton, ph 06 379 7667. Genuine Turkish donar kebabs, meals and fantastic cakes, especially the orange cake, and great coffees.
Wild Oats, High St Carterton, ph 06 379 5580. Popular award-winning bakery that offers plenty of choice for savoury meals, breads and cakes, and good for breakfast. In winter they really stoke up the fire so it is toasty warm. Pop down there and get some bagels to bring back for brunch.
Devine Cafe and Bar just along the road at Clareville near Carterton, Wairarapa, 111 SH 2, ph 06-379 5333, is very popular and also has a range of gluten free meal options. Probably best to go there by car. Similarly, drive to Stokers at the Gladstone Inn, Gladstone Rd Carterton, ph 06 3727866. The "Gladd" is, a typical kiwi country pub where you can meet some locals and enjoy yummy country food.
Greytown
It's nice to pop into The French Baker and espresso bar in Greytown while you're there shopping. Main Street Cafe is also good and in summer you can sit at tables in the garden. Lunch at Cafe Trends is pleasant and you can look at all their plant pots. Salute in Greytown is very popular and nominated as a finalist in the Cuisine Restaurant of the Year 2008 awards.
Masterton
Sitting out for a coffee at Cafe Strada in Masterton is nice, or strolling into the garden and imbibing on the covered verandah at Cafe Cecille in the fabulous Queen Elizabeth Gardens is really cool.
If you are from Wellington you should know that Masterton also has a Moore Wilson market where you can get those gorgeous gourmet provisions you love so much. There's a big range and it's open seven days a week, in Dixon St.
Gourmet escape with house catering
At Hokimai we offer a personal in-house catering service by local chef Pat Butler-Lane. We use local produce to cook and serve you a fabulous meal during your stay, for a special occasion, pre-wedding function, anniversary, birthday, hen's night or other special celebration. You can book a delicious lunch or dinner to have during your stay, knowing no one will have to drive anywhere afterwards. We will do other catering functions by arrangement.
Menu
Starters
Lemon Mussels
Feta, Thyme and onion Tarts
Mallorcan Tumet - Aubergine, Tomato, Potato, Peppers and Herbs
Kumara Rosti with Smoked Salmon and Lime Cream
Mains
Beef with Orange and Red Wine
Glazed Salmon with Spinach and Pinenut Risotto
Walnut, Capsicum and Aubergine Rollups
Lemon, Thyme and Garlic Chicken with Gremolata
Dessert
Tasting Plate -
Chocolate Fudgy CakesPatty Cakes
Coconut Macaroons
Fresh Pineapple Dessert Sushi
Frozen Chocolate Mousse
Franjelico Truffles
All our meals are served with fresh seasonal vegetables or a green salad. Bread is handmade, as are all condiments. We have included vegetarian, vegan and gluten free choices. Simply choose which items you like or ask us to make a special dish for you and email your choices. The cost for three courses includes serving and cleanup afterwards. We recommend you try Wairarapa wines with your meal. You can purchase these yourself from local wineries or we'll arrange that for you. Contact us for a catering quote.
Breakfast and Lunch options:
Cooked Breakfast Local smoked bacon, eggs, grilled tomatoes and home-made hash browns, field mushrooms (if available)
Lunch menu 1
Spiced pumpkin soup with home-made bread
Individual spinach and feta fritattas
Italian tomato, pepper and potato bake
Salad from the chef's garden
Chocolate brownie
All the vegetables are organic and locally grown by our chef, who also provides home-made tomato or plum sauce and chutney.
Lunch menu 2
French onion soup
Home-made bread
Chicken and thyme pies
Salad
Apple, hazelnut and cinnamon muffins
All dishes can be reheated for dinner if you wish.