Wednesday 3 October 2007

Churches, Mountains, Oceans and Crayfish

Christchurch - Kaikoura. Christchurch is a picturesque and architecturally beautiful city in an 'Adelaide' kind of way. I believe they share a Sister City relationship. But outside of NZ's peak tourist season, Christchurch was all but quiet and vacant. And this was despite some glorious early Spring weather in which we occupied a morning strolling around the centre of town to admire the impressive buildings, the most grandiose of which invariably were the city's churches.


When it came time to grab a bite however, we were lucky to stumble onto an innocuous little sushi and ramen bar known as the Samurai Bowl. After numerous meals of somewhat rich food during our previous days on the road, it was just what we were looking for. We ordered large steamy bowls of Miso Ramen, their broths laden with slices of pork, bamboo shoots, nori flakes, spring onion and other bits of wholesome goodness. Slurpy heartwarming soul food.


We also shared a very delightful plate of Tuna Uramakizushi, which was as good an offering of sushi I'd eaten anywhere...just gaze at their picture below and drool.

Samurai Bowl, 140 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, NZ (Spot Score: 16/20)

We had one last day in NZ before we were due to fly back across the Tasman. Kaikoura is a seaside township about three-hours drive north of Christchurch, its name which roughly translates from Maori as 'to eat or to have a meal of crayfish'. All the excuse we needed to make it the destination of choice on our final day. In addition to the waterfront, the village has a spectacular backdrop of snow-capped mountains that appeared to stretch their roots right down to the ocean shoreline. In the right season, it is the place to go for nature cruises and Sperm Whale watching. But for now we had another priority, to find a venue where we could get our hands on some of its famous local Southern Rock Lobster or Crayfish. Naturally, a bistro named The Craypot caught our attention and it wasn't too long before we were tackling half a lightly grilled Crayfish Mornay each, served with a dressed salad and a small mount of risoni. Those Kaikoura crayfish were not large critters and could've done with less Mornay, but were certainly fresh and a very sweet bookend to our trip through NZ's South Island.


The Craypot Cafe & Bar, 70 West End Road, Kaikoura, NZ (Spot Score: 14/20)

4 comments:

Hungry Hamster said...

Hey there! Thanks for dropping by! The ramen looks sooo good! You almost got me all excited because when I first saw the picture, I thought it was in Melbourne! How I wish I can have a good bowl of ramen now. Do you know anywhere in Melbourne that serves good ramen?

Frankster said...

Welcome Hungry Hamster. Sorry for the ramen teaser! Closer to home though, there's a Japanese ramen stall at 392 Bridge Road Richmond called Momotaro Rahmen...quite authentic with in-house hand-pulled noodles. Haven't been there in awhile though so not sure of it now. Also, and I'm almost ashamed to mention this but there's always Ajisen Ramen at Bourke St in the city. Global franchise aside, it's fine for when the craving gets bad. They have an extensive menu selection and the gyoza there is not bad also. Enjoy and tell me how you went! Other readers out there, love to hear your ramen recommendations!

daisk5 said...

Japanese whale fishing is completely lawful.
And is completely scientific.
In addition, it is a Japanese gastronomic culture to eat whales.
You should refrain from the act of denying the culture of another country.
watch this video.

To the person who wants to know why Japan hunts whales
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=xWYOJYEOvSk

[DragonBall] Freezer VS Japanese whaling
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=HdUPHXNPVR4

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap_0uUICejnG3TGasvh8ePvsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080204060044AAgG9Cy


Why do the media of australia tell a lie and censorship?
if doubt me? Post my comment this URL.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23155612-5007146,00.html

Frankster said...

daisk5 - What's so scientific about shooting whales? No one wants to deny your gastronomic culture...drink all the matcha and eat all the natto you want. But lay off the whaling, it's not sustainable. And take it easy on the bluefin tuna sashimi as well.