While we were in New Zealand, we were looking for one special place to visit in Wellington, which is the famous restaurant called Hiakai.
I think we can say easily that it is one of the best in the country, uses only local ingredient and traditional recipies as the name suggests, Hiakai means hungry in Maori. They use ingredients that we have never heard of, like Kiokio, Manono Bark, Pikopiko and Mokehu. Yes, I know it doesn’t really explains things but you really have to go and taste to understand their cuisine.
We have been really lucky, because usually you need to book a table at least a month in advance and we did like 3 days before to get on the waiting list. Probably only due to cancellation we got the phone call 3 hours before that there is a talble free. We were in the vineyard in the middle of a wine tasting so it got a bit thight but after tasting we rushed back to the city to get ready and arrived just in time.
It is not a huge restaurant but very well designed, quite modern, doesn’t suggest the traditional flavours that you are about to taste. We have been seated on a large table for two, which can be easily done for four as well.
The service was absolutely spot on, they explain every dish in a really friendly way, they sit down next to you every time and if you have any questions, they are happy to answer all of them.
The prices are obviously quite high but worth every dollar. We had a ten course tasting menu without the wine pairing unfortunately. When you are travelling for several months, you have to pay attention of your budget but I had a few glasses of wine with selected dishes and they did the pairing very well.
You have to be well prepared to have some extra dishes like the 5-6 snacks that we have received and the petit fours which was actually five as well. We left completely full and happy to had the chance to taste these dishes.
If one day we are going back to Wellington, this is a place that we want to definetly visit again and have the wine pairing as well with their new menu to have the full experience.
Have you already had the chance to visit Hiakai? How did you like it?
If you would go, what would you definetly taste?
