VISITORS to Rotorua won’t want to miss a meal from Lime Café. Located on the particularly sunny corner of Whakaue and Fenton Streets, close to the lake, it features indoor/outdoor seating, crisp, minimalist décor and a creative menu, which looks and tastes even better than it sounds.

This café came highly recommended. In fact, I had tried to dine there on a previous visit but failed to find “Citron”. Oopsy! Returning three months later armed with the correct name and a rough idea of location I found it no time and so had scores of others.

It was busy but we found a table, ordered and before long I was hoeing into an absolutely delicious and large chicken wrap which included bacon, avocado, green salad and a honey mustard dressing while my friend was enraptured over the Sorrento Risotto featuring prawns, Spanish red onions and basil with spiced, diced salmon served with creamy, lime-scented risotto – very, very tasty and great for those who don’t like biting into steaks or heavier meats.  It would have been all too easy to indulge ourselves from the dessert cabinet but we were just too full. A zesty little number, Lime is licensed, served good coffee and though staff were slightly stretched on the day we were there they made up for it with big smiles. 

Lunch of the month:

When a hungry friend rang me recently to join her for a quick lunch I was reluctant.

A dinner date that night decreed only the lightest of lunches (if any) and I was fearful that a restaurant meeting between two foodies would not have the desired result. So it was with a good deal of hesitation I agreed to something “small” at Benjarong in Howick.

My friend opted for her lunch favourite Bangkok Chicken (always good value at $11.50) and although I was on the verge of ordering a mixed entrée, I inexplicably changed my mind and pointed to the Thai fried rice – “not too much, please.”

Well that turned out to be a pointless request. My plate arrived with an absolutely sumptuous serving of Thai style fried rice topped with pan-fried beef slices and a lavish serving of satay sauce. Now it’s a long time since I last had fried rice done this way, or any other way for that matter.

Though I fully intended to eat only half, it was so moreish, I polished off the lot and would have to say it was one the of best value, best tasting lunches I’ve had in a long while. Needless to say my dinner host that night could not understand my meagre appetite and despite being tempted with favourites such as roast kumara, caramelised carrots and, later, apple pie I just could not manage more that a small helping of a perfectly done roast lamb. But hat’s off to Benjarong – that was a fine lunch indeed.

Sorrento buffet has style:

Buffets are not normally my thing and I avoid them whenever possible. However, attending the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand’s annual ball and awards night recently at Sorrento, One Tree Hill, put me squarely in front of a table laden with dishes for the taking. Contrary to expectations this buffet passed the taste test with flying colours. Furthermore it earned Brownie points for its circumspect choice of dishes.

No mish-mash of flavours and textures here. Instead simplicity was the key to successful dishes such as:

Hot smoked South Island salmon, slow baked and dressed with a touch of lemon juice and seasoning (so good I snaffled and extra piece to bring home).

A particularly tasty Caesar salad – no poached egg on top, a bit impractical in these circumstances but Sorrento’s in-house dressing and the tang of parmesan made it a hit.

Crisp seasonal vegetables, wok-seared with a hint of Asian seasoning (one lady couldn’t get enough of this dish)

And among several desserts the kahlua and white chocolate cheesecake stood out.

There was more but not loads more. The select choice of dishes wisely prevented culinary conflicts yet provided plenty to win over hearts and stomachs. Furthermore the salmon tasted just as good at breakfast the next day.