black barn bistro hawkes bay

Chris and I drove down to Wellington to take Jacob to Massey University to start the next chapter of his life, Yay, how exciting for him.
Anyway we decided to stay a night in Hawkes Bay on the way back, and went to 'Black barn' for lunch.

It was a scorching hot day so it was perfect to be shaded by the beautiful grape vines under the pergola.

I know the pictures are n't that great but it was hard to get right with the dappled light and Chris becoming impatient and embaressed because I am taking pictures of our food.

This was Chris's 1st course, which the menu describes as
'Lemon Kingfish Ceviche' thinly sliced marinated in lime and lemoncello on pickled fennel with sesame snow and pea tendrils

This is what I had 'Waikanae crab gazpacho'  NZ paddle crab meat on an avocado and cucumber salsa with tomato gazpacho

For the main course I had 'Panfried Market fish' on black tiger prawn, red pepper and courgette, BB fusili pasta with chorizo tomato cream sauce.

Chris had 'Twice cooked free range pork belly' with chilli pineapple salsa, sesame bok choy, crackling, kumara and ginger mash in an Asian broth

and finally for dessert Chris had 'Valrhona chocolate and kahlua mousse' topped with fresh and freezed dried raspberries finished with vincotto and chocolate pearls.  We  also had a cheese board of Kapiti blue with praline and Arataki Kamahi honey.  I didn't take a picture as Chris tucked in to it too quickly.

All in all the food was pretty good, not amazing, but the surroundings certainly made up for it.  Would go again 7/10.