The Bach Restaurant
(A Cabin by the lake)
If you haven’t noticed by now the reviews this year have taken on a bit of an international flavour, which is going to continue with this issue. Since we’ve got time how about popping down to New Zealand for a look at the local industry and some fabulous food. If you drive about 280 kilometres SE of Auckland on Highway 1 you will find yourself on the shores of Lake Taupo in the city of the same name. Lake Taupo is a volcanic caldera now filled with clear water and some of the best Trout fishing in the world. However we came to eat this day and our search led us to The Bach Restaurant. Now if you spend some time in New Zealand you will learn that a “Bach” is the New Zealand equivalent of a summer cabin
Located on Lake Terrace across from Lake Taupo, The Bach is indeed an old converted home from the early 1900’s. The rooms are full of wide plank Pine floors with Kauri trim around windows as well as the generous wood fireplace. There is also an open patio out front offering stunning views across the lake to Tongario National Park.
However this place is all about food and wine so come hungry. We began our meal with two entrees, the first being Pan Seared Scallops on Pumpkin Blinis with Chilli Jam & seedlings. The second entrée was Venison Carpaccio sealed pressed and shaved in a rich Balsamic jus with Paprika Lavosh and oven dried Tomatoes. WOW! To go with our meal we ordered off the extensive wine list and chose a 1998 Peppertree Reserve Shiraz, which proved to be a perfect compliment to the entire meal. With the first course completed we moved on to our mains, the first being the Fresh Fish of the day while the second was Roasted Lamb Rump. Our fish, which was a local New Zealand catch, was served in a Cilantro, tomato salsa with a Wasabi cream sauce, along with steamed baby potatoes and vegetables. The Lamb is roasted, sliced and served with fresh Bach Gnocchi, whole roasted Garlic, baby root vegetables & Salsa Verde. Not much needs to be said, other than the food was perfect the service impeccable and the atmosphere as good as anywhere in the world. I will be going back to this place!
To finish our meal we split a dessert of Baked Rum and Date Pudding with bittersweet Butterscotch sauce and Vanilla ice cream. That and a couple coffees and it is time to sit back and dream about what the next day might bring.
So if you’re every in New Zealand and pass through Taupo be sure to stop at The Bach Restaurant where you won’t be disappointed. As always I can be reached at sgourmet@telus.net for any questions or comments. Stick around next month for another restaurant from somewhere in the world.
The Bach Restaurant
Lake Terrace, Taupo, NZ
www.thebach.co.nz
Food *****
Service ****
Price $24.00 – $32.00 NZ
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