Stonyridge Cafe, Waiheke Island

Stonyridge was the last of the winery restaurants we dined at, and also the most undistinctive of them all. The food generally passed muster, but it was lacking that panache Te Motu and Te Whau had in spades. That said, plus points included the beautiful grounds, upbeat and personable service, and the breezy, easy vibe.

The best showing was the Beef Carpaccio (NZ$18), streaked with nuggets of baby beets, fresh rucola, parmesan shavings, pinenuts, and a piquant herb-olive oil dressing. Incredibly balanced and harmonious, and I'm sure, in no small part due to the wonderfully fresh ingredients.

The Pan-Fried Fish of the Day (NZ$37), a luscious hunk of hapuka, was paired with a lemon, lime & pea risotto. Bright and light flavours, but needed a good mill of fresh pepper for some punch.

The Grilled Beef Eye Fillet (NZ$39) draped with chimichurri, and sided by truffle mash and green beans, was lackluster. First off, the grey tinge on the meat was unappetizing, to say the least, and it was gamey and chewy. Also, the green beans needed a few more seconds to cook properly through.

The vine-d out veranda of a dining hall.

Isn't Stonyridge just lovely?

The lawn doubles up as a helipad, and clearly, the well-heeled like Stonyridge.


Stonyridge Veranda Cafe
80 Onetangi Road
Waiheke Island
Auckland 1971
New Zealand
Tel: +09 372 8822
Open daily for lunch from 11.30am to 3pm
Website: www.stonyridge.com

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