New Zealand's Invercargill Award-winning Flannagan's is worth the trip
With this edition of EDA Confidential begins a new column: "The Gourmet Corner." The aim is to inform and let you know about, restaurants, hotels, and destinations that perhaps you wouldn't think of - or dare to think of. Such locations, although out of the tourist track, are very interesting places to visit. This first "Gourmet Corner" introduces you to one part of the world where not many foreign visitors pass by. The place is Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city, which along with Ushuaia in Argentina, is one of the nearest cities to the South Pole. Among the best and most interesting buildings to see: The Water Tower (1889), The Provincial Council Buildings on Kelvin Street (1864), The Invercargill Club on Don Street (1892), The Former Porter's Lodge on Dee Street (1866), and The Former Dee Street Hospital on Dee Street (1876 - 1879). The layout of the city is similar to Manhattan with a beautiful park. In fact, Queens Park can be compared to Central Park in New York City, only a smaller scale. Invercargill has many motels, lodges, and motor inns, as well as two major hotels: The Kelvin Hotel, located in the heart of the city ** 18 Kelvin Street, Invercargill The Ascot Park Hotel/Motel
** Corner Racecourse Road & Tay Street, Invercargill - located outside of the center of town facing the Ascot Park Raceway For further Invercargill Information contact: - E-mail: tourismandtravel@thenet.net.nz Having introduced Invercargill, now let's get on with ****************************
Invercargill is home to one of the most famous restaurants in New Zealand. In last May’s issue of Cuisine - New Zealand's Food Magazine - Flannagan’s seafood restaurant and its chef and owner, Graham Hawkes, was awarded as one of the top restaurants in New Zealand. Flannagan’s is located on an old house built in 1912. The restaurant has several dining rooms all interconnected with a central hallway. All the rooms have old fireplaces and the layout of tables is well arranged. But, if you are two and you don't get a table in a corner of one of the dining rooms, you may find yourself in the middle of the restaurant in line with other "tables for two." If that happens, you can always ask the host, Glenise Hawkes, to have a "table for four" for just the two of you, and she will be very happy to help you. On the food side, follow their slogan: For starters you must try: - Baby Scallops (Fresh of course) Grilled with bacon & Worcestershire sauce or plain steamed The green lipped mussels and the oysters are from Bluff, the harbor town of Invercargill, and one of the earliest settlements in New Zealand (1824). Oysters from Bluff are the best in New Zealand and Bluff is considered the oyster capital of New Zealand. The prices for the starters range from 13.50 NZ$ for the pizza, to 16.00-17.50 NZ$ for the scallops, mussels, or king prawns, and 24.00 NZ$ for a dozen oysters. For the main course, you must try: "The Fresh Selection of the Day Catch" at 19.95 NZ$ The fish can be prepared to your choice of cooking: grilled, steamed, fried, etc. Avoid the normal salad or fries with it (only to please the local customers) and go for the "Roast Vegetable Salad" for only 5.50 NZ$. You’ll never regret it. Of course if you want to go New Zealand style, you can have the "Flannagan’s Seafood Sensation" at: 50.00 NZ$ for two - "A Big Big Plate" If you dislike fish, then don't go to Flannagan’s in the first place - although, you can always have: - Grilled Prime Sirloin of Beef Desserts: - Seriously Good Mississippi Mud Cake Flannagan’s has a great selection of New Zealand wines with very honest prices. If you order fish, you must try the "2003 Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc." Flannagan’s is located on: (Note - Conversion Rate: 1 NZ$ varies from 50 to 75% of 1 US$) ****************************
Here’s some additional information about the area around Invercargill: Bluff, the harbor for Invercargill, is located at 22 Km from downtown, by car or taxi. There is only very limited public transportation. Two places of interest to visit in Bluff include: The Old Radar Station on the top of Flagstaff Road, the highest point in Bluff where you can admire the entire city, the Foveaux Strait, and Stewart Island. The Stirling Point at the end of the road on Ward Parade, named after Captain William Stirling. The area was originally home to a whaling station established in 1836. The Stirling Point signpost was built circa 1960 with six direction arms to: Dog Island, Ruapuke Island, South Pole, Wellington, Sydney & London. Today's version gives directions to twelve locations, including Invercargill's sister city Kumagaya in Japan. From Bluff, you can cross the Foveaux Strait by ferry (one hour, whether permitting) to Stewart Island and the Rakiura National Park, (wilderness at a top level!). The Island has a population of only 390 people and 28 Km of roads, both paved and unpaved. In the Rakiura National Park, you’ll find 245 Km of walking tracks. It can take 12 to 14 days to be complete the entire hike - a great experience! You can rent personal locator beacons there, if you feel you’ll need them. For lodging on the island there are: two motels, plus hostels - self-catering & budget accommodation - with 3 cafes, bars & restaurants. The Climate: Sometimes all four seasons in the area can be experienced in a single day! Bring adequate waterproof clothing and walking shoes. And remember: there’s no full banking service, only limited credit card services, and some businesses only accept cash! For a one day visit, I recommend you take the Southland Air Services for 290.00 NZ$ for two persons, round trip on a 20 min. ride each way, then you can admire the wilderness from the air. For Information and inquiries: - stewartislandfc@doc.govt.nz Invercargill also is the main gateway to visiting: The New Zealand Southern Alps - Te Anau & "Milford Sound" (274 Km.) If you must go to Queenstown, the best hotel there is the Copthorne Hotel & Resort facing Lake Wakatipu, with rooms priced from 150 NZ$ & Suites at 195 NZ$. - E-mail at copthorne.lakefront@mckhotels.co.nz The other restaurants in Queenstown are for the tourist pack and not for a "Gourmet Corner!" If you can avoid Queenstown, go to visit Lake Wanaka via Cardrona Road (one of the most dangerous & beautiful routes on the area). In Wanaka, the Lakeside Service Apartments has the best view & the best hotel: - E-mail at info@lakesidewanaka.co.nz Other good value - The Edgewater Resort, which also faces the lake. - www.edgewater.co.nz And if you like a more wild retreat, drive 15 Km. to Lake Havea Motor Inn facing Lake Havea, far from the tourist crowds, with prices from: 95 NZ$ - lakehavea@xtra.co.nz ****************************
One Final Hint for your trip: If you rent a car be sure it is has 4WD. The weather can be very unpredictable: winter & summer! ****************************
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