Waipiata

Our driver asked us if we liked small, quaint cafes and of course we responded in the affirmative. So he took us to the Waipiata Hotel, not far from Ranfurley, if that helps! It is an off-the-beaten-path cafe where bikers and hikers usually go. There are several rooms there, but there is also a bar and cafe. Don and I had no idea what a meat pie was, so we each ordered one; Micky had lamb shank with mash and veggies. Micky's lamb plate could have fed three people. The lamb was so tender it nearly melted in our mouths, and the potatoes and veggies looked delicious. Don and I had our hands full with our meat pies. The pastry around the meat was light and fluffy - similar to phyllo dough - and the inside filling was rich and flavorful. Don's venison tasted more like beef than venison - I believe because it was farmed and not wild - and my beef and blue cheese was made of roast beef, tender and rich. If we could have taken some with us, we would have rather than eat the whole thing, but we didn't want to waste it, so . . .

Needless to say, tonight was an ice cream for dinner night!