Lunch and AGM

A beautiful day for an AGM over a bistro lunch amid the delights of old Ponsonby.  A glass of Veuve Cliquot to start proceedings and then to work.  Business over we eased the hunger pangs with platters of prosciutto, caprese salad, chicken liver pate, cornichons andchutney.  Very distinct flavours, some strong and sharp, which were stunningly moderated  by the excellent Arthur Metz ‘Cuvee Anne Laure’ Pinot Gris 2011 fromAlsace.

Next a choice between Akaroa salmon on brown rice, asparagus, basil and pea salad with broad bean /chive/feta dressing anda confit of duck on Puy lentils with pickled cherries and watercress.

Both were well planned dishes, the accompaniments complementing the main ingredients in exemplary fashion.  The salmon was cooked to perfection and the accompanying Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2010 from Waipara was a good choice and performed very adequately. The confit of duck and the lentils made for a richly flavoured and satisfying dish, well matched with a Neudorf  ‘Nelson’ Pinot Noir 2010 from where else but Nelson.

We didn’t need it but no one declined the strawberry and rhubarb roulade with cream/raspberry curd and toasted almonds.  A very fine roulade, nice and light, not overly sweet, and good and fruity.  It would have been greedy to have had a wine as well, so we didn’t.

An afternoon well spent and well deserved thanks to our host Melissa Morrow and chef Sarah Conway.