I’ve just fallen in love with myself and don’t be fooled into thinking I’ve got a big head. I’m pretty great but Sasso Restaurant made me look at myself in a different way. It oozes romance. It is soaked in coziness and I for one made a beeline for it, I often go alone if I need some ‘me’ time.
We set aside a couple of hours to sit, sip and devour and my wishes were granted. Beautiful Sasso has been around the town for a number of years now and it’s one place I love to go where I know it will be quiet, relaxed, dimly lit (great when you haven’t had your roots done and taking a new date) and the food will always be magnifique.
Magnifique = wonderful, splendid, glorious, excellent. But you already knew that. Right?
We settled in for a delicious starter of a lovely Central Otago Earth’s End Pinot Noir. I’d consider the starter to be wine. It settles you in, warms up your tum ready for the next course. I’m such a red girl come Winter time. White wine just doesn’t seem quite right, although I wouldn’t say “no” were one offered though. Come now. You know me better than that.
Next up our delicious next starter of steamed littleneck clams with bacon, parsley, garlic (oh the butter and garlic) and some sourdough crostini to dip, dunk and deliver. I swear I didn’t lick my fingers (I totally did) and I swear I didn’t run spoon around the bottom of the bowl to get the last drips of butter (I totally did).
Main course and I can’t resist duck. This one (so much meat!) was pan seared breast and confit leg with just-right cauliflower (not a hint of grandma’s mush) and accompanied with hearty lentils, raisins and natural jus. My dinner partner enemy who’s food is mine too chose the venison loin perfectly cooked, rubbed with peppercorn with a swede, kumara and confit garlic tart, wild rice and juniper jus. Classic. Delicious, hearty.
We couldn’t fit dessert in (I know I know crazy) but I spied saffron canoli filled with ricotta cream, tiramisu and dark chocolate fondant with white chocolate in the same dish. I kid you not.
Why haven’t you booked the babysitter yet?
Sasso sits amongst my favourite restaurants in Queenstown (and yours considering the comments that came through on Instagram). It’s a lovely place to settle in for the night if there’s a snow storm outside, you can nestle around the fire outside with a gorgeous blanket after your courses and in Summer it’s the perfect place to sit outside with a cold beer. Take someone else if you want to woo or (like me) take your book, your big trousers and treat yourself to a night in. You never know you might fall in love with yourself all over again.
Sasso Restaurant
Church Street
Queenstown
I was a guest at Sasso Restaurant but all thoughts and opinions are my own
