Mint Dining - Fresh, local and very tasty!: The big bake off

Mint Dining - Fresh, local and very tasty!: The big bake off: So, embarrassing video posted....Thanks Scotty! We had a lot of fun baking up a storm the other day, we have 'proved' (bakery humo...

Our Little Army

Watching the Cadets out the window, they look so smart in their uniforms. Its quite a spectacle to see Navy and Army marching together. But never as exciting as the show of lights and sound when the Police are after a miscreant! It can be quite a spectacle out our window.

Painter and decorator!

Well what a weekend, finally got the bathroom painted in the restaurant. Did a few picture with Scotty, and talked to the sparky about lighting for the deck. Didn't feel like days off this week.

Still plenty of rugby coming to town this week. The yurt and its party people seem to be having a great time next door at the Rugbeer festival. So here's to a great week.

Cheers.

Book update!

http://mint-book.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-see-bread-i-see-bread-i-see-bread.html

Sprung

Out go the hanging baskets to liven the front of the building. Feels summery already!

Summer Hours.

Day light savings, and our hours change after this weekend.

Dine early becomes a permanent fixture, and sees us open at 5pm Daily,

Dine early from 5, Alacarte from 6- late.

Its Summer hours baby!

Sizing up tables to go on the deck, alfresco for summer.

So your favourite little restaurant will be bigger, and go longer.

Had to laugh.....

I was flicking through an old cuisine magazine today, and saw an article on Nelson. I chuckled to myself remembering seeing the article (the first magazine to feature the restaurant.) I also remember my shock reading how we were a bistro specialising in the finest seafood.

Apart from not considering ourselves a bistro, we also had no real seafood on offer at the time!!

Quick menu change that day.

Haha.

Looks like rain.

Sky is going black! Glad it wasn't last night. Walked home through town after service, and felt a good buzz after the rugby. Well done Nelson.

Happy Rugby

So world cup fever hits Nelson! We have Italy versus Russia tonight, and there's quite a celebration going on all around town. Its a gorgeous day, and should be awesome!

Meanwhile, Im peeling asparagus!!!

Fresh new seasons strawberries, good to see them. Means its nearly summer!! Asparagus tomorrow!!!!

Bready Goodness

I have spent my morning compiling the bread recipes, and Monday we are set to kick off the book properly. The Nelson Mail may come in for a chat with us too, so it will be a great start to our project. They want to get a picture of Scotty taking a picture of the food. I will trump that, I will take a photo, of them taking a photo of Scotty taking a photo, of food. Ha ha, watch this space for that post!

New book blog update.

http://mint-book.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

Its a lot of fun working on the book, and Scotty has a nice way with words.

Photo session

We had a quick trial photo session yesterday, was productive. The local paper called us up as they saw our tweets about the book and want to run an article! God bless social media. Scotty is working on the blog post, pics etcetera and I will post the link when it's ready. Next week we are going to make a little video I think. Im sure it will be fun.......

Sourcing Marlborough's best

Wine and Cuisine Marlborough is coming along swiftly, and I am very grateful for all the support from the local suppliers;

Marlborough saffron, gorgeous long threads to go in the Saffron Aioli.

Sherrington Grange Cheeses, for the lovely Derville cheese shavings on the beetroot carpaccio.

Forrest Wines, for the wine matches

Uncle Joes nuts, for the walnuts I will be pickling.

Marlborough truly is a bountiful resource when it comes to seeking out boutique local suppliers, and I cant wait to get stuck into the demos.

Mint Dining Room - Publication: Well, first blog. - What are we doing here?

Mint Dining Room - Publication: Well, first blog. - What are we doing here?: Hi. I'm Scotty, I'm a graphic designer and a photographer. I've known Grant since we played soccer for Stoke suburbs - under 11's I think....

Mint Dining Room - Publication: An idea we had

Mint Dining Room - Publication: An idea we had: While chatting one day, Scott of Aeon Design, and Grant and Katie of Mint Dining Room decided to write a cook book. We haven't written one b...

Awards again

Fresh from being named one of cuisines top 150 restaurants, we are again at the Hanz awards!

Defending our best lamb title, and again also as a finalist for best beef dish in NZ. Aplolgies to you all for my lax updates, but the blog is back on the go!