Since ancient times humans have always been driven to ascend mountains. This experience doesn't entirely depend upon the method of arrival but rather it's the sense of spirituality ( and a little mystic romance) once your head is among the clouds!
It is beyond a special event to partake in the immense dinner buffet drinking a good NZ wine as the sun begins to flame and slip below the montains beyond. Come rain or come shine...this is the spot for a romantic evening and special memories for years to come.
Live music was being performed across the room....light folk and rock from the 70's-80's...while you make tough personal decisions! ( Another helping of the smoked salmon or blue tipped NZ mussels?)
we started with the cheese table. Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting a New Zealand Cheese? Oh....it's a mighty fine experience! Not quite Danish or French...but nipping at their heels for quality. I know that Europeans hit the cheese for dessert...I had other plans!
Next, a small cup of hot curry Vegetable soup with fresh toasted bread chunks floating on top before moving over to the cold appetizers...smoked salmon, mussels, oysters, rare roast beef....be sure to try the Risotto and the fresh potato salad too.
On the 'mains' you have your choice of sliced pork or lamb, stir fry chicken, fish over rice, and a couple of Italian noodle dishes. All the while...keep sipping your wine! We had Montana Reserve "Mount Difficulty" Riesling ($38Nz)which wasn't quite fruity enough for me, but good.
For dessert, there was the table of sweets pictured below, fresh fruit trays, and a soft ice cream bar.
I'm not always a fan of buffet's. Usually, I feel that the quality of the meal is below what is normal in compensation for tons of food. But this buffet "works" and the location is the absolute best!