Holy Smoke Smokehouse

Accidently discovered this place on the way to Lyttleton.  It was a sunny weekend, and we were planning to have lunch in a nice sunny cafe, perhaps in Lyttleton.  While driving pass Ferry Road, my friend remembered this restaurant where she previously has had a nice dinner, so we decided to try their brunch/lunch.

I have not heard of the place before, although a quick google search showed that it is a well regarded restaurant and had won the 2008 Canterbury Hospitality Award.

As it is called a smokehouse, the restaurant smoke their own meat which are available for sell and also are used in their dishes.
The outside of the restaurant wasn't particularly eye-catching and had more of a pub feel.  However, the inside was bright with an open planned dining space.  The kitchen was also designed to be open and free for customers to check out the cooking action.  I was impressed with the professionally dressed chefs.

The Brunch/Lunch menu consisted of several classical and new dishes, with several including the smokehouse's own smoked meat or fish.  We chose the brunch options, but I was tempted to order the smokehouse tasters.  These tasters came with a selection of smoked meat (or seafood), bread, and hummus.  Will have to try them another time.

 While waiting for our meal to arrive, we got to sip on our lattes.  The coffee was great quality and tasted smooth without any unwanted bitterness or burnt taste. 







Brunch



Magical smoked mushrooms

 My Magical Smoked Mushrooms came with smoked mushrooms, ricotta, tomato, hash brown and pine nut dressing for $18.  I added smoked bacon for an extra $5.  The portobello mushrooms were meaty and well saturated with a balsamic vinegarette.  The pine nuts and ricotta added extra flavour to the mushrooms.  The hash brown was delicious with a hint of garlic and something else which my friend thought might be truffle oil.  The smoke bacon was crispy and well flavoured without being too salty.  An interesting dish with good balance of the different ingredients.



Smokehouse fish cake


The smoked fish cake was topped with spinach, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce ($17.50).  The fish cake looked small on first glance, but was actually tightly packed wth smoked fish (?salmon).  See the below photo for the inside of the fish cake.  It was tasty, although the smoked fish was quite salty and slightly on the dry side, therefore was not as nice by the end when there was not as much spinach, egg, or sauce left.



Smokehuse fish cake - the inside


We did enjoy our meal and I was particularly impressed with the coffee.  I also got to admire the smoked meat/fish for sell by the counter.  Definitely a good place for a meal or to buy some smoked products.  Also a good place for groups as plenty of seating which were divided into sections.

Holy Smoke Smokehouse
650 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch
(03) 943 2222
http://www.holysmoke.co.nz/