Auckland has been having one of the hottest summers I can ever remember. What better way to spend such a day than by taking the ferry across to Waiheke Island and exploring the vineyards followed by a swim in the sea? My Mum & I enjoyed a Friday doing just that and we couldn’t have chosen a more friendly & gorgeous vineyard to visit. Casita Miro is situated in Onetangi, on the top of a hill, and specialises in Spanish cuisine, as well as that of the wider Mediterranean Rim. The menu includes tapas (snack plates) and raciones (shared plates), as well as a ‘Fiesta’ set menu for groups of 10 or more.
We chose to have a ‘wine flight’ which includes 5 different wine samples to enjoy with your food. They were happy to accommodate my Mum, who doesn’t drink red wine. The wines were all explained to us in detail, we especially liked the rosé.
We weren’t looking for a big meal, really just some snacks to go with our wine, and Casita Miro is ideal for that. To eat, we ordered the Goats Cheese Croquetas with honey & toasted almonds to start. The cheese melts in your mouth and the batter was light and crispy, not greasy at all. The honey & almonds added a delicious touch.
We then had the Harissa Sautéed Prawns & Squid, pan-fried with the classic Tunisian paste of red & ancho peppers, cumin, caraway seeds & sweet paprika. The prawns and the squid were cooked to perfection, and the flavours all went really great together, a perfect harmony of taste. A piece homemade bread accompanied the dish, which was great for mopping up that fantastic sauce.
We couldn’t leave without trying the desserts, so we ordered the Lemon & Macadamia Cheesecake with lemon sorbet, and the churros with chocolate dipping sauce. The cheesecake was just what you needed on a hot day: cool, and citrusy, and so refreshing. The churros were nice & crisp, but I wasn’t a fan of the chocolate sauce. It had orange zest mixed into it, which wasn’t stated on the menu, and I’ve never been a fan of orange chocolate. Aside from that, we really enjoyed our afternoon in this absolutely stunning setting. The staff couldn’t have been more friendly & gracious, and that goes a long way in ensuring your guests will want to return. Casita Miro is a must-visit when you go to Waiheke Island.
Added bonus: the beach is at the bottom of the hill, so once we were done with eating & drinking, we had the most amazing swim in the sea. I’m really not used to New Zealand water being as warm as it was that day, (it usually takes me a few minutes to get in over my shoulders) but it was absolute bliss. A wonderful end to a lovely day.
Casita Miro: 3 Brown Rd, Onetangi, Waiheke Island 1081
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