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19 June 2012

We settle in for a long Friday lunch amidst excellent company in our favourite downtown bistro.

Here at Denizen we are long time supporters of the good old-fashioned Friday lunch. However, it would seem that in recent years the opportunities for such revelrous afternoon festivities have become thin on the ground, more than likely having been snuffed out by ardent penny pinchers and accountants, pressured by GFC survival tactics. We here at Denizen, however, can fondly recall that many a genius business idea or collaboration has been born from the somewhat wine-addled musings as a result of the Friday lunches of yore, a time when diaries were crossed off for an afternoon of really getting down to business.

Last Friday we managed to convince a group of denizens to throw in the towel for the afternoon with the promise of great food, delicious wine, titillating conversation, and, perhaps the introduction of a stranger or two, at our favourite downtown lunchtime bistro – District Dining.

Hostess Mimi Gilmour and her team whet guests’ appetites with a healthy serving of Louis Roederer champagne accompanied by selection of hors d’oeuvres: kingfish sashimi, oysters with kimchi puree and pork terrine, to kick off the afternoon’s revelry. What followed was a decadent sit down feast of shared dishes: sumac crusted king salmon, duck confit, and spiced 12 hour lamb shoulder matched with Te Mata’s 2012 Chardonnay, Willm 2010 Pinot Gris, Seresin 2009 Rachel Pinot Noir and Celebre 2009 by Ata Rangi.

The conversations were vast and varied, reflecting the diverse range of guests in attendance and the revelry for some lasted into the evening – just as Friday lunches were intended. We’ve reinvigorated our penchant for the Friday lunch, and look forward to many more afternoons of scintillating banter with like-minded individuals.