20 | Te Anau icon extends offering The older part of Redcliff remains an integral part of its offerings and of Te Anau’s history. T T from page 18 “I like to say it’s like coming home for a lot of people, because it’s been here for 30 years – somewhere welcoming where locals feel like it’s theirs, and at the same time somewhere that visitors can discover, somewhere that the town can come together.” Redcliff Bar and Restaurant REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The little café has grown over the years, but its front entry still looks like the little workers’ cottage it once was, and every development stays true to its roots, including the new Garden Bar. Plenty of timber, brick, greenery and open skies combine with vintage windows, wine barrels, trusses and beams to house the antique charms and old photos of shared times, which link straight back to the front where customers come in, Megan says. “There’s been plenty of changes and hard work, but the heart of Redcliff has always stayed the same. I like to say it’s like coming home for a lot of people, because it’s been here for 30 years – somewhere welcoming where locals feel like it’s theirs, and at the same time somewhere that visitors can discover, somewhere that the town can come together.” The older part of Redcliff remains an integral part of its offerings and of Te Anau’s history. It was made famous, not least by its time served as the chosen dining and get-together place for the cast and crew of the Lord of the Rings movies when they were filming in the region, and the signed T-shirts on display prove it. They took over the smaller couples’ dining room every night for several weeks, and it’s still a fun stop for film enthusiasts with its cozy fireplace and outdoor area with expansive mountain views. Redcliff remains a family affair. Megan’s twin girls, Sophie and Chloe, spent their teenage years waiting tables, and the new menu for The Cliff was designed as part of Chloe’s culinary arts degree. She was recently filmed by Colin and Manu for their television series, Off The Grid, showcasing the best of New Zealand’s food experiences, something for which Redcliff has gained a well-earned reputation over the years. “We’ve won the Beef and Lamb Hallmark of Excellence since 2005, and we also want to offer different techniques and things that people don’t cook at home because they take too long or they can’t get them. Things like wild venison and wild hare, both pests in the country, but the wild hare has made us quite famous. People come here just for that,” Megan says. The main dining room, the couples’ dining room and the deck were already kept busy with the a la carte menu, and snack orders for things like wedges, truffle fries and crispy squid. The bar snack menu has evolved to offer plates for sharing, from the vegetarian ‘Garden Harvest’ to the meat-lovers’ ‘Butchers Block’, as well as the old favourites. The new Garden Bar can be booked for private functions, but most of the time it’s a welcoming place for people wanting to enjoy the snacks, or share the platters, and relax in its friendly atmosphere together, frequently with live music. It can be closed through the winter, but with summer coming on the new space is ready to thrive, and having a second kitchen means they will no longer be needing to send 80 hopeful diners away a night. It may be bigger, and it may be new, but one thing Megan’s proud of is that it hasn’t lost its soul. “It’s just an extension of what we already had, but we’re creating a bigger, better place for celebrations, weddings, birthday, music, staff parties, or whatever. There’s nothing in Te Anau like it, and over 30 years we’ve had such good friendships, memories, and laughter, I’d like to thank all the past staff who’ve been part of that.” The legacy that is Redcliff continues to evolve and grow in response to Te Anau’s needs, but its emphasis on wild foods, sustainability, and keeping it local, whether it’s wild hare, blue cod, scallops or Southland clams stays the same. It’s a local legend and everyone’s welcome. T: 03 218 3941 143 Bill Richardson Drive, Invercargill office@refrigeration.co.nz www.refrigeration.co.nz Qualified & registered Electricians Heat Pump installation & servicing Solar Solutions Residential & Commercial electrical solutions 021 655 556 customelectricltd@gmail.com Proudly Supporting Redcliff Bar
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