Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 19-Dinner at Francesca, Wanaka-4/29/2024

Francesca’s Italian Kitchen is a charming and lively Italian restaurant and wine bar located at 93 Ardmore Street, Wānaka.  The restaurant is operated by Francesca Voza and James Stapley, who opened the restaurant in 2006 inspired by their love of simple, authentic Italian flavors, it has grown into a local favorite. The restaurant sits along Ardmore Street with views toward the lakefront, and its front is framed by big glass windows that glow warmly in the evenings, drawing people in from the street.

Outside, there’s often seating tucked under awnings or in a greenhouse-style extension, clear panels and twinkling lights give it a cozy, almost European café feel, while still letting you enjoy the fresh mountain air.

At night, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen looks especially inviting with he large glass windows glow with a golden warmth, and the outdoor greenhouse seating sparkles under soft string lights, creating a cozy, romantic atmosphere.

The patio is especially inviting with the large glass windows glow with a golden warmth is so charming and romantic.

Inside the restaurant, the vibe is cozy and relaxed with dim lighting, hearty laughter, and friendly service that makes you feel like part of the family.  We got a table against the wall and from our table we had a view of the whole restaurant.

View of the bar from our table.

The dining is really nice with tall ceiling and cascading modern glass lamps.

Bar tender a work, he is totally focus on making this cocktail.

The menu.  Our waiter helping Hoa pick a glass of wine.

Cheers!

Beef Carpaccio with white anchovy, capers, shallots, horseradish aioli.

We shared dish and it was well prepared.  They used very good quality meat, and it just melted in our mouth.

Risotto nero, octopus, clams, nduja, squid ink, bisque, tuile

This dish is so delicious and the portion is so copious.  The octopus is cooked to perfection, the risotto is very tasty, and the flavor overall has lots of umami

Pasta rigatoni, slow cooked short rib ragu, pangrattato, parmesan

Very classic dish but when it is done correctly, it is so satisfying.

Next is the Dessert, dessert wine, coffee and tea menu

Tiramisu, coffee, mascarpone, and Dutch cocoa.

Hoa ordered a Limoncello and we ate all the Tiramisu.

After dinner we walked by the main street in Wanaka and it was totally deserted.

By 9:00 Pm.  I was told that there are virtually nobody in the downtown area.

It was nice to walked at night as we felt we had the whole town to ourselves.

NEXT... The drive to Te Anau