WOAP2015: El Matador
Where? El Matador (Wellington CBD, Wellington, New Zealand) Map Menu
When? Sunday August 23, 2015
Who? Reuben, Shereen, Sam, Julia, Andrew
Food Style? Argentinian Asador Grill
One of Reuben's requests for Wellington was to go somewhere that served steak. Naturally, the first place that came to mind was El Matador, with its mountains of meat on platters that will feed even the hungriest of meat eaters. Their burger this year was a vegetarian one, so I wasn't too keen on that, but their Dine Wellington menu sounded good. The others ordered off the regular menu but had struggles eating everything!
Entree: Sweetcorn croquetas
With Cuba St Fruit Mart lime and chipotle aioli
Fantastic start to the meal. The sauce is spicy and zesty, the lime bringing a wonderful acidity. The corn croquettes are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, and they're warm and hearty to eat. Three is a pretty generous serving, they're quite filling (especially since the mains are massive)
Mains: Wood-fired Harringtons pork loin
With chilli apple, crumbed cauliflower fleurons, warm lentils and walnuts
You really can't go wrong with pork and apple. Succulent and juicy, full of flavour, though the lentils felt a bit out of place and didn't fit - it was though it was added just to bulk out the meal. The salad should have been dressed, but the cauliflower was very well done. Very enjoyable, and this was a lot of food - even for me!
Dessert: Panqueques
With dulce de leche, Carello del Gelato ice cream and praline
The dulce de leche here has never disappointed me, and today they're as good as ever. The pancakes are pretty standard and this dessert delivered exactly what I expected. Good way to end the meal - and boy was I stuffed after all of that!
Though the dishes themselves were not tremendously strong, I thought El Matador had the best overall dining experience so far. Always a good time here.
Posted by Jeremy at 11:15am on Thursday September 3, 2015 :: 0 comments :: 