Hippopotamus Restaurant and Cocktail Bar Reopening

Overview

After rising to the challenges of 2020 with pop-up degustations and whimsical high tea, Wellington's award-winning Hippopotamus Restaurant and Cocktail Bar is flinging open its doors for some culinary theatre.

The flamboyant French-inspired restaurant at boutique design-led hotel QT Wellington is making a triumphant return to the dining scene this month — circle Thursday, 11 February on your calendar. Executive chef Jiwon Do together with head sommelier Florent Souche has created a new menu celebrating sustainable New Zealand producers, all while incorporating the restaurant's signature French flair and some extra wow factor.

Some notable producers featured on the menu include Awatoru Wild Food venison, Ōra King salmon, Lot Eight cold-pressed olive oil, Pāmu deer milk and Greenstone Creek beef. The latter is a high point of the dramatic 'Tableside Theatre' dining experience. As part of the gueridon trolley service, the prime cut of 21-day aged beef fillet is carved table-side, with a selection of seasoning salts, sauce and aromatic olive oil spritz to finish.

Hippo's crêpes suzette is equally thrilling; the classic French dessert is set alight in orange syrup and Grand Marnier table-side before being served with Zelati's much-loved brown sugar and vanilla gelato. Oh là là.

Take your pick from two, three or six courses — the latter features an optional wine match per dish. And you'll have plenty to choose from in that department, too, with Hippopotamus' wine list featuring 850 selections from around the globe. For upcoming special occasions, Hippo's high tea service will also return on Saturdays and Sundays. The first six weekends until 21 March have been reserved for an all-out celebration of chocolate.

Hippopotamus will reopen on Thursday, 11 February at QT Wellington. To see the opening hours, new menu and to make a booking, visit qthotels.com.