IN BRIEF

Thoughtful, delicious dining on Papanui Rd, Christchurch.

WHY CHOOSE THIS RESTAURANT?

You will feel like you have been welcomed into the home of an outstanding chef for a casual, intimate evening of passionately prepared local bounty.

ABOUT THE MENU

Let’s talk about the turnip cakes. They’re based on a traditional dim sum dish paired with a silken white onion soubise and apple consommé. Fragrant, delicate, soft and packed with umami, this dish speaks to everything that is wonderful about the chef and his ability to look at a vegetable without restrictions. Celebrating local and ethical producers and growers, the Gatherings menu follows the seasons, serving food that can easily be shared and showcasing carefully sourced seafood, venison and mostly-organic vegetables. Dish heroes may be pickled mussels, crispy artichokes, farmed NIWA Haku kingfish or celeriac that has been slowly cooked over charcoal, all of them treated with incredible respect and dressed in sensational sauces or ferments that are cleverly designed to elevate each dish. Desserts such as ricotta doughnuts with vanilla custard, almonds and poached quince highlight the joy of seasonal fruit at its best. A small wine list favours low-intervention varieties from all over the world, many of them organic.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Alex Davies proudly serves his heart on a plate at this small and yet mighty restaurant which he opened in February 2017. Prior to that he was operating small spaces and pop-ups throughout central Christchurch and we still remember the night – at a pop-up in 2016 that gave us a first glimpse of what would become Gatherings – that Alex changed our opinion of the humble carrot forever, with his brilliantly innovative and flavourful approach. Mindfulness is at the core of this chef who has a talent for truly creating each dish from the ground up, and a desire to demonstrate a sense of place and community.

OF NOTE

Alex Davies has recently committed to a major focus on reducing the negative impacts of bottom trawling and he serves only sustainably sourced seafood.

ADDRESS: 5/2 Papanui Rd, Merivale, Christchurch
Check website for opening hours
SHARING STYLE: $15-$60 / 3-course set menu $80
CONTACT: 021 0293 5641
WEBSITE: gatherings.co.nz