Calling all Kiwis

[kc]

Hi all - hope I've got your attention

Would any of you know of a good restaurant in Christchurch where a couple from the UK could have Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day?

A colleague of mine is touring New Zealand, with her husband, for 3-4 weeks and will arrive into Christchurch on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

As I only spent 2 days in Christchurch, 16 years ago, my knowledge is a little out of date

Any help given will be greatly appreciated

[Lily]

I havent got time to do the necessary research right now, but may I suggest you start by looking on the web for Christchurch NZ, and I'm sure you'll be able to find some names of restaurants open on Christmas day. I'll be happy to check anything out for you and give opinions later.
One thing you can be sure of - it'll be hot
I presume they have accommodation?

I look forward to hearing more and helping all I can
Oh: I'm in Wellington, across the straight!

[Brightwing]

Or you could try looking in the yellow pages online at http://www.yellowpages.co.nz

Having never been to Christchurch, I'm not much help other than that.

[Lily]

I've done some research and sent off an email or two
Oh - regarding accommodation and stuff - this is high holiday season - I do hope your friends have accommodation all along the way

[Hans]

I suppose she knows how she can do research but i guess she was hoping for a human recommendation (always the best, you know)

Sorry KC, I can't help but do mail me if that couple ever visits my country

[kc]

Thanks everyone especially Lily.

They do have accomodation and I suggested the hotel, but I don't really know where they are staying I did say I would ask though

Hans - they visited Amsterdam earlier this year, just for a weekend

[Lily]

I'll carry on seeing what I can find out for you - no response to emails yet, but it was Sunday evening
Some time country house restaurants, vinyards, etc., will do Christmas dinners - that's what I'm hoping to find

[Lily]

It's now Monday evening. I have had no responses to any emails I have sent out and your friends will be wanting to make definite arrangements.
I'll certainly post as soon as I hear anything, but how about they ask the hotel they have booked if they can recommand anywhere in the area for Christmas Lunch? I suspect that unless they book in advance, it'll be the hotel they're staying at as everywhere is closed on Christmas Day

Is this their first Summer Christmas? Heck! lamb sandwiches and a nice bottle of bubbly in a gondola on the river would be nice! Oh, maybe not on Christmas day, ditto as above!

[Lily]

Which reminds me of my far off youth when my friend and I were fortunate enough to get a booking at the last minutes in a Youth Hostel doing a special Christmas weekend.

Trouble is, we had the whole day to get through so we went walking. Very fortunately, it was dry, and we walked for miles looking for a pub or somewhere for a drink and lunch. We eventually found one - but the only food available was a pork pie! Oh, this was on the South Coast of UK.

The things you remember!

[Lily]

Well, I've had this information, which might not be a lot of help to your friends. Have a look at the web site mentioned though, and don't forget, it will be necessary to book in advance

"At this stage, the following hotels will be open for Christmas Dinner:

Crowne Plaza
Heritage
George Hotel

Also, the Oxford on Avon will be open

Kind regards
Natasha
Booking & Information Consultant
Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Centre
PO Box 2600
Christchurch, New Zealand

Ph: +64 3 379 9629
Fax: +64 3 377 2424

E-mail: info@christchurchnz.net
Visit us on our website: www.christchurchnz.net "

[Lily]

Check this out!!!!!

http://www.oxfordonavon.co.nz/

I wouldnt hesitate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO FOR IT!!!!!

[Lily]

http://www.innz.co.nz/host/c/crowneplazachch.html
(cant immediately find their Christmas menu)


http://www.heritagehotels.co.nz/

https://thegeorge.com/site_flash.htm

[kc]

Lily

Just wanted to say another thankyou for the information.

Sue travels on Tuesday, with a stopover in Singapore, so we are all green with envy

She did email the oxford on avon restaurant - no reply though

But the information and links you provided were greatly appreciated and because their trip is very "fluid" it should come in useful whatever the circumstances.

Kath

[Lily]

You want ME to get on the phone!
cos, they do need to book to be sure of getting in somewhere!
Was it to book, or just a general enquiry?
Cos, I certainly dont mind just finding out what their Christmas day bookings are like to date!

[Lily]

Well I did ring!
They still have bookings available for Christmas Day
They have not checked their emails for several days but expect to do so on Monday. I said, that's not much help, my people are leaving UK on Tuesday!
Any more help I can be - please ask! We wantses our UK visitors to have a Good Time!

[kc]

Lily

What can I say. You are going above and beyond the call of duty

Trouble is Sue did the emailing from w**k and doesn't have any access now
- I would cos I'm like that and know how but Sue leaves w**k and home separate.

I'll try to let her know before she leaves and give her the number to ring when she arrives in Auckland later this week.

Now, stop. Get your own Christmas sorted out - okay

Kath

[Lily]

Having spent two days recently squiring visitors around Wellington, made me think of your friends kc, and I wondered how they had got on in NZ.
Our first visitors were from Winchester, not looking forward to going home at the end of Feb, and working on achieving a good tan first.
The second was on a round the world tour on the QEII.
We turned on some amazing weather for them all they were most impressed!!
Hope your friends did as well

[Kugai]

Going further on this, if you're ever in Wellington and looking fo a place that does excellent Mixed Grills/All Day Brekkies etc, may I reccomend THIS PLACE.

The foods good, and the Coffee's even better

[Lily]

Kugai is that the Green Parrot? I've heard they are excellent

I had lunch at oh such a Posh Restaurant the the other day! (NOT one I paid for)
I don't think I'm suited for Posh Meals!!!! When I want ice cream I want ICE CREAM, not a spoonful of soft ice beautifully decorated on a big plate!!
Oh, there was a pear and some chocolate fudge stuff too. for presentation, 150%, taste, 150% - Price!!!!!!!! :faints:
(It was the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. With an award for best restaurant in the city!

[Kugai]

No Lily, its the Cafe/Restaurant on the corner of Taranaki and Manners Streets near Pidgeon Park. You can actually see the name of the Store in the big sign.

[kc]

Very remiss of me not to gove you all an update

By all accounts they had a wonderful time and are planning to go again and are even thinking about retiring there

They ended up having a picnic on Xmas day and dining in the hotel later that evening.

But thanks anyway - I'll store the info away mentally for my next visit - whenever that may be

[Kugai]

Good to know they had a good time here in Kiwiland kc.

[AnnMarie]

One of these days I WILL get to Kiwiland. A friend of mine currently lives in Auckland, but she is getting married and she and the new SO are building and opening a B&B (wish I could remember where!) Maybe once she is ready for business, I will go.