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Curator’s House Menu

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Seafood paella at Curator’s House in Christchurch

Curator's House serves Spanish food from a heritage residence inside Christchurch Botanic Gardens, pairing the character of the building with produce grown immediately around it. Javier and Jackie Garcia Knight opened the restaurant in 2000 after developing the house and a demonstration fruit and vegetable garden with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. Guests can wander the grounds, dine outside in warm weather or settle into the fireside rooms in winter, making the seasons part of both the menu and the setting.

Tapas provide the most flexible introduction to the kitchen. Marinated Spanish olives and tomato-rubbed toast can start a light lunch, while grilled house chorizo, garlic prawns, Andalusian-style calamari and mushroom and Parmesan croquettes build a broader shared selection. Patatas bravas arrive with roasted capsicum and tomato dressing and alioli; baked goat cheese brings lemon oil and rosemary. Even the simple garden salad connects directly to the location, combining leafy greens with beetroot and whatever seasonal treasures are ready nearby.

The larger dishes make the Spanish influence more substantial without losing sight of Canterbury ingredients. Lamb shoulder is slow roasted with garden rosemary and red wine, while suquet cooks fish and prawns through a tomato and onion sofrito with almond picada. Pork belly uses sherry in a rich sauce, and flat-iron steak is kept direct with fries and salad. Paella is cooked to order in its pan: the seafood version combines prawns, clams, mussels and calamari with saffron and Calasparra rice, alongside a seasonal vegetarian version.

Dessert offers a compact Spanish finish. Tarta de Santiago brings almond cake and chocolate ice cream, while crema Catalana perfumes its custard with citrus, vanilla and cinnamon beneath the caramelised top. Chocolate mousse with raspberry, pistachio and syrup-soaked apricot provides another route, and a cheese board uses seasonal garden chutney. The restaurant's mix of tapas, long-cooked mains and garden produce makes it adaptable: visitors can stop for several small plates, reserve a deliberate lunch, or allow the historic house to frame an evening meal.

Address: 7 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand

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Curator's House Restaurant Menu

Tapas

These little tastes of Spanish gastronomy are to share between friends, enjoy at any time and any occasion. Traditionally accompanied by a good wine or beer. Ideal to enjoy before your main course arrives. Dietary codes: DF – Dairy Free, VV – Vegan, V – Vegetarian, GF – Gluten Free ingredients; DF* – can be made Dairy Free, VV* – can be made Vegan, V* – can be made Vegetarian, GF* – can be made Gluten Free.

Olives
$14

Marinated in garden herbs (GF, DF, V, VV)

Toasted Sourdough
$14 / 1 slice + $2

Grizzly Bakery bread with Catalan style crushed tomato & virgin olive oil drizzle (DF, V, VV, GF*) (4 slices)

Patatas Bravas
$14

Hand cut agria potato wedges with aioli & an oven roasted capsicum & tomato dressing (DF, V, VV*, GF)

Sherry Mushrooms
$16

Sauteed Swiss mushrooms, with a sherry & fennel dressing (GF, DF, V, VV)

Mushroom Croquetas
$19 / extra Croqueta p.c. + $4.80

Traditional mushroom & parmesan cheese croquettes (V Contains rennet) (4 units)

Chicken Croquetas
$19 / extra Croqueta p.c. + $4.80

Traditional free-range chicken & chorizo croquettes (4 units)

Prawns Al Ajillo
$22 / extra Prawn + $5.50

Australian Banana prawns pan-fried in their shell, smothered in garlic & olive oil, with a hint of chilli (GF, DF) (4 units)

Chorizo A La Parilla
$19

Our award-winning free-range Chorizo Garcia, sliced & chargrilled (GF, DF)

Calamares A La Andaluza
$19

Flash fried, dusted in pimentón served with aioli & fresh lemon (GF, DF)

Clams A La Marinera
$26

Cloudy Bay clams steamed in sofrito & stock (GF, DF) (subject to availability)

Baked Goat's Cheese
$20

Lemon oil, rosemary & honey, served with crostini (GF*)(V)

Cheese Board
One Cheese $19 / Two Cheeses $32 / Three cheeses $40

Served with seasonal garden chutney, crackers & treats

Tapas Tasting Selection
$36

A small taste of our favorited tapas, ideal for two to share as an entrée or add a few more tapas for a meal. Chorizo, calamares, Chicken & chorizo Croquetas, beetroot & feta salad

Vegetarian Selection
$33

Mushroom & parmesan Croquetas, sherry mushrooms, baked goats cheese, breised leeks

Baked Eggs
$22

Baked free range eggs atop potato cubes, spinach, lightly spiced tomato & capsicum sauce

Platters

Tapas Tasting Selection
$36

Chorizo, chicken & chorizo croquetas, calamares, beetroot & feta salad

Vegetarian Tapas Selection
$33

Mushroom & parmesan croquetas (rennet), baked goats cheese, sherry mushrooms, braised leeks

Cheese Board
One cheese $19 / Two cheeses $32 / Three cheeses $40

With pear & fig chutney, crackers & treats (Brie, Blue or Manchego sheep)

Soup / Salad

Seasonal Vegetable Soup
Small $13 / Large $19

Served with a slice of sourdough bread (V,DF*,GF*)

GARDEN SALAD
Small $12 / Large $18 / Add Crumbed fried chicken + $8

Leafy greens, beetroot, mixed seeds & garden treasures (GF, DF, V VV) (Add Crumbed fried chicken $8)

Huevos A La Flamenca / Baked Eggs

HUEVOS A LA FLAMENCA / BAKED EGGS
$22 / add chorizo + $6 / add mushrooms + $6

Baked free range eggs atop fried potato cubes, spinach, lightly spiced tomato & capsicum sauce. Served with a slice of Sourdough toast (GF* DF*) (add chorizo $6) (add mushrooms $6)

Main Dishes – Mar / Sea

Chargrilled Fish Of The Day
$37

Beetroot and balsamic puree with tender braised leeks & garlic sauté potatoes (GF, DF)

Zarzuela De Mariscos
$43

A seafood casserole of fresh fish, wild Australian banana prawn, clams & mussels. All cooked in a sofrito of onion & tomato, almond picada & garlic. Served with a slice of sourdough bread (DF)

Paella De Marisco (For Two)
$90 / Add a portion pp + $45

Our signature Seafood Paella cooked following Javier’s special recipe. Wild Australian banana prawns, clams, mussels, calamari, tomato sofrito, saffron & Albufera rice (GF, DF) (Allow 30 mins cooking time)

Main Dishes – Huerta / Garden

Zarzuela Vegana
$30

A kumara, chickpea & mushroom casserole made with a tomato sofrito & almond picada served with a slice of sourdough bread (DF, V, VV)

Paella Vegetariana
$35

Seasonal vegetables with tomato sofrito, saffron & Albufera rice (GF, DF, V, VV*) (Allow 30 mins cooking time)

Main Dishes – Carne / Meat

Cordero Asado Feast For Two
$78

Slow roasted Canterbury lamb shoulder with Abuela’s red wine reduction, served with freshly picked rosemary, duck fat potatoes & seasonal vegetables (GF, DF)

Angus Flat-Iron Steak 200g
$37 / Abuela’s red wine reduction sauce + $4.50

Peter Timbs butchery marbled steak, sous vide & finished on the grill. With or without truffle butter (gluten). Served with your choice of two sides: Duck fat potatoes/ Agria fries/ Seasonal vegetables/ Garden salad (GF, DF)

Caldo Gallego
$36

Tender braised chicken leg on the bone in a white bean & chorizo stew, with spinach & a slice of sourdough bread (GF* DF*)

Pork Belly
$37

Confit rolled pork belly, with a rich creamy sauce made with trotter stock & Spanish sherry. With mushrooms, scalloped potatoes & greens (GF)

Sides

Small garden salad
$12

(GF, DF, V, VV)

Seasonal vegetables
$12

(GF, DF, V, VV)

Duck fat potatoes
$12

(GF, DF)

Hand cut agria Fries with tomato
$12

(GF, DF, V, VV)

House made Aioli
$3
Toasted organic seeded sourdough bread slice
$2

Desserts

Affogato
$14 / Add a liqueur of your choice + $6

Vanilla bean ice cream served with a shot of espresso & pistachio & almond biscotti (GF*, VV*, DF*) (Add a liqueur of your choice – Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Drambuie, Frangelico, Baileys, Cointreau, Kahlua, Tia Maria)

Crema Catalana
$17

Our house specialty. Traditional Spanish set custard with hints of lemon, vanilla & cinnamon. Topped with caramelised sugar & served with pistachio & almond biscotti and berry compote (GF*)

Tarta De Santiago
$17 / A glass of Pedro Ximenez Sherry + $6

The famous spongelike Spanish almond tarte, originating from the Pilgrim’s town of Santiago de Compostela. Dusted in icing sugar & accompanied by chocolate ice-cream, Chantilly cream & apricot coulis (GF, DF*)

Rich Chocolate Mousse
$17

Served with a raspberry & pistachio crumble & syrup-soaked apricots (GF, V,VV,DF)

Cheese Board
One cheese $19 / Two cheeses $32 / Three cheeses $40

Served with a pear & fig chutney, crackers & treats (Brie, Bue or Manchego sheep)

Soups & Salad

Small $13.00 Large $19.00

Seasonal Vegetable Soup with a slice of bread
Small $13 / Large $19

(V)

Garden Salad
Small $12 / Large $18

Leafy greens with beetroot & seasonal treasures from our garden (DF V VV)

Mains

Cordero Asado – Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder for two
$78

Slow roasted Canterbury lamb shoulder served with freshly picked rosemary, red wine reduction, gourmet potatoes & seasonal vegetables (LF/GF)

Fish of the day
$37

Beetroot & balsamic puree, garlic saute poatoes with tender braised leeks (GF DF)

Seafood Casserole
$43

Fresh fish & seafood cooked in a sofrito of onion & tomato, almond picada, garlic & slice of toasted bread (DF)

Vegan Zarzuela
$30

Kumara, chickpea & mushroom casserole with tomato sofrito & almond picada (DF V VV)

Angus Flat-Iron Beef Steak 200g
$37

Served to you liking with truffle butter or naked and a choice of 2 sides between: duck fat potatoes, fries, seasonal vegetables & salad.

Caldo Gallego
$36

Tender Braised chicken leg on the bone in a white bean & chorizo stew, with spinach & a slice of sourdough bread (GF & DF on request)

Pork Belly
$37

Confit rolled pork belly, with a rich creamy sauce made with trotter stock & Spanish sherry. With mushrooms, scalloped potatoes & greens (GF)

Arroz – Rice Dish

Cooked & served in paella pan – allow minimum 30 minutes cooking time

Paella de Marisco for two – House Speciality
pp $45

Seafood including wild Australian banana prawn, clams, mussels & calamari cooked with, tomatoes, vegetables, saffron & calasparra rice (L/GF) Price: $45.00pp (minimum order 2 people $90.00)

Vegetarian Paella
$35

With seasonal vegetables (DF/GF/V)(vegan on rquest)

Juice & Soft Drinks

Orange – Pineapple – Cranberry – Apple – Tomato
$7
Coca cola – Lemonade – Ginger ale – Coke no sugar – Tonic – Soda
$6.50
Ginger beer – Lemon lime & bitters
$7
Three Boys Apricot Kombucha
$10

To Finish – Whiskey

JOHNNY WALKER
$15

Black Label Scotch

TALISKER 10 YEAR
$18
THE DALMORE
$19
DELAMAIN COGNAC GRANDE
$19

To Finish – Licor

AMARETTO
$12
BAILEYS
$12
DRAMBUIE
$12
KAHLUA
$12
GRAND MARNIER
$12
COINTREAU
$12
FRANGELICO
$12
TIA MARIA
$12

To Finish – Café / Coffee

Oat milk – vanilla syrup – large +.50c

SHORT/LONG BLACK, AMERICANO
$5.50
FLAT WHITE, CAFÉ LATTE, CAPPUCCINO
$6.50
MOCHACCINO, CHAI LATTE, HOT CHOCOLATE
$6.50
ICED LATTE
$7
ICED AMERICANO
$6
ICE COFFEE/ICE CHOCOLATE
$8

topped with whipped cream

To Finish – Te / Tea

HARNEY & SONS
$5.50

Breakfast, Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, Passion plum

VIK GROWS TISANE TEA
$6

Curated Tisanes made by our Head Chef Vikki with inspiration from both our & her garden. Chamomile, Mint & Fennel Melange, Tri Citrus & Spicy Ginger

Cava, Methode Traditionelle & Champagne

Flute/Bottle

Dibon Cava Brut Selection, Penedes, Spain, NV
Flute $14 / Bottle $56

Creamy in the centre with elegant palate, organic, baked apple & crusty sourdough

Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserva Rosé Delicate, Spain, NV
Flute $14.50 / Bottle $57

Pale pink, organic with violets, roses & berries. Smooth, creamy, fresh & elegant palate

Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle, Central Otago NV
Bottle $82

Biodynamic, apple, lime & brioche with creamy acidity

Taittinger Cuvee Prestige, France, NV
Bottle $149

A chardonnay led champagne, elegant, creamy & refined

Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, France, NV
Bottle $169

Full bodied with great richness and depth, toasty, nutty & concentrated

Spanish Whites

150ml/250ml/Bottle

Mesta Verdejo, Castilla, 2023
150ml $13 / 250ml $16 / Bottle $46

Crisp & aromatic with notes of fennel, citrus, herbal & floral elements. Dry & refreshing

Alba Martin Albariño, Rias Baixas, 2023
150ml $16 / 250ml $24.50 / Bottle $68

Fresh & fruity with white stone fruit aromas & citric notes, lively palate with lingering finish

Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah

150ml/250ml/Bottle

Black Barn Merlot Cabernet, Hawkes Bay, 2023
150ml $15.50 / 250ml $23 / Bottle $68

Dark red berry, smoke & spice notes, with plum, blackberry, clove & vanilla flavours

Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet, Waipara, 2023
150ml $18.50 / 250ml $28 / Bottle $79

Deep ruby, with aromas of blackberry, plums, cassis & mocha. Rich, ripe tannins

Craggy Range Hawkes Bay Syrah, 2023
150ml $17.50 / 250ml $26 / Bottle $76

Deep purple hues with blackberry, lavender & black pepper flavours

Pegasus Bay Reserve Maestro, Waipara, 2020
Bottle $129

Deep purple with a dark, earthy & savoury nose. Black forest fruit, mushroom & smoked game flavours bolstered with liquorice, mixed spice, eucalyptus.

Spanish Sherries

50ml

Tio Pepe Fino (dry)
$12
Pedro Ximenez Dulce (sweet)
$12

Harney & Sons Fine Black Teas

Dorchester English Breakfast
$5.50
Earl Grey Supreme
$5.50
Jasmine Green
$5.50
Passion Plum
$5.50

Curated Tisane Teas

Mint & Fennel
$5.50
Chamomile
$5.50
Tri-Citrus & Spicy Ginger
$5.50

-lemon verbena, lemon meyer, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric & calendula petals

Sangria – Chilled Spanish Wine Fruit Punch

Glass/500ml

Traditional Red Sangria
Glass $14 / 500ml $27
Champagne Sangria
Glass $15 / 500ml $28
Singria – Non-alcoholic Sangria
$10
Tinto De Verano – Red wine, soda, lemonade & Fresh orange
1Litre jug $38

Cocktails

Aperol Spritz
$18

Aperol, prosecco & splash of soda

Pimm’s Cup
$18

Pimm’s, ginger ale, lemonade & fresh fruit

Hugo
$18

Larios Dry gin, prosecco, house elderflower fresh lemon & soda

Mocktail
$12

Fresh mint, soda & elderflower syrup

Beer

On Tap: 330ml/400ml

Three Boys Hikari Lager 4.5%
330ml $12 / 400ml $14

On Tap

Three Boys Easy Juice Hazy 4%
330ml $12.50 / 400ml $14.50

On Tap

Three Boys Lager 4.5%
$13

330ml Bottle

Three Boys Pilsner 5.5%
$13

330ml Bottle

Coffee

Oat – vanilla syrup – decaf – large – extra milk 0.5

Short black – Long black- Americano
$5.50
Flat White – Latte – Cappuccino
$6.50
Mochaccino – Chai Latte – Hot Chocolate
$6.50
Fluffy
$1.50

To Finish – Vino y Fortificado

PEGASUS BAY ARIA 80ml
$12

Late picked Riesling, succulent fruit intensity

PEDRO XIMENEZ DULCE SHERRY
$12
GRANT BURGE TAWNY PORT
$12
SPANISH LEPANTO BRANDY
$14

Spanish Reds

150ml/250ml/Bottle

Oveja Tinta Graciano Malbec, Castile, 2020
150ml $13 / 250ml $18 / Bottle $48

Blackberry & raspberry flavours enhanced by clove, thyme and floral undertones.

Bideona Tempranillo de Laderas DOC, Rioja, 2022
150ml $14 / 250ml $19.50 / Bottle $57

Aromas of cherries, red berries & thyme. Medium bodied, good length & beautiful balance

Telmo Rodriguez Dehesa Gago, Toro, 2022
150ml $16.50 / 250ml $24 / Bottle $72

Carefully selected tempranillo. Deep, dark & earthy aromas of ripe blackberries & cherries

Muga Reserva, Rioja, 2021
Bottle $119

Perfect balance of modern & traditional. Clean, lush, bright, slightly spicy, elegant & medium bodied

Pinot Noir

150ml/250ml/Bottle

Opawa Pinot Noir, Marlborough, 2022
150ml $14 / 250ml $19.50 / Bottle $55

Medium-bodied & balanced. Displays supple red fruit flavours & soft, fine tannins.

Mt Beautiful Estate Pinot Noir, North Canterbury, 2020
150ml $16 / 250ml $24 / Bottle $69

An elegant weighty wine with fragrant bramble fruit, spice & a dark chocolate earthiness.

Picnic Two Paddocks Pinot Noir, Central Otago, 2024
150ml $18.50 / 250ml $28 / Bottle $82

Organic ,dark, elegant & fleshy with great depth & drive

Digestifs

Lepanto Gran Reserva Brandy
$14
Delamain Cognac Grande Champagne
$19
Jamesons Irish Whiskey
$12

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