Jack’s Point in Queenstown is a destination for more than one reason. As well as a large housing settlement, tucked under the Remarkable mountains it has a fabulous golf course and a wonderful eatery, Jack’s Point Restaurant.
Jack’s Point Restaurant
Chris Scott, previously executive chef at Rata in Queenstown is at the helm and certainly knows his stuff. He even managed to turn out superb food against all odds, after the club house and restaurant suffered a severe fire last year. However, last month saw a night of celebrations. The building was reopened in its entirety fully restored.
I was recently there snuggled close to the fire on a cold, winters day. Enjoying the relaxed ambience I sipping my wine and eat some sensational food. As well as being cosy in winter it’s an outstanding al fresco summer location with generous deck and wide steeps to the lake.
Chris’s menu focuses on fresh, seasonal New Zealand produce with as much purchased as possible from the artisan producers and suppliers in Central Otago.
The team was keen for me to taste a good sample of the menu. So I was taken on a little degustation trail that left me hugely satisfied and sleepy. I’d have to say the food was excellent in every way. The presentation, the unique and delicious flavours, the colours and textures, it all worked beautifully.
I started with what I describe as five-grain crispy toast with velvety duck liver parfait. This was followed by spiced southern calamari with ponzu mayo and pickled cucumber. Then I had a little soft shell crab and the must succulent chicken I’ve ever eaten with asparagus and lamb’s lettuce.
How Where did the name, Jack’s Point come from?
Just as an aside, if you’ve ever wondered where Jack’s Point got its name, it was named after Jack Tewa, a local Maori man known as ‘Maori Jack.’ He discovered gold by the Arrow River in 1862 causing the beginning of the gold rush in the 1860’s.
Jack was also famous for saving a man’s life when their boat capsized, sailing from Queenstown to Kingston.
Approximately an hour after setting off from Queenstown a squall capsized the boat. Jack managed to right the boat and pull one of the men, Mitchell, aboard. He landed the boat leaving Mitchell in a sheltered area and covered him with bracken. He set off on foot to find help at Nicholas Von Tunzelmann’s station 30 miles away. Jack and Nicholas then rowed across to Queenstown to get help. A rescue party set out from Queenstown to rescue Mitchell. Apparently, he survived the ordeal largely due to a mysterious collie dog who had kept him warm by lying on him through the night.
Jack Tewa was awarded a medal from the Royal Humane Society. In appreciation for his incredible feat, Mitchell gave him with a silver hunting watch.
Restaurant information
The Jack’s Point Restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 8 am – 6 pm, with dinner on Friday evenings.
Other great places to eat in Queenstown…
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