Our local hosts nod vigorously when we tell them we're going to Capers Epicurean. It's been named Rotorua cafe of the year eight times. We're greeted by smiling staff and an array of salads in the cabinet with gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy-free options.
On this day, there are courgette, cauliflower, almond and bacon, Balkan cucumber and vegetarian rice salads. Or be prepared to spend some time perusing the menu, which ranges from the classic scotch fillet to the mouth-watering juniper berry-marinated venison and lentil, spinach and kumara curry. The kids' crunchy munchy picnic plate is met with a squeak of approval from my 7-year-old.
My pistachio-and-parmesan-crusted salmon is exceptional - tasty and delicate and served with seasonal vegetables. It leaves just enough room for dessert - the grasshopper (mint and chocolate) cheesecake is good, but we swoon over the lime-and-white chocolate cheesecake. Littlies can chill in the glass-fronted kids' television room, and make sure you check out the specialty food store for great gifts.
You'll need to get off the main streets of Rotorua to find Ciabatta Bakery: home to Swiss baker Alex Burge's handcrafted artisan bread and the longest hotdog in the world. The Long Dog is described as a 42cm edible adventure. We loved the "lammie" and the "BBQ porkie" ciabatta sandwiches, the giant pretzels, mini cronuts, and the delicious, traditional streusels and berliners.
