The Oak Grill Bistro

2009 Hospitality Association of NZ 'Awards for Excellence' -
'Best Restaurant' - National Finalist
'Excellence in Customer Service' - National Finalist

"It reminded us of good family restaurants in Italy, alive with the enjoyment of company, food and wine. This is a vineyard venue that manages the food side of the business with more style than some of its colleagues". John Gardner, Weekend Herald 'Canvas' June 2010 

"Enjoy lunch or dinner at this top notch kitchen with a dining room sitting among the very vines that you are sipping. Recommended. Highly."
- The New Zealand Herald

"Ascension... the regional star of Matakana."
- Peter Saunders, wine judge and author of
A Guide to NZ Wines

"Here is a vineyard that takes its food as seriously as it takes its wine."  - Peter Calder, Herald on Sunday

The Oak Grill Restaurant at Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana, restaurant, cafe, dining.We have grown up with wine at the table, and Ascension wines are crafted with a total wine and food experience in mind.

In addition to the 'Small Plates' selection, our signature dishes are prepared over a flaming grill fuelled with real French oak barrel shavings that have been soaked in red wine. The Oak Grill Bistro takes the marriage of wine & food to a unique level, imparting moisture and a delicate smokiness.

We literally bring the vineyard and the winery into the kitchen and onto your plate. The perfect meal to enjoy with a glass of Ascension wine - which most likely began its life just a few metres from where you sit!

Much of what you will enjoy at Ascension is grown in our own extensive kitchen gardens. Most of our herbs & garnishes are picked from the potager garden surrounding the fountain in the courtyard, while our main gardens behind the kitchen provide a range of fresh heirloom vegetables year round. These are supplemented with ingredients sourced from artisan suppliers around Matakana and Warkworth, and from throughout New Zealand.

The Oak Grill restaurant in Matakana has been awarded the NZ Beef & Lamb Hallmark of Excellence for 5 consecutive years.We've been awarded the NZ Beef & Lamb "Hallmark of Excellence" in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, won four HANZ (Hospitality Association of New Zealand) national "Awards for Excellence" and been a national finalist 12 times. Need we say more?

OPENING HOURS

Bistro Winter Hours (Easter until Labour Day October 25)

  • Thursday to Monday includsive 11:30am - 3:00pm (we close at 4pm on weekends)
  • (N.B. Kitchen closes 15 minutes before the restaurant)
  • Please note that we are no longer open for dinner

RESERVATIONS


MENU & WINE LIST  - please note that all menus are subject to seasonal change
Click to view, or right click and select "Save Target As..." to download.

  • Menu (PDF, 61 KB)
  • Wine List (PDF, 92 KB)


MENUS FOR GROUP BOOKINGS (15+ people)
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