Cookbook: Fleur's Place of New Zealand

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When is the last time you had a perfect meal? Where every aspect, from the moment you step foot inside, until you roll yourself back home, is absolute perfection? I've been lucky enough to have a few of these meals, but on this sunny Chicago afternoon, I'm reminded of one in particular. While my honey and I were traveling New Zealand last year, it was recommended that we try Fleur's Place, a waterfront, seafood restaurant set in Moeraki Bay. While I wish I could have come up with the following few sentences to describe just how quaint this restaurant is, restauranteur Rick Stein beat me to it:

"Set in the sleepy little fishing village of Moeraki on the Otago coast, Fleurs Place has an unbeatable setting. There's water on three sides, fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, the famous Moeraki boulders across the bay and, to the north, the open sea. Fleur uses only the freshest of local ingredients - indeed, fishing boats land their catches right into [the] restaurant."

With an idyllic setting, artfully crafted wine and beer list and a hand-written blackboard menu (updated daily with a list of the morning's catch), Fleur's Place certainly sets itself up to be an incredible experience. Add on a selection of sun-soaked patio tables, many of which are scattered along the edge of an old jetty, and you've got yourself one hell of a perfect meal!

If you're interested in tasting the greatness that is Fleur's but don't have any plans to travel to Moeraki, New Zealand anytime soon, don't fret! You can always order the new Fleur's Place Cookbook. While perusing bookstores in NZ, I stumbled upon this gem more than once and spent my fare share of time drooling over the photographs of delicious dishes and the breathtaking scenery of coastal Otago. It's also packed full of fun tidbits oh how chef/owner Fleur Sullivan creates her classic dishes (hint: fresher than fresh fish, salt water and butter). Order your copy now, track down a good fish purveyor and soon you too can be enjoying your own little piece of Fleur's, minus the sleepy little fishing village and salt-scented breeze, natch.

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The perfect little shack where all of the magic of Fleur's takes place!
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Fish stew with New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussels and crusty, grilled French bread.
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The standard: lightly sauteed, farm fresh vegetables, fresh catch of the day, and your choice of sauce, served up in a Paua shell for a very New Zealand touch.
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The Moeraki Boulders, a short walk down the beach from Fleur's Place!