Coffee Rubbed Wagyu Short Rib paired with ‘Boulevadier of the North’ Cocktail

Kai Mata Restaurant, Kerikeri

This dish and cocktail pairing is a love letter to Kerikeri, where bold ideas, local produce, and creative flair come together on the plate and in the glass.

At the heart of the dish is a coffee-rubbed wagyu short rib, slow-cooked until tender and rich, then paired with silky kumara and sweet onion. A finishing touch of espresso crumble adds depth, crunch, and a lingering note of roasted intensity, a nod to the craft and care that defines Northland cuisine.

The flavours are enhanced by the cocktail, the “Boulevadier of the North.” This striking creation draws from the brilliant new range by 144 Islands, showcasing their coffee-infused bourbon, Kawa liqueur, and Vermouth No.2. The result is a bold, bitter-sweet drink with layers of depth, perfectly echoing the richness of the wagyu and the earthy sweetness of the kumara.

Binding it all together is Kerikeri’s very own Max Coffee, the common thread that ties the food and drink in harmony. The roasted notes in both the dish and the cocktail amplify each other, creating a flavour experience that is indulgent, balanced, and unmistakably local.

DETAILS:
Dates: 01st – 31st October
Time: 11am – 9pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday)
Cost: $50 (For the pairing)

BOOKINGS:
Phone: 021 083 37397
Email: bookings@kaimatarestaurant.com
Website: Kaimata Restaurant

VENUE:
Name: Kai Mata Restaurant
Address: 93 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri