Two Hats off to Hippopotamus

We’ve really done it this time. We already knew QT Wellington’s famed Hippopotamus Restaurant was rave-worthy, but the sharpest of culinary pros have backed up our claims.

Warning, shameless bragging to follow…

Hippo has earned itself two hats in the Cuisine Good Food Awards. After securing a coveted spot on Cuisine’s Top New Zealand Restaurants for 2019, Hippo was hatted for tallying a whopping score of 17 – or “excellent, up there with the best” – by the expert awards assessment team.

Each year, the Cuisine team curates a selection of the very best restaurants across the country and awards points based on current performance, which translate to hats. Hatted restaurants “are at the very top of their game, on par with a premium global dining standard”.

Hippopotamus is flamboyant Parisian chic. Pops of colour and bedazzled chandeliers strut their stuff – and this is further proof that the cuisine matches the ooh la la theme.

Behind the menu is Executive Chef Jiwon Do. He boomeranged back into QT Wellington life in August 2018, after being with us previously as senior sous chef. 2019 was his first full year in his position, and he’s definitely made his mark.

To say he’s jazzed is an understatement: “My goal is for my love of New Zealand – and our foodie capital city – to come across in my dishes, by using fresh ingredients that are ethically sourced from trusted local partners.”

Stand-out menu items in 2019 included L’extraordinaire, a dessert made with Pamu Deer Milk and Le Saumon, seared Ora King salmon with pickled pikopiko among other seasonal ingredients.

Oh yes.

What dishes will mark 2020? Our curiosity is piqued. Keep an eye on Hippo’s menu, and we’ll see you when you strut in for a decadent high tea or evening of glamour. Santé!