Somewhere special to eat

It took a rugby team to carry in the seriously solid slab of macrocarpa that forms the bar top of the Lumberjack and also serves as a fitting tribute to the area’s sawmilling history.

The restaurant is big enough to comfortably host several sawmilling gangs and the massive open fire ensures everyone is kept toasty.

Lunch and evening menus are available, or just stop by for a hot drink and traditional Southland cheese roll or some highly rated carrot cake.

Given the heritage of the area the lumberjack cake in the lineup of baking goodness makes for a nice touch, the recipe sent to the owners by leading New Zealand chef Ruth Pretty. The original recipe contains Turkish dates, but co-owner Irene Walton has added her own twist by using fig and apple instead. This dense cake would keep sawmillers happily lumbering for another hour or two, and with a little imagination the coconut threads on top even resemble wood shavings. Closed Monday and Tuesday during winter. 3 Saunders Street, Owaka. (03) 415 8747, lumberjackbarandcafe.co.nz

Irene Walton