Delicious food, let’s eat: The Fine Lion
Winter can be a special time to spread the warm and cosy vibe of friendship and conviviality – perhaps with a drink after work or a meal in a relaxed environment.
The Fine Lion eatery in Ashburton has a wonderful wrap-around, enclosed balcony that is the perfect spot for a cocktail, a beer or a glass of wine, while enjoying the glow from the open fires and people-watching down onto the tree-line thoroughfare of Ashburton’s main street below.
All very reminiscent of cafe life along Christchurch’s The Terrace. “We love people to come in for drinks and our fabulous Bar Bites,” say owners Matt and Belinda Fine.
If customers are looking for something more substantial than bar bites the restaurant offers sharing plates all day until late, lunch choices until 4pm and dinner choices, starting at 5pm.
There’s an enticing new winter menu designed by Head Chef Kinnear Horsburgh, just waiting to be sampled. The only real issue is what to choose, because every dish sounds mouth-wateringly good.
But don’t think this is all flashy posh nosh. “I think people hear the name The Fine Lion, and immediately conjure up silver service and linen napery,” says Matt, “but the name is a play on our surname of Fine and the building we are in just happens to have a lion crest on the wall. In fact, we are a casual welcoming eatery for everyone with downright delicious food and every drink you can think of.”
