The Girdlestone Restaurant — ideal for families

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 7, 9 July 1985, Page 11

The Girdlestone Restaurant — ideal for families

After just six months in eharge, Bruce and Mary Leggatt have turned the Ohakune Hotel into a booming business. The couple came to Ohakune from Turangi last December and have spent every day since they arrived in town striving to build up their accommodation, bars and restaurant trade. The Leggatts are the first publicans at the hotel for some time, following a series of short term managers, and they have set about an extensive upgrading programme, which includes complete redecorating throughout the building, the creation of an additional cool room and bottle store, improved catering facilities and a free liquor delivery service to large customers, such as clubs. The couple also have plans for major structural alterations after they freehold the property in the near future. This week was the beginning of Bruce and Mary's first winter season in the business, but they don't

anticipate any problems, as their accommodation has been booked to capacity for the past several months and their staff members are already experienced at dealing with capacity crowds at the successful live entertainment and disco nights which were held throughout the summer months. Disco nights and visits by top bands will continue throughout the winter season. The hotel's Girdlestone Restaurant offers service from 6.30am until 9am seven days per week for residents and non residents who like to enjoy a good breakfast before hitting the ski slopes. Lunches are available from noon until 2pm, also seven days per week. From Sunday to Thursday the restaurant serves evening meals from 6pm to 8.30pm and on Fridays and Saturdays it remains open until 9pm. Mrs Jo Robinson and Mrs Lil Shanks do the cooking and despite the fact that

the restaurant is self-service, except for wines and liqueurs, the meals are first class. The self-serve concept allows for a faster turn-over of customers in the bistro, and "makes it ideal for those on the move and for families," claims Bruce.

For entree, diners can enjoy such, dishes as garlic and tomato soup, chilli con carne, oyster or shrimp cocktail, or ham and prawn jambalaya. The restaurant 's main course menu is regularly changed to give repeat customers a greater choice.

This week, in addition to the usual steak, lamb and chicken dishes, there was excellent fish provencale with wine rice and fillet with cream and Cognac sauce. Desserts include fresh fruit salads, bananas with. wine sauce, coffee mousse and gorgeous deep-fried ice

cream. With its pleasant staff and its appetising meals, the centrally located Girdlestone Restaurant compliments the excellent reputation Bruce and Mary Leggatt have been building for their hotel's facilities and service to patrons.