Fleurs Place

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Address

169 Haven St
Moeraki
Region: Otago
Licence: Fully Licensed
Cuisine: Unknown
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Contact

Phone: 03 439 5980
Fax: 03 439 5981
Website: www.fleursplace.com
Email: mail@fleursplace.com

Open

Seven days a week from 9am in the winter, earlier in the summer, to midnight.

Comments

Sheltered harbour and helicopter pad is available.

Overall DineOut Score based on 35 reviews

Total		8.1
Food		8.2
Dessert		8.1
Presentation		8.0
Service		7.6
Environment		8.5
Toilets		7.0
Child Friendly	Very

Review by: Angela OShea (16) on 22nd August 2010

Total		8.4
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

Very accommodating after we booked then arrived an hour early. Very busy place, bookings essential. Asked for mussels to share as a starter - no idea if was on the menu. Very fresh, in a creamy sauce - would've liked a little acid in it, or perhaps coriander. Then groper - perfectly cooked and also obviously very fresh. Accompanying veggies were sooooo good - brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, potato, broccoli - al dente, shiny, just the way I like 'em. Sauce (tartar?) in a shell was a nice touch. Loved the rustic environment and the subtle country music by a live performer. A real treat.

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Review by: Gilliannz (21) on 7th August 2010

Total		7.2
Food		7
Dessert		8
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		6
Toilets		N/A

We were staying in Moeraki for the evening and were able to get a booking for dinner. We were seated upstairs at a table that you could hardly get your legs under and at a table for 6. When one became available we were offered and accepted a table for two. Service was good , efficient and friendly. We ordered mains of Muttonbird and Scallops. The muttonbirds were too oily and salty for me so I swapped with my husband. Just a bad choice on my part, for me. The scallops were much nicer. The desserts were Apricot Crumble and Chocolate Whiskey Torte and were really nice. I would like to try their Seafood Chowder some time. I was expecting better from their reputation but sitting on hard chairs at tables without tablecloths, very rustic.

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Review by: disco (10) on 14th July 2010

Total		8.0
Food		8
Dessert		9
Presentation		6
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		7
Child Friendly	Yes

We dined at Fleurs Place on Saturday 3rd July. I had phoned and made a booking a couple of weeks before hand and was glad I had because they were turning people away they were that busy! The table we were suppose to sit on upstairs still had people on it so in a short moment of confusion Fleur offered us another table downstairs, she seemed slightly flustered but after that was sorted the service by the other waiting staff was really good. We started with a bottle of Peregrine Pinot Gris and a selection of breads and dips. It was recommended that we purchase bottled water as the supply in Moeraki was considered "dodgy". Two of our group selected the Carpet bag (Fish stuffed with Oysters), while I had the Gurnard with a chilli/coriander sauce on the side and my fiancee had the Blue Cod with lime and caper sauce. All of the fish was fresh and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. I did think that the presentation of the meals was lacking, but I guess when you are trying to keep things, clean, simple and organic there isn't a lot you could actually do - the sauces in the Paua shells was a nice "Kiwi" touch mind you. With our meals we had a second bottle of Pinot Gris, this time the Gibbston Valley (I think the Peregrine was the better of the two). Our group had 3 dessert between us with the stand outs being the Icecream selection and the Brulee. The meal was great and we will definitely make sure we return.

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Review by: S.A (13) on 19th June 2010

Total		7.8
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		7
Environment		8
Toilets		8

Great food, fresh produce and beautifully put together. Good friendly relaxed service. Recommend.

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Review by: kevin Dean (2) on 15th June 2010

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		9
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		8

In April a group of nine Otago Rail Trail cyclists ended their entrepid journey by spending their last night in the SI by spending the night in picturesque Moeraki, dining at Fleur's Place. It was Sat night and the place was already humming when we arrived, to be greeted very graciously by Fleur herself. From this moment forward the service, the casual and friendly atmosphere, and the warm ambience of this place enchanted us. Fleur could not do enough for us and our waiter was charming (much to the liking of my 17 year old daughter!). We selected a seafood platter entree (massive)and added several other dishes which we all shared. The result was a whitebait omelette, scallops in pernod sauce, smoked salmon, hot mussels and cockles, smoked conga eel and hapuka, and more, feast. The seafood was fresh and beautifully cooked (as a keen and pretty successful diver and fisherman myself I am often hard to please at seafood restaurants. Most of us shared mains after this being already rather full, and our delight continued. This was well matched by several SI Sav blancs which had been recommended. Dessert was fantastic. I thoroughly recommend Fleur's as a great place for a group of friends to enjoy great food in a beatifull, relaxed setting. Get there early enough to enjoy a drink on the upstairs balcony and watch the sun go down.

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Review by: Art Fell (2) on 12th April 2010

Total		8.2
Food		10
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		5
Environment		6
Toilets		8
Child Friendly	Yes

We were looking forward to this meal after a long day's travel. Fleur's reputation precedes her, Celeb endorsements etc. and it is a pretty spot on the water.
Unfortunately, first impressions are paramount, and ours was less than fantastic. we walked in and stood there, it was reasonablly busy, and stood there. No one looked, or acknowleged us for far too long. the Bar person even glanced at us, and looked away again. Grr.
I finally spoke to someone and got our seat ourselves. The rest of the evening was a mixed bag, exceptional food, and indifferent service. Fleur seems to pick and choose who she greets, and I watched an elderly couple stand there looking bewildered, like we did. Expensive too, but I must stress, the food was amazing. Just don't forget the little things, make your customers feel welcome.

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Review by: Cafe Hopper [DineOut VIP] (144) on 10th March 2010

Total		8.6
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		7
Environment		10
Toilets		9

I had booked well in advance for here on our way from Chch to Dunedin and unfortunately were running late after plane delays. We rang ahead and they were very friendly in letting us change our booking time so all was goos. We arrived and were seated, but at a table for 2 not 3 and no menus were given after about a 15 minute wait. The one waiter in the very busy restaurant eventually came over to us and we got our orders in. After that initial kerfuffle, the meals came out in good time and were delicious. Worth waiting for no doubt. I had the hot pot and it was the perfect amount- initially looks large but perfectly filling. My other companions enjoyed their fish of the day and scallops immensely also. There are copies of her book available to read while waiting and it read "Fleur is always sitting at the table with piles of papers" and that is exactly what we saw. Great to have a place where the namesake is still so actively involved. A great stop over or destination any day!

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Review by: amw2010 (11) on 30th January 2010

Total		7.9
Food		9
Dessert		7
Presentation		8
Service		7
Environment		8
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Very

Did lunch here on the way to Christchurh from Dunedin. Had great bisque to start. Very rich and delicious. The blue cod was cooked just right. You could choose from a selection of sauces. The vegetables were very al dente. The chowder brimming with shellfish was great. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the sauce was impeccable. The desserts were good but this place is all about the seafood. You could see the chefs on the wharf talking the fishermen and checking out the catch. Definitely a must stop.

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Review by: mikec (2) on 30th January 2010

Total		8.8
Food		9
Dessert		8
Presentation		10
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

I've dined at Fleurs Place once before for dinner this time it was for lunch. The lunch was outstanding, a good sized portion, prices were a little above average. Service was excellent, with amazing harbour views. Worth a visit when in this part of the world.

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Review by: SarahL (7) on 28th January 2010

Total		8.3
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		8
Child Friendly	Very

Last stop in early January at the end of an Otago holiday dogged by freezing winds and howling southerlies and this day was no different, hence the slightly chaotic state of Fleurs on this very busy Friday lunchtime. It seems that when the outside seating can't be used it becomes a logistical nightmare trying to fit in the constant stream of (mainly foreign Lonely Planet carrying) visitors trying to call in for a quick feed! We were better prepared, having booked the previous week when calling in at the start of our holiday. We were seated right between the main door and the bar, which meant we were exposed to all the chaos and draughts, but enjoyed the ultimate people watching experience.
Kids menu was great and one of our little heathens ordered the Pasta and Tomato with NO SEAFOOD, whilst the other, trying to appear more grown up, ordered the Seafood Chowder – he was disappointed at the lack of chips on the menu, but I could definitely see why this was the case – why let the customers fill up on deep fried carbs when there is much more delicious just caught, scaled and gutted sea food on offer!
The grown ups ordered the Seafood Hot Pot and the Kai Moana platter to share. What a massive amount of food!! I can see why some of the other reviewers commented on portion size. I think the Kai Moana platter would have been enough for two – fortunately as much of this was cured or smoked we could have it packed up to take away. Children were disappointed that we couldn’t fit in desert as they certainly looked divine coming out to other tables.
There was a mix up with our bill – possibly we had been charged for another whole table?!? I guess it was just part of the fun – no problem with the very gracious staff when rectifying the error. All in all a very memorable experience that will be repeated – maybe without the little people, so seafood can be appreciated un-impeeded.

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Review by: WayneK (34) on 26th January 2010

Total		8.8
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		10
Toilets		N/A

We dined at Fleur's as a party of three last Saturday night. Fleur herself was extremely welcoming and happily accommodated our request for a table outside, right at the water's edge. The view? Simply the best I've ever had at any restaurant - you couldn't get anymore kiwi!
The service was really good - a little slow, but friendly and accommodating. The wine list is very small and most of the wines were from vineyards I've never heard. None of the winelist had years next to the wines, which could be looked at.
The food was excellent - great quality, extremely fresh and good quantity. We asked for a side of some sort of chips, which they didn't have. How about a side of oven cooked Oamaru jersey bennies - it's just down the road?!
Overall we left feeling full and happy that we had finally been to Fleur's. Keep it up!

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Review by: julia nina (5) on 14th January 2010

Total		7.5
Food		7
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		5
Environment		10
Toilets		8

We love going to Fleurs for the relaxed atmosphere, the friendly welcome and the spectacular landscape. We used to love the food too and used to travel from Dunedin regularly but somehow the food has gone downhill a little. Please don't get me wrong, it is still a fantastic place to have lunch (and to those who have not yet been: go now!) but the last two times our fish was overcooked, the bacon-wrapped blue cod came with way too much sauce and a number of the wines were not available. The seafood platter and desserts were great as always though. We will be back but it would be good to see Fleurs Place in its former glory...

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Review by: Titch [DineOut VIP] (73) on 7th January 2010

Total		8.1
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		8
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

"Yes, my darling wife, we will stop at Fleurs Place on the way to Dunedin!" - and it was really worthwhile! Our booked table was not vacated when we arrived (now I know why ;-) - so we were asked if we want to sit outside, upstairs - and the Sunday was the perfect day for it! Perfect as well the scallops served as an entrée and shared between us - simply divine (and if it would have been only the entrée, the rating would be higher). My partner had one of the fish of the day (grouper) while I dived into the Seafood Hotpot, with delight, but overwhelmed by the amount (and I was not the only one). The other main was perfectly cooked, the fish was fresh, but did need the delicious lime and capers sauce to lift it up.
We both were unable to finish the meal (quantity) and therefore only space for two espressos... shame to miss the so longed for desserts! The disappointment was softened by meeting Fleur and having the chance to have a chat with her - and hearing more facts and figures later from close friends of her, we know now more why and how... but that would be telling too much!
All in all an unforgettable experience - and we sincerely hope to return, if all works out for us - and of course Fleurs Place!

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Review by: J J K (14) on 5th January 2010

Total		7.3
Food		7
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		8
Environment		8
Toilets		7

I dined here at lunch time on January 2nd with two friends. I would concure with some of the recent writers, that while Fleur's is a lovely little place, my overly high expectations, due to other 'rave' reviews, were not met.
I ordered bread and dips to start and these were nicely presented, lovely dips and a good variety of breads. But the volume was enough for six and half was returned.
Our fish meals arrived and were also very large. The fish was beautifully cooked and tasted as fresh as you would expect. However the the fish in each case (four large pieces) totally covered a substantial serving of vegetables - spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, half a small potato and a piece of corn cob. (I felt the corn was totally out of place in this establichment.) One had to eat much of the fish to reach the vegetables without making a mess of one's plate. The meals were so large two of us could not finish them.
I would like to suggest that Fleur consider an appropriate offering for lunch such as two or three pieces of fish with a salad. That is, a smaller meal at a slightly lower price.
I recognise that she is doing a roaring trade so may not need to change, at this point, but a more modest meal might be more easily enjoyed in all respects.

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Review by: Ian Humphreys (13) on 3rd January 2010

Total		6.1
Food		5
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		8
Toilets		5
Child Friendly	Kind of

Well Rick Stein may have said this was the place he would want to go to write a travel article, it must have been because it was damn near the farthest distance he could travel first class at the newspaper's expense ! We seem to be at odd's with the other review's of this restaurant and whilst my food was good, it was by no means outstanding and I ate far better food in our 17 days in New Zealand recently. The place was packed at lunchtime on Dec. 23, 2009 which is always encouraging and maybe we chose the wrong food but we all had different food. Mine was the best by far. My wife had mussels as a main course and whilst the portion was huge, 20 very large green lipped mussels, there simply was too much to the point of being over-faced. My daughter had mutton bird, and I can see why it is classed as a delicacy but not for us. My son had pasta which was from the children's menu but he said it was not nice at all. So superb location, food average to below average but we did get to see the Moeraki Marbles at least !

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Review by: Possum (40) on 15th December 2009

Total		9.2
Food		N/A
Dessert		10
Presentation		9
Service		8
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

We were camped nearby & though not really dressed for anything flash, I thought we'd see if we could have dessert at Fleurs, having heard of its reputation. Its a stunning restaurant in a lovely location, & amazingly busy, given how remote Moeraki is.
They were happy to serve us scruffy campers late in the evening, and our desserts were outstanding, I had the brownie with chocolate mousse & chocolate ice cream, him indoors had the creme brulee & we both agreed they were the best of their kind we'd ever had. The dessert wine was lovely & the service was good.
My only mark against the place was that the staff, while polite & efficient, appeared to have had their collective sense of humour surgically removed, there wasn't a smile to be seen in the place. But I'd still go back for the food & environment.

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Review by: sereneione (37) on 24th October 2009

Total		7.7
Food		8
Dessert		7
Presentation		7
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		6

I saw Mr Lu's review, and I have to admit that I didn't have the patience to really read through all of it. It did, however, garner my attention, and so, I gathered 2 friends, booked a table, and off we went on a Saturday evening.
It. Was. LOVELY.
The entree of mussels cooked with white wine was really good. And huge. When I say huge I really mean HUGE. It was a good thing my friend and I decided to share an entree, otherwise we would've been too full for the mains. My other friend had the seafood chowder, and he liked it as well.
On to the mains. The waiter who served us was very helpful in telling us what's good with what. All of us enjoyed what we had ordered, and we all agreed that the portions were NOT SMALL. We were so full aftewards that we all shared one dessert, the home-made ice creams. They were beautifully made, beautifully presented. Nice.
Highly recommended.

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Review by: Mr Lu [DineOut VIP] (383) on 1st May 2009

Total		8.9
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A
Child Friendly	Very

On the wings of an eagle I crested Pine Hill, passed through Pigeon Flat and soared along State Highway 1 toward & beyond the southern town of Palmerston. The astute reader, if in possession of a focused mind, may by now have determined that I was, in fact, under a sort of magnetic magic spell which was to see my vehicle & me in the carpark of Fleur’s Place in no time at all.
My reservation was for early afternoon but, as luck would have it, I arrived an hour and a half early and had visions of sitting harbourside in this attractive little fishing village, reading the saturday morning newspaper.
Noticing activity at the restaurant I popped my head in the door and was immediately welcomed, advised that I could dine much earlier than the appointed time if that was my wish and, consequently, shown my table. My table was upstairs and afforded a quintessential fishing village/ small working harbour view which was nothing short of perfectly appropriate given that here I was in what, on the face of it, was a rough and ready, No 8 fencing wire style of patched and paneled Kiwi seaside bach. Fleur Sullivan has very astutely created an image and an atmosphere in frank and cleverly unmitigated sympathy with the surroundings, right down to the use of corrugated iron outside, an old, unpainted front door and the wide, chunky floorboards that have been ‘aged’ using a chainsaw.
It is, without doubt, an adventure of sorts to enter this guardian of fresh, local, homely & wholesome cuisine. For me it was akin to going into, as a child, an elaborate, large treehouse made from backyard scraps, lots of different bits and pieces of wood, beams and posts and planks, and filled with wooden tables and chairs in keeping with all of the above.
A friendly, helpful waitress was soon at my side with a cold bottle of water, a menu offering screamingly seductive choices and, of course, a wine list.
As I settled into what would be my place in space for the next ninety minutes, I contemplated whether my meal here today would be anything like the ecstacy some say will be experienced on entering the Gates of Heaven. Things were getting underway downstairs in the engine room and the smell of fish conveyed its pleasant presence throughout the room.
I knew that the fish at Fleur’s Place is fresh from the sea, hand filleted by the fishermen themselves and washed only with seawater. Depending on the weather and for your education and information, the fish of the day is Tarakihi, groper, gurnard, moki or ling.
As I was in the presence of greatness (Fleur was in the building) I ordered a glass of 2 Paddock Sauv Blanc from the vineyards of one of our other New Zealand greats, Sam Neill. After all, 2 greats can make anyone feel special!
The Seafood Chowder came next and I have to say that at first glance there was nothing overtly flamboyant about this at all. It was simple in presentation & rich and dark in colour but, be assured, that it unceremoniously leapt up onto centre stage and sang its wonderful tune from first mouthful to last. It happened quickly & quietly and had me in its grasp. The presence of fresh herbs in this luscious tomato based soup made from the restaurant’s own fish stock, the generous quantities of mussels, cockles & Queen scallops, all attractively compounded the texturous, full bodied sensations I was so enjoying. The exudation of flavour & aroma was a delight to acknowledge.
I cannot recall how much time passed but at some point in the performance I saw before me a sensuous, moist & succulent looking parcel of blue cod, lovingly wrapped in a thin strip of bacon and delicately poised atop a bed of potatoes, cauliflower,carrots, zucchini & broccoli, all gently bathing in a most excellent sauce of white wine & herb cream. Furthermore, this joyful flirt had arranged about her person 4 cheeky little cockles, just to tease me…….
To enhance the embrace an Olssens Charcoal Joe Chardonnay from Central Otago was chosen, rightly or wrongly, with its good body, hints of citrus and overtones of butterscotch & vanilla.
After an hour and a half I knew it was time to go, and anyway, I had had my espresso coffee (do I really need to make the comment that it was 10/10?). As I walked out I could not help hearing the voice inside my head reminding me time and again that the marriage of very fresh produce, honest, skilled cooking and atmospheric uniqueness has made Fleur’s Place a true winner with locals and international visitors alike. Couldn’t I stay just a little longer? Please……….

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Review by: Seasoned Foodie (8) on 8th April 2009

Total		9.5
Food		10
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		9
Service		9
Environment		9
Toilets		N/A

This was a dream come true, and despite making a very scary, earlier booking for 33 pax on April Fools Day(!!!!!), Fleur and her staff were warm, inviting, extremely prompt and very helpful with the guests dining with me. On route to Stewart Island for a couple of days, my insistance to stop and rest-a-while at Fleurs was breathtaking. Happy snaps were taken capturing the huge portions delivered at lunch. My driver ordered pan-fried cod and the tartare was delivered in a large paua shell. I'm so going shopping for my kitchen. I watched as a gentleman filleted the fish outside the kitchen door with an audience of hopeful seagulls. There were 6 different species of fresh fish on offer, Kaimoana Platters, soups, a fabulous sole decked out in welsh-rarebit and Nicoise Salad, fresh salmon and a mammouth 250g whitebaite PATTIE (not fritter, if you please). This places hits the spot, for all my passions including my values of 'eating and drinking locally'. May you never stop, Fleur. 25/10

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Review by: FNGOES (12) on 9th March 2009

Total		8.0
Food		8
Dessert		8
Presentation		9
Service		8
Environment		7
Toilets		N/A

I've dined twice at Fleurs Place. Once for lunch, and once for dinner. The lunch was truly outstanding, a good sized portion. Prices were a little above average for a similar quality product in Christchurch, but since NZ restaurants are often a little cheap anyway, the price was reasonable. Even better since I wasn't the one paying.
The dinner in December 2008 was modest in quality. Perhaps after all the hype (my own included), the food didn't quite live up to what I was looking forward to : yes, fresh, yes to a clean taste with novel flavour combinations, but definitely not a 10. Perhaps I'm too old and cynical, perhaps I was having a bad day, or perhaps the chef had a bad day. Perhaps it's just that I've been to some other fine dining establishments recently rather than just my kids' preference of MacDonalds.
I enjoy Fleur's hands on approach, her personal contact with each of the diners (you really know that it's HER place :-) ), and I enjoy the eclectic surroundings with the amazing harbour view. Shame it's such a drive from home.
Definitely worth going again

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