WOAP lunch: Vivant!

I wrapped up my Wellington on a Plate campaign today with a two course lunch at Vivant! Restaurant & Bar in the Ibis Wellington Hotel on Featherston Street. My friend and I decided to share four different dishes from the $15 two course menu: an entree, two mains and a dessert. There is also a burger available.

We shared garlic and pepper-marinated prawns on fresh green salad, drizzled with homemade lemon aioli as an entree. The prawns and aioli were highlights in what was otherwise a pretty standard salad.

Green salad and prawns

We decided to split our mains into two courses. We began with Parkvale mushroom and vegetable pasta tossed in creamy sundried tomato pesto sauce with grated parmesan. There was definitely enough here for two. In fact, the servings for all courses were substantial, which is great to see.

Vegetarian pasta

Our second main was a minute steak sandwich with grilled onion, cheese and salad on Cottage Lane ciabatta served with sweet Cajun chunky chips. The chips were very heavily seasoned and I'm not sure there is ever an excuse for plastic cheese, but I did enjoy the minute steak and the ciabatta was really good.

Minute steak sandwich

And, just when we didn't think we had room for any more food, it was time for dessert. We chose the warmed homemade chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. The beautifully presented brownie and sauce were a lovely way to finish our shared meal.

Mmmm, chocolate brownie

Our warm welcome was followed up by friendly service. Being very busy in the restaurant, lunch took just over an hour, although this was probably because we split our meal over three courses. I was surprised that the hotel charges a 1.5% credit card surcharge so fished out some cash. Another satisfying meal that was good value.