The Lil Red restaurant pop-up that made an appearance at QT Queenstown in 2021 is set to become a permanent fixture at the hotel from this month.
The 40-seat restaurant, located on the sixth floor of the hotel, will reopen its doors on August 11 with a fine dining offering led by Executive Chef Ryan Henley.
Diners will enjoy a relaxed setting with a cosy fireplace and a “punchy” colour palette by award-winning designer Nic Graham.
The menu will consist of high-quality South Island produce and proteins and follow a strong no-waste ethos. Honey from bees in residence at QT Queenstown’s rooftop hives will also be highlighted on the menu.
“I’m incredibly excited to make Lil Red a destination on the Queenstown dining scene and showcase the best of the South Island in my own way,” said Henley.
“I’ve built wonderful relationships with local suppliers, going out on the boat with Nate from Gravity Fishing, to working with Nadia and the team at Royalburn Station on a grow-to-order basis.
“I’m learning so much about treating ingredients with integrity and celebrating some of the world’s best produce, which will come through in the dishes at Lil Red.”
Henley brings over 20 years’ experience in award-winning venues throughout New Zealand and Australia including Melbourne’s three-hatted restaurant Vue de Monde, The George in Christchurch, and Pescatore.
His approach embraces local New Zealand ingredients blended with traditional Japanese techniques.