Lil Red is making its return to QT Queenstown this August, this time as a permanent fixture.
Lil Red first graced the hotel in 2021, tucked away on the sixth floor, guests were impressed with the high quality and innovative cuisine, made using locally sourced ingredients. Guests can expect a similar experience in the reopened venue. Led by Executive Chef Ryan Henley, Lil Red is ready to make its mark on the Queenstown culinary scene.
Henley’s approach embraces local ingredients and fuses them with traditional Japanese techniques, resulting in innovative and delicious dishes. Henley has a passion for responsible sourcing and seeks out top quality ingredients from local artisans and farmers.
The seasonal menu will showcase an abundance of South Island produce and proteins. The opening menu includes Black Origin Wagyu beef from Christchurch, seafood from Gravity Fishing in Stewart Island, and eggs and lamb from Arrowtown’s Royalburn Station. Henley recognises the importance of sustainable practices and nose-to-tail cooking and butchers whole animals onsite to utilise as much of the animal as possible across 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’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.”
Designed for sharing, signature items on the menu will include small dishes such as creamed paua doughnuts, Black Origin Wagyu beef tostada and woodfired flatbread with buffalo cheese, chilli oil and spring onion. Larger plates include woodfired whole fish with koji butter and kombu and aged whole duck glazed with QT rooftop honey, sour pear, Jerusalem artichoke, and sake lees jus. To accompany, Lil Red will offer a beverage menu of expertly crafted cocktails and wine list that celebrates some of the best Central Otago drops.
With over 20 years’ experience in award-winning venues throughout New Zealand and Australia, including Melbourne’s three-hatted restaurant Vue de Monde, Henley is excited to bring his expertise to theQueenstown culinary scene.
Lil Red at QT officially opens its doors on August 11.
