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QT Queenstown officially opens the doors of its new hospitality outlets today, welcoming guests into the warm embrace of cosy restaurant Notch and the sprawling views of Rooftop at QT.
Award-winning chef Patrick Morris serves as executive chef, leading Food & Beverage across the boutique hotel, bringing a deep passion for creative cuisine and spectacular service. Both sixth floor spaces have been designed to cater to both international jetsetters wanting a taste of the south, as well as locals who appreciate an exquisite drinks list and have never tired of enjoying it while watching the way the sun hits the Remarkables.
QT Queenstown is currently undergoing a phased refurbishment, redefining boutique luxury to create a dynamic, design-led alpine destination. As part of the refurbishment, the hotel has given its wining and dining spaces an equal glow up; if you’re after standard fare, look elsewhere. Notch and Rooftop at QT join Bazaar, the generous marketplace-style breakfast restaurant synonymous with the hotel.
Notch
Nestled on the sixth floor of the hotel is an intimate dining experience celebrating seasonality and the best vintages. The 40-seat restaurant is the perfect size for ambient dinners or cocktail take-overs, with world-class service and a space designed to take your time in. Expect a team who will keep the generous spirit of the South Island flowing from first bite to flame-kissed goodnight.
The Notch menu takes you to Remarkable peaks on a plate. Patrick corrals untamed abundance and lets the flavours do the talking, creating dishes that are elevated without being pretentious, piquing curiosity without leaving questions unanswered. Preserving the raw integrity of regional ingredients, the menu is a tip of the hat to Queenstown’s farmers and growers, winemakers and bakers at the source.
The menu is designed to have a little or a lot; a journey from perfect morsels to larger feasts for a choose-your-own-adventure style dining experience. Think Southern Stations beef tartare, Bluff crayfish and parfait made with local mushrooms, all washed down with a wine list bursting with local drops and cellared favourites. There’s a distinct energy found where the mountains part; Notch is that alpine intersection, a gateway to collaborative feasts, starlit sessions and seasonal rituals. This is a space carved for the curious to converge at the summit of the South.
The wine list has been curated to take you on a journey of the best of Central Otago’s offerings alongside hand-picked pours from wider Aotearoa – you won’t find any international wines here, a deliberate decision to champion the New Zealand wine industry, which the Notch team stands steadfastly by. With a fantastic expression of all varietals showcasing the terroir and climates of New Zealand, guests can explore the diversity Aotearoa winemakers have to offer region by region, glass by glass. Go beyond a Central Otago pinot; this is a wine list bursting with hidden gems.
Rooftop at QT
The iconic bar that tops all the ‘best of’ lists in Auckland and Melbourne has made its way to Queenstown. Perched above it all on the sixth floor, the bar is the perfect spot for après, whether it’s reminiscing about the day’s powder runs or spinning stories of the hours spent on the lake. With floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to uninterrupted alpine views, generous pours and a menu designed for enjoying over conversation, Rooftop at QT is the town’s best-kept secret.
Botanical stirs have been dreamed up to complement the seasonal flavours flowing from the kitchen and cocktail classics are executed to perfection with quintessential QT flourish. Deep-set couches that are made for lingering span the floor, and offerings like Sips n Snacks, a Noon Affair or a Friday Night Live mean you’re just as likely to find a crew of locals enjoying a sundowner as you are a hotel guest.
Patrick says his approach to food is best described as ‘as local as possible’. “I get a huge amount of satisfaction from keeping the ingredients on the plate as close to the hotel as we can. I love the creativity that comes from working with seasonal ingredients, and the relationships with suppliers that develop from both of us wanting to ensure everything on the plate tells a story. QT Queenstown has always championed local, and I’m excited to carry on that approach with my own spin,” he says.
QT Queenstown general manager Jeremy Black says the new outlets reflect the location they draw inspiration from, but maintain a quintessential QT feel. “As a brand, we’re known for having food and beverage offerings that stand on their own two feet. Pat’s experience, eye for detail and creativity make him a fantastic fit for what we’re doing here at QT Queenstown.
“Notch is an entirely new concept that champions quality produce, exceptional service and a wine list that showcases the best of the New Zealand wine industry, and we’re stoked to be bringing the iconic offering of Rooftop at QT to the south. We’re excited to present something different to the local market that can be enjoyed just as much by the after-work crew as it is an international traveller.”
Rooftop at QT and Notch are open now.
