Fat Tui's

I'm not one to photograph food and, quite honestly, it's one of my pet peeves when people take pictures of their plate at the dinner table. I don't doubt the dish is delicious and in real-life the presentation is probably superb, but more often than not it translates to unappetizing mush in a photo (hence food photography is an art!)

But, I have to violate my own rule today as I think we have discovered burger heaven here in middle-of-nowhere Marahua, New Zealand.

They say you eat with your eyes first, so since the best you can do right now is feast on this blog post, I'll try to bring it to life for you.

Let's start with the setting:

As you come through Marahua on your way to the entrance of the Abel Tasman National Park, your head is turned right towards the gorgeous blue waters of the Tasman Bay beside you. Yes, it is simply stunning.

Then, out of the corner of your eye, you sense a big fat bird hovering over you. It's a big fat tui!

You turn your head left and see an unassuming converted truck surrounded by pebbles and a few picnic tables. Hmmm, looks quirky. You're interested.

A brightly colored menu board draws you in.

Welcome to burger nirvana! You've long forgotten the beautiful ocean views; you're now fully entranced by the wickedly tasty options written before you. Your mind races in a panic: "What should I order?! I want this one and that one and OMG the Sparrow's Fart looks gooooood! What?! A green-lipped mussel burger?! I kinda HAVE to try that!"

So you do, you order The Muss (and the Roots-Shoots-and-Leaves because some of us are veg heads). The guy behind the counter mumbles something in funny-sounding kiwi English like "sweet as bro!" and now you wait. You wait for the most glorious burger experience you've ever had.

Here it comes, wrapped in a brown paper bag to further the anticipation. Are you ready?! Open her up!

A work of burger art. You are in love and you haven't even taken your first bite! You take the burger out of the bag to reveal its full glory.

And then you dig in! Every bite is so unspeakably delicious I can't even describe it to you. Suffice it to say that it tastes as divinely as it looks. Get online, book a plane ticket and come taste it for yourself.