Regular readers of these articles will know that every now and again we like to share some of our favourite restaurants. This month we're visiting beautiful Nelson and we're featuring not one, but two, of our favourite dining spots.
These two eateries go hand-in-hand, as both are owned by Nelson hospitality stalwarts, Tania and Matt Bouterey.
Urban Eatery:
Urban Eatery first opened its doors five years ago, and it's here that Head Chef, Jay Clement, works his magic for the hungry post-work crowds, delighting regular diners with new creations most weeks.
We caught up with the team at Urban to find out more:
Why is the top of Hardy St the perfect location for Urban Eatery?
It’s a little off the beaten track which helps people relax, away from the hustle & bustle.
Can you tell us a little bit about the dining style at the restaurant?
Sharing is the concept, put your elbows on the table, sit back and relax with friends while sharing delicious dishes.
What sort of foods can guests expect to enjoy? How do these change seasonally?
Our veggies are seasonal and everything is made in-house. So our menu changes depending on what is available to pick. Fresh oysters, sashimi and sliders feature, but there are too many delicious dishes to name them all!
Can you tell us a little about where you source your produce from?
All our veggies are hand-picked by Matt from the farms, seafood is sustainably sourced and meat is ordered mainly from local suppliers.
What makes Urban Eatery unique in its style and service?
Our staff are our key, we don’t just hire anybody, they need to fit with our business, have fun and love interacting with our customers.
No.1 Cuvée features on your wine list, what would you choose from the menu as a perfect pairing?
Oysters and our new prawn dish!
VISIT THE URBAN EATERY WEBSITE
Harry's Hawker House:
Harry's Hawker House is a more recent addition to Nelson's famous dining scene at the top of Trafalgar Street, opening its doors in December 2018. Here, Head Chef, Riki Day, has a share in the business with Matt and Tania. We caught up with, Restaurant Manager, Sandra, who gave us the lowdown!
Can you tell us a little bit about the dining style at the restaurant?
We are a passionate group who work exceptionally well together as a team while having fun... From the plating of the food in the kitchen to the presentation of the food at the table, we thrive in providing the best dining experience to all our diners.
What sort of foods can guests expect to enjoy? How do these change seasonally?
Fresh flavours and local ingredients are matched with regional wine and beer. The head chef, Riki, has created a menu which is Asian inspired, influenced by classic dishes with his own signature twist. Dishes on the menu change regularly depending on what's in season.
Can you tell us a little about where you source your produce from?
We use as much local and homegrown ingredients as we can lay our hands on. We grow eighty per cent of our own produce. Matt’s busy at the farm growing & picking what's in season.
What makes Harrys Hawker House unique in its style and service?
Harry's Hawker House is an expression of love in food form for a region of people we've come to greatly admire & respect. We like to keep things casual while creating a fun and unforgettable dining experience for our diners.
No.1 Assemblé features on your wine list, what would you choose from the menu as a perfect pairing?
No. 1 Assemblé has been on our wine list from day one and we love it. It is definitely a big hit on a Friday with all our regulars, helping them to get their weekend started.
It is a great match with all our Asian cuisine, our spicy wild meat jungle curry being one. It also pairs beautifully with our HHH fish board, which is a selection of all our fish dishes on our menu.
VISIT THE HARRY'S HAWKER HOUSE WEBSITE
