Off the Top of My Head

By Paul Murray

A fabulous way to start your day awaits you at The Hardy Street Eatery in Nelson.

Winter sunshine streaming through the broad windows onto Hardy Street, the aroma of fresh coffee brewing, the morning paper, the bustle of the kitchen, a warm fire and the mouth-watering waft of breakfast to come…A new day begins.

The Hardy Street Eatery is a new venture for globe-trotting Master-Chef James Rutherford, who has spent much of his 38 years travelling the world preparing food for Tokyoites, rich and famous super-yachties, Londoners and more recently Wellingtonians.  On his travels, he has gleaned a great understanding of food, its flavours, nutrition, style, and how to prepare and serve it in a creative and innovative fashion.

Well-read Chef James Rutherford displays culinary reference material collected on his extensive world travels.

“Our philosophy at Hardy St is to create an atmosphere similar to enjoying a meal at home – serving creative, seasonal and approachable food from a regularly changing menu with damn good booze and coffee.”

James Rutherford

Open at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast, the eatery has a range of options to fuel the day, I chose simple bacon and eggs, with a little homemade “buttery” kimchi on the side. Rutherford is mad-keen on fermenting foods and has several opportunities to sample his efforts on the menu.

The kitchen is open and much of the food preparation and plating is easily visible from the restaurant. Rutherford is completely at ease with this and his vast experience in the galley is evident as he calmly and efficiently prepares the orders and delivers the fare.

The cheerful waiting staff deliver the meals easily and efficiently as the restaurant is open, easily negotiated and spacious. The decor classic, clean and stylish. Alfresco dining on sunny street-side tables is also on offer and will undoubtedly be popular in the warmer months.

The menu features locally sourced ingredients from regional suppliers who specialise in quality produce. Rutherford recognises the quality of New Zealand produce and uses his global culinary experience to turn it into quality meals with international flavour and style.

The food was superb, simple, beautifully presented, tasty and reasonably priced. Rutherford is a name well know to Nelsonisans and James Rutherford will be splitting atoms and making culinary bombs for the people to savour. I enjoyed the meal and the eatery experience so much, I went back for lunch with friends.

Ph: 03-391-0077

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/Hardy-St-Eatery-466618507132004/

Web site (coming soon): http://www.HardyStEatery.co.nz