ADDRESS: 278 Hardy St, Nelson
CONTACT: 03 546 7861
WEBSITE: urbaneatery.co.nz
Check website for opening hours
MAINS: $25 – $38
SCORE: 17/20
The good sorts at Urban believe serving up ‘good juju’ in a restaurant isn’t just in the food and drink, but also the attitude and atmosphere. They have the mix right here – hardly a surprise, given the CV of owner/chef Daniel Monopoli and head chef Jasper Prestidge. They know what their customers want – and they ensure they get it. The eatery offers a comfortable, contemporary, city feel however, while it might not be big on formality, it’s certainly large-format in terms of tastes and flavours. Take a quick squiz at the kai: oysters galore to start. Move on to a particularly groovy grilled cabbage with kimchi butter and crispy shallots. Next comes a crispy pork hock which knocks our socks off with its chilli caramel, daikon (house-made) and pawpaw attendants. The drinks list, while not huge, covers the bases for these eclectic Asian tastes delivered in a bright, lively space.
IN BRIEF: Casual dining at its eclectic best
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