With a background in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and the Roux Brothers, chef and owner Kevin Hopgood’s CV is nearly as impressive as his robust, locally sourced menu at this low-key Nelson hub of activity. Dishes almost bounce with freshness, star attractions being the entree of beef carpaccio with seared scallops and a main of Eastherbrook Farms duck breast with butternut purée, grilled pear, walnut and cranberry. Service can be a tad on the brusque side at times but there’s a genuine buzz about this place which, in the decade since opening, has become an indispensable part of the Nelson food landscape.

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