Our Menu
white wine
champagne
jean milan ‘symphorine’ 2013 (oger, fr) gls $28 btl $172
taittinger ‘prelude’ grand crus brut nv (reims, fr) btl $230
taittinger brut reserve 2012 (reims, fr) btl $260
methode traditionelle & sparkling
col de salici brut prosecco ‘superiore’ doc 2018 (valdobbladene, it) gls $14.5 btl $68
monmousseau cuvee j.m. ‘rose’ nv (touraine, fr) gls $14.5 btl $68
quartz reef brut nv (bendigo, nz) gls $18 btl $85
petillant naturel ‘pet net’ – natural sparkling wines
supernatural ‘petillant naturel’ – sauvignon blanc 2018 (hawkes bay, nz) btl $80
silver wing ‘nada’ – syrah/ pinot noir 2018 (waipara, nz) btl $80
sauvignon blanc
milcrest estate 2019 (nelson, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
maude vineyard 2019 (marlborough, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
clos henri vineyards ‘petit clos’ 2017 (malrborough, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
clos marguerite 2018 (marlborough, nz) gls $14.5 btl $68
pegasus bay sauvignon/semillon 2017 (waipara, nz) gls $16.5 btl $77
semillon
chateau le puy ‘marie cecile’ cotes de bordeaux 2014 (cotes de franc,fr) btl $220
chardonnay
clearview estate ‘coastal’ 2018 (hawke’s bay, nz) gls $12.5 btl $58
villa maria ‘keltern single vineyard’ 2014 (hawke’s bay, nz) btl $182
vidal ‘icon 1888’ 2014 (hawkes bay, nz) btl $260
palliser estate 2018 (martinborough,nz) gls $18 btl $85
chateau sauverain 2016 (california,us) gls $14.5 btl $68
bogle ‘phantom’ 2016 (california,us) btl $85
pinot gris
millcrest estate 2018 (nelson,nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
opawa 2018 (marlborough, nz) btl $62
peregrine 2018 (central otago, nz) gls $16 btl $75
orange wine
super natural ‘pacific potion’ pinot gris 2018 (hawkes bay, nz) gls $14.5 btl $68
pyramid valley ‘on skins’ pinot blanc/ pinot gris/ gewurztraminer 2016 (marlborough, nz) btl $95
rose
te awa single estate – cab franc 2019 (hawkes bay, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
lamont – pinot noir 2018 (bendigo, nz) gls $16 btl $75
hay paddock ‘gypsy’ merlot/ pinot gris 2019 (waiheke island, nz) gls $14.5 btl $68
riesling
mountford estate ‘liaison’ 2013 (waipara, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
mondillo 2018 (central otago, nz) btl $65
misha’s vineyard ‘limelight’ 2015 (central otago, nz) gls $16 btl $75
pyramid valley ‘lebecca vineyard’ 2005 (marlborough, nz) btl $95
chenin blanc
marc bredif ‘vouvray classic’ chenin blanc 2017 (loire valley, fr) gls $16 btl $75
mount edward chenin blanc 2017 (central otago, nz) btl $68
gewurztraminer
rene mure ‘orchidees sauvages’ 2017 (alsace, fr) gls $16 btl $75
unique whites
john forrest collection ‘the white’ – rare blend 2010 (new zealand) gls $14.5 btl $68
mount edward pinot blanc 2017 (central otago, nz) btl $65
burn cottage riesling/ gruner veltiner 2016 (central otago, nz) btl $115
large format 1.5 lt magnum bottles
montepulciano
hans herzog 2010 (marlborough) btl $350
red wine
pinot noir
opawa 2017 (marlborough, nz) btl $75
clos marguerite 2014 (marlborough, nz) btl $95
fromm 2018 (marlborough, nz) gls $17 btl $82
pyramid valley ‘cowley family’ 2010 (marlborough, nz) btl $160
pisa range estate ‘run 245’ 2018 (central otago, nz) gls $18 btl $85
peregrine ‘saddleback’ 2018 (central otago, nz) gls $14.5 btl $68
philippe liveira domaine des tilleuls ‘gevrey chambortin’ 2015 (burgundy, fr) btl $195
merlot/ merlot blends
crab farm ‘shingle pit’ merlot 2016 (hawkes bay, nz) gls $12.5 btl $58
chateau de hartes merlot/cab sav 2016 (bordeaux, fr) gls $13.5 btl $62
craggy range ‘single vineyard’ merlot 2016 (hawke’s bay, nz) btl 85
puriri hills ‘pope’ merlot/cab franc/carmenere/ cab sav, malbec 2013 (clevedon, nz) btl $350
malbec/ malbec blends
tilia malbec 2018 (mendoza, ar) gls $13.5 btl $62
marcel malbec 2018 (cahors, fr) gls $13.5 btl $62
te aotea ‘angels’ malbec 2012 (kaipara, nz) btl $160
esk valley ‘the terraces’ malbec/merlot/cab franc 2013 (hawke’s bay, nz) btl $280
cabernet/ cabernet blends
mills reef ‘reserve’ cab sav/ merlot 2018 (hawkes bay, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
jim barry ‘single vineyard’ cab sav 2016 (coonawara, au) gls 14 btl $65
chateau gloria cab sav/ merlot/cab franc 2013 (st julian, medoc, fr) btl $320
francis coppola ‘director’s cut’ cab sav 2016 (sonoma,us) btl $150
syrah/shiraz and blends
d’arenberg ‘the love grass’ shiraz 2016 (mclaren vale, au) gls $13.5 btl $62
jim barry ‘single vineyard’ shiraz 2015 (clare valley, au) gls 14 btl $65
yalumba ‘the octavius’ old vines shiraz 2016 (barossa, au) btl 240
the hay paddock ‘novelist’ syrah 2013 (waiheke island, nz) btl $92
the hay paddock syrah 2010 (waiheke island, nz) btl $150
fromm ‘fromm vineyard’ 2015 (marlborough, nz) btl $115
little x syrah 2015 (hawkes bay, nz) gls $14 btl $65
gilles robin ‘papillon’ syrah 2016 (crozes-hermitage, fr) btl $89
sangiovese/ sangiovese blends
monsanto chianti classico docg 2015 (chianti, it) btl $110
castagna ‘un segreto’ sangiovese/ syrah 2010 (beechworth, au) btl $220
dolcetto
parusso piani noce dolcetto d’ alba 2017 (piedmonte, it) btl $72
grenache/garnacha and blends
bodegas aragonesas ‘fagus’ old vines garnacha 2014 (campo de borja, es) btl $100
heritage ogier grenache/ syrah/ mourvedre 2017 (cotes du rhone, fr) gls $16 btl $75
unique reds
panul carmenere 2018 (colchagua valley, cl) gls $13.5 btl $62
domaine rolete ‘vieilles vignes’ polsard 2010 (jura, fr) 95
white
mouton cadet ‘reserve sauternes’ sauvignon/semillon 2014 (bordeaux,fr) gls $16 btl $75
astrolabe late harvest chenin blanc 2018 (marlborough,nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
villa maria ‘reserve’ noble riesling 2015 (marlborough, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
red
domaine du mas blanc ‘banyuls rimage’ grenache 2018 (languedoc, fr) gls $18 btl $85
port
taylors 10 years old tawny (porto, pt) gls $16.5
dows 10 year old tawny (douro, pt) gls $15.5
does 20 year old tawny (douro, pt) gls $18
mills reef ‘elspeth vintage port’ 2013 (hawkes bay, nz) gls $15 blt $92
sherry
lustau pedro ximenez dessert sherry (jerez, esp) gls $15
elegante palomino fino (jerez,es) gls $12.5
tap – 30L keg
shunters yard pilsner (hamilton) 6% gls $13.5
brewaucracy ‘form filler’ apa (hamilton) 5.7% gls $13.5
lager
corona (mexico) 4.5% btl $8.5
moa ‘original’ (marlbouough) 5% btl $9
pilsner
deep creek ‘undercurrent’ (auckland) 5% btl $10
croucher (rotorua) 5% btl $12
wheat
tuatara ‘weiz guy hefeweizen’ (wellington) 5% btl $10
draught
waikato (waikato) 4% btl $8
sour hopped ale
boneface ‘the juice’ (wellington) 5% btl $9
indian pale ale (IPA)
garage project ‘garagisa’ (wellington) 5.8% btl $11
epic ‘armagddon’ (auckland) 6.6% btl $12
double indian pale ale (IIPA)
epic ‘hop zombie’ (auckland) 8.5% btl $16
pale ale
8 wired ‘tropadelic’ (warkworth) 5.4% btl $12
bright ale
liberty brewing co ‘elixir’ (auckland) 5% btl $10
session pale ale
moa brewing co. (marlborough, nz) 4.3% btl $9
american pale ale (APA)
parrot dog ‘falcon’ (wellington) 5% btl $11
tuatara ‘tomahawk’ (paraparaumu) 5.8% btl $9
porter
yeastie boys ‘pot kettle black’ (wellington) 6% btl $15
stout
cassels & sons brewing co. ‘milk stout’ (christchurch) 5% $12
low alcohol
croucher ‘lowrider’ ipa (rotorua) 2.5% btl $10
garage project ‘fugazi’ (blenheim) 2.2% btl $9
good george ‘small wonder’ pale ale (hamilton) 2.5% ntl $9
cider
three wise birds ‘summer fling’ off dry (hawke’s bay) 5.5% btl $9
three wise birds ‘bach life’ organic apple (hawke’s bay) 5.5% btl $9
good george ‘rose’ – with strawberry & lime (hamilton) 4.5% btl $9
non – alcoholic
apple, orange, cranberry, pineapple, tomato, feijoa gls $5
coke, diet coke, tonic, soda, lemonade, ginger ale gls $5
lemon lime and bitters gls $5.5
bundaberg ginger beer gls $6
mineral water
santa vittoria sparking 1000ml btl $12
la maison du thè tea $5
vittoria coffee $5
hot chocolate, regular, white chocolate, hazelnut $5
cocktails
-$18 each-
samuel’s slammer – canadian club, drambuie, orange juice, soda
kahlo’s ice tea – tequila, elderflower liqueur, lime, ginger beer
mariachi mule – chilli vodka, mint, ginger ale
ginger nut smash – canadian club, lemon and ginger syrup, ginger ale
bees knees – gin, honey, lemon, orange juice
tinkerbells lemonade – homemade limoncello sorbet, vanilla vodka, white chocolate syrup
ohh lala – strawberry sorbet, elderflower liqueur, bacardi, black pepper, star anise
pina rita – coconut and malibu sorbet, herrradura silver tequila
mocktails
-$8 each-
palate spritz – cranberry juice, lemonade, sour cherries
tropical cooler – pineapple juice, passionfruit syrup, bitters, lime
idas cosmo – apple juice, cranberry juice, lime juice
sober G&T – seedlip garden 108, lemon, rosemary, tonic
speciality coffee
-$15 each-
rusty nail coffee – scotch, drambuie, espresso, cream, cinnamon
jaffa five coffee -baileys, cointreau, kahlua, espresso, chocolate milk
bavarian – amaretto, chambord, kahlua, chocolate cream, espresso
hot nutty irishman – bailey’s, frangelico, cream, espresso
We invite you to experience our menu with a flexible wine match. Please ask our friendly staff to help with the suggestions.
we are committed to helping you with any dietary needs, whether you have food allergies or religious believes, please let our wait staff know of any restrictions and we will adjust the dish where is possible.
appetizers
te kouma bay oysters
natural – with rose vinegar & lemon
or
craft beer battered – with sriracha mayonnaise
1/2 doz $24 1 doz $48
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entree
sashimi, spiced calamari, radish, papaya, freeze dried kimchi
$20.5
panfried cranky goat haloumi, white asparagus, black garlic,
pascal’s grapefruit
$19.5
confit duck, asian eggplant salad, cucumber, peanuts, fragrant herbs
$21
venison carpaccio, kohlrabi remoulade, samphire,
crisp poached egg, summer truffle
$20.5
mushroom tortellini, meyer smoked gouda, seaweed, local mushrooms, porcini foam
entree $19.5 main $38
(one account per table)
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mains
potato gnocchi, roasted cauliflower, parmesan, preserved lemon, parsley, cauliflower puree, rocket salad
entree: $19.5 main: $38
market fish, celeriac, grilled leeks, chives, poached oyster, smoked butter sauce
$39.5
venison tri tip, miso, cherries, black pudding, kumara beignets, jus
$39.5
reserve eye fillet, wasabi, turnip, smoked potato croquettes, shiitake,
soy butter sauce
$42
coastal lamb rump, confit shoulder, dried olives, tomatoes,
pomegranate, parsnip puree, thyme and garlic jus
$41
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sides
chinese greens with thai dressing
polenta chips, garlic mayonnaise
rocket, pear and shaved parmesan salad
$9.5 each
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unique cheese with accompaniments
meyer aged gouda – little river brie – little river blue
$15 each
combination – all three cheeses small $21 / large $42
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desserts
pistachio pannacotta and sponge, cointreau ice cream, orange, freeze dried valrhona chocolate
study of local blueberries
white chocolate and raspberry baked alaska
valrhona milk chocolate mousse, plum sorbet, caramel, dehydrated chocolate, px jelly
$17.5 each
palate express lunch menu
two courses $25
(express lunch menu changes daily)
entrée
confit duck, gnocchi, celeriac puree
spiced fried calamari, kohlrabi remoulade, rocket
creamed mushrooms, toasted brioche, truffle oil
$12
mains
soft polenta, mushroom saute, parmesan, herb salad
confit lamb shoulder, grilled caulilini, smoked date puree
beer battered market fish, duck fat chips, warm sauce tartare
$18
dessert
caramel ice cream affogato with frangelico liqueur
banana parfait, coconut, tamarillo meringue
meyer aged gouda, handmade crackers, quince paste
$12
All dishes are subject to change. Menus are only a guideline of what may be available.
minimum of 12 guests for set menu
palate set menu option 1
$70 per person
(sample only)
to begin
your choice of:
mushroom tortellini, meyer smoked goats cheese, seaweed, local mushrooms, porcini foam
trevally sashimi, spiced calamari, papaya, radish, freeze dried kimchi
to continue
your choice of:
reserve eye fillet, soy braised shortrib, wasabi, turnip, smoked kumara, shiitake
market fish, celeriac, grilled leeks, chives, poached oyster, smoked butter sauce
to finish
your choice of:
pistachio pannacotta and sponge, cointreau ice cream, orange, freeze dried valrhona chocolate
valrhona milk chocolate mousse, tamarillo sorbet, caramel, dehydrated chocolate, px jelly
palate set menu option 2
$80 per person
(sample only)
to begin
to share:
local volare sourdough with smoked butter and matapiro olive oil
followed by your choice of:
mushroom tortellini, meyer smoked goats cheese, seaweed, local mushrooms, porcini foam
freshly shucked te kouma bay oysters served natural with balsamic vinegar & finger lime
trevally sashimi, spiced calamari, papaya, radish, freeze dried kimchi
to continue
your choice of:
market fish, celeriac, grilled leeks, chives, poached oyster, smoked butter sauce
reserve eye fillet, soy braised shortrib, wasabi, turnip, smoked kumara, shiitake
te mana lamb cutlets, confit shoulder, dried olives, tomatoes, pomegranate, parsnip puree, thyme and garlic jus
to finish
your choice of:
valrhona milk chocolate mousse, taamarillo sorbet, caramel, dehydrated chocolate, px jelly
pistachio pannacotta and sponge, cointreau ice cream, orange, freeze dried valrhona chocolate
little river brie, handmade crackers, pear jelly
palate set menu option 3
5 course degustation menu
$95 per person
(surprise menu, trust our chefs)
amuse bouche
**
trevally sashimi, pickled vegetables, citrus
**
miso marinated quail, asian eggplant salad
**
poached market fish, chorizo, soft shell crab
**
provenance lamb cutlets, potato gnocchi, pea puree
**
valrhona chocolate mousse
Kitchen Table
Enjoy our seven-course degustation, created by the chefs every night with an option of matching wines, on our kitchen table. The table is located inside the kitchen, with the opportunity to see our kitchen team in action during a busy service. A truly unique opportunity to see ‘behind the scenes’.
The degustation menu is
$120 per person
with matching wine an additional $70 per person
Suitable for groups between 2 – 6people
Booking in advance is essential
Please note: While Mat and the palate team are usually happy to accommodate dietary requirements, this does not extend to this particular menu format and dining experience. Palate’s degustation menu is a true expression of Mat and his team’s philosophy and innovation in both food and wine.
Event
Enjoy an unforgettable dining experience
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PALATE!
Palate turns 15 on Wednesday 5th February, so we are celebrating with a 5 – course dinner,
featuring some of Palate’s favourite dishes!
A lot has changed in 15 years, we have moved from Victoria Street to Alma Street,
and we have won many local and national culinary awards, including being awarded the best regional restaurant (more than once),
retaining two hats 3 years in a row, and Mat becoming a life time beef and lamb ambassador.
When: Wednesday 5th February
Time: 6pm arrival/ first course served 6:30pm
Cost: $89 per person (menu to be confirmed)
Call us on 07-834-2921 or email palate.restaurant@xtra.co.nz to book now!
*NO dietary requirements this time
**full prepayment is required to secure the booking
***online bookings not accepted
THE PALATE TEAM
Mat McLean,
Head Chef and Owner
Mat McLean is regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading chefs and Palate is one of New Zealand’s most awarded restaurants.
After gaining professional qualifications from Waikato Polytechnic Mat was awarded a scholarship to work in the UK, where he gained invaluable work experience at two of London’s most prestigious restaurants; Leith (1 Michelin star) and The Capital Hotel (2 Michelin stars).
Following a stint in Melbourne as Head Chef at the Middle Brighton Baths (a 1 hat restaurant) he returned to New Zealand to establish Palate in 2005.
Mat is a chef with highly developed technical skills, who’s committed to cooking with seasonal, local produce. He is not afraid to experiment with flavours and textures.
Larissa
Restaurant Manager
Larissa arrived in New Zealand from Brazil in 2006 and started working in the hospitality industry. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to make ‘hospitality’ her career. Prior moving to Hamilton Larissa was the face of many weddings and conferences at venues she managed in Queenstown and the Bay of Islands.
She has extensive experience in operations management and enjoys leading a team that surprise and delight their customers. For Larissa the best reward is when diners come back to Palate again and again!
Reservations
To book a table simply complete the form below. Our online booking system will check the table availability and confirm your reservation immediately. If you wish to book a table on our outside deck area please contact the restaurant on 07-834 2921.
Please note that Degustation bookings and tables over 8 people must be made directly on 07-834-2921 and is subject to availability.
Voucher
Say thank you or help someone celebrate with a restaurant gift voucher to dine at Palate Restaurant.
We have gift vouchers from $50 upwards , Please email palate.restaurant@xtra.co.nz or call us on (07) 834 2921 for hard copy vouchers
Or click the image below to order an e-voucher
find us
Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday 5:30 pm till late
Closed: Sunday & Monday