Palate Restaurant

20 Alma Street • Hamilton

Our ethos has always been to provide consistently excellent food paired with stunning New Zealand wine.
Over the past ten years, our business has evolved, become multi dimensional in what we can offer. Adding to this, it has become easier for us to find like-minded producers who share the same passion for top of the range products and providing guests with the best not only the Waikato region can offer, but all over New Zealand.
From Clevedon buffalo products, to Canterbury lamb and Raglan mushrooms we are constantly excited by emerging products. Supporting local, often specialised producers creates a thriving food industry and inspiration for us when we change our seasonally inspired menus.

Our Menu

WHITE WINES

champagne

ayala brut majeur nv (reims, fr) gls $26 btl $160
taittinger brut reserve 2012 (reims, fr) btl $260

methode traditionelle & sparkling
la marca prosecco doc nv (veneto, it) gls $16.5 btl $77
quartz reef brut nv (bendigo, nz) btl $92

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
twin island wines 2019 (marlborough. nz) gls $12.5 btl $58
clos marguerite 2019 (marlborough, nz) btl $68
pegasus bay sauvignon/semillon 2017 (waipara, nz) btl $75

chardonnay
clearview estate ‘coastal’ 2019 (hawke’s bay, nz) $12.5 btl $58
vidal ‘icon 1888’ 2014 (hawke’s bay, nz) btl $260
palliser estate 2018 (martinborough, nz) gls $18 btl $85
bogle ‘phantom’ 2016 (california,us) btl $85

pinot gris
opawa 2018 (marlborough, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
peregrine 2018 (central otago, nz) btl $75

orange wine
pyramid valley ‘on skins’ pinot blanc/ pinot gris/ gewurztraminer 2016 (marlborough, nz) btl $95

riesling

mountford estate ‘liason’ 2013 (waipara, nz) gls $16 btl $75
pyramid valley ‘lebecca vineyard’ 2005 (marlborough, nz) btl $95
mondillo 2018 (central otago, nz) Btl $65

chenin blanc
marc bredif ‘vouvray classic’ chenin blanc 2017 (loire valley, fr) gls $15 btl $75

gewurztraminer
rene mure ‘orchidees sauvages’ 2017 (alsace, fr) gls $16 btl $75

unique whites

martin codax albarino 2017 (rias baixas,sp) g;s $13.5 btl $62
mount edward pinot blanc 2017 (central otago, nz) btl $65
burn cottage riesling/ gruner veltiner 2016 (central otago, nz) btl $115

RED WINES

pinot noir

pisa range estate ‘run 245’ 2018 (central otago, nz) gls $14.5 btl $68
peregrine ‘saddleback’ 2018 (central otago, nz) btl $72
fromm ‘organic’ 2018 (marlborough, nz) gls $18 btl $85
clos marguerite 2015 (marlborough, nz) btl $110
philippe liveira domaine des tilleuls ‘gevrey chambortin’ 2015 (burgundy, fr) btl $195

merlot/ merlot blends

theory and practice merlot 2018 (hawke’s bay, nz) gls $12.5 btl $58
clearview estate ‘cape kidnappers’ merlot/cab sav 2019 (hawke’s bay, nz) btl $72
puriri hills ‘pope’ merlot/cab franc/ carmenere 2013 (clevedon, nz) btl $350

carmenere

de martino estate 2017 (maipo valley, cl) gls $13.5 btl $62

malbec/ malbec blends
tilia malbec 2018 (mendoza, ar) 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
jim barry ‘ single vineyard’ cab sav 2016 (coonawara, au) gls $14 btl $65
francis coppola ‘director’s cut’ cab sav 2016 (sonoma, us) btl $150
cheateau de hartes ‘reserve’ cab franc/ cab sav/ merlot 2016 (bordeaux, fr) btl $62
chateau gloria cab sav/ merlot/cab franc 2013 (st julian, medoc, fr) btl $320

syrah/shiraz and blends
little ‘x’ syrah 2015 (hawke’s bay, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
jim barry ‘single vineyard’ shiraz 2015 (clare valley, au) btl $72
the hay paddock syrah 2010 (waiheke island, nz) btl $150
gilles robin ‘papillon’ syrah 2017 (crozes-hermitage, fr) btl $95

sangiovese/ sangiovese blends
monsanto chianti classico docg 2015 (chianti, it) btl $110

dolcetto
parusso piani noce dolcetto d’ alba 2017 (piedmonte, it) btl $72

DESSERT WINES

white
villa maria ‘reserve’ noble riesling 2015 (marlborough, nz) gls $13.5 btl $62
mouton cadet ‘reserve sauternes’ sauvignon/semillon 2014 (bordeaux,fr) gls $16 btl $75

red
domaine du mas blanc ‘banyuls rimage’ grenache 2018 (languedoc, fr) gls $18 btl $85

port
mills reef ‘espeth’ vintage port 2013 (hawke’s bay, nz) gls $15 btl $92
taylors 10 years old tawny (porto, pt) gls $16.5
dows 10 years old tawny (porto, pt) gls $16.5
dows 20 years old tawny (porto, pt) gls $18

sherry
elegante palomino -fino nv (jerez, es) gls $12.5
gonzales byass alfonso -oloroso nv (jerez, es) gls $14
lustau pedro ximenez -dessert nv (jerez, es) gls $15

BEER LIST

tap – 30L keg
shunters yard lager (hamilton) 6% gls $13.5
brewaucracy ‘form filler’ apa (hamilton) 5.7% gls $13.5

lager
corona (mexico) 4.5% btl $8.5
peroni ‘nastro azzurro’ (italy) 5.2% btl $8.5

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

cider
three wise birds ‘summer fling’ off dry (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

COCKTAIL LIST

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

A la Carte menu

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 moscatel vinegar & lemon
or
craft beer battered – with lime mayonnaise
1/2 doz $28 1 doz $56
Bread
Volare sourdough with smoked butter & mataprio olive oil
(4 pieces)
$7.5
____________________________________________________________________________
2 courses $55 3 courses $70

(sample only)
entree

– confit duck gyoza, oyster mushrooms, pickled vegetables, soy butter sauce, wasabi
– poached free range egg, soft polenta, meyer vintage gouda, NZ black truffle
– venison carpaccio, beetroot, cherry, buffalo muzzarela, wood sorrel
– kingfish tataki, spiced squid, crisp rice, mandarin, kimchi, chilli mayo,
$16.5 each

____________________________________________________________________________
mains
– beef flat iron, roasted brussel sprouts, parsnip puree, truffle mash, local mushrooms
– market fish, smoked fish tortellini, crab bisque, native seaweed
– coastal lamb lin, blue cheese souffle, white onion puree, yams, figs, red wine sauce
– potato gnocchi, cauliflower, buffalo feta, dried olives, parsley, rocket
$40 each

____________________________________________________________________________
sides
– hand cut chips, garlic mayonnaise
– grilled broccolini, kaffir lime soy
– rocket salad, grilled pear, smoked local gouda
$9.5 each
__________________________________________________________________________
unique cheese with accompaniments
NZ cheese selection, house made crackers, quince paste
small $15 / large $30
____________________________________________________________________________
desserts

– lemon meringue pie, kawakawa, limoncello sorbet
– dark chocolate mousse, pistachio ice cream, crisp chocolate, mulled wine jelly
– artichoke creme brulee, truffle, figs
– affogato, honey truffle ice cream, bailey’s liqueur
$16.5 each

(one account per table)

kitchen table

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 – 6 people
Booking in advance is essential, and the full prepayment is required to secure the table.
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

Upcoming events

truffle degustation august 2020

Join us for a 5 – course NZ truffle inspired degustation!

Using New Zealand winter truffles, this dinner is one not to be missed. Tickets are $90 per person, with wine matches available as an optional extra ($50pp).

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

oyster happy hour

Celebrate the weekend with fresh
Te Kouma Bay oysters.
$3 each and served natural with lemon & muscatel vinegar, or
beer battered with lime mayo. Perfect with a beer or glass of bubbles!

EVERY Friday from 5pm – 6:30pm in our bar/lounge area

Call 07-834-2921 to book your after work treat!

THE PALATE TEAM

Mat Mclean - Owner/ Head Chef

Larissa - Restaurant Manager

Mat Mclean - Owner/ Head Chef

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
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