Filipino cuisine on Nelson’s menu

Nelson’s first Filipino restaurant has opened after ‘‘marinating’’ for a number of years.

Arnel’s Filipino Restaurant on Hardy St opened on Tuesday after the owners had success running a food cart and a lunch bar serving Filipino food. Arnel Lisondra is owner and chef of the new business with his wife, Glory.

He said he worked towards owning a restaurant for three years. ‘‘Marinate for three days, it comes up nice – same with business.’’

Filipino cuisine is a combination of influences from colonisations of the Philippines including Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and American. Their menu pays tribute to this, with a touch of Arnel’s flair.

He said a popular dish at their Gloucester Food Parlour led to a sweet new creation.

‘‘Lots of people like dumplings, why not try a dessert.’’

The white chocolate deep fried dumpling served with their mango ice cream is a specialty on the dinner menu.

Other items to tempt diners’ tastebuds also include a popular prawn dish, noodle soups, hot plates and fried rices.

Arnel said the restaurant was ‘‘not fine dining, not low cost, it’s in the middle’’.

‘‘The main thing is nice place, comfortable and the food.’’

Arnel moved to Nelson with his family in 2008 to chef at Rutherford Hotel’s Miyazu. During his six years at the 4-star hotel, the couple started Arnel’s Filipino Food Stand and became regulars at the Nelson Market.

Glory said after a number of years in the teppanyaki restaurant her husband said, ‘‘I think we should try something else.’’.

In November 2014, their lunch bar, Gloucester Food Parlour was born.

The Parlour has a diverse range of food, utilising Arnel’s background in pastry cheffing and teppanyaki.

She said they worked well as a team. ‘‘This is his dream, he always wanted to open his own restaurant so I’m just kind of like backing him up.’’

Arnel’s passion for cooking sprang from helping his mum when he was young.

He originally wanted to be a nautical engineer but cooking was in his heart, he said.

‘‘It’s not like you’re going to work in a hotel or restaurant just for the money – no. I work hard because I like it and I want my customer or my guests happy.

‘‘That’s the only payback for myself.’’