Restaurant staking its future on steak
The owner of a Nelson eatery is staking its new brand on a gap in the city’s dining scene – a steakhouse.
Rebranded from the Waka to the New Street Steakhouse, owner Francis Monopoli said he wanted a fresh brand to reflect the clientele and the venue’s relaxed atmosphere.
‘‘There are no steakhouses in Nelson. There’s a lot of restaurants so we’re trying to be something a bit more individual.’’
Many restaurants in the region sell steak, but Monopoli said none had such a variety of cuts or prices, from the affordable to the decadent.
The most expensive steak in Nelson can now be found at the steakhouse, with their 200 gram wagyu sirloin costing $65.
The high price was due to the cost of the meat, Monopoli said.
Wagyu beef is a Japanese breed of cow known for its quality. The high level of fat marbling makes the meat extremely tender.
New Street Steakhouse head chef Leighton Heal has been at the Waka since it opened last year on February 1.
He said wagyu beef was interesting to cook, and described it aso being so soft, ‘‘you could eat it with a spoon’’.
The steakhouse is one of only a few in the South Island with wagyu on its menu.
Monopli ran the Wakatu Hotel on the corner of Collingwood and Bridge Streets for 12 years before ending the lease and moving down the road.
He intended to keep the Wakatu name but the lease of Wakatu Hotel was bought, along with the name.
Shortening the name to the Waka, the bar restaurant was opened with a menu Monopoli looked back on as one that was too upmarket for the feel of the venue.
‘‘The menu didn’t suit the people that came here.’’
The new menu has been redesigned with outdoor dining in mind including pizza, kebabs and share platters but the steaks are a hit with the customers.
‘‘Steaks are by far our biggest seller.’’
Monopoli said steaks made up 80 per cent of their sales in meals.
The rebranding of the entire venue will be a process over several months.
The bar attached to the res- taurant would still be called The Waka during the transition period, Monopoli said.
‘‘In time, we’ll phase out the Waka. For now, the Waka is where you go for a drink and watch the cricket or rugby match and have a bar meal. The steakhouse is where you go for a meal.’’