A regular family get together – often weekly – for the Bennett family is at the Northcote Tavern. We love nothing better than meeting for a drink and a meal at the ‘Tav’ on a Sunday night, or during the week if that doesn’t suit. Mum, Dad, the kids, the new grandson and Nana.
The Northcote Tavern is an institution on the Shore. It has been part of the landscape since the 1850s. You can always guarantee to get a warm welcome, a tipple of your choice and one of the best pub meals on the Shore. And if the sun is shining you can enjoy all this in one of the best garden bars on the Shore.
April has seen the arrival of experienced chef Tom Williamson to operate ‘The Northcote Kitchen’, the busy facility at the tavern that satisfies the appetites of regulars and visitors. Tom, who lives just over the bridge in Herne Bay, has worked in hospitality ever since he left school, in pubs initially, before training as a chef and spending a decade overseas (Sydney and Canada) and working on boats. He has worked at Ibizu in the city, Oyster Inn on Waiheke and at popular restaurants in Ponsonby.
More recently, for the past three and a half years, Tom has had his own food-truck that has operated from the Northcote Tavern from time to time when the kitchen was being renovated. He developed a soft spot for the place so jumped at the chance to take over the recently renovated kitchen when invited by owners Kim and Billy.
So what has Tom got planned for the food offering at Northcote Tavern?
“With the heritage of this place, my aim is to provide my take on good pub food,” says Tom. “We will continue to have a generous and well-rounded menu but one that won’t have chips with everything. I am a fan of smokey flavours so that will have an influence.”
Tom is well-known (some would say famous) for his steaks. So the 250-gram Scotch fillet – with smoked bone marrow butter, duck fat potatoes, broccolini, roasted onions and red wine jus is a must.
Tom’s launch menu includes five burger and sandwich options, six main options, three side options, six bar plates (bar snacks) and three desserts. As is always the case at the tavern, the menu for the kids is great as well.
“We will tweak the menu regularly and our Sunday roast will change weekly,” adds Tom. “Every Monday is Curry Night which is starting to get a real following. We are not trying to reinvent the wheel but we will be constantly innovating to deliver what our tavern customers want.”
Tom Williamson has a team of around 10 people, including three other cooks, helping him deliver tasty offerings for Northcote Tavern customers.
The Northcote Kitchen at Northcote Tavern
Open 7 Days, from 11am.
Phone 09-487-7707.
Visit: www.northcotetavern.co.nz
