Dine Out

from WildTomato March 2020

Events

A real Thai gem with a twist

BY HUGO SAMPSON

Finding authentic Thai food isn’t easy in New Zealand. So many of the dishes have been westernised to suit our tastebuds. The chilli score is often much milder than you’ll find in Thailand, without the pizzazz and über fresh flavours of their exotic herbs and spices. But here in Nelson we have a gem called Nahm. Their by-line is ‘Thai with a twist’ which does allow for a bit of westernisation – clever move to look after your client’s tastebuds. Happily, there are plenty of dishes on the menu that will bring you out in a sweat, and they make sure to pay close attention to this aspect. There is always a jar of fresh chilli on call too, for die-hard chilli lovers like my dining compatriot.

So we ate a lot! That’s because there were so many yummy things on the menu, and we just had to try as much as we could. A doggy bag was called for though, and dessert awaits our next visit, as there was just no spare space after all the preceding yummyness.

So, three small plates to start – calamari with spicy tom yum mayo, a nice twist on a standard; summer rolls with duck, fresh Thai herbs and a tangy hoisin dipping sauce; and a refreshing homage to a Chinese classic, Peking duck. Our pick of the starters, delicious spicy Thai fish cakes deep-fried in rice paper rolls, served

Book, it’s never not busy, which in my world speaks volumes.

with lashings of toasted, crunchy peanuts, and a tasty dipping sauce of which we could have done with more. I should have asked. They would have brought more. The staff are so delightfully helpful.

Deckside dining You never have to wait long for anything at Nahm, the kitchen is right on to it, which is fantastic given they cater for take-out clients too. So before long, our mains arrived singing freshness.

A stonkingly hot pork belly lava arrived on a cast iron plate with sweet chilli jam and crispy steamed beans and carrots. Luscious sweet and sour flavours with a whacking great kick of chilli (we ordered hot).

Creamy tom yum tiger prawns was the highlight of the mains for me. A generous portion of five fat tiger prawns in a

wonderfully creamy broth, seasoned with plenty of Kaffir lime. Loved it! Our third choice, a prawn pad Thai whilst enjoyable and generous in itself, I probably wouldn’t order again as I found it too sweet.

The wine list is sound, though not hugely imaginative, the ambiance lively and busy with views over the water, and terrace dining if you don’t mind the breeze. Book, it’s never not busy, which in my world speaks volumes.

Nahm Thai 322 Wakefield Quay, Stepneyville, Nelson. Ph: 03 548 7776. Opening Hours – 11.30am – 2.30pm lunch, & 5pm – 9.30pm dinner, 7 days a week. Cost: $148 for two – three starters, three mains, a beer and two glasses of wine.