Nectar Café

People with special dietary needs will welcome the opening of Nectar Café, in the Morris & James complex, in Matakana, which has placed a special emphasis on providing vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free food.

But owners Tahnee and Satya Goddard say they also have a tasty range of cabinet food to cater for people without allergies as well.

They say their own experience of trying to find food for themselves and their two eldest children, who are gluten intolerant, prompted them to think carefully about their menu.

“Before buying the café, we ran a catering business in Auckland for three years,” Tahnee says. “It made us realise how many people have special dietary needs, and how little choice they often have when eating out.”

Fresh is another word that often crops up when Tahnee and Satya talk about their new menu.

Everything is made on the premises including the bread and much of what they use is organic.

Satya, who trained as a chef in Australia, says he is applying for a liquor licence with the idea of opening on two evenings a week for dinner. He says the café will also be available for functions and he will be providing an off-site catering service as well.

“We’re still settling in, setting up systems and hiring staff,” Tahnee says. “One thing we are keen to let people know is that a lot of our food lends itself to takeaway. In winter, this will include hot food options such as soups and curries.”

While the café will be their main focus, Tahnee is also a cosmetic and fine line tattooist, and is currently outfitting a room beside the café which she plans to open as a tattoo parlour later this month.

The couple say they are very happy to be joining the Morris & James family.