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Pacifica Restaurant Closes, Owners Launch New ‘Ni’ Venture in hawke’sโข Bay
Hawke’s Bay‘s acclaimed Pacifica restaurantโ has closed its doors after nearly two decades, marking the end of an era for the region’s dining scene. Owners natalie Bulman,a respected sommelier,and Jeremy Rameka areโข embarking on a new culinary chapter โwith a restaurant named Ni,slated to open by theโ end of October.
Aโข Long-Held Dream Realized
The couple has envisioned this transition for approximately ten years. โฃ “It is something โwe โhaveโค wanted to do since about 10 years ago,” โbulman stated. Ni,meaning “us” or “we” โin Welsh – a nod โคto Bulman’s heritage -โข represents a deeply personal and honestโ approach to dining.
Did You Know? The Welsh language, spoken by approximately 880,000 people globally ([https://www.ethnologue.com/language/wel](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/wel)), heavily influences the new restaurant’s identity.
Pacifica’s Legacy and a Fondโค Farewell
The period leading up to Pacifica’s closure was unexpectedly busy, filled with visits from loyal patrons. bulman expressed gratitude for โขthe outpouring of support from guests, staff, suppliers, family, and friends. Pacifica opened around 2003 andโ was purchasedโ by rameka inโ 2006.
Bulman reflected on her time in Hawke’s Bay, emphasizing her appreciation for the region’s wines and her beliefs โฃof wine pairing.”I always say the wines are like the backup singers,” she explained.”Itโข is indeed magical when it worked, when a wine helped the dish sing.But itsโข not the main event. My aim was not to make the wine the focus.”
Ni: Aโ Focus onโฃ Authenticity
The couple intends to carry select โขHawke’s Bay wines to their new establishment. Winning awards is not a primary goal โfor Ni. “We want it to โฃbe as honest as possible, and if that means it is indeed not what people expect, and not what wins awards, it doesn’t matter,” Bulman said. “We โคwant it to be as real and honest and us as possible.”
Pro Tip: Prioritizing authenticity overโ accolades can foster a stronger โconnection with diners seeking genuineโ culinary experiences, as โคhighlightedโข in research on consumer behavior in the hospitality industry ([https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2019-0618/full/html](https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2019-0618/full/html)).
Industry Recognition of Pacifica
Pacifica’s impact on New Zealand’s restaurant industry was significant. Kerry Tyack, lead assessor for the Cuisine Good Food Awards, lauded Jeremy Rameka’s talent โfor elevating simple ingredients. “I vividlyโค remember a dish he crafted using aโฃ humble brown onion. I’ve tasted hundreds of onion dishes over the years, but that one โขstood โคout. It remains the finest onion dish I’ve ever eaten.”
Tyack also noted the restaurant’s evolution into a uniquely Kiwi and personal dining experience, akin to stepping into a home kitchen. “It was simple, unmistakably Kiwi, and unmistakably Jeremy. I’m eager to see what he does next.”
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Pacifica Restaurant Opens | circa 2003 |
| Jeremy Rameka Purchases Pacifica | 2006 |
| Declarationโฃ of Ni Restaurant | October 2023 |
| Planned Opening โof Ni | End of October 2023 |
What aspects of Pacifica’s success do โyou think Rameka and Bulman will carry forward to Ni?
How vital is aโ restaurant’s connection to its local community and regional ingredients?
Looking Ahead: Trends in New Zealand’s Restaurant Industry
The closure of established restaurants likeโ Pacifica and the emergence of new ventures โฃlike Ni reflect broaderโฃ trends in New Zealand’s dining landscape. A growing emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, enduring practices, and personalized dining โexperiences areโ shaping consumer preferences. The โdemand for authenticity and โขconnection to regional identityโ is also โคincreasing, as โคevidenced โby Ni’s Welsh-inspired name and focus โon honesty. Furthermore, the impactโ of events like the recentโ cyclone recovery โคefforts in Hawke’s Bay are likely to influence community support for local businesses and aโค desire โฃfor comforting, familiar diningโ experiences.
Frequently askedโ Questions About Pacifica and Ni
What will happen to the Pacifica location? The future of the Pacifica location has not been publiclyโค announced.
Where will Ni restaurant be located? The location of โขNi restaurant has not been publicly announced.
What type of cuisine will Ni offer? Details about the cuisine โoffered at Niโฃ have not been released, but it is expected to โreflect the owners’ personal style and values.
We โขhope you โฃenjoyed this update โon โฃthe Hawke’s Bay dining scene.Ifโ you found this article insightful, please share it with your friends and family! We’d also love to hear your thoughts – feel โfreeโ to leave a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter for more breaking news and in-depth features