Newstead restaurant opens despite challenges

Hamilton’s newest restaurant, Camarosa, situated in Newstead, is named after a strawberry variety.

Not surprising, really, when it comes apparent the restaurant fronts a camarosa field – reputedly a variety offering excellent flavour and yield.

Outdoor seating area with camarosa strawberry fields behind Photo: Makayla Wallace-Tidd

The restaurant, owned and operated by 25-year-old Kamal Dhillon, has an airy open-plan design and diners can expect a mix of natural textures in wood and stone, large windows, and Scandinavian-inspired furniture.

Scandinavian furniture within the restaurant Photo: Makayla Wallace-Tidd

The menu has been formulated by award-winning chef Andrew Clarke, Dhillon, and Danielle Randle, a certified nutritionist.

Specific dietary options, other than the classic vegetarian and gluten free, include keto, dairy sensitive, and vegan.

On offer are keto chicken, a ‘master stock pork belly’ main, and a pulled jackfruit burger made with vegan mayonnaise and vegan cheese.

“We want to get to the point when people think of great food, they think of Camarosa,” Dhillon said.

Bar leaners fill one side of the restaurant for a more casual cafe experience Photo: Makayla Wallace-Tidd

However, Dhillon said opening was not all smooth going, and the restaurant faced some opposition from locals worried about the premise’s alcohol licence in a rural neighbourhood.

“The only objections were towards the hours, which is fair enough from the neighbours because you wouldn’t want to live next to a bar.

“We’re not a nightclub and I think that’s what they were scared about.”

Dhillon went to a licensing hearing and cleared it up, saying alcohol was to be offered alongside a meal at their “upscale café and restaurant”.