Barry
85 High St, Northcote 3070
(03) 9481 7623 or barrycoffeeandfood.com
Barry is the latest brainchild of the family behind Pillar of Salt and the most recent Touchwood cafe. The brief for Techné was to transform the existing shell of an original Victorian corner shop café and reflect through the architecture, an openness and community-minded setting.
Barry is located at 85 High Street, Northcote, and is a welcoming sight for passers-by coming from next-door’s Palace Westgarth Cinema. The light-filled interior and bright finishes create a fresh and modern aesthetic.
“The owners wanted to use the simplest, no-fuss name that they could,” says Alex Lake from Techné. “This is reflective of the thought behind the offering of the café and the design of the fitout, both of which pursue an honest interaction.”
FARM TO TABLE AT RUSHCUTTERS
posted in: Café, Local, Restaurant, Uncategorized on December 11, 2013
Rushcutters
10 Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay NSW
(02) 9326 9348 or rushcutters.com.au
The latest venture from The Keystone Group, Rushcutters is an all-encompassing hub of sociability, sustainability and food that champions a farm-to-plate philosophy.
With the majority of produce from the menu sourced from Martin Boetz’s property, The Cooks Co-Op and the surrounding Hawkesbury area, the venue design follows a similar pattern to that of the food through the use of sustainable and locally sourced items with global inspiration.
Creative Director for The Keystone Group, Paul Schulte is responsible for the visual aesthetic. “Our vision for Rushcutters was to create a space that reflects the farms in the Hawkesbury where the majority of our produce is sourced,” he says.
“We’ve aimed to create an inviting space that suits the leafy surrounding suburbs. We wanted Rushcutters to have an all-day, approachable atmosphere where people could casually pop in and out as they please.”
The Sebel Melbourne Docklands
Cnr Aquitania Way and Marmion Place, New Quay, Docklands 3008
(03) 9641 7503 or accorhotels.com.au/hotel/sebel-melbourne-docklands
Melbourne has welcomed its first Sebel Premier Apartment hotel with the opening of The Sebel Melbourne Docklands this month.
The Sebel Melbourne Docklands is located in Melbourne’s NewQuay Docklands waterfront precinct among a selection of restaurants, cafes and bars with a retail and factory outlets shopping centre and marina next door.
The new-build, apartment hotel has water views across Victoria Harbour from a number of its 124 (incorporating an existing 28 purpose-built studio suites) self-contained one and two bedroom apartments with most featuring private balconies.
The apartments were designed by internationally-acclaimed architects McBride Charles Ryan and have been furnished with stylish and contemporary décor and include deluxe bathroom amenities by Appelles Apothecary.
SIP SOME SAKE AT PABU
posted in: Local, Restaurant on November 17, 2013
Pabu Grill and Sake
190 Smith St, Collingwood
(03) 9419 6141 or pabu.com.au
Collingwood’s Smith Street dining strip is now home to Pabu Grill & Sake, a Japanese Izakaya with a menu rivalled only by its architectural merit. The space features an impressive interplay of architecture and artwork, courtesy of Architects EAT and Two One Elephant.
It took nine months to transform what was once an old shop lot into Pabu Grill & Sake. Limited by a heritage overlay and shop front façade, Architects EAT employed contrasting materials to turn the 200sqm space into an all-day dining venue. Their success lies in the use of contemporary Japanalia décor that subtly references traditional times. A house-shaped, recycled timber partition wall with a wide window enables food to flow freely from kitchen to floor staff, while raw bricks contrast against steel finishes and add a touch of Collingwood grunge.
“The most enjoyable aspect is creating ‘a gastronomical theatre’ for the customers,” says Architects EAT director Eid Goh. “It is all about showcasing the process of creating the food and drink – our job as the architect is to ensure that the design of the space enhances this communication between staff and the customers.”
TUNE UP AT RILEY ST GARAGE
posted in: Bar, Local, Restaurant on November 17, 2013
Riley St Garage
55 Riley St, Woolloomooloo 2011
(02) 9326 9055 or www.rileystgarage.com.au
Once a full service garage, now a full service restaurant and bar, Riley St Garage has rolled up its doors for gastronomic service & repairs.
The 200-seat restaurant is the vision of Brody Petersen from The Parlour Group who brought The Flying Squirrel and The Stuffed Beaver to Sydney’s bar scene.
Chef Regan Porteous, previously from Maze London, Dubai and Hong Kong and bar manager Bobby Carey, ex-Shady Pines Saloon head up Petersen’s new venture.
The heart of the restaurant is the Grand Bar, which harks back to their motto: “I’d rather eat in a bar, than drink in a restaurant”.
The Emerson
143-145 Commercial Rd, South Yarra
(03) 9825 0900 or www.theemerson.com.au
A $12 million, two year transformation of the heritage-listed Market-Hotel has produced The Emerson. It’s inspired by 19th Century American essayist and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. He believed life was to be lived, that parties were to be held and if you were going to do something great then you had better have fun while doing it!
The interior is a sophisticated mix of superb finishes and bespoke features. It was designed by M-Use, the New York
firm behind superstar venues China Grill (New York, Las Vegas, Miami) with local support from Prahran-based DC Group. The result is a series of intimate spaces lending a boutique feel and allowing guests to choose their level of involvement over three levels.
FENIX OPEN FOR EVENTS
posted in: Function Space, Local on November 1, 2013
Fenix
680 Victoria St, Richmond 3121
(03) 9427 8500 or fenix.com.au
Melbourne’s Fenix will re-open this November, exclusively for events and with a new interior look and feel.
Led by Shareen Joel Design, Fenix will be recreated into a unique venue that offers a fresh style and illustrates a modern yet diverse space suited to all occasions.
Showcasing a simple, balanced and elegant aesthetic, the new Fenix incorporates lasting, quality key materials including vein cut classic travertine, burnished brass and blackened steel to deliver a modern yet timeless look.
Shareen Joel says that inspiration came from a personal favourite, a special bakery in Milan.
“The new Fenix will present as a solid space that is warm and approachable. It has a classic with contemporary detail with the purpose of remaining as timeless today as ever,” says Joel.
Fenix Managing Director, Eric Cohen of the Maple Event Group, understands the importance of a timeless design that can appeal to the Fenix customer today and in years to come.
“The new design embodies what Fenix is committed to; maintaining a modern and exclusive feel and delivering exceptional experiences through first class hospitality, food and design,” he says.
Chester Street Bakery and Bar
32a Chester St, Newstead, Brisbane 4006
(07) 3852 4130 or www.chesterstreet.com.au
The latest offering from Damian Griffith’s growing empire sees the entrepreneur team up with designer Alex Lotersztain. Stepping outside of the Constance Street precinct, Chester Street has a slightly different design philosophy to Griffith’s other venues, with Alexander Lotersztain opting for an open, minimalist aesthetic.
A bakery by day, the Alan Scott-designed, Dennis Benson-built wood-fired oven has been given pride of place. Lotersztain chose the bluest of cobalt blue tiles he could find.
With its contrasting Tasmanian oak and shiny tiled surfaces, Chester Street is a modern take on a bakery meets bar. The off-white tiled walls dappled with accents of light blue pay homage to Brisbane’s sky on a clear and sunny day.
House of Yoghurt
Westfield Hurstville, Cross St, Hurstville 2220
www.houseofyogurt.com.au
The bright interiors of House of Yogurt come from De Simone Design.
The feature in the middle, called ‘Cream Canopy’ or ‘Fro Yo fountain’ was made reality by Trent Baker from Armature Design Support.
The store is a self-serve concept based on a circular flow, with a focus on providing an exciting dining experience. The fitout was completed by Romeo and Co.
THE NEW HAWTHORN ARTS CENTRE
posted in: Convention Centre, Local on October 24, 2013
Hawthorn Arts Centre
360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn 3122
(02) 9278 4775 or www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/our-city/arts-culture/hawthorn-arts-centre-information
This November the Hawthorn Town Hall will open after 18 months of redevelopment, re-emerging as the Hawthorn Arts Centre – a first class arts and cultural facility for the City of Boroondara. The Centre will be a community, cultural and heritage hub giving priority to the presentation of arts and cultural activities.
With the vision to create ‘a city of harmony where citizens can celebrate, share, express and experience a rich arts and culture’, Boroondara Mayor, Councillor Jack Wegman says: “It will be the centre for Boroondara’s artistic and cultural life, and an important feature on greater Melbourne’s artistic landscape.”
