Melbourne is renowned for its vibrant, creative and world leading dining scene. Whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is always a high quality dish from the plethora of cafes and restaurant to suit anyone’s tastes. Now imagine the best dishes from the best cafes and restaurants all available in the one venue.
Popular online food and lifestyle magazine Broadsheet has pulled off exactly this with their two month-only pop up restaurant in Fitzroy. With the likes of Auction Rooms, Coda, The Everleigh, Huxtable, Tonka, Top Paddock and more all collaborating on this exciting venue, it is definitely not something to be missed.
Built inside a former hardware store, the interior has been transformed into a large open dining space centred around the bar area. A mix of clean cut timber furnishings, polished concrete floor, hanging tree branches and wall artwork combine to create a modern yet natural atmosphere.
Seating is a mixture of booths, communal benches, tables and stool around the bar. There is also a covered outside courtyard for those who like a bit of fresh air.
The menu is divided into three key sections; daytime, nighttime and refreshments. Without going into too much detail on the esteemed selection of dishes on offer, highlights include The Kettle Black’s beef burger on their notable black bun, Coda’s roasted yellow duck curry and Huxtable’s red wine braised beef short rib.
Visiting for both lunch and dinner on the same day, I was treated to Grain Store’s cider poached chicken with pickled pumpkin, spiced cauliflower and pea salad for lunch and a mammoth selection for dinner. The dinner portion sizes are a touch on the small side for their price and I ordered two mains, a side and three desserts. Not being able to choose between the impressive selection of dishes also didn’t help.
I had Estelle Bistro’s pork jowl and loin with cider and boudin noir and Huxtable’s red wine braised beef short rib with parsnip puree and persillade.
Dessert was Pierre Roelofs’ crisp vanilla and orange dulce de leche with hazelnut, Phillipa Sibley’s apple and quince macadamia crumble with truffled honey ice cream and Monsieur Truffle’s baked chocolate espresso mousse with cardamom cumquats and cookie crumble.
All of these dishes were immaculately presented, contributing to the overall casual fine dining ambience.
Coffee on offer is espresso from Small Batch and rotating guest roasters on filter. Tea is from Assembly.
On the bar is a range of cocktails from Eau de Vie and now Boilermaker House’s Jack Sotti, who recently was awarded Australian Bartender of the Year, a wine list from Sally Humble and a selection of bottles boutique beers. Also on offer is a range of The Everleigh’s new bottled cocktails, served in cologne-style bottles.
Broadsheet Restaurant takes the best of the best in Melbourne and combines it all into one fantastic venue. It is exciting to see what will evolve over the next two months and if this venture will spark similar popups in the future.
(at Broadsheet Restaurant)
Open June 05 to August 02 2015.
166 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy