Historic Melbourne venue Albert Park Hotel will reopen on Wednesday 3 June.
The relaunch comes as shutdowns ease, with the team excited to finally open the pub’s doors, with new head chef Karloong Yee taking over the kitchen.
The menu will feature a mix of contemporary and classic dishes that showcase local and sustainably sourced produce. Think dim sum, prawn toast, Peking duck pancakes, sweet and sour pork, and Singapore noodles, complemented with raw Yellowfin tuna in orange and sesame dressing, crispy Eugowra quail with Szechuan pepper salt, and Char Sui salmon with soft fried hens’ egg.
There are plans for a takeaway menu too.
Bar manager Asher Spitz (ex-Boilermaker House) has designed a cocktail list that takes inspiration from the food. The ‘Park Side Spritz’ features Widges gin, Bay Leaf Wine, Mancino Secco vermouth and lemon and celery bitters. Then there’s the twist on a typical espresso martini, the ‘Espresso Tropicale’, which features Tried & True vodka, Szechuan, espresso, lime and coconut.
Victorian and Australian producers are front and centre on the wine list, with back vintage premium wines including German Riesling, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne on its reserve list.
Six Degrees Architects and stylist Anna Roberts are behind the 137-year-old venue’s new look. Natural light from a four-story atrium with expansive windows and a native fig tree combine to create a leafy oasis. The historic site’s brickwork have been embraced and the space is filled with antiques sourced by Roberts.
“We cannot wait to finally swing open our doors; it has been a long time coming for us. We are excited to bring something fresh and exciting to Albert Park’s local culture, while continuing the legacy that the pub holds for greater Melbourne,” says general manager Brad Hammond. “People are craving community and connection now more than ever, and we want to create a venue that can stand proudly as the beating heart of the Albert Park community.”
Albert Park Hotel was purchased by Colonial Leisure Group (owned by independent family-run business, The Morris Group) in 2014. Its’s the first of the group’s venue to reopen in accordance with the Victorian government’s eased lockdown measures.
Image: Simon Schiff